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The benefits of aftermarket parking sensors

One of the main benefits of aftermarket parking sensors is that they offer additional assistance to drivers when parking or manoeuvring their vehicle in a restricted space.

No matter what car you drive, your line of sight can be hampered or limited by the physical structure of the vehicle.

A lack of visibility or insufficient coverage by mirrors and windows can create blind spots, making it difficult to pick out obstructions when they are not directly in your line of sight.

It is worth noting that although the benefits of aftermarket parking sensors are numerous, it is also important to remember that they are in-car helpers for drivers and not a substitute for driving carefully and paying attention to your surroundings.

However, they can provide invaluable information to make your driving safer for you, your passengers and other road users when manoeuvring into tight spaces.

At AJT Installs, we are specialists in the installation of aftermarket in-vehicle technology:

We care about the safety and security of our customers, their passengers, and their vehicles, which is why we provide a number of options for Steelmate parking sensors and reversing cameras to suit individual requirements and budgets.

Why not contact our expert team of technicians today to discuss your parking concerns and discover how aftermarket parking assistance technology can improve your line of sight for those difficult manoeuvres?

The benefits of aftermarket parking sensors explained

Parking sensors use ultrasonic or electromagnetic technology to detect obstacles around the vehicle, assisting drivers when parking in small or tight spaces.

You can read about how these different types of technology work in our article ‘aftermarket parking sensors’ on the AJT Installs website.

Of course, one of the main benefits of aftermarket parking sensors is that they help drivers to avoid collisions, thus minimising the chance of damage to their vehicle:

  • Installed in the front and/or rear bumpers, parking sensors will detect nearby obstacles when the driver puts the car into reverse, obstacles that may not always be visible to the driver.
  • Once an obstacle has been detected, the sensors will alert the driver through an audible beep, which will increase in frequency (and sometimes volume), as the vehicle gets closer to the object. This enables the driver to assess the distance between the object and the vehicle, so they can adjust their manoeuvring as necessary.
  • As well as audible alerts, some sensors have visual indicators, for example, a screen fitted into the dashboard or camera feed, that clearly displays the obstacle, enabling the driver to see exactly where it is and again, adjust their driving behaviour to suit.
  • If you have both front and rear parking sensors installed, you will be alerted to obstructions whether going forwards or backwards.
  • We have all been there haven’t we? Trying to reverse park into a tight space and a pedestrian or cyclist decides to cross the road from the same space, right behind the vehicle where they are not easily seen? The audible and visual feedback provided by parking sensors allows drivers to make adjustments or brake to avoid hitting moving objects as well as stationary ones. But more than warning drivers of obstructions they may not be able to see, parking sensors can also warn those in the vicinity that the vehicle is reversing.
  • Parking sensors provide information about the physical location that may be difficult to see through mirrors or windows, or that may be situated in a blind spot not covered by these driving aids, such as low walls or even children. The increased awareness of their surrounding contributes to the knowledge of the driver, leading to safer parking manoeuvres.
  • Having additional information about their surroundings from parking sensors is especially beneficial to drivers when parking or manoeuvring in dimly lit areas, at night or during bad weather, when visibility is reduced.
  • This increased awareness for their surroundings can prevent minor bumper damage caused through low speed collisions with low walls, poles, other vehicles, pedestrians or obstructions that are out of the line of sight.
  • Parking sensors can provide invaluable assistance for drivers who may not possess the spatial awareness or ability to park in small spaces or judge distances accurately. This can reduce the stress they normally feel when parking in tight spaces or assessing the distance between their vehicle and an obstruction.

Other benefits of aftermarket parking sensors

Having an in-car helper for parking assistance can help to boost the confidence of those drivers who may find reverse parking especially difficult, such as newly qualified drivers, those who drive infrequently or those lacking spatial awareness.

They help to reduce the stress, driver fatigue, and embarrassment associated with these difficult manoeuvres by enhancing driver capabilities and improving overall driver confidence.

When compared to in-built parking sensors installed in high-end, expensive, or higher spec models, aftermarket parking sensors are more affordable and can be customised to suit individual driver preferences, rather than only having one available option.

For example, some people may want audible alerts only, or to adjust the volume or sound of the alerts because they are hard of hearing, while others may prefer to have both visual and audible alerts.

Aftermarket parking sensors, therefore, provide more options to choose from depending on personal preferences and budget.

In addition, installing parking sensors may enhance the value of your vehicle when you come to sell it.

Buyers could consider the sensors as a desirable safety feature or driving aid when deciding to purchase a used vehicle and having them already installed saves them the cost of installation.

Of course, you should notify your insurance company of all aftermarket modifications made to your vehicle.

One of the benefits of aftermarket parking sensors is that installation could actually bring premiums down because of the reduced risk of minor collisions.

