What Are Parking Sensors, and Why Do I Need Them?

11/25/2016 By John Schwartz

Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security in Anchorage has been installing parking sensors for a long time now. We have found, over the years, as backup cameras become better known, that this product often gets overlooked. That is too bad, because they are such a great driver safety product.

What exactly are parking sensors, and why do you need them?

Parking Sensors Add Depth Perception When You’re Backing Up

Have you ever backed out of a parking spot in a shopping center and wondered how close you were to the vehicle behind you? Wouldn’t it be great if you could know when you were approximately a foot away? Now you can.

The single biggest benefit to adding parking sensors to your vehicle is depth perception when you’re backing up. Here is how they work: When you place the vehicle in reverse, the sensors emit a single beep to alert you that they are working. As you slowly back toward an object, the audible alert goes from a slow beep to a fast beep, and finally a constant tone when you are very close. To make the sensors better, Perfectionist installs a visual display that helps you even more with depth perception.

Sensors Become an Integrated Part of Your Vehicle

Another great feature of parking sensors is the way they integrate with your vehicle. When Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security is done with your installation, you will think the sensors came factory-installed. We flush-mount four small black sensors into your vehicle’s rear bumper. They are about the size of a quarter, so they are barely noticeable. Inside the vehicle, we hide the speaker in a strategic location that lets you easily hear the audible prompts without seeing anything. We mount the visual display in a convenient spot upfront in easy view of the driver.

Weather Doesn’t Affect Sensor Performance

Have you ever used a backup camera at night and noticed it doesn’t work as well as during the day? How about when it is raining outside? Getting water on the camera affects the image quality, and wet ground makes it harder to see things behind you. Parking sensors are unaffected by weather or time of day since they use ultrasonic wave technology. Rain, shine or snow, they work great for you.

Add a Backup Camera for the Ultimate In Safety

For the safest backup experience, we suggest both a backup camera and parking sensors. This way, you can have a visual indication along with an audible alert to what is behind you. We consider this our ultimate package.

We invite you to stop by Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security and meet with one of our driver safety experts, who will work with you to find the best solution for your needs.

You can also contact us by clicking HERE.

Driver Safety Options at Perfectionist

11/12/2016 By John Schwartz

Driver safety products continue to grow in popularity at Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security in Anchorage, and our team is well-equipped to install the latest products on your vehicle. Every year, it seems like more and more people are involved in senseless accidents that could have been prevented with one of these products. When you factor in things like injury, loss and inconvenience, adding one or more of these products to your vehicle just makes sense.

Parking Sensors Are Where It All Started

If we rewind to the beginning of driver safety products, parking sensors are where it got started. We flush small sensors into your rear bumper that go live when your vehicle is placed in reverse. They use ultrasonic technology to “see” things behind you. As you get closer to an object, you hear a slow beep, then a fast beep and finally a constant tone as you get very close. They do a great job of improving your depth perception when backing up. We can also add front sensors to aid with face-in parking and parallel parking.

Backup Cameras Help Eliminate Blind Spots When Backing Up

When you are backing up, your vehicle has blind spots. A backup camera allows you to see what is normally in your blind spot, making you a safer driver. We strategically place a camera in the rear of your vehicle and then install a monitor upfront to display the image. They come in four distinct styles.

1. Use Your Existing Color Screen in the Dash

If your vehicle has a color screen in the dash, Perfectionist may be able to integrate the backup camera to display on that screen and work like a factory-installed unit.

2. Install a Rearview Mirror with Integrated LCD Display

Another popular option is a replacement rearview mirror that has an integrated LCD display hidden in it. Under normal circumstances, the mirror looks completely normal, but when you place the vehicle in reverse, a hidden LCD monitor comes alive, letting you see what’s behind you.

3. Install a New Touchscreen Stereo in your Dash

If you own a vehicle that is lacking in technology or have always wanted a color touchscreen display in your dash, this option may be for you. We install a new stereo in your dash that will display your backup camera, as well as give you many possible technology upgrades. Examples include Bluetooth, USB ports, SiriusXM, GPS navigation, CarPlay and Android Auto.

4. Add a Stand-alone Monitor

Some vehicles or situations work best with a stand-alone LCD monitor placed in a strategic position in your vehicle. If you own a commercial vehicle, this option is very since as we have commercial-grade screens in multiple sizes.

If you like the thought of a backup camera and would like to see what is in front of you when parking, we can add a front camera to your system as well.

Blind spot systems are blowing up in popularity and are designed to help you know when someone is in your blind spot when driving up the road. They come in two different styles:

Sensor-based Systems

Blind spot systems use radar-based technology to alert you of someone in your blind spot. We hide two sensors in your rear bumper and install visual displays on each side of the interior in plain view of the driver. When someone comes into your blind spot, the display flashes to alert you. If you activate your blinker on a side where someone is in your blind spot, you get an audible alert as a secondary warning.

Camera-based Systems

Some people prefer a visual of what is in the blind spot. For these people, we install a side view camera under each side mirror. When you activate your blinker, the camera image appears on the side that corresponds with the blinker. Your display options are the same as a backup camera.

