Reverse Sensors - Are they worth it?

[BarneyG]

I'm thinking about getting reverse sensors for my vehicle, people say they are fantastic for kids wandering around at the back off your car, I would like hear from other members who have them and are they worth it:)

[andrewslr]

I had an aftermarket set fitted to my VX Clubsport. I found the rear wing a distraction when reverse parking and judging the rear of the car.

Would I have them again.....absolutely!. Reverse sensors are worth every dollar.

I'd suggest though that if you drive a Commodore, go a set of genuine sensors. The wiring harness plugs into the loom which I believe is a bonus if you tow. It disables the sensors when reversing with a trailer/etc.

[EddieVE06]

I'm thinking about getting reverse sensors for my vehicle, people say they are fantastic for kids wandering around at the back off your car, I would like hear from other members who have them and are they worth it:)

I think they are worth it as a pre-caution. I have them on my car and are great however I always double check and never rely soley on them asthey can activate depending on car angle like coming out of a drive or a pole on the street a you park which is a false alarm.

[SV805]

Sadly there are way too many examples of Kids being run over in the drivway of their own homes. If parking sensors can save just one life it would be great. I will certainly get them on the next car.
I bet that unnamed Union player wished he had them.

[Rate]

What price range are they fitted?

[ziggycv8z]

$ 430.00 plus fitting from holden and they are colour coded

[JNP304]

Have them on the work car. Makes parking so much easier. Id get factory fitted if I was you. For VE they are $450 as an option. Great for tight spots and of course for little ones wondering around behind the car.

[piston1]

yes they are check out pg6 autobarn catalogue reversing cameras

[vyssbeast]

absolutely worth it!!
i always reverse park now that i have them. get the distance perfect everytime. if someone walks past the back of the car when reversing its a quick warning to put your foot on the brakes.
definatly get them you wont regret it

[Avalanche]

worth every cent, combined with the passeger mirror dip on the ava, reverse parking is a breeze. Just the mirror dip makes a huge difference, especially when reverse parking with a 9x5 trailer.

[Freaky]

as everyone else has already stated they are excellent.

I wouldnt never buy another car without them.

[VU_SS_UTE]

They are good for live saving reasons etc, personally I think people that "need" them for parking should take a look at their driving!

Its a shame they look so bad though.

[alto]

I've got the hayman reece parking sensor on my car.

somehow i don't think that sensors will prevent you running things over - by the time you hear the beep it would be too late. It always pays to be absolutely sure of your surroundings before taking off.

[Vulture]

Have them on the work car. Makes parking so much easier. Id get factory fitted if I was you. For VE they are $450 as an option. Great for tight spots and of course for little ones wondering around behind the car.

For that sort of money I believe you could get a wide-angle reversing camera - a better option IMHO.

[JNP304]

True Vulture, maybe a camera would be better but just for parking the sensors are very good. I wouldnt want some camera on the back of my car. Unless its discreet.

[tuff304]

I would love to get factory rear and front parking sensors, i've used them on the mrs dads monaro and i love em

[BarneyG]

Sadly there are way too many examples of Kids being run over in the drivway of their own homes. If parking sensors can save just one life it would be great. I will certainly get them on the next car.
I bet that unnamed Union player wished he had them.

I'm sold, for $450 bucks you cant go wrong really. Thanks for the replies fella's.:bravo:

[dcholden]

I'm sold, for $450 bucks you cant go wrong really. Thanks for the replies fella's.:bravo:

I think $450 is a bit steep. I had a set of aftermarkets installed to the Caprice, colour coded to match the car, they came to me and did the install and it was just over $300. Got bucklish chance of seeing over the boot of the Caprice when reversing, so that was one of the first things I had done. I think there is a nice big profit margin in there for Holden at that price!!

[tuff304]

I think $450 is a bit steep. I had a set of aftermarkets installed to the Caprice, colour coded to match the car, they came to me and did the install and it was just over $300. Got bucklish chance of seeing over the boot of the Caprice when reversing, so that was one of the first things I had done. I think there is a nice big profit margin in there for Holden at that price!!

not if u can get them from Holden at cost price :yup:

[dcholden]

not if u can get them from Holden at cost price :yup:

Well if you can do that then by all means! Stick with the Holden ones.