Hopefully, this article has convinced you about the benefits of aftermarket parking sensors. Talk to the expert team of installers at AJT Installs to discuss the right solution for fitting parking sensors to your vehicle or any aftermarket in-car technology to enhance the safety and security of you, your passenger and your vehicle. Alternatively, click here to see the options for Steelmate parking sensors on the AJT Installs website.

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The benefits of blind spot detectors

Do you own an older car? Let’s face it, not everyone can afford the latest models with all their fancy gizmos, can they? Did you know that blind spot detectors are just one of a number of ‘new technology’ add-ons you can have fitted to your car if it is older to improve safety and assist you whilst driving?

These aftermarket products include:

A blind spot detection system can alert you to hazards you may not normally see, or at least not until the last minute.

They can help to ensure the safety of you, your passengers, and your vehicle from potential dangers driving into your blind spots, that you may find difficult to see otherwise.

The advantages of a blind spot detection system

  • If you drive a large vehicle that is a little older so does not have the technological driver assistance products you find with newer vehicles, you know that it can be difficult to see potential hazards all around your vehicle while you are driving. This can be very stressful, especially when you have a number of passengers, so it is a big benefit to be able to see all areas around the vehicle (including those you cannot see in your mirrors normally), and spot potential dangers earlier to give you time to make a decision or react.
  • One of the main benefits of a blind spot detection system is accident prevention. If you often drive on motorways or dual carriageways, you will find them especially beneficial when changing lanes at speed. Anything that can help to avoid road accidents at speed is a potential lifesaver.
  • They can also increase road safety for other users, for example, cyclists or pedestrians who may be in your blind spot while you are stationary. When you start to go forwards, you will be able to see other road users that you would not normally be able to spot using your mirrors alone. It is important to note at this point that the priority for UK road users changed in January 2022, with the revised edition of the Highway Code listing the following hierarchy in an effort to protect the safety of more vulnerable road users as follows:
  1. Pedestrians
  2. Cyclists
  3. Horse riders
  4. Motorcyclists
  5. Cars and taxis
  6. Vans and minibuses
  7. HGVs

This change has had an impact on the right of way for all road users, who can be anywhere on the road, including your blind spot. If you weren’t aware of the new rules and how they could affect you when driving, the RAC published a summary of the major changes.

  • They can give you more time to react to a situation because you will be able to see potential hazards faster than when they seem to suddenly appear out of nowhere, for example a vehicle passing you in either the left or the right-hand lane on a motorway. This gives you more time to take the appropriate action to avoid a collision.
  • A blind spot detection system improves your overall awareness whilst driving simply because you have a more complete picture of what is happening in the area surrounding your vehicle.
  • Your movement may be impaired either by a temporary or permanent condition, so you find it difficult to look around over your right or left shoulder when turning, overtaking or changing lanes, especially at speed.

At AJT Installs, our expert technicians have successfully installed the aftermarket Steelmate SBS-1 blind spot detection system in many vehicles that were not sold with these technological driver aids provided as standard. If you would like to talk to us about the benefits of installing this system on your vehicle, why not contact us today to find out more?

How does it work?

The Steelmate SBS-1 blind spot detection system has optimised vehicle detection algorithms that use microwave sensors installed behind the rear bumper (on both the right and left sides), with corresponding LED warning indicators mounted on the bottom of the windscreen pillar trim.

The sensors will bounce back from the surface of another vehicle, activating the warning mechanism to alert you to the presence of the other vehicle.

This system has two different warning mechanisms, depending on your driving actions at the time.

If you are not indicating to turn, overtake or change lanes, the warning lights will light up for about three seconds when another vehicle enters your blind spots to make you aware that they are there.

When you are indicating to turn, overtake or change lanes, this light will flash three times and an audible alarm will sound when a vehicle enters your blind spots, so that you can stop your proposed action, thus avoiding a collision.

The advantages of an AJT Installs technician fitting the Steelmate SBS-1 blind spot detection system into your vehicle are:

  • It reduces the risk of an accident when you are overtaking, changing lanes or turning
  • It detects vehicles in your blind spots that you may not otherwise see until you are committed to taking an action and is it too late to avoid a collision
  • It has visible and audible alarms depending on your actions at the time of detection, giving you that precious few seconds of extra thinking time to change your mind

If you drive a lot of motorway miles, the added safety provided by blind spot detectors acts as a helpful early warning system that can give both you and your passengers peace of mind, while enhancing your perception of the traffic and driving behaviour around you.

 

Blind spot detectors are just one of a number of aftermarket products available from AJT Installs. Whether you are worried about security or interested in the assistance technological driving aids provide, our technicians are fully qualified and insured to carry out installations of Thatcham approved alarms, immobilisers, tracking systems, dashcams, parking sensors, reversing cameras and even parking posts for your drive. Why not contact our friendly team of installation specialists today to find out how we can help?