360-degree Camera Systems

The ultimate camera systems include front, rear and side view cameras for the maximum in safety. You even get an overhead view of your vehicle that lets you “see” 360 degrees around your vehicle, making it much safer to park.

Forward Collision Warning Systems

When you are driving up the road, our forward collision warning systems will alert you if your vehicle starts to drift out of your lane. It also gives you an alert if you are following another vehicle too closely or need to brake to avoid an accident.

We invite you to stop by Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security with your vehicle so we can help you find the best solution for your needs. You can also contact us HERE.

Parking Sensors & Backup Cameras Reduce Moms’ Stress

02/23/2016 By Morgan Nicholson

When I purchased my vehicle, unfortunately, it did not come with a factory backup camera or collision-avoidance, parking sensors pre-installed. At the time, adding on these two backup and parking safety components didn’t occur to me and they were not offered as standard equipment options for my vehicle. So now I have my new vehicle that I love and enjoy and that I intend to keep for quite a long while. But it is missing a couple of very important pieces of safety equipment and features that would make my driving and parking experiences much easier and safer. As well as giving me peace of mind too.

Can I Get Parking Sensors And A Backup Camera If I Don’t Have Them On My Vehicle From The Factory?

So, what do you do when you purchase a new vehicle and these safety components were not offered as add-on options. Or, as in my case, the thought to have them added on to my vehicle only came months after the purchase was finalized and done. And what if you purchased a used vehicle instead of buying new off the lot? How can you still get these vital safety options on your vehicle?

I was thinking about what kinds of technologies I wanted to add to my car. Driver safety moved right to the top of my list. The statistics on distracted driving are quite unsettling. Thankfully, after doing some research and asking around, I learned that there are some great products out there that aid significantly in driver safety and can be added on to any vehicle you own. No matter how good a driver you are, you can’t control the times when you’re distracted because the kids are screaming in the back seat or when someone runs behind your vehicle while you’re parking. Does that resonate with any of you moms?

Increasing The Safety And Awareness Of A Vehicle While Reducing Worry And Stress Too

These safety product options are backup cameras and parking sensors. They make you much more aware of your surroundings. It’s actually quite difficult to run into something when you have these technologies installed on to your vehicle because of how accurate, quick and responsive they are. Whether you decide to have just one or both added on, you’ll notice a big difference in how comfortable and secure you feel while driving.

It’s A Responsible Decision; Protect Your Loved Ones And Those Around You

As a woman, choosing to have these products installed doesn’t mean you’re not an excellent driver. It’s actually saying that you care about the safety of your vehicle, those around you, and the ones you love and are taking the initiative to protect them.

Gain An Extra Eye With Backup Cameras

A backup camera allows you to have up to a 180-degree view of what is behind your vehicle. These cameras are also quite small and barely noticeable on your vehicle. Many times, they are installed right above your license plate. The extreme weather in Alaska will never be an issue for these function and reliability of these cameras because they are created to be weatherproof and to handle harsh environments.

Another great feature of backup cameras is assistance when driving in the dark, which for me can be the most difficult time to drive. But with a backup camera, you’ll be able to clearly see what’s behind you in the dark with night vision functionality so you will be safe and protected no matter what time of day you are out driving.

Need A Guide? Here Are Two, In Three Different Colors

One last great feature that comes with many backup cameras is the addition of parking assist guidelines that show up on the screen integrated along with the camera into the image. These allow you to back up much easier, straight into a parking spot with ease.

Okay, Great, We’ve Got Our Camera Now, But How Do I See This Thing?

There are a few options when it comes to choosing how you want to view the image from your camera. If your vehicle already has a factory in-dash screen, your backup camera most often can be integrated right into the existing screen that you already have and you’ll be able to view your image right from there. Another option is to have a new in-dash, touchscreen unit installed to replace the factory radio giving you a large screen to connect it to along with an awesome new multimedia source unit with tons of other great features. My personal favorite option is a replacement rearview mirror that has an embedded screen built into it. When you’re driving, it looks like a normal mirror. And when your vehicle is placed in reverse, the hidden LCD screen appears and you have a great, clear and convenient view of your camera’s image.

Sonar Is For Submarines, Whales, And …Minivans?

Now let’s talk about parking sensors. They are about the size of a nickel and they mount flat and flush into your bumper. They are fairly unnoticeable and can be painted to match the vehicle’s body for further cosmetic integration. The parking sensors work by sending out ultrasonic waves that reflect and bounce off any objects around your vehicle, returning then to the parking sensors and letting the vehicle know that there is object detection and potential collision. You’ll hear a beeping noise that will beep faster as you get closer to an object. You can also have these sensors installed on the front of your vehicle for “full-around” coverage.

Parking Sensors And Backup Cameras Working Together Create Better Drivers

With a backup camera and parking sensors together, you’ll no longer worry about running over the bike your child left in the driveway. Parallel parking or parking in tight spaces also become a piece of cake. Backing up at night. Driving around small children. Your entire driving experience will be easier and more stress-free.

Better Safety Is Something Every Car On The Road Needs. Stop By Perfectionist And Ask For Yours Today

Stop by Perfectionist Auto Sound & Security in Anchorage, Alaska, and meet the wonderful sales team there. They will get to know you and help you decide which of these products will be most beneficial for you. You can Contact Them Here.