new reverse sensors?

[whdean]

I have a Sense Technology microwave backup sensor on my '05 convertible. They are availabe from the manufacturer or at Sears - I got mine online at Sears, so that if I had a probblem, I could walk it back to a Sears store. Has a 3-yr warranty and Sears will replace while in warranty.

Description here:

http://www.sensetech.com/guardianalert.htm

At $300 bucks, it's not cheap, but cheaper than the bumper repair when I backed into a post in a parking garage.

It uses doppler radar to sense decreasing distances between your car and an obstruction. Mounts behind the plastic bumper skin - Just can't be behind metal - ie - the license plate. I used extreme temperature 3M automotive dual lock fastener to secure the unit to the body the car - I mounted it just above the license plate - Take off the plate, and you will see where it can fit. I also got the EZ connect trailer hitch model, so that I could disconnect it if there was a problem without taking out the wiring, or if the bumper ever needed to be removed. I actually mounted it on a small strip of 3/4" thick wood - A section of a 1x4 trim strip, so that it would protrude forward as much as possible behind the bumper skin, to avoid the metal license plate.

I had a stereo shop do the wiring, just because I didn't want to tackle it. Basicly, the sensor wire feeds thru the rear of the body via an existing grommet hole, and then is wired into the reverse wire of one of the taillights. Then the display, which looks like a 1/2 sized computer mouse, is typically secured at the rear window, so you can see it while looking in your rearview mirror. Since I have a convertible, the shop ran it up to the front and placed in on the bottom edge of the dash, to the right of the steering wheel. I can look down and see it, but the main warning is from a series of beeps or a constant tone, as described on the company's website.

Has worked flawlessly for over a year - Is not affected by dirt or wind and is completely invisible from the exterior. It also cuts down on false alarms because the alarm only activates when there is a decreasing diatance between the car and an object. It also covers down to the ground without having the ground set it off.

The only negatives I found were cost and the fact that it starts alerting you at 9' when some others start at 14' or so. I accepted the cost and have not found 9' to be a problem - If I;m backing up, I'm doing it carefully to begin with.

Hopes this helps.

[iinokturnolii]

thanks bro totally helped... but do you have any pics?

[whdean]

Go to the web page I linked ...

Click on the second from the left tab at the top - Guardian Alert...

Dropdowns include, Models, Brochures, Installation Instructions, more than your could want.

There's a lot to like with this sensor.

[PXLpainter]

That Sense doppler radar unit looks promising enough... I like that its hidden behind the bumper skin and seems more effective that the others as well.

[dvdchris45]

times like this i'm glad i have my backup camera!

[SPF 0]

I'm planning to buy purchase a back up camera and screen. The rear visibility on the convertible nearly borders on hazardous.

[swindler]

Here are some pics of an in-bumper ultrasonic sensor setup that I took from an unknown Solara owner at my workplace. I've left a note for him to give me details on his setup, but I don't know the guy. We'll see.

Anyway, here are some pics. I don't think it looks too bad. Although I'd certainly prefer the 'invisible' look.

[whdean]

I looked at those before I decided on the doppler sensor.

I think that the ultrasonic sensors will work fine most of the time - They are certainly cheaper.

The advantages are:

1) Cheaper
2) Longer sensing range 14' vs 9ft.

The limitations appear to be:

1) Obviously an invasive procedure - Holes drilled in bumper skin. You could pull a doppler unit when you got another car and leave no trace of it.
2) Dirt, snow, grime will limit their effectiveness.
3) Winds over 12 mph will interfere with the ultrasonic signal - It's just very high pitched sound and the wind will interfere.
4) One or more of the ultrsonic sensors can go out and the unit will still work - But it does not let you know of the problem - A corner could be unprotected and the unit appear to be working. The doppler unit give a green light OK signal each time the car is put in reverse - You know if it's working.
5) Not very effective sensing obstructions to the side of the rear bumper - The sensors are aimed primarily towards the rear. With the doppler unit, you can walk up to the rear of the car at a 45 degree angle and it will trigger it if it senses that the car is angling towards an obstruction- ie - backing and turning slightly and hitting a post - What happened to me.
4) More false alarms - Ultrasonic units detect only static objects, including the ground, if the car is on an incline.
5) Ultrasonic units do not detect all the way to the ground - this is more a saftey feature - ie - A fallen child behind the car - than it is a warinng that the car is abuot to be damaged.

Sorry if I sound like a doppler fanboy - I did a ton of research before I bought my unit. With all that said, the ultrasonic units are likely to work just fine most of the time - it's just that the doppler units are a cut above.

Thanks.

[swindler]

Sorry if I sound like a doppler fanboy - I did a ton of research before I bought my unit. With all that said, the ultrasonic units are likely to work just fine most of the time - it's just that the doppler units are a cut above.

Hey doppler fanboy, I could argue with a couple of your points above, but essentially I agree that the doppler sensors sound like a great way to go. I'm an engineer and (although not my normal work) I've actually designed ultrasonic ranging units and I know a lot of the limitations that they have. I think the $300 tag is a bit much, but I may still go that way. In short, I really appreciate your comments, because you're offering information on an alternative that I don't know much about. Thanks.

[HomeboyMI]

I purchased one of the Guardian Alert Doppler Radar sensors on ebay. I installed it yesterday and it works great. They are now only $99. Its the same unit whdean installed a few posts ahead of this one.