Parking sensors or reversing camera? What would you choose

I wouldn't bother with either. It's much easier using your eyes than relying on beeps and visual aids where there is still loads of room when the beep is constant and the radar is red.

I have sensors and a radar display as part of my optional driver comfort pack (£500) and I wont be getting it again.

They are probably useful if are driving a Lamborghini Countach but otherwise no.
 
SDK^ said:
I wouldn't bother with either. It's much easier using your eyes than relying on beeps and visual aids where there is still loads of room when the beep is constant and the radar is red.

I have sensors and a radar display as part of my optional driver comfort pack (£500) and I wont be getting it again.

They are probably useful if are driving a Lamborghini Countach but otherwise no.
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You drive a 1-series, a car that's about 6" long.

I'm glad I have the sensors (and graphical display) on the A6, but on the Leon I couldn't care less.
 
The size of car doesn't matter for my point.

If the tolerances are so large then how can you rely on it to park. I've used BMW and Audi systems and both are solid beeps and showing collisions on the screen, yet there is enough space to continue the reverse turn park.

If you could tweak the gap settings yourself then the system would be useful.
 
Either the parking sensors or both, the reversing camera on it's own isn't as intuitive IMO. Had one on a rented CTS and Yukon XL, very useful for bog cars in combination with the sensors. On it's own a camera would be fine too as the screen will show the area in which the car will inhabit but from a pure perspective point of view, it can be difficult to use.
 
Was thinking of retrofitting the camera to the prius as reversing it is a nightmare and thankfully the wiring and screen are already installed and the one I tried in the yaris was very handy.
 
I had just sensors on my old 3 series and they were great tbh (front and back).

Never felt they left too much room, both the wife and I found them invaluable on that car.

Same for driving my folks A6 which does feel big when trying to squeeze into a small space :)
 
Am loving them on my CLK, they make getting it into the garage much faster than just using the mirrors, Gap at full red is about 1.5 inches, could be smaller, but I am fine with that. makes it a damn sight easier to parallel park as well, the visibility out of the back is shocking.
 
I ignore the camera as much as possible - I don't find it helpful at all. The sensors however, on a big car, are immensely useful and I wouldn't be without them.
 
elmuzzy66. said:
Did parking become harder in the last 10 years? Side mirrors for the win.
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To some degree yes, but cars have had parking sensors way longer than 10 years. In the longer term cars have more edges you cannot see and much worse visibility. More cars on the road, less and smaller parking spaces. It is still quite doable with mirrors like you say, but what is wrong with making it easier?

Try parallel parking a Mk2 Escort and then a modern Audi A3 or Latest Focus, the Escort is much easier.
 
elmuzzy66. said:
Did parking become harder in the last 10 years? Side mirrors for the win.
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I'm wondering this too.

I've managed to park several times a day for the last 20 years without parking sensors so I'm not sure why they've suddenly become essential?
 
My mate relied on sensors once. Unfortunately it missed the bit of brickwork jutting out and eventually he pushed the bumper into it.

Reversing cameras are useful in longer cars I guess though. Ie Jag XJ
 
jon.bda said:
Was wondering this...does the driving test include reverse park with sensors and cameras now?
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Unless things have changed you are allowed to use whatever the car has available. I learnt in a Corolla that had electronically adjustable wing mirrors. It made parking near a kerb or reversing around a corner silly easy.
 
Hxc said:
Unless things have changed you are allowed to use whatever the car has available. I learnt in a Corolla that had electronically adjustable wing mirrors. It made parking near a kerb or reversing around a corner silly easy.
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WOW!!!, you mean they have mirrors that move by electricty?!?!?!

Fancy that...still, whats wrong with some proper driving skills?
:)
 
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