How to Choose a Blind Spot & Backup Warning System

Know how the device mounts on your vehicle.

Camera and sensor systems that are mounted on the vehicle’s bumper or bodywork may necessitate drilling. They may not be the best choice if you lease your vehicle.

If you have a hitch, you can consider a model that mounts in the trailer-hitch receiver. But you would have to remove the system to use your hitch.

Other camera and sensor models mount on the license-plate frame. But some states prohibit frames because they can obscure the plate.

Within types, features vary. This is especially true with the sensor models we tested. The ultrasonic systems were generally the most sensitive, but their performance was adversely affected by rain, snow, or other inclement weather.

The microwave-based sensor systems we tested were not affected by weather but are less sensitive as a group. They also don’t warn the driver unless the vehicle or object behind it is moving.

The display quality of the camera-based models is very good, although it doesn’t match that of the larger screens on some carmakers’ systems. Most of the system displays turn on when the vehicle shifts into reverse, but one, the Audiovox, must be turned off and on manually.

Lane FX is not a passive blind spot detector like Valeo Raytheon, Audi Side Assist or Volvo's BLIS (the latest passive car gadgets from automakers).

Change lanes by checking your vehicle's power mirrors. Why turn your head away from traffic ahead? Turn your mirror instead and stay focused on the road ahead. That's what driving safety is all about and it's a lesson that should be part of any drivers ed driver training program. The Lane FX system simply shows your vehicle's blind spot zone and is compatible with your SUV's factory and aftermarket mobile electronics like radar detectors and even factory park assist systems. LaneFX makes a great mobile technology gift for the driving safety of the commuter in your family, even if you own an Audi Q7 with Lane Assist mobile technology. It's the #1 car gadget and gift idea for auto enthusiasts, SUV owners, and high-mileage commuters.

Compare Backup Sensors & Cameras to ParkFX for the Most Reliable Backup Warning Technology

Not all reversing aids are equal. The sensing technology and the indicating method are critical to your driving safety.

How A Park Assist System Alerts You

One option is video, which at first seems like a great choice. But one major flaw with having a video camera affixed to the back of your car with a monitor on your dashboard is that it also forces you to look forward while backing up. That can disturb your perception, your reaction time, and feel very unnatural. They are also extremely expensive, and you'll pay thousands of dollars to have a video system attached to your car, whether from the dealer or an aftermarket supplier.

Compare that to other bargain basement devices which actually have LED displays (little red lights) on your dashboard. These are cumbersome -- almost useless -- for much the same reason as video: when you drive in reverse, you naturally look behind you, and you'll never see the little red lights. They are also hard to read in bright sunlight.

Some other bargain technologies use a tone which beeps more rapidly as you get closer to an obstacle. You can at least hear the relative distance just by listening to the beeps, but you have to practice a bit to really understand how far you are from danger.

That's why an audible voice sensor is best. It tells you in a spoken voice exactly how far away you are. Not only do you not have to awkwardly look forward at your dashboard, you'll know without guessing how much further you can safely back up.

How A Reversing Aid Detects Objects

If you've never seen or used a reversing aid, you might be surprised at how technically advanced they actually can be.

Reversing aids use a variety of technologies to sense an object behind the car. Some units use Doppler radar, and others use infrared sensors, but by far the most accurate method of detection is the one the U.S. Navy uses on its submarines: sonar.

Sonar can operate in any weather, including direct sunlight or rain. And it doesn't require that the car be moving in order to sense an obstruction.

Don't Forget About Your Backup Blind Spots

Available ParkFX is the best park assist system to show you the parking boundaries and dangers around you when you're backing up

Don't Be Blind Sided by Your Blind Spot!

Unlike other "radar" detectors, LaneFX has no learning curve. LaneFX is a WYSIWYG (What you see is what you get) system that uses what you already use - your vehicle's side mirrors - to show you what's in your blind spot zone. With its extensive customization options, LaneFX adapts to your driving style, not the other way around.

Don't forget: your mobile electronics retailer is best for installing your LaneFX system, but not factory systems like Volvo BLIS or ValeoRaytheon. Don't settle for the nerdy car gadgets, get LaneFX and get the latest driver safety technologies. Lane change or merge with the latest blind spot mirrors and auto safety technologies.

RELATED TOPICS:

1. radar detectors
2. mobile electronics
3. latest gadgets for drivers
4. Auxiliary blind spot convex mirrors
5. Audi Q7
6. Volvo BLIS for S80 and XC90 SUV

Better than some automakers "detectors"

LaneFX actually shows you what's lurking in your blind spot!