Photo: How to effectively combine a camera and parking sensors in your car (Konstantin Shirokun, RBC-Ukraine) Author: Konstantin Shirokun
Perhaps the basic parking sensor is the most popular of all electronic assistants: it is activated several times during one trip. How did it happen that it was not written off with the advent of rear view cameras, and how can their tandem be used?
Read about why you can’t compare a camera and a parking sensor in the RBC-Ukraine article.
There are fewer and fewer cars in car dealerships today that do not have at least one of these devices. But even if the model does not have this option from the factory, today it is not difficult (and not very expensive!) to equip your car with a parking sensor or a camera, so to speak, privately. The only question is, what exactly to choose, and why in many cases “by factory” does a car have both devices?
It is generally accepted that the camera is a more advanced assistant when maneuvering in tight spaces. However, listen to those who have experience using it and parking sensors, and you will learn that these are two slightly different things.
Camera. Despite its supposedly greater perfection, the camera does not have full functionality: it is primarily responsible for the overall picture behind the car.
Parktronic. This miniature ultrasonic radar does not give a complete picture, but it does show a specific distance to the nearest obstacle.
What is more important to the driver at a specific moment of reversing? Probably, the parking sensor, especially considering that the driver can get the overall picture not only from the camera, but also from the mirrors. In addition, the parking sensor, like the camera, displays the situation in dynamics, updating the information every second.
And it is not surprising that many modern models already from the factory have both a camera and an ultrasonic parking sensor. Supplementing the color picture on the screen with voice and sound signals, it reports the distance to the obstacle. And to what exactly, the driver sees on the screen.
The camera's ability to draw a ruler on the screen significantly improves its functionality compared to the parking sensor – lines that show in red, yellow and green how much the distance to the object has decreased. It's convenient, but it doesn't relieve the driver from having to look at the screen – while the parking sensor can dictate the remaining distance out loud and the driver will additionally monitor the situation visually.
To summarize, we note the following advantages and disadvantages of each of the devices for monitoring the space behind the car:
Camera
Pros
- Gives a general situation behind the car (in a certain, rather narrow sector)
- Allows you to see over a long distance
- Possibility of connection to the existing car display (in case of installing the camera after purchasing the car)
Cons
- Does not relieve the need to control the environment through windows and mirrors
- May distort the image, not giving an accurate idea of the distance
- Needs cleaning in bad weather
- Requires a monitor (connect to an existing one or install your own)
Parking sensors
Pros
- Gives a clear idea of the most important thing – distance
- Allows the driver to simultaneously monitor the situation using mirrors and windows
- Easier installation in a car (if installed after purchasing the car)
Cons
- “Myopia” – sees no further than 1.5 – 3 meters
- You have to drill the bumper (if installing after purchasing the car)
- The need to find a place for a screen in the interior.
In brief
In fact, the camera and the parking sensor do not replace each other, but complement each other. It turns out that the parking sensor is more necessary, since it is a means for safe maneuvering in tight spaces. Against its background, the camera is an additional means, it expands the capabilities of the first system. Therefore, if possible, it is better to have both of these devices in the car.
Materials from Autocentre and Motor were used in preparing this article.
Recently, RBC-Ukraine reported on what types of all-wheel drive there are on pickups and SUVs.