[AussieTone]

What about these really cheap aftermarket ones I've seen advertised. Can't remember where but it would have been one of these multi national discount chains. Can't remember the price but well south of $100. Are they just cheap and nasty rubbish

[Wonky]

not if u can get them from Holden at cost price :yup:
How do you do that?? Even employees can't buy at cost - nowhere near!

Definitely worthwhile having them - saved me from a stack the other night as both myself and another car ended up backing out of parks almost opposite each other at the same time - the beep alerted me and allowed me to pull forward again before I was hit.

[dcholden]

What about these really cheap aftermarket ones I've seen advertised. Can't remember where but it would have been one of these multi national discount chains. Can't remember the price but well south of $100. Are they just cheap and nasty rubbish


Well I guess they would do the same job one would imagine, but just look ugly as hell. Probably big black sensors that would stand out a mile. At the end of the day, they all simply rig up to the reverse lights so when you hit reverse they power up. only difference is quality of the ultrasonic sensor and visual appearance. If your going to go to the trouble of drilling holes in your bumper, at least put quality ones in, that's my thoughts on the matter. I'd actually be interested to know if there are any aftermarket front sensors out there, I think that adds a little more complexity. Caprice from WK onward had them, and they can be switched on/off by a button. Are they really necessary? Probably not unless you are extra short, in which case you probably shouldn't be driving a car that size. Just interested how they would work. Sorry if a bit off topic.

[Tez82]

I have been running a reverse camera in the Monaro for months now :) I must say best thing I have ever bought, hooks up into the DVD player etc and pic comes up as soon car goes in reverse.

With the monaro's boot being high up you honestly can't see shit behind you and reverse sensors are shit at picking up polls etc :p

1 thing though is you scare shit out of others when your backing up and not looking :p had it at the drags, some tool behind me nearly had a heart attack that I was going to back into his VY clubbie kitted VN hehehe....

I think camera cost $200 odd and its kinda hidden you can't see it :p every looks for it, DVD system well at time I got it cost $4200 but these days there a lot cheaper :D

Tez

[hallster]

Sensors are priceless if they save life or prevent injury

They are also cheaper than getting the bumper and boot fixed when the misses can't see than bollard see reversed into

[BlueVZSS]

Sensors are priceless if they save life or prevent injury

They are also cheaper than getting the bumper and boot fixed when the misses can't see than bollard see reversed into

Exactly. Reverse parking sensors have eliminated my bills from my wife's braille parking method.

[PhatAs]

arrrrrrrrrrgh i wish i had these, dammmit :vpo:. Scratched the hell out of the rear bumper on the side of the stato tonight :vpo: :vpo: reversed into one of those power pole earth wires dammit. Still not used to the huge rear overhang dammit, i think i need some sensors:doh:

[keepleft]

REM - Reverse alarm bulbs (bayonet) with buzzer/beeper, bout $15 typically.

Not a sensor, but makes noise when you select reverse.

[Paul Guthrie]

Reversing Sensors are great, I put after market ones on my statesman and you can reverse up to about 100mm. They cost me $340 colour coded and fitted, the only thing is you need to be careful if you lower the car later .

[Alphabug]

I have been running a reverse camera in the Monaro for months now :) ............
I think camera cost $200 odd and its kinda hidden you can't see it ......Tez
Tez,

Can you please post a piccy of how the camera is fitted ?

Thanks,

Alphabug.

[seedyrom]

I was thinking that the Genuine GM version just has an in cabin piezo-electric buzzer or some other audio notification.

Is that correct ?
I have seen that some after market versions use coloured cars and/or digital displays that read out the exact distance, does the GM version have this ?

Is it an integration into the BCM? or is it just spliced into that Yellow(?) wire in the loom that kicks in when reverse is selected.

If there is actual integration into the BCM, what year models are we looking at ?
I believe GM OEM reverse sensors first appeared with the VX-II+ - are they VT-II friendly?

