Is the backup sonar useful?

[fjc32]

Hi all,

I'm in the market for a 4wd. I just notice that trail team has backup camera but no parking sensors. Is camera enough? I know that one minor dent on the bumper will cost more than the sensors to repair.

Thanks

 

[brockeverly]

I liked having mine. They came in rather handy when backing up while wheeling as using the camera doesn't always give a clear idea of distance of obstacles to your sides.

 

[cbreze]

After four months of ownership I still have a hard time trusting the camera. I really like the sonar and leave it activated always. It's a good compliment to the camera anyway.

 

[mjixx]

After four months of ownership I still have a hard time trusting the camera. I really like the sonar and leave it activated always. It's a good compliment to the camera anyway.

I found sensors more accurate and helpful then camera. However both complement each other!

 

[philsey]

My SR5 has both, and I'd never have another vehicle without these. The in-mirror display is small, but works quite well for backing in, which I do a lot.

If I had to choose between them, it would be the camera.

 

[desertred]

I find the sensors to invaluable, as I find mirror mounted camera is too small to be beneficial for much other than parallel parking in tight spots. For most other applications, I will use my side view mirrors in addition to my parking sensors. However, the large console mounted screen of GPS equipped vehicles may provide a large enough image to where the sensors may not be required, but I have never seen it, so I do not know.

For those that have the nav option, how does the large screen assist in viewing what is along the sides of the vehicle? I have a tight fit when backing out of my garage and find the sensors valuable in judging the clearance. The sensors really compensates for the side view mirror distortion.

 

[ImOnAPlain51]

My SR5 has both, and I'd never have another vehicle without these. The in-mirror display is small, but works quite well for backing in, which I do a lot.

If I had to choose between them, it would be the camera.

I agree. Took me a while to get use to the mirror camera screen, but now I find it extremely helpful and second nature. I wouldn't have another vehicle without the back up cam. The sonars are nice too and add an additional layer of safety, but I find the camera more useful.

 

[axxman]

they work good.

 

[crunchcity]

I was hoping it would start sounding off at a greater distance personally, maybe starting with long pause beeps and then getting shorter as you approached an object.

When I was testing it backing up to a garage door, it didn't starting sounding off until I was really close to an object in the rear view camera screen (entune screen not mirror mounted). Close enough that I would have stopped anyway (looking at the camera screen) regardless of the beeping.

If I didn't have the rear view camera and only the sonar, better than nothing imo.

 

[BobsTrail]

I have a TE with Nav so it has the big screen. It's good for backing up and easy to judge the distance behind. I have to use the mirrors for side clearance. It's also good for off road when backing on a trail. I tested that feature last weekend following a wash in Arizona when I could not get back to the main road.

 

[scanny]

In my opinion sensors and camera is better than just a camera, there are some situations when sound alert is really helpful. But I think camera is enough, I wouldn't make choice between Trail and SR5 based entirely on sensors : )

 

[westwind77]

The sound is the 'idiot proof' way not to hit something, but the camera yields a decent view. I trust my eyes looking at the camera more than I trust some beep interval.