Comparison Steel mate PTS410M1F vs Steel mate PTS400M1

Areas of the surrounding space that the parking sensors scan during operation.

- Back only. Actually, the ability to scan the space behind the car is found in absolutely all parking sensors, but most often this direction is the only one provided for in the design. After all, forward visibility is usually good enough not to cause problems for most drivers, and the main source of difficulty is precisely the observation of obstacles behind the car.

- Front and back. The ability to track objects both behind and in front of the car. Parking sensors with a similar coverage are designed for those who want to have maximum safety guarantees when manoeuvring. After all, despite the fact that forward visibility is usually much better than backward, low obstacles can still go unnoticed; this is especially true with a high seating position of the driver, for example, in SUVs. Also, forward scanning is useful for novice drivers, as well as for those who need to get used to a new car after using another car with significantly different dimensions. However such parking sensors are usually somewhat more expensive than “purely rear” ones.

Parking sensors with a self-diagnostic function are able to independently detect malfunctions in remote sensors: the device “interrogates” the sensors and, if there are problems, warns the driver. This reduces the risk of being left without a parking radar at an unexpected moment. Usually, self-diagnosis is carried out every time the ignition is switched on.

In this case, the indoor unit means the display unit — part of the parking sensors, which is responsible for informing the driver. This block is usually placed in the cabin, in plain sight — accordingly, it should match the colour of the overall design of the car. Most modern models are equipped with internal blocks in black — this colour is very common in the design of dashboards and, as a result, is quite versatile. However, there are also other colour options.

The diameter of the sensors supplied as standard with the parking radar is an important parameter when installing them: it determines the size of the landing slots, in other words, the holes in the bumper. Many parking sensors are equipped with a special cutter for drilling such sockets — it optimally matches the diameter of the complete sensors, and in this case this parameter actually becomes irrelevant. However, if there is no cutter in the kit, you will not be able to select the drill of the right size without information about the diameter. Also, this information will be very useful if you install parking sensors on a car with existing holes in the bumper (for example, if the previous radar did not suit you according to its characteristics): by choosing a model with the same sensor diameter, you can install them directly into ready-made sockets, without too much fiddling with the fit. So the most popular sensor size is 18 mm, but there are 19, 20, 21 and 22 mm. In this case, often in each option there is a deviation of half a millimetre.

— Digital distance indicator. With this function, the parking sensors not only signal the approximate distance to the obstacle, but display the specific value of this distance in the form of numbers (usually in metres) on the display. Such information is much more accurate and clearer than the data from the LED panel and, moreover, from the sound signaling device.

— Voice notification. This function expands the possibilities of sound signaling: the device can emit not only certain conditional signals, but also voice various information in a voice format. The specific possibilities may be different, depending on the model: some parking sensors speak information about the distance at certain intervals, others specify which side the sensors were triggered from (not only front or rear, but also right or left) and much more.

— Sound volume adjustment. The ability to change the volume of the parking sensors sound signals at your discretion: for example, when parking on a noisy street, increase it so that you are guaranteed not to miss a single notification, and reduce it in a quiet underground garage so that the sounds “do not hit your ears”. In addition, the perception of sounds may differ for different people, and the same signal may turn out to be normal for someone, too loud for someone, and excessively quiet for someone.

— Memory of external elements. Remote elements mean various external parts of a car located in the area of \u200b\u200bbumpers: "reserve wheels", tow bars, "kenguryatniki" grilles, etc. Their location is different, and it is possible that such a part falls into the range of parking sensors and is perceived as an external obstacle. To avoid such false positives, a memory function is provided: the device “remembers” the pattern of the reflected signal from the remote elements, and issues a warning only when real obstacles are within the detection distance.

— Video input (to the camera ZV). A connector that allows you to connect a reversing camera to the parking sensors. This provides a very high degree of control over the situation: if the parking sensors themselves, at best, signal the approximate location of obstacles, then the camera allows you to see what exactly is on the way (moreover, in the “dead zone” right behind the bumper, not blocked by rear-view mirrors). Of course, to view data from the camera, a full-fledged display is required: some parking sensors have their own (see "Indication"), others provide connecting an external monitor via a video output (see below).

— Video output (to the monitor). A connector for connecting a fully functional external screen to the parking sensors — for example, a car TV or a GPS navigator. Usually found among devices with LED bulbs or a sound signal (see "Indication"): much more information can be displayed on an external screen than on standard indicators. However, even in models with their own display, this function may be useful — after all, the capabilities of this display can be much more modest than that of a full-fledged screen.

— Reversing camera included. The meaning of this feature is already clear from the name: by purchasing such a kit, the driver immediately receives both the parking sensors and the rear-view camera, and both of these devices are mutually compatible (whereas when buying separately, problems may arise). Rear-view cameras are used to allow the driver to see blind spots — primarily behind the car (hence the name), but "eyes" are also available for front / side view.