Reversing camera or parking sensors or both!?

[stuartmc75]

Hi, I've just purchased a 2014 XC60 R Design which doesn't have any parking sensors or front / rear cameras. Surprising for a 'luxury' brand and a large vehicle. Anyway, I'm looking into retro fitting either rear parking sensors or a rear camera. My question is do I need parking sensors before I can install a camera? I'd prefer OEM but if anyone has any experience or recommendations then I's be interested to hear... Thanks for the help & advice.

[ripstandem]

You may find prices for Volvo expensive, buying, fitting and programming to the cars system.
There is an option to buy and self fit system from volvotec, do web search, just over £400 to buy and self fit camera kit, there is an interesting vid. on youtube re this.
Volvo sensors are not cheap, even if you fit yourself you will need workshop to programme sensors.
I think a ball park figure to take car to dealer and have full retrofit of what you want will take best part of £1500.
I only have reverse sensors on my xc60 they are very good, up to press.
Could be cameras out there on write offs market.

[Bernard F]

My personal view from driving XC60’s way back and recent pre 360 camera and after is that you can live without the rear camera providing you have front and rear sensors. Both are absolutely essential and don’t skimp on rear only. Just my opinion but parking in any given situation will be a dream as you may need that last inch or two at the front.

[stuartmc75]

I've had a quote from a dealership for £650 for rear parking sensor install, was thinking about going for it. I wonder how much extra the front sensors will be, I'll ask tomorrow...

[Whyman]

I have front and rear sensors and the rear camera. If I had to give them up first to go would be the front sensors and it would be a close call between the rams or the camera but the camera would win.

[Bernard F]

Originally Posted by Whyman

I have front and rear sensors and the rear camera. If I had to give them up first to go would be the front sensors and it would be a close call between the rams or the camera but the camera would win.

For me, if you need to parallel park with short distances between rows and want to load your boot you have to park nose in. If a long or badly parked car is in the next bay either side the front sensor is a great help and so is the rear with or without a camera. Almost a weekly occurrence in my local car park.

[dd1898]

I have the xc90 with front and rear sensors plus the 360 camera, the 360 camera is a bit of a gimmic in my opinion and is only good when taking the kids through a drive through😃. I only ever use the rear camera which is good when wanting to get into a small length space. Defo get front and rear sensors though.

[Bernard F]

Originally Posted by dd1898

I have the xc90 with front and rear sensors plus the 360 camera, the 360 camera is a bit of a gimmic in my opinion and is only good when taking the kids through a drive through😃. I only ever use the rear camera which is good when wanting to get into a small length space. Defo get front and rear sensors though.

I am beginning to wonder how useful the 360 camera is other than a good talking point. It’s no help trying to drive close to a near side wall, it’s OK front parallel parking but takes longer than just driving in, you cannot see the kerb in relation to your tyres, rear wall OK but so are the sensors.

[Lexman8]

I use the 360 camera all the time and seldom switch to any other view. It's the easiest and quickest way to park dead centre in a perpendicular bay.

My car does show the kerb in relation to the tyres so it makes parallel parking easier too.

[827Roverman]

Originally Posted by stuartmc75

Hi, I've just purchased a 2014 XC60 R Design which doesn't have any parking sensors or front / rear cameras. Surprising for a 'luxury' brand and a large vehicle. Anyway, I'm looking into retro fitting either rear parking sensors or a rear camera. My question is do I need parking sensors before I can install a camera? I'd prefer OEM but if anyone has any experience or recommendations then I's be interested to hear... Thanks for the help & advice.

Why not have a look on Ebay, there's loads of kits for sale, there are some camera kits that have built in radar sensors to the camera so you can have both rear view along with a buzzer.