RADAR SENSORS EXPLAINED

Radar (or "field disturbance") sensors are of most benefit to convertible vehicles where the physical body of the car is open and therefore cannot act as a deterrent to theft of items inside the car. Radar sensors are also useful to thwart "keying" vandalism in that the sensor field can be set to detect people walking outside the vehicle and trigger when they get too close. However, it is important to note that hard rain and extremes of temperature and/or humidity can occasionally cause field sensors to trigger the siren at times you may not expect. For most non-convertable cars and in cases where you are not overly concerned with "keying" vandalism, VISION recommends the 318-04 Ultrasonic Sensor instead. The table below compares our Ultrasonic Sensor to the RSA-series field sensors.
 

RADAR VS. ULTRASONIC SENSOR COMPARISON

Sensor Type

Coverage

Sensitivity

Reaction to Rain

Stability

Open-Window Issues

Ultrasonic

Inside Cabin Only

Affected by air pressure changes

None

HIGH, in a closed environment

Could false trigger due to window blowing

Radar

Can detect outside the window up to 1m.

Affected by metal objects

Could false trigger

AVERAGE, in open or closed environments

None