has anyone installed reverse parking sensors on their car from the dealer? so far the prices ranged from about $530 (Tom Kerr) to $700+ (Eurocar).. why the difference between the dealers I do not know... maybe they all use different 3rd party product?
if anyone has installed one, can they comment on their functionality and pluses? thankx

wallerc has them on his car... IIRC he said something about them being really loud and having to get it turned down.

My dad has Mazda dealer fitted ones on his '6 and I reckon it is bloody annoying.

Just read Open Road mag for May/June and a Polaris reverse parking system that has rear view video camera to actually see objects is advertised for $495. Go to www.reverseparking.com.au

yes, that's actually where I'm getting it done tomorrow :D
it's about $199 + $80 for installation for hi-spec voice sensor system..

I had the official Mazda (thirdparty) reverse sensors (4) system fitted by the Mazda dealer before delivery. As reported it was too loud and too sensitive. I adjusted the volume (hi/lo switch only) so it is less annoying. Problem is that they fitted the two outside sensors at the start of the curve of the bumper so they point off centre and so pick up objects off to the side (like the walls of a narrow garage). Nevertheless, after living with it for a couple of months I'm pleased to have it as I feel that I'm not going to reverse over one of our kids' ankle-biters or a tricycle abandoned behind the car.
It sounds to me that going for the hi-spec voice sensor system that Playa had fitted is the way to go.
How do you find it Playa?
Regards,
Chris

Voice sensor system - use case:

[rear bumper speaker]: "Beep - Anyone back there? Beep - Anyone back there?"

[object in the way]: "Yeah - I'm a little trike here!"

[rear bumber speaker]: "Well... GET OUT OF THE FRIGGIN' WAY!"

:D

Cheers,
Hymee.

yes, I had it installed last Sat.. works great for all the tight reverse parking. haven't yet had to ask somebody to get out and watch the behind for me :D I didn't get around to take some pictures, which I will put up once I take some.. they drilled the sensors on the red bumper and maybe a little too high (coz had problem picking up some lower end.. may have to ask the guy if it can be adjusted..) but it looks good in its way.. the speaker was installed on the left corner of the window behind.
the voice sensor works in conjunction with beep once it gets too close.. all in all, the system looks great and much better than getting your dealer to install the less product for 2-3 times more.

Had mine installed today. After painting the formerly silver membranes black, they look OK - just four black dots on the (also black) rear bumper, placed a little lower they would look better though.

The system works easy, one beep if you shift to reverse gear, then slow beeps turning faster and finally into a constant beep beetween 1,50 m and 0, 30m. The beeper is installed on the right side in the back (behind the SRS sign). There you have in full view if you turn and look backwards (with LHD), which is handy, because it also gives an optical indication of the distance with six small, differently coloured lamps.

Edit: The price was € 550 including installation (which took four hours). Dealers in Germany have them in their computer list for extras, but they seem to be a third party product, so I'm not shure if you'd get the same in Australia.

what that is expensive man... mine is a voice sensing system which tell you how many metres are left in woman voice (sounds little robotic.. -_-) until you are like 0.3m where it is constant rapid beeps. took about 1 hour to install and costs are $199 + $80 for labour.. about $280 in all.. the sensors are clear and it looked like a bullet holes at first but I'm growing to like it (distintive =) which reminds me I'll go now and get some pictures taken

after long delay and trouble (my usb ports were not working...), here are some pics who may be interested.

That looks a lot like my system, but my sensors are placed differently. Height is bottom line of the number plate, inner sensors are placed besides the plate and the outer ones 10 cm further to the side than yours. I found that the silver dots were too prominent and painted the membranes with a permanent black marker.

I found them expensive too, but you won't find many large parking spaces in german cities. I can tell the distance to a wall by aiming with my lip spoiler, but everything below the spoiler remains invisible. Well, and before I scratch my bumper I simply went for the sensors. I wanted them to be installed by Mazda, since it's a leasing car (yet ...).

close up of the sensor

speaker inside.. u can adjust the volume...

after long delay and trouble (my usb ports were not working...), here are some pics who may be interested.


where are the photos? :)

where are the photos? :)

you mean you waited over a year and a half to ask that question? :Eyecrazy: :mdrmed: :mdrmed:

Be nice it he is "dasoviet", the message has only just breached the firewalls.

But on a serious note.

Playa after a year, what are your thoughts. I've just moved into a house where reversing is suddenly more of an issue. Is this unit a good one? Must have looked at a few on that demon auction site.

Anyone have any experience of ones (other than the sticky out wire versions...that brings back memories) that works on a sideways basis to protect the rims?

Actually not so much for me, i tend to park a boat length from the kerb, but the missus was in tears after she scarfed a wheel the day after i got it back from the painters!

Come on Mike - I reckon lengths of wire on springs would really set off the flanks of the 8.

Actually, don't even talk about kerbing :spank: . In future I'll be parking 3 feet from anything harder than water. :mdrmed:

What about getting the schmick US nav screen and rigging up a camera? ;)

my you brought this old thread back up..lol
i dunno where they've gone.. i think the server I uploaded is not working anymore..
I've got them in my home computer, i'll upload them again for u later.

Be nice it he is "dasoviet", the message has only just breached the firewalls.

But on a serious note.

Playa after a year, what are your thoughts. I've just moved into a house where reversing is suddenly more of an issue. Is this unit a good one? Must have looked at a few on that demon auction site.

