SonarStep Backup Sensor

[jjensen]

Recently purchased a 2007 base H3.

Found this backup sensor ...

http://www.amazon.com/SonarStep%C2%A.../dp/B000M6CVG8

Bought on ebay for $184 delivered, installed in about five minutes, works perfectly.

[Wisha Haddan H3]

That's pretty cool. What does the tone sound like?

[jjensen]

Originally Posted by Wisha Haddan H3

That's pretty cool. What does the tone sound like?

a very distinct "beep" with a rudimentary method of adjusting the sound level -- a cover which slides over the speaker, either fully or partially. Does exactly what I need, didn't want a camera system, wanted very simple installation which this provides.

another bonus -- can be easily moved from vehicle to vehicle, as long as you have a trailer hitch.

Interesting, kinda like a hitchcam without the camera. Very cost effective solution.

[RubHer Yellow Ducky]

Originally Posted by jjensen

Recently purchased a 2007 base H3.

Found this backup sensor ...

http://www.amazon.com/SonarStep%C2%A.../dp/B000M6CVG8

Bought on ebay for $184 delivered, installed in about five minutes, works perfectly.

You can buy 2 BackUp Camera Systems for $184

Originally Posted by RubHer Yellow Ducky

You can buy 2 BackUp Camera Systems for $184

Yea, but do they work?

I'm glad to hear that his SonarStep Backup Sensor thing actually worked. I'm using a Hitchcam and it works great, and it also uses the hitch wiring to detect when you put it into reverse.

[jjensen]

Originally Posted by RubHer Yellow Ducky

You can buy 2 BackUp Camera Systems for $184

I realize that there are more sophisticated systems which are even less expensive. I was looking for something extremely simple and functional which could be easily transfered to another vehicle. The SonarStep works as advertised and has given me much more confidence when backing up with such poor visibility.

[bobopotato]

I have the sonarstep as well, and so far, it seems to be only ok at best.

- Backing up: The sensors seem to be very accurate only if you're backing up directly towards a large object (eg wall). Its not very accurate when backing up towards a curb etc.

- Wireless receiver: The receiver can be plugged into any 12V cig outlet. The problem is, all the 12V cig outlets in the H3 are full-time "hot". Being the paranoid person I am, afraid that the thing will run the battery down if I had the truck parked for days on end , I had to splice another 12V outlet into the reverse light circuit (splicing into the RAP circuit would work as well).

Originally Posted by bobopotato

I have the sonarstep as well, and so far, it seems to be only ok at best.

- Backing up: The sensors seem to be very accurate only if you're backing up directly towards a large object (eg wall). Its not very accurate when backing up towards a curb etc.

- Wireless receiver: The receiver can be plugged into any 12V cig outlet. The problem is, all the 12V cig outlets in the H3 are full-time "hot". Being the paranoid person I am, afraid that the thing will run the battery down if I had the truck parked for days on end , I had to splice another 12V outlet into the reverse light circuit (splicing into the RAP circuit would work as well).

Good feedback. Typical of these cheapy solutions, most have issues.

[zmanH2]

I have this on my H2 for 4 months now. I highly recommend it. As one guy mentioned, it is idiot proof. At 7 feet - slow beeps - green light, at 5 feet - faster beeps - yellow light, at 3 feet - constant beep - red light. It's funny how one mentioned "curb". IMHO, the curb is the last of your worries. I have tested this with small kids (with engine off ofcourse). It was always on the money distance-wise whether directly behind or to the side. Oh and on those dark, foggy and/or rainy nights, this thing works just the same. It uses sonar waves like the military uses. And you can transfer to any vehicle (provided it has a hitch) in no time. I don't know about the H3, but I only use my H2 on weekends and this thing is plugged in full time and does not drain my battery.

Here's the thread on the H2 side:
http://www.elcovaforums.com/forums/s...=sensor+backup

Product website:
http://www.sonarstep.com/

I forgot to mention it won awards from Popular Mechanics - Editor's Choice Award and SEMA Int'l Product Award.

[stagger_lee]

Originally Posted by bobopotato

Its not very accurate when backing up towards a curb etc.

Thanks for the feedback, always, but we can just run over curbs, I would just be worried about backing into my garage or a brickwall. Would you say it is otherwise accurate besides reading curbs?

[Viet Nam Vette]

Picked this up cheap and dirty unit.. wire the camera into the reverse lamps ..or wire it into your trailer plug. Monitor sits on left hand side of dash and plugs into cig lighter.

Picture is good for $99.00 and free shipping ...and it's wireless..

http://cgi.ebay.com/VR3-WIRELESS-COLOR-BACK-UP-SECURITY-CAMERA-DIGITAL-2-4_W0QQitemZ220107741021QQihZ012QQcategoryZ48605QQr dZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[zmanH2]

Originally Posted by Viet Nam Vette

Picked this up cheap and dirty unit.. wire the camera into the reverse lamps ..or wire it into your trailer plug. Monitor sits on left hand side of dash and plugs into cig lighter.