Can someone confirm anything?
I DONT KNOW WHAT WE'RE YELLING ABOUT!
http://www.oz8.org/gallery/albums/Seedyrom/brick1.jpg

(I prefer the look of OEM sensors to the aftermarket ones)

Cheers,
Seedy

[Paxton]

A rear view camera system is definately a great way to go. Check out http://precisionvision.com.au/
for a variety of rear view camera systems. Packages start from $460- (not much when considering the safety of children!!) Great systems too: automatically engages when reverse is slected, automatically turns on screen when vehicle is started, options for multiple audio / video input, Infra-red cameras for night etc.

The executive package is a very slick bit of gear... it incorporates a lcd display into a rear view mirror which clips over the factory rear view mirror. I've seen it fitted to a VW toureg and it's awesome!

[sHr3D]

Mrs Lexus has camera - fully sick view - you would have to be an absolute fwit to hit something. Senator has standard sensors and I have checked (gotten out the car to look) many times and when it goes solid tone it is always exactly 300mm from something hittable. I reckon they are great.

Saw Strathfield advertise $49 for 2 sensors and $79 for 4, obviously un-painted. I will do it to the kiddies learner-mobile AFTER they have learned to reverse park.

I was a sceptic (still septic) but now think they should be mandatory.

[BarneyG]

Does anyone know a installer in Melbourne that does a top job for these sensors?:burnout:

[JNP304]

I work at a prestige car dealership in Melb and we only use Burg design to fit aftermarket ones. They do a good job, not too sure on pricing though. They will come out to your house or work to fit them up. 9555 9277 is the contact number.

[BarneyG]

I work at a prestige car dealership in Melb and we only use Burg design to fit aftermarket ones. They do a good job, not too sure on pricing though. They will come out to your house or work to fit them up. 9555 9277 is the contact number.

Fantastic JNP304 thankyou.:thumbsup:

[JNP304]

No probs Barney. Thats why I love the forums. You can get all sorts of helpful info as quick as lightning. Good luck with the sensors. These guys should be good. Fitted them to many $xxx,xxx vehicle here.

[Tez82]

Will post some pics up later of the setup sorry haven't been home lately :) hehehe...

[djsmi1]

I used to think they were for people who couldn't drive, but they are nice when you cant be f@#$ed concentrating

[Olly-00]

The you guys are raving about these sensors is starting to make me want some too! Although I have to admit I hate the look of the bumper sensors. Maybe I'll settle for a camera installation at some point...

[SCiFiRE]

First car Ive had with them is my new Calais, and im sold. Especially on the VE that has a display on the LCD showing how close you are, and if the obstruction is at the rear or either corner of the car!!

If i buy a wagon in a couple of years time, im hoping the front parking sensors will be an option, Makes reverse parking a bazillion times easier.


I prefer the Audio parking sensors to a camera, that way i can look behind with my own eyes and see things coming that would be out of view of the camera, and still know for sure if somethings is too close but out of my view.

most aftermarket ones look ugly, but the standard ones are very discreet.

[blackbettyhsv]

I reckon they are shit hot, until I back out of some drive ways & it starts beeping, I look around but nothing is there. worked it out, since I had it lowered the sensors pick up the road as I back out, other than that they are the best thing

[Ganzer]

HI all
My avalanche has them, but they will only work if its rainning and my holden dealer here in cairns doesn't know why. They have try three times to fix it, But i have pioneer dvd player, so iam hook a a reverse camera to it.

Ganzer

[Titanium]

Picked up a genuine set for the VE, $239 ex Holden, fitted them myself in 90 minutes.

Well worth the cost, but a little late for the wife .... she dinged the rear bar before I could fit them.

[T_Kiwi]

i love my rear sensors on the vx, saves breaking ya neck and you can park much faster LOL

[vasyd]

For those looking for an aftermarket reversing sensor kit, have a look at the SteelMate kit sold by Jaycar. They have a control box that sits in the boot and connects to the reversing light wire. The unit then sends information to the front dash mounted display wirelessly. The display tells you distance in metres and has a matrix of LEDs varying in colour from green to red signifying distance and location of sensor detecting the obstacle. The kit costs $169 and comes complete with hole saw and templates.

I fitted one of these to my 86 yo father in law's Volvo and he thought it was the best thing since sliced bread. The sensors are the best I've seen in an aftermarket kit. They are black. I'm not sure if they can be painted though.

http://www.jaycar.com.au

And search for reversing sensor.