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Model specific boards => Golf mk6 => Topic started by: TagnuT on 18 December 2011, 15:06

Title: Rear camera or parking sensors
Post by: TagnuT on 18 December 2011, 15:06
Just wondering what peoples opinions and experiences are with these two. Have been offered the fitting of rear parking sensors or a camera by a VW dealer.
With the sensors at least you get an audible tone and the display on the screen (while using your eyes to look around.) With the camera you just get the view on screen.

Both have their merits which would you go for?

Cheers  :undecided:
Title: Re: Rear camera or parking sensors
Post by: Jimmymature on 18 December 2011, 17:47
Just wondering what peoples opinions and experiences are with these two. Have been offered the fitting of rear parking sensors or a camera by a VW dealer.
With the sensors at least you get an audible tone and the display on the screen (while using your eyes to look around.) With the camera you just get the view on screen.

Both have their merits which would you go for?

Cheers  :undecided:


Get both!!

The camera is superb but I think it works best with the sensors too.



Jim
Title: Re: Rear camera or parking sensors
Post by: Ginge 35Edition on 18 December 2011, 18:14
If your talking factory fit then both as they look cool as f**k when you use them, if its dealer fit ask to see an example of the sensors fitted on a different car as they may not be flush fitting and these can look a bit crappy - in my opinion.
Title: Re: Rear camera or parking sensors
Post by: Keithuk on 18 December 2011, 19:26
Have been offered the fitting of rear parking sensors or a camera by a VW dealer.

I'm surprised a dealer offering to do this as the bumper is a different part number with the sensors. As you say with a camera you looking at the screen which distracts you from browsing around.

I wish I had ordered the sensors now, so I would go for that option.  :wink:
Title: Re: Rear camera or parking sensors
Post by: carl1 on 18 December 2011, 19:35
If it was one or the other it would be sensors factory fit thou, rear camera impresses at first but i was impressed how good the sensors are, as Keithuk says you are just concentrating on the screen were as with the sensors you use your ears an look around and then look at the screen when you cllose bumper to bumper etc. Plus you get kerb view reverse activated mirror with sensors.
Title: Re: Rear camera or parking sensors
Post by: DDg on 18 December 2011, 19:52
Camera! Get to within an inch of the wall behind you without fear. What distance does a sensor give its highest tone at - a foot? Pffft! Had the camera two and a half years now and it still really impresses me.

If you could push for it I'd get them both from the factory, but if only one - get the camera.

On the other hand.... If you chose one now with an idea of maybe retrofitting the other later, you could make a case for the sensors first (although it's a more expensive route). The camera kit can go in one position and one position only whereas some monkey with a drill could butcher your bumper by not aligning the sensors perfectly (I doubt they'd use a jig to line everything up). Not worth the risk for me.

Plus the camera practically gives you night vision when reversing at night!
Title: Re: Rear camera or parking sensors
Post by: carl1 on 18 December 2011, 20:00
^^^^ you can get within 2 inches on front and back but if i had my choice i say none because they add weight and are for big GIRLS  :grin: :smiley:
Title: Re: Rear camera or parking sensors
Post by: Snoopy on 18 December 2011, 20:49
Add weight PMSL the mk6 weight is the same as a ocean linear to start with  :grin:
Title: Re: Rear camera or parking sensors
Post by: p3asa on 18 December 2011, 22:01
I only use my camera for parking close to the object behind me so no need to be looking about when there is only a few inches between you and that object. I can safely park within an inch of it.

Have a look on youtube as they demos of both.
Title: Re: Rear camera or parking sensors
Post by: TagnuT on 19 December 2011, 11:46
Thanks for that, time to have a think.
Cheers  :smiley:
Title: Re: Rear camera or parking sensors
Post by: Hartside on 19 December 2011, 12:25
Why would you want to park so close, you cannot get into the boot easily?
Title: Re: Rear camera or parking sensors
Post by: TagnuT on 19 December 2011, 19:50
Gone for the sensors in the end. Spoke to my dad and he had a camera on his XF, said that you end up watching the screen rather than  using the wing mirrors. Could fit the camera later if I decide to.
The daft thing is my car only gets parked in three places. 1. Work, in the same spot. 2 Home, in the garage. 3. In the furthest corner of the supermarket car park.
Thanks guys.
Title: Re: Rear camera or parking sensors
Post by: p3eps on 19 December 2011, 20:03
I didn't realise how small spaces I could get into (parallel park) until I had front and rear sensors.
Probably not a good thing really, as if you're so close to someone else, the likelyhood is they'll bump you on the way out!
Fine if you're only wanting to park for 5 mins to run in and grab something though.

The reverse camera is genius when you're reversing up to a wall - like in a multistory car park.  As above - you can literally get within an inch of what you're parking against without worrying. 
The camera is also useful for those days when your wing mirrors don't fold back out (common fault with folding mirrors) as you can use it for getting out of a driveway or something without the need for the mirrors.
Title: Re: Rear camera or parking sensors
Post by: p3asa on 19 December 2011, 22:56
Why would you want to park so close, you cannot get into the boot easily?

All the cars in my household park like this so we can squeeze an extra car in the drive and so nobody can get in my shed with the car hard up against it.
Title: Re: Rear camera or parking sensors
Post by: dubber36 on 20 December 2011, 08:13

The camera is also useful for those days when your wing mirrors don't fold back out (common fault with folding mirrors) as you can use it for getting out of a driveway or something without the need for the mirrors.

Don't you need the mirrors when you set off down the road then?
Title: Re: Rear camera or parking sensors
Post by: p3eps on 20 December 2011, 20:27
Don't you need the mirrors when you set off down the road then?

Yeah - but once you start moving at a reasonable speed they eventually fold out again.  I believe its quite a common bug with folding mirrors that they stick closed until you start moving forwards.
Title: Re: Rear camera or parking sensors
Post by: p3asa on 21 December 2011, 15:51
Ever since I read Snoopys bit about it being software related as opposed to it being a physical problem, I've waited a couple of seconds after starting the car before turning the knob to release the mirrors and its worked every time.

Before this they used to stick 1in 5 attempts but that was me turning the knob the second the car started.

Title: Re: Rear camera or parking sensors
Post by: p3eps on 21 December 2011, 18:10
Ever since I read Snoopys bit about it being software related as opposed to it being a physical problem, I've waited a couple of seconds after starting the car before turning the knob to release the mirrors and its worked every time.

Before this they used to stick 1in 5 attempts but that was me turning the knob the second the car started.

Mine hardly ever do it - but it's usually when I actually need them!  That's probably because I start the car and immediately turn the knob in those circumstances.  I'll try that though - giving it a few seconds before turning.  See if it makes a difference  :smiley: