[H.K_R]

Hi all,

I’ve been finalising my list and decision on my next car to replace my faulty Clio, it’s looking like the ŠKODA Kamiq Monte Carlo Edition or the Ford Focus Estate. We’ve asked MO about the Focus and they’ve said yes, on the proviso that DLM also agree, which is rare but they’re confident because it’s only 3bhp over the limit for Under 25s

My only concern about the Ford is that none of the Focuses come with a rear camera fitted as standard, it comes as part of the optional (At an extra £550 on top of the AP) Parking Pack which includes the camera, pop out door edge protectors which are absolutely brilliant and semi automated parking. I can’t make up my mind if I should really dig deep in the pockets and spec the Parking Pack which would also free up some more colours in stock, or have one without the Parking Pack and rely on the standard fit front and rear sensors on a quite a long car. My last two cars had a camera, although the one on the Clio was so grainy and washed out it was pretty much useless. I also learnt to drive without front sensors and a camera, although that was in a smaller Fiesta.
What are your thoughts? Is it now an essential item for you?

Topic

[kezo]

I guess it depends on how good you are going backwards with useing just mirrors – a luxury that wasn’t an option when I were a lad😂

The other thing to consider is the resolution of the camers its self, as some are better than others. I have not had Ford for a long time to comment.

Down to you at end of mate.

[BrokenDude]

Like Kezo, I have had both with and without but to be honest, it is a feature I use all the time and love it. It depends however on a number of factors, but personally, I don’t think I would have another car without it unless I was forced.

The best thing you can do is look on YouTube for reviews of the cars you have selected, and see what they say about the reversing cameras. Or if you can, perhaps have a look in person, and see how you think they are.

[Menorca Mike]

I’d never have another car without one luckily all Toyotas have one mine in my Chr is lovely and clear no bleed or grain of course the camera above the number plate does need to be kept clean this and keyless entry my must haves

[Phaedra]

I love my rear camera 😊
Very handy as turning round far enough to see is quite painful nowadays!
Weirdly, the camera on my Enyaq is fairly pants in low light! My previous Ateca was much better, you’d think quality would have improved in the 3 years between them.

The cynic in me would say that Skoda/VW were probably just buying the cheapest one they could get away with 😂

Please excuse spelling/typos. Apart from being a clot it turns out I had one on my cerebellum that's now causing various problems!

[MickC]

For someone who passed his driving test 1st time ..in those days you had to use hand signals as turning indicators….the evolving of “some” car tech was greeted warmly by me.

To the question about cameras..rear facing ..front facing…side facing…they are a great aid when manouvering your car…..the 360 camera system in the facelifted Enyak is very good..i would rather have it than not have it.

[chastw]

I have a Nissan Qashqai with 360 deg cameras, couldn’t do without it.

I went to a car main dealership were parking was horrendous, parking spaces were at an angle which made parking and getting out of the car easy, only trouble was the car park exit at the end of the car park was blocked off with dealership car. Meaning I had to turn the car around in a very tight space with cars all around me, to exit from the entrance of the car park.

Could not have got out unaided without the 360 deg camera.

[Abercol]

I don’t really use mine much, prefer mirrors and eyeballs, but then I’m an old fart, so learned to drive before electric windows and central locking became a thing, let alone cameras and parking sensors.

Having said that, had a reversing camera on all my cars since 2005, 360 deg this time.

In life, it's not who you know that's important, it's how your wife found out.

[WardyGTC]

I’ve been driving large commercial vehicles for decades, for most of that time without cameras or even parking sensors so I’m pretty good at manoeuvring with or without assistance. I do prefer having cameras in particular as they allow you to be far more accurate and being able to get into gaps you wouldn’t risk on eyeballing alone.

If I seem a little strange, that's because I am.

Skoda Karoq SEL.

[Fastbike1000]

Yep, rear camera and if you can 360%. I wouldn’t be without it now. The downside is when you get in a car without any aids like my old Landrover it can catch you out.

[kdwolf]

Without camera,  but I would assume rear parking sensors are there. For extra £500 on a tight budget I am not sure if it worth it. As all commented above – at the end it is your choice,  but in my personal opinion having rear sensors with no camera is sufficient.

Sent from a mobile device.
Apologies for briefness and spelling mistakes.

Motability Skoda Enyaq SportLine 85x April 2024 (unhappy customer - Ombudsman pending)
Motability Mazda CX-60 PHEV July 2023 (unhappy customer - early termination on mechanical grounds)
Motability VW Touran Family Pack May 2019 (happy customer)

[LUFC]

It’s always nice to see what you’ve hit! 🙂

[Bandit]

Wasn’t it the case backalong that in addition to metallic paint a reversing camera (if available) was also included on Mob? Or was it parking sensors? Or am I completely (quite possibly) misremembering!?

[Menorca Mike]

I

Bandit wrote:

Wasn’t it the case backalong that in addition to metallic paint a reversing camera (if available) was also included on Mob? Or was it parking sensors? Or am I completely (quite possibly) misremembering!?

it was parking sensors fitted at the dealer ! I have the basic Toyota Chr icon I don’t have parking sensors front or rear just a large camera and anti collision warning on rear

[Jojoe]

We’ve got one on the Enyaq, it would now be a must have on any future car.

[Author]

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