My two children always said I was a better parker than their Dad. Our car has the beeps when you are nearing something behind you, I find it annoying rather than helpful.
No problems with reversing into spaces. I use the mirror only method, no swivelling in my seat and my car dosen't have a beeper or camera. I cannot reverse any distance in a straight line though, never have done.
DH's car has a lovely clear camera but no beepers - I foresee trouble (backwards!!!!)
DH's car also beeps if you cross the white line, if you go over the speed limit, tells you when to change gear and will stop if it thinks you are going to crash. I hate it!
I always had a dreadful time to park the car, all the beeps only make it much harder. I, too, find a lovely empty drive thru spot and abandon the car. Alternatively, I ask DH to chauffeur.
I have an Italian car that beeps when it senses I'm too close to anything. It knocked my confidence hugely - beep beep beep it'd go in an increasingly Italian dramatic way. Is that racist?
They do take a while to get used to and I found ours very helpful (DH is an ace reverser - I am rubbish!). The car we bought this year does not have one and I really really miss it!
I love my reversing camera! As j52 says you need to know how much leeway there is. I have beepers too but I still find street parking difficult.
I gave DD1's husband a lift the other day. Their road is fairly narrow and always lined with cars so the front beepers were having a field day and he spent a lot of time trying to work out which door was not properly closed.
I do have a “beeping” warning system, but I also have the Paw “sharp intake of breath” system, and the one that says sarcastically “Taxi to the kerb Mum ?”from DD Can’t win. (Also have scratches and the odd dent ??)
I have coveted my friend's onboard camera and warning system ... but I guess it would take me a time to adjust to using it. Maybe that is all it needs ... just a little time and trust that the system won't let you down. xx
Yes I agree sprite66 the guidance lines whilst helpful can be misleading. I have measured the rear one when perfectly parked and it is at least 18 inches from the nearest object. Knowing that does help. The all round alarms for near objects are also a bit disconcerting, especially when they are informing you of being near a few unavoidable plants along the drive! DH never looks in the camera, he reverses the old way.
I was initially excited when I ordered a car with a reversing camera. I thought I would be quicker and more accurate + no nasty neck strain twisting round whilst manoeuvring. How wrong, my reversing has literally gone to pot. Discussing this with much younger male driver I've discussed this with a much younger- 40ish- male driver who also found the same problem. Are we just odd or has anyone else found this? I'm now training myself not to look at the screen and things are improving.