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Feb 13, 2014

Factory Integrated Backup Cameras vs. Rear View Mirrors

There have been many a debate over which is the better priced, better valued car safety tool—the new factory integrated backup cameras or the classic rear view mirrors. This article will try to help shed some light on the conflict.

The Camera
Backup Camera System
A factory integrated backup camera is just another form of camera, this one being made for giving the driver a direct view of anything and everything that may be in the way of the vehicle. They are generally angled downwards, and provide a fairly wide, and sometimes adjustable, view on the screen attached to the dashboard. Depending on its version, a factory integrated backup camera may be mechanically adjusted by the driver in terms of angle.
One of the unfortunate drawbacks is that the combination of the fish-eye lens and the downward angle prevents it from seeing faraway objects.

Feb 12, 2014

The Purpose of a Parking Sensor

In the history of cars, there have been many accidents, and a lot of those accidents have been because of the difficult act of reversing. You have probably experience this as well, for whatever reason, and have probably been frustrated by it.

One of the many available options in combating this problem is with the aid of a parking sensor.
Backup Sensor : http://autospatech.com

What It Does
Also known as a backing sensor, or a PDC—Park Distance Control—a parking sensor is a sensor used in determining the proximity of an object to the vehicle it is attached to. When the vehicle comes to close to an object, it sets off an alarm which instantly warns the driver of his or her closeness to an unseen object. The system generally relies on the reflection of sound waves to pinpoint the position and proximity of an object.

The Basic Types
There are generally two types of parking sensors: electromagnetic and ultrasonic.
An electromagnetic parking sensor mainly deals with slow movement, namely a vehicle slowly and smoothly reversing towards an object. The alarm grows louder the closer the driver moves toward the object. These sensors often do not require any drilling to be done on the car, only offering a design that allows it to be mounted discreetly on to the inner part of the bumper.
The other type is the ultrasonic parking sensor. These are sensors attached to the front and/or rear of the vehicle’s bumpers. They measure the proximity of nearby low objects. The warning system depends on the speed of the vehicle and the closeness of the object, either being visual or audible. The variation in the warning indicates to the driver the general direction and distance of the object.
Rear sensors are generally activated automatically when the car goes into reverse. Front sensors, however, are usually activated manually, then deactivates by itself once the vehicles reaches a certain speed.

Why People Love It
Many people find parking sensors kit as a useful and fairly inexpensive alternative to the high class backup cameras. Parking sensors take up less space and are usually almost virtually invisible, thanks to their size and ability to be hidden behind bumpers. They can also be adjusted so that they do not suddenly activate during slow moving traffic—something that would surely drive you and your passengers mad.
Depending on what you prefer, you can have one of two types of parking sensors. Some people find ultrasonic parking sensors to be a bit too fiddly to deal with, as some of them involve installing more than one sensor in different areas of the vehicle. Most consumers says that the electromagnetic parking sensor. Despite its simplicity, it is fairly low maintenance and requires less effort for installation.

In many prevalent opinions, an alarm-inducing parking sensor is better than a back viewing camera, as the sensor will tell you if you are getting too close. A back view camera will make you rely on your eyes only; sensors force you to listen as well as look. As a parking aid, they are well worth their price, allowing you to avoid even minor bumps while reversing. They can be considered as a useful tool for both new and experienced drivers.