Electromagnetic Parking Sensors Or Ultrasonic Parking Sensors - Which One To Choose

Parking is no more a child’s play as it used to be, when parking spaces were large. The situation gets worse for the driver, especially when parking in unfamiliar and tight places. Often the cars get dents in the bumpers or underbody panel while reversing. There are every chances of colliding with bollards or low wall lying behind the car, which are not visible through rear view mirror. This problem can be effectively solved by parking sensors, which makes driving easier and safer. The sensors are fitted at the front and back of the car. These determine the proximity of an obstruction behind the car and provide an audible warning to the drive.

In some vehicles, sensors come as factory-fitted item. Further, there are different parking sensors available in market to fit different vehicles. However, since there are different parking sensors it is quite difficult to determine their efficiency without knowing their operational capabilities.
 
Types of Parking Sensors
 
In general, the parking sensors can be divided into two categories - Electromagnetic systems and Ultrasonic systems.

Essentially, the ultrasonic sensor emits an ultrasonic signal, which is reflected by an obstruction. When the sensor gets closer to the object, it starts emitting signals faster to the sensor. This signal is converted into audible sound. This is received in the form of an audible warning. Depending on the distance of the object, the beat of the audible sound lowers or grows louder.  The driver has to react to the audible noise.

The ultrasonic system is an older technology with 4 to 6 sensors mounted in the bumper and are visible to all. In order to mount the sensors, holes have to be drilled in the bumper that might spoil the look of your car. Further, you need to paint them to match color of the bumper. Some of the cars enclose crash protection bar behind the bumper, in such cases the ultrasonic system has to be installed in depth of the bumpers. There are quite a lot of hassles involved with ultrasonic parking sensors, which has popularized the more competent system of electromagnetic sensors.  The electromagnetic sensors have overcome the shortcomings of the ultrasonic parking sensors to a greater extent.  

The PD1 is one of the most successful parking systems making use of the unique Electromagnetic Technology, which is typical with only a few privileged cars manufacturers. These sensors are immaculately designed to be fitted easily, without compromising with the ‘new factory look’ of your car. This electromagnetic system operates by creating an electromagnetic field in the vicinity of the sensors. Any kind of intrusion in the force field generates a warning.   

In contrast to Ultrasonic technology with 4 to 6 exposed sensors, which requires regular cleaning and maintenance, the electromagnetic technology is concealed and self diagnostic. Therefore, it requires no maintenance.       

Some of the cars have edges on the bumpers, projecting from the rest of the body. Most often these edges are battered, since the driver is unable to see the corners. The electromagnetic units are designed to avoid such collisions. The antenna of the electromagnetic system covers the entire length of the bumper, which detects objects at the corners and sides.      

Further, the electromagnetic parking sensors have no visible parts. These are fitted discretely and are hidden. It is only the driver who knows that it is fitted. It ensures that there is no problem with installation. The PD1 can be fitted without drilling the bumper and it is completely discrete and invisible when on the vehicle. With the electromagnetic sensors your car now has higher value and is a more desirable car.