Parking Sensors vs Reverse Camera - Which is the best for your BMW 5 Series?
There is an understandable confusion among motorists regarding Parking Assistance Systems. Nowadays we have parking sensors, reverse cameras (also known as reversing cameras, backup cameras, or rearview cameras), BMW's Surround View camera system, and next-gen semi-autonomous BMW Parking Assistant Plus.
Which is the best for your BMW 5 Series?
The goal of this article is explaining the main differences and the pros and cons of each technology so you can make an educated decision.
BMW’s Parking Assistance Systems
BMW currently counts with the following Parking Assistance Systems:
- Parking sensors: in their simplest form, this technology consists of several ultrasonic sensors arranged along the front and the rear bumpers. Last generation parking sensors employ radars instead of ultrasonic sensors. The objective of this system is informing the driver about obstacles on the way
- Reverse camera: as its name implies, a reverse camera gives the driver a clear view of what’s behind the car. Usually, the camera is mounted on the rear bumper or in the trunk handle
- Surround View camera system: you can think of this system as an upgrade of reverse cameras. It uses several cameras placed around the car to offer the motorist a 360° ‘birds-eye view’ of the surroundings. This system also integrates numerous parking sensors to assist the driver
- Parking Assistant Plus: it’s the most recent driver assistance system offered by BMW. Besides all the functionality of BMW's Surround View, this system also incorporates advanced radars, steering wheel servo controls, and autobraking technologies to perform semi-autonomous parking manoeuvres
Since ‘Surround View’ and ‘Parking Assistant Plus’ systems are only available as an option on a few BMW Series 5 trims, this article will focus on parking sensors and reverse cameras.
BMW 5 Series Parking Sensors
Parking sensors, also known as proximity sensors, are the precursors of Parking Assist Systems. They can use either high-frequency sound waves (ultrasonic sensors) or electromagnetic fields (radar type sensors) to alert the driver of obstacles. Older vehicles used a distinctive sound to alert the motorist about such obstacles, while on BMW vehicles this was quickly replaced with current audiovisual alerts.
PROS: parking sensors are a standard feature on most BMW Series 5, even on older models. However, in case you need to install them, there are OEM-quality parking sensors retrofit kits available.
CONS: even the most recent parking sensors suffer from lags when detecting obstacles. This is the key disadvantages of parking sensors, you can’t rely 100% on its accuracy.
BMW 5 Series Reverse Camera
Since the introduction of the reversing cameras in the BMW 5 Series, the driver assistance systems have never been the same again. Reverse cameras are arguably the single most important safety system only behind current Parking Assistant Plus. Recent research conducted by the U.S. nonprofit organization Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) shows how the reverse cameras are a key element in the reduction of backing crash involvement rates. Having “a pair of eyes” to look at what is behind the car is unquestionably an advantage.
PROS: current OEM-quality backup cameras provide high-definition color images and superimposed guidelines to help the motorist to maneuver even in tight parking spots. Recent technologies allow reverse cameras to “detect” stationary and moving objects to further increase safety while parking. An additional benefit of reversing cameras is that they can integrate with parking sensors to provide an even more robust parking assistance system.
CONS: high-quality rearview cameras are more expensive than parking sensors. Since installing cheap low-quality reverse cameras can bring problems with the iDrive, buying a BMW 5 Series reverse camera requires a little more patience and research. Fortunately, there are plenty of affordable, fully iDrive compatible, BMW 5 Series reverse camera retrofit kits in the market.
Parking Sensors vs Reverse Camera - Which is the best for your BMW 5 Series?
Each system has its advantages and disadvantages. Parking sensors are cheaper than the reverse cameras, however, they don’t provide the same level of safety while parking. On the other hand, reverse cameras are more expensive but provide a significant improvement in safety and convenience while doing reverse driving maneuvers.
If you own a BMW 5 Series that already has parking sensors then the optimal solution is quite obvious. You may install a reverse camera retrofit kit that complies with BMW standards and enjoy the benefits of both systems.
