Reversing sensors, are they worth it?

[Dorwyn]

The best reversing system is having your partner get out of the MH and guide you into the space.

Not with someone I know. In the first place she objects to getting out, when she does she just flaps her arms around and I have no idea what she means. And always forgets that if she can't see me in the mirror, I can't see her. If I'm trying to fit over a small drain, she ducks down to see it and disappears from view, still gesticulating. Or goes around the back and disappears from view. If I can't see her, I stop for safety, and then she gets annoyed that I stopped when she could see fine (but she is lovely). So I use a camera.

I have two. But if we are in high sun I often can't see the monitor for the sun on the screen, and also because one camera has too much contrast, and one is too grey so I have to set the contrast on the monitor in the middle which is not optimum for either. So I just choose the most visible. So it seems a good idea to get beepers which might work better.

 

[busby]

My reverse camera is pointless, they put a big bloody bike rack on the back so you see bugger all, OK I paid for the rack and extra cycle holder but didn’t ask them to fit it, I was going to keep it in my shed to save it getting dirty and just put it on if we needed it. I am having a tow bar fitted to put my Thule easy load carrier rack which has the bike rack option fitted, I prefer the bikes on this than blocking the view out of the rear window, also you can open the rear window with the bike rack fitted but can’t close it again, you need to unscrew the pistons

I tried to take it off yesterday but the weather was crap, may I will take it off tomorrow, no idea if the tow bar rack will interfere with the reversing sensors but can ask them in the shop ?

If I reverse I send the wife out to watch me..BUSBY.

 

[gus-lopez]

As Dorwyn said unless they have a clue what they are doing you might as well give up with that method.

 

[TeamBandS]

Apologies if this is a bit of a hijack.... I have been looking at the rear sensors on line and they all seem very similar but at different prices. Some seem to put the beeper on the boot (for cars?) which I would not want. Guess the cable could be extended. Some have a small LED unit that provides an indication of distance which I guess requires a cable from front to rear. I am after a better quality system as I do not mind paying for better performance/reliability. Any recommendations?

 

[Rapido925M]

My beeper is under the wardrobe at the rear of the van: no problems.
The great thing is that the frequency of the beeps increases as you get nearer to something, so you don't have to look at a display: my eyes flick from mirrors (including gesticulating wife or not) to rear-view monitor whilst my ears listen to the beeps (or the yells of anguish from someone I've run over ).

Nothing and nobody is perfect (except my wife!).

Gordon

PS when the sensors are wet they give false readings. In times of deluge, send the co-driver out!

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[GROMIT69]

Used this to paint them when fitted , comes in all colours

 

[TeamBandS]

Rapido925 - you are a brave man! There was me thinking that the sensors would save me from sending the wife out in the rain. Good info ref beeping in a rear cupboard, perhaps I do not need the LED display.

From reply's above there would appear to be a consensus that there is an issue with the other halves and a lack of standardisation in how they perform their duties. Should the next FUN meet include a training session for other halves?

 

[pandas]

auto park is the way to go with rear camera and 360 sensors

 

[bertiebasset]

I too fitted my own set, purchased on ebay and arrived complete with all instructions, hole saw and a long cable for the speaker/sounder. Fitted a switch to isolate from power when towbar bike rack fitted. Sounder is fitted by hab door so I can hear it,, pardon ? Would not be without it. I park in my drive which is tight,, like Dorwyn, my banksman has absolutely no idea,, think her instructor just passed her for peace and quiet,, sounds when I am near to the gravel boards on drive and when I get a solid sound I know I am close enuff.
My reverse camera is about as much use as my banksman so sensors a must.
but i do love her really.

