For anyone that has a garage, you know that it isn’t just for cars. Tools, the kids’ bikes, camping equipment, etc., seems to litter the garage as well. For most of us, parking in the garage is like entering a war zone. Avoid the basketball on the left, cut the wheel to miss the fishing pole on the right! – Sometimes, it feels like it takes a professional stunt driver to navigate the obstacle course that is your garage. With this new product by General Electric, it guides you right into that perfect parking space in the garage (right in between your husband’s hunting boots and your daughter’s hula hoop.)
Most of us have used that tried and true method of the hanging tennis ball. When the car’s windshield touches the tennis ball, we know we’re in far enough to close the garage door without hitting the car, but not far enough to hit the table saw or tool cabinet in front of us. With the Ultrasonic Sensor Parking Alert, you can use the tennis balls for their true purpose – on the tennis court!
The Parking Alert guides you into the parking space via small flashing lights. When the light blinks yellow, you know to slow down because you’re almost to the perfect spot. When the light goes solid red, that alerts you to stop. The product has two pieces; the Sensor Module – which is mounted on the wall at bumper height, and the Display Module - which is mounted on the wall where a driver can see it easily.
The Sensor Module sends out harmless ultrasonic pulses that bounce off of any objects in front of it. When a vehicle is detected, the pulses are sent out to determine a vehicle’s speed and distance to the wall. Once you are parked, the Parking Alert will re-set itself automatically each time. It also has a distance setting, so that you can set it for 1-ft., 2-ft. or 3-ft. away from the wall. The product also can be mounted via the included screws or hook-and-loop fasteners. It features an automatic 15-second shut-off after use, and a low battery indicator. According to the manufacturer, batteries will last about a year, and can be replaced quickly and easily.
The product is available online, and you can purchase one for about $16, plus shipping and handling. Visit www.amazon.com for more information.