Anyone have any experience of ones (other than the sticky out wire versions...that brings back memories) that works on a sideways basis to protect the rims?

Actually not so much for me, i tend to park a boat length from the kerb, but the missus was in tears after she scarfed a wheel the day after i got it back from the painters!

sorry kept forgetting to re-upload the pics..
the sensors are alright. especially when doing a tight reverse parking.. i think the back windows of rx-8 is hard to see, so having a sensor is useful. but of course its more of an aid than a something u totally depend on. I wish i can change the voice of the lady though LOL

I wish i can change the voice of the lady though LOL
is that recordable?
if so... you can have kall for a day on sunday... who can resist her sexy voice?

EDIT:
playa.... found the sensors on your rear bar...
it was taken at the palmmy cruise last year...

lol sexy or childish? lol

lmao. unfortunately, it's not recordable... the voice is quite robotic.....

after much delay, here are some pictures for those who want to see how it looks.

Hey Sunghoon, noticed the 'tiny' yellow sticker between the rear seats - you're not subsidising your car payments with advertising are you? ;) :D: j/k

Hey Sunghoon, noticed the 'tiny' yellow sticker between the rear seats - you're not subsidising your car payments with advertising are you? ;) :D: j/k

haha, i wish they paid me some advertising $$$.
its a promo sticker i received from autosalon two years back and it just happen to fit the back console size perfectly.. didn't really bothered to take it off since.
it matches the back interior well i think ;)

Hi

I have recently bought a new RX8 with dealer fitted parking sensors. They do not work properly. The outboard ones are pointing down at an angle due to the curve of the bumper. Therefore, the sensors give false readings from ground reflections.

The best way to test sensors is to tape a small piece of sponge (bath sponge type) over them one by one to find out the faulty sensor. With the outer two taped up, the system works perfectly for objects near the centre of the car.

I have sent the car back to the dealer twice now, and they are trying to fob me off that this is the way it works. I'm not buying it, as I'm never able to gauge whats behind me, and I would be better off not having them at all! For the best part of £300 quid, I think they are appauling.

Not sure what else to do now, other than ask for my money back, and live with a cr@p system!

Trigtrog

I have sent the car back to the dealer twice now, and they are trying to fob me off that this is the way it works.

Get on to Mazda Australia.. You should have a direct number with your welcome pack..

£300 £300 £300

i think he's from UK ;)
no point going to the MA. hehehe

on a serious note, that's quite a lot of money you paid to get it installed.. and I bet its not even the voice type but just beep sensors? you shoulda take it back to the dealer who installed and demand they do a proper job maybe threatening to take it to the headoffice of the mazda. maybe they can upgrade your system which may fix the problem? mine's not 100% either but it works most of the times.

£300 £300 £300

i think he's from UK ;)

<slap> Lacks attention to detail...... <slap>


Oooopppppss... :Freak_ani

LOL only jokin!!!

I had these on a previous car but only had 2 fitted. The outer ones have too much of a arc on them and pick up objects off the side of the car which have no bearing to what you might hit.

I don't generally like them unless they are colour coded to the bumper but that's just my thought...

As far as a voice...I reckon I would prefer a beep than a robot voice.....Unless it says...keep coming...little bit more...little bit more....stop now or you will crash and dent your mazda!! :hahano: :hahano:

I agree Julia but I can understand why they optioned these. Reversing is tricky with the lack of three-quarter vision.

I tend to err on the side of caution and end up three feet away from the wall. :rofl:

I agree Julia but I can understand why they optioned these. Reversing is tricky with the lack of three-quarter vision.

I tend to err on the side of caution and end up three feet away from the wall. :rofl:

After a while I have gotten to know what the reflection of the lights looks like as the back of the car gets closer to the wall. Now I have it that I know when to stop just by looking at the lights reflection :SHOCKED: I use windows when parking on the street as they are free :naughty: And if all else fails I get out of the car to check....it's the front of the car that I have trouble with sometimes... :lol2: Can't seem to judge how much space I have....WD seems to have this under control so between the 2 of us we are cool!

But I reckon the $$ of these things is a rip off really... :rant: How can something so small cost so much....camera would be better.....

Revolver what in gods name were you doing up so early this morning!!! WD was out and gone to the circuit before I was even conscious....WTAB??? :crying:

Hate to be negative because it's not my 8...

The sensors stick out like a sore thumb...
Couldn't they be painted or purchased in black or red?

The speaker could have been installed under the rear deck trim or some other "stealthy" place...?

I'm just thinkin' out loud ...

Revolver what in gods name were you doing up so early this morning!!! WD was out and gone to the circuit before I was even conscious....WTAB??? :crying:

I now live across from a high school. Contrary to the general prejudice against such things, it is usually bliss on a weekend because the street is deserted and you only have half the normal number of leaf blowers/lawnmowers/etc that you find in your normal street. During the week of course I'm not there in school hours so the place may as well not exist as far as I'm concerned.

However, this morning was the departure for what was obviously their annual snow trip and we had cars pulling up and doors slamming to a progressively louder backing track of excited kids waiting for the buses to arrive from 6.00am onwards. Don't begrudge that really but it did make it difficult to sleep in.

Of course, my tapping on the computer then woke my son up who was excited at the prospect of another Lego marathon with his old man and I spent the next two hours after logging off making a pretty cool batmobile with him. Lego's come a long, long way since I was a kid:mdrmed:

Since I'm sharing, I also had a fun race on the Harbour yesterday. Glorious weather. :) :) :)