Fitting a Car Reverse Sensor

super_freddie

Hi,

I want to fit a car reverse sensor. I want to get one with an audible and a visible component (by visible component I mean lights and / or distance indicator, not camera). My car is metallic black (colour code LC9X a.k.a. Deep Black Pearl Clearcoat). I want to get one that has a wireless connection from the sensors on the back to the unit on the front. I'm pretty average from a DIY perspective / car perspective.

So what I'd like to know is....

(i) Would I need a colour-coded unit (i.e. colour coded sensors) or would the bog standard black look OK?

(ii) If I want to get a front unit that's powered from the main electrics rather than the cigarette lighter, is that difficult to install?

(iii) Are the low-cost ones on eBay (some from China / Hong Hong, some from UK) decent quality?

(iv) In general terms - how difficult are they to install?

(v) Any other tips / comments?

Thanks,
super_freddie.

Owen

Black plastic ones on a black metallic bumper will look alright. Do not under any circumstances buy any kits for 40 sterling or thereabouts. All the kits on eBay are generally muck. I trialled installing several different manufacturers when looking for good ones. The issues are that they don't scan fast enough, so you need to reverse at around .5mph for it to be accurate.

Get a good quality kit, and be prepared to spend 80-100 euro or thereabouts for it.

super_freddie

Thanks Owen ... any thoughts on brands?

Owen

Scorpion are a good brand, but beware some cheap Chinese knockoffs branding themselves as Scorpion. Get a set from a reputable seller online if possible.

super_freddie

I've been doing a bit of searching on this and a lot of the self-install ones are powered from the cigarette lighter. I think that would look a bit cheap / cluttered. If I wanted to get power from another source, is that moving into the realms of too complex / involved for DIY?

Thanks,
super_freddie.

Dionysius2

Fred....did you fit one eventually and if so what make & did it live up to expectations ?

Mar4ix

ive fitted one from micsgarage that one , when was half price offer, parking sensors with little screen, and beep build in to screen, sourcing power only frm reverse light . driving a month now, no problems at all, cant complain.

super_freddie

I've been looking for a model that

(i) connects wirelessly from the sensor pieces in the back to the "notification unit" (audio and / or LCD) in the front and
(ii) does not require power from the cigarette lighter for the notification unit.

Haven't managed to track one down but must admit haven't been too focussed on this for the last few weeks - I'm still all ears though in terms of a good value unit that meets criteria (i) and (ii) above.

Thanks,
super_freddie.

DublinDilbert

If the kit you pick needs to be powered by a cigaret lighter, test it works well, if it does you could get a second cigaret lighter socked installed behind the dash that gets powered off the ignition in the car.

I would not touch a wireless one, will cost much more, will possibly require batteries which will need replacing.

I would get a good quality kit and power it off a reversing light and run the cables up. You'll probably need to drill the bumper too for it to look well.

tuborg_man

I installed a cheap ebay one (8 euro including postage) to my van, It works ok, nothing spectacular but does the job if you just want a guide with the lack of windows,
My bumper is black plastic so didn't have to worry about color and cutting holes into a 240,000 mile fiat scudo is therapeutic, if your around meath your more than welcome to call over and i'll show you mine and what I had to do,