 

[Rob Turner]

My reverse camera is pointless, they put a big bloody bike rack on the back so you see bugger all, OK I paid for the rack and extra cycle holder but didn’t ask them to fit it, I was going to keep it in my shed to save it getting dirty and just put it on if we needed it. I am having a tow bar fitted to put my Thule easy load carrier rack which has the bike rack option fitted, I prefer the bikes on this than blocking the view out of the rear window, also you can open the rear window with the bike rack fitted but can’t close it again, you need to unscrew the pistons

I tried to take it off yesterday but the weather was crap, may I will take it off tomorrow, no idea if the tow bar rack will interfere with the reversing sensors but can ask them in the shop ?

That’s a crap ? design if I’m honest.
You’ve got a window and then the manufacturer fits a bike rack in front of it!
Lovely view ?
For the price of sensors you might as well fit them at the same time as your head unit. As for the HU I have the Pioneer Z810DAB-C that is motorhome specific and I can highly recommend it.

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[MANGOFORTH]

596 start a thread re your speaker system choice. Something im looking into, interesting to see what your looking at?

 

[596]

596 start a thread re your speaker system choice. Something im looking into, interesting to see what your looking at?

I'm looking at the Burmester Surround Sound System with 12 individually controlled speakers, a 300-watt active subwoofer, a class D amplifier and a total system output of 821 watts

 

[DL42846]

I don't see the point of sensors if you have a reversing camera. I suppose it all comes down to what one is comfortable with. I'm very happy with my Camera and I have a bike rack.

 

[eddie]

596 start a thread re your speaker system choice. Something im looking into, interesting to see what your looking at?

A few years ago we were selling a lot of Pioneer and Alpine navigation systems and ICE systems

On our exhibition unit (a Fiat based bespoke Benimar motorhome designed for motorhome shows) we ordered in the cheapest, the most expensive and the mid ranged (price wise) that Pioneer made for Fiat

Then we tried to establish which were best and we came to the conclusion that the cheapest were the best as they all sounded the same and the cheapest were, well, the cheapest!

From memory the price differential was about £80 a pair from the cheapest to the most expensive so not a couple of bob.

If your thinking about inside the motorhome simply buy a Bose sound bar and be done with it.

 

[Spriddler]

If I reverse I send the wife out to watch me..BUSBY.

I'd have thought that 596 would take his Man to do that

^{_{Subscribers  do not see these advertisements}}

 

[bigtwin]

596 start a thread re your speaker system choice. Something im looking into, interesting to see what your looking at?

Whatever he ends up with I wouldn’t minding betting that it‘ll be remote/app controlled (and possibly even backlit). ?

Ian

 

[Cairngorm]

I was in a specialist vehicle audio shop looking at getting a superb music system installed in my motorhome and saw that they also sold reversing sensors, I have wing mirrors and twin rear cameras but as I am running out of presents to buy her wondered if these would be an extra layer of security, two would be black and two would be painted to match the bodywork.

So any expeinces with these on a motorhome appreciated, we have them on all our cars so I guess why not, it’s another toy ?

Bought our sensors after reversing into a pole on a caravan site in the dark. Did have a reversing camera, but didn’t see the pole. Stronger reversing lights might illuminate the terrain to advantage perhaps.
So I bought four sensors (black) as I couldn’t find white ones that were suitable for me. Went to the paint shop to get them sprayed white. Then went to the fitter to get it fitted. Discovered that two sensors had to be placed in a black area, so all the good white paint was promptly turned black. Look on sensors as additional insurance to prevent damage. Never thought of having them at roof level, but I will wait till I reverse into a branch before I do that.
If the sensors sound, this should be the alert for Gail to go out and check to make sure all is well. Unless it’s raining and then I have to do the checking. ?

 

[Vipar]

Yes have them fitted with chrome surrounds.

 

[RobWid]

Hi love my reversing camera (visual) and the audible alert of reversing sensors - £16 new off eBay for my 2003 Boxer and work wonderfully ?. For that little why not?

(In the past I fitted the same to a Pug 308 and was creadited with £300 extra on the trade in for having them fitted so a real winner!)