Reversing sensors.. any good?

[PhilXXJ]

Wondered if anyone has fitted any reversing sensors to their van/bus, seen them on ebay £10-£15 pretty reasonable but not sure about ease of fitting/ accuracy etc..

[Oldiebut goodie]

I used a Velleman build it yourself kit - 10 minutes to solder up.
I have it set so that I am 18 inches from the object behind. I put the sensors in the bottom of that block of wood with fine brass gauze over the ends to keep the water out. The gubbings were put in a waterproof box and fixed behind the nearside light once set up.( It has to be waterproof due to the water that comes down there)
Make sure that you have a loud buzzer then you can just mount it in the rear and still hear it. The only thing to watch out for with a low down mounting is that there isn't open space under a vehicle behind at that height - usually that would be an object so big that you can see it in the rear window anyway.

[PhilXXJ]

thanks supermarket car parks seem to be hazardous.. randomly placed posts/bollards I cant see through rear window..

[Oldiebut goodie]

I still have trouble with them - they are so thin that the ultrasonics miss them.

[nicq]

I fitted a set given to me, 6 inches in from ends the other 2 equa distant. Watch out if you have a metal bumper some don't work in metal.
Fitted the box in the engine compartment put the buzzer under the rear cupboard.
Works brilliant.

[Oldiebut goodie]

Yes - a set of 4 sensors would be a lot better.

[tonytech]

I have a maplin one.
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/nikkai-4-sens ... -kit-a61jj
Seems to do the job.

I can manage without it, but it is handy when I have the bike rack on, as it gives distance readings.

T

[PhilXXJ]

Cheers for the feedback.. going to get a set , if metal bumper is a problem guess I could use a plastic washer/ gromit .

[nicq]

Cheers for the feedback.. going to get a set , if metal bumper is a problem guess I could use a plastic washer/ gromit .

If you check carefully some say can be used in metal bumpers.
It must be the way the sensors are made.

[NicBeeee]

I had 4 sensors in a metal bumper from previous owner, ended up ripping them out as everytime it rained and I drove in reverse the piezo would let out the highest pitched noise, by ears bled

[scottbott]

euro car parts were doing a set with 4 sensors and all the bits and pieces,even a tank cutter for 20 quid a while back,halfrauds had a very similar kit in a different box for 60 quid,have got to get round to fitting my set sometime

[Oldiebut goodie]

I had 4 sensors in a metal bumper from previous owner, ended up ripping them out as everytime it rained and I drove in reverse the piezo would let out the highest pitched noise, by ears bled

All you needed was some fine brass gauze over the sensors and that would have kept the rain out!

[123-jn]

I have a fleabay set with 4 sensors about £12 I think, they are great, luv em!!!!

[LeeME3]

Got a reversing camera on mine and a screen on the dash...works very well as it has a calibrated grid on the display and I can turn it on to check trailer etc if I'm towing! Doubles up as an additional rear view mirror which covers a couple blind spots as well!

[discipleofsketch]

So, has anyone fitted cheap fleabay ones in a metal bumper and found that they do work? I bought a cheap set that don't say anything about NOT working in metal bumpers, but they look very similar to other sets that state that they don't.

My rear bumper is in a bad state anyway, so I guess I could just try it, if they don't, expand the holes and wrap in rubber or something, and it all that fails at least i'll have had a fun sunday afternoon!