Picture is good for $99.00 and free shipping ...and it's wireless..

http://cgi.ebay.com/VR3-WIRELESS-COLOR-BACK-UP-SECURITY-CAMERA-DIGITAL-2-4_W0QQitemZ220107741021QQihZ012QQcategoryZ48605QQr dZ1QQcmdZViewItem

One thing I heard about this unit is it takes time to boot up the monitor (and ofcourse the monitor takes space on your dash too). Also, not so good for night time visuals. So if the monitor will have to boot up everytime you go in reverse, it will be a pain in tight parking scenario (reverse-forward-reverse-forward). They have these exact units at PepBoys & Kragen now too.

Originally Posted by Viet Nam Vette

Picked this up cheap and dirty unit.. wire the camera into the reverse lamps ..or wire it into your trailer plug. Monitor sits on left hand side of dash and plugs into cig lighter.

Picture is good for $99.00 and free shipping ...and it's wireless..

http://cgi.ebay.com/VR3-WIRELESS-COLOR-BACK-UP-SECURITY-CAMERA-DIGITAL-2-4_W0QQitemZ220107741021QQihZ012QQcategoryZ48605QQr dZ1QQcmdZViewItem

VnV - Are you using one of these? If so, how do you like it?

Originally Posted by zmanH2

One thing I heard about this unit is it takes time to boot up the monitor (and ofcourse the monitor takes space on your dash too). Also, not so good for night time visuals. So if the monitor will have to boot up everytime you go in reverse, it will be a pain in tight parking scenario (reverse-forward-reverse-forward). They have these exact units at PepBoys & Kragen now too.

Regarding the small monitor, I'm using a Hitchcam with the small color monitor mounted on the lower left corner of the windshield directly over the dash. It's not taking up any useful space on the dash. In fact the sight lines for scanning the monitor and the 2 side mirrors when reversing are about the same.

[Viet Nam Vette]

Originally Posted by zmanH2

One thing I heard about this unit is it takes time to boot up the monitor (and ofcourse the monitor takes space on your dash too). Also, not so good for night time visuals. So if the monitor will have to boot up everytime you go in reverse, it will be a pain in tight parking scenario (reverse-forward-reverse-forward). They have these exact units at PepBoys & Kragen now too.

Haven't wired it up yet other then testing it in the shop. The Monitor is only 3'' wide. It snaps into the base which doesn't take up much room. Since the HUMMER has a straight windshield there is plenty of room to stick it on the far left side. It's really out of driving site.

As far as boot up time goes... well here's what I plan to do. Have the monitor wired into the on side of the ignition so that the monitor is on when the key is turned on, but blacked out due to no Video signal.

The camera will be off and will only fire up when palced into reverse which inputs 12Volts to the CCD Camera. The Camera fires up instantly. Since the monitor is on...the picture should come up instanly.

I'm sure the back and forth thing won't bother me. Once I'm backing up to the last inch ..I don't paln on going forward again.

[Viet Nam Vette]

Originally Posted by Steve - SanJose

Regarding the small monitor, I'm using a Hitchcam with the small color monitor mounted on the lower left corner of the windshield directly over the dash. It's not taking up any useful space on the dash. In fact the sight lines for scanning the monitor and the 2 side mirrors when reversing are about the same.

Steve, you say "Directly over the dash". Is it not sitting on the dash? You then say "It's not taking up ANY SPACE ON THE DSAH."

So I assume it's on the dash. That's where I plan on putting mine. And as you say when you look into the driver side mirrow it's almost in line as you scan your eys over to the rear cam monitor.

[Viet Nam Vette]

Originally Posted by Steve - SanJose

VnV - Are you using one of these? If so, how do you like it?

Steve.. See my other post to you. I have fired it up in the shop and played around with it but have not installed it yet. It doesn't look that bad for $99.00.

Originally Posted by Viet Nam Vette

Haven't wired it up yet other then testing it in the shop. The Monitor is only 3'' wide. It snaps into the base which doesn't take up much room. Since the HUMMER has a straight windshield there is plenty of room to stick it on the far left side. It's really out of driving site.

As far as boot up time goes... well here's what I plan to do. Have the monitor wired into the on side of the ignition so that the monitor is on when the key is turned on, but blacked out due to no Video signal.

The camera will be off and will only fire up when palced into reverse which inputs 12Volts to the CCD Camera. The Camera fires up instantly. Since the monitot is on...the picture should come up instanly.

I'm sure the back and forth thing won't bother me. Once I'm backing up to the last inch ..I don't paln on going forward again.

Cool, we will wait 'til after the installation and a couple weeks of actual usage for your observations.

Originally Posted by Viet Nam Vette

Steve, you say "Directly over the dash". Is it not sitting on the dash? You then say "It's not taking up ANY SPACE ON THE DSAH."

So I assume it's on the dash. That's where I plan on putting mine. And as you say when you look into the driver side mirrow it's almost in line as you scan your eys over to the rear cam monitor.

VnV - Mine is windshield mounted (with adjustable swivel) on lower left corner of windshield. So it floats about 1/4" over the dashboard surface. It's just the right height for scanning (and about the same level) and about the same height as the 2 sideview mirrors that should also be scanned when reversing.