Aftermarket parking sensors?

[SedonaBound]

Since maneuvering any H3 in tight spaces is often by feel, the first thing I'm doing to my H3T is installing parking sensors. I'm getting a rear cam too when I replace the audio head, but the sensors come first. I used to think they were a gimmick but after using them in my Cayenne, I'm hooked. They're better than a camera 'cuz they alert you of obstructions whether your looking or not. And they accurately tell you how close your getting. The Bosch system used by Porsche is available but kinda pricey...$300 per end. There are lots of knock-offs for a fraction of that...but who knows which ones are dependable? Can anyone make a recommendation based on experience?

 

[Peep]

Let me know what you buy. Already have the back camera, but backup radar display would or is needed for the wife ;P

 

[alrock]

I think it's kinda ironic that the minivans with the bashed in bumper corners always have the sensors. So many people have them and ignore the warnings. I can see the value of course, but just that it's wasted on many others.

 

[amrg]

I have a bmw with those sensors. Personally I believe a camera is better simply because those sensor have a difficult time picking up narrow things like poles for example while on camera you see everything. I have backed my car twice into 30" high poles simply because the sensor couldnt pick it up until after I hit it (once in the middle and another at the corner). Offcourse a cam doesnt help you tell distances, but overtime u'd get a sense of how far objects are...

 

[ReconH3]

X2!


"Ex Umbris Venimus"

 

[Bananatank]

Let me know what you buy. Already have the back camera, but backup radar display would or is needed for the wife ;P

What camera did you but for your h3 and how was the install or did yours have one already?

 

[derian06]

What camera did you but for your h3 and how was the install or did yours have one already?

I would like to know aswell.

 

[Renagade132]

Yes please let us know how the one you buy ends up working for you! I just bought a new head unit that allows a rear camera, but I wanted additional areas, like side cameras and a front one as well, so my audio guy is setting me up with a pretty incredible system, but I don't want to spoil it, till I know it will really work!

 

[SedonaBound]

Moving forward...I bought a generic Chinese sensor system for $16 (!) on ebay. There are a lot of them and they all seem to come from a very few mfrs. I'm now stumped by the H3T rear bumper, which between the license plate holder and light housing on the left and d-ring on the right, plus being considerably higher than the recommended instln height, is making it difficult to locate the two outer sensors at the same height and close to the same vertical plane. The upper edge looked good, but the license light holder makes a large bump that sticks out a couple inches; may still be best option. Each sensor has an 80 degree field of view, so nearby protrusions like the d-ring will be detected and cause a permanent alarm. If anyone has installed a four-sensor system on a T, I'd sure like to hear from you. I'm not drilling any holes in the bumper skin until I know its a sure thing.

 

[Chocflip201]

The only thing I don't like about my backup camera is that I have to judge for the spare tire too, because you can't tell how far it sticks out on the camera.

But my camera has IR night vision so even just the taillights alone illuminate everything like it was daytime.

I also love that I can turn on my camera even in drive to check on trailers etc.

 

[Peep]

Sorry guys I'm 6 or 7000 miles away from my Hummer right now, but will show you when I get back

 

[SedonaBound]

I'm aborting the rear parking sensor install...I just discovered that, unlike car instlns in a hollow bumper skin, the sensor locations are backed by the H3T's steel bumper immediately behind the plastic skin. I'm don't want to punch four holes in the steel. I'll mount the sensors on the front and go to Plan B for the rear; a camera. I wish there was a camera that gave a distance readout or alarm.

 

[Chocflip201]

My camera has the green-yellow-red bars, which helps judge distance, but I think any camera or parking sensor will take a bit of getting used to to accurately judge distance. For the first while just play it extra safe until you are used to the camera. I really wonder why cameras weren't a factory standard item in every H2, H3 and H3T

 

[SedonaBound]

My camera has the green-yellow-red bars, which helps judge distance, but I think any camera or parking sensor will take a bit of getting used to to accurately judge distance. For the first while just play it extra safe until you are used to the camera. I really wonder why cameras weren't a factory standard item in every H2, H3 and H3T

I'm already used to using sensors in my Cayenne...no visual judgement needed and they're dead-nuts accurate down to the last inch. I haven't used a rear view camera. I assume the screen guide bars are fixed and the same for all installations. I hate to drop $400-500 for a new audio head unit just to see a rear view cam but we have to make a tight 2-pt turn limited by a high stone wall to drive out our curved driveway. My wife won't back out and is making me turn the truck around for her until I put in sensors or a camera. Don't want another monitor...already have a GPS stuck on top of the dash. I may do what this Tundra guy did with cams in front too. Tundras have the same visibility issues as the H3T.

[video=youtube;1r4gAY0qcaA]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1r4gAY0qcaA[/video]

 

[Major Tom]

maybe old school curb feelers

 

[Renagade132]

Brother, I like the sensor idea, I will check my H2 to see how feasible it will be to install, but I honestly don't suggest getting a super cheap system, going through ALL the trouble of the install, and then it fails from being cheap or worse, cause damage to something else! Just the running of the wires, and the hole drilling can be time consuming and a pain to do, don't go cheap, as you will end up paying ten times fold!

 

[SedonaBound]

... but I honestly don't suggest getting a super cheap system

10-15 years ago, I'd have agreed. Not so much anymore. I began by looking for the same Bosch system as on my Porsche. The only source in the US is an ebay seller who wants almost $1300! A few from Europe for around $400. I got the sense that these are old stock and Bosch discontinued its kit. Amazon lists a few no-name sets in the $200-300 range but most are $25 and under knock-offs. They all have a identical components from the same couple of Chinese mfrs. These systems are now only $200-$300 as factory options (Ford) so $20 (X2 f&r) is probably the same grade of parts. I checked around on a few other car forums and the cheap sensors get generally good reviews too. Its like computer memory; a few years ago a 64GB microSD was $300, now its $30.

 

[Renagade132]

That makes sense SedonaBound!

 

[Peep]

This could have possibilities
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...W6B1SVY8TR9RY90&pf_rd_i=20&pf_rd_p=1725241842

 

[SedonaBound]

Parking sensors are on; required four 7/8" holes; two in the steel bumper and one in each plastic corner trim. Routing the wires in the T wasn't bad because there's a hidden vent louver (or cable transit?) high in the rear bulkhead. Only problem was mounting the indicator because there's no solid trim in the mirror line of sight to stick it to. I've got to find a plastic L to make a bracket that I can attach to the rear window glass with silicon.

Rear view camera is next, as soon as I can figure out where to mount it. The topography and clutter of the T's rear bumper is a PITA for this stuff. I'm gonna need a front cam too; I'm looking for a video switcher that will work.