 

 

 

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Thatcham vehicle tracker

What does ‘Thatcham approved’ mean?

Thatcham Research was established by the motor insurance industry in the 1960s to reduce the cost of insurance claims, but at the same time maintaining safety standards. Thatcham has been a name synonymous with the car security market since the 1990s, when it introduced the Vehicle Security Assessment (NVSA) alongside a system of categories for alarms, immobilisers and vehicle trackers, to try to reduce the rate of car crime. Their certification system and logo gives you the peace of mind that an approved Thatcham vehicle tracker offers a high level of performance and functionality.

A vehicle tracker is called an ‘aftermarket’ safety product because it is not normally installed before you buy a new car but following the sale. An aftermarket tracking device is therefore not made by the manufacturer of your car, but a specialist vehicle security device manufacturer.

How does an aftermarket tracking device work?

Basically, a Thatcham vehicle tracker uses GPS satellite navigation to relay information. The security device in your vehicle simply transmits important information such as vehicle and driver data to satellites, which then relay the data to a specified smartphone, tablet, or computer. Although a vehicle tracker is similar to a sat nav system, it tracks your vehicle’s journey history and its current location, rather than giving you precise instructions on how to reach your destination.

There are two types of aftermarket tracking device:

Passive

Usually the less expensive option, these security devices store all the GPS data to be downloaded at the end of your journey.

Active

Active vehicle trackers provide the GPS data in real time and can, therefore, relay it to a managed service, for example the transport manager of a fleet, a warehouse delivery hub,  or the control centre for police vehicles.

Thatcham vehicle tracker

All tracking systems are designed to meet the Thatcham standards required to enable certification before installation. All Thatcham approved tracking systems carry annual subscription fees in order to transmit the data. There are two main categories of Thatcham vehicle tracker, the S5 and the S7.

What are the differences between categories S5 and S7?

The features of S7 Thatcham vehicle tracker:

  • 24/7/365 monitoring
  • RF frequency & GPS communication
  • Tracking if your car should be stolen
  • Accurate tracking to within a three metres
  • A low level alert if your battery is disconnected
  • A motion sensor alert
  • A lower annual subscription fee
  • Internal battery back-up

It is worth noting that the S7 tracker does not feature any protection against key theft, and although the annual subscription is lower, so is the police response level. It does not offer remote immobilisation should your car be stolen. In addition, an S7 vehicle tracker does not include driver identification, so the system would be unable to tell the difference between you and a car thief. However, the benefits of installing an S7 tracker are that it is cheaper to fit and offers great value for money as well as giving you peace of mind. If you need a basic tracker, then this would be the category of vehicle tracker to choose.

The S5 Thatcham vehicle tracker is a higher specification of security device and is often required by insurance companies for high performance cars worth above a certain value. In fact, it may be almost impossible to obtain insurance for a high value new car without the installation of an S5 vehicle tracker.

Along with all the S7 category features listed above, which are common to all categories of vehicle tracker, the S5 category also includes extra features:

  • Level one police response
  • A higher annual subscription fee
  • Remote immobilisation (optional)

Should your car be stolen, and the police cannot reach it for some reason, they can request that your car is immobilised remotely. This means that once the engine has been switched off, it will not restart, enabling the successful recovery of your car. The police can also request this function if your car is involved in a high-speed chase. Although remote immobilisation is an optional feature, it does offer you the best chance to recover your car, and quickly.

  • Driver ID

If you were to install one of these security devices in your car, you would be required to carry a driver ID card. Subsequently, if your car is started with the correct key but the driver ID card (transponder), is not present, an alert will automatically be sent to the operations centre, which will relay the alert to both you as the owner of the car, and the police. It is worth noting that this is a proactive system, but if you keep the driver ID card with your car keys and they are stolen, the system will not realise something is wrong and it would be up to you to report the theft.

What is the benefit of driver ID?

An S7 category vehicle tracker is reactive. It will not alert you if your vehicle is driven away, only if the power to the security device has been disconnected. It does not have the ability to detect whether it is you driving your car with the correct key, or a thief with cloned keys. (Read our blog about key cloning car theft.)

However, if you opt for an S5 vehicle tracker installation, the system detects immediately that the driver ID card was not present and sends a silent alert to the control room. Someone would contact you straight away to inform you where your car is located, and you could confirm that you are not driving it at that moment in time. So, you would know your car had been stolen within minutes of the theft taking place, giving you the best possible chance of a speedy recovery.

AJT Installs can help you with any aspect of vehicle security, including vehicle trackers. We can provide information and advice as well as an installation service to ensure the Thatcham vehicle tracker in your car offers you the best level of protection for your needs.