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What It Does
The
Model A-F activates whenever the vehicle is put into reverse gear,
automatically monitoring what is behind the vehicle. The system ACTIVELY
informs the driver, with both a recorded human voice and beeping warning
signals, of the distance between their vehicle and obstacles behind their
vehicle in feet. This dual-warning system ensures that, even without a
display, the driver is aware of the situation. The voice and audio warnings
increase in intensity as the vehicle gets closer to the obstacle(s). The
Model A-F system is accurate to within 1 1/2 inches from an obstacle.
The
Components, Features and the Voice Warning Technology Included
The Model
A-F consists of a speaker, a power unit/processor and four sensors that
flush-mount on the vehicle's bumper. It detects objects as far away as 12
feet (which is unprecedented in the reverse detection industry). The voice
warning speaker (VWS) - along with the audio multi-tone assistance (MTA) beeper -
brings to your attention potential hazards as they are identified. An
optional 2nd speaker is available as an accessory for this kit. Like all of
our systems, this product includes sophisticated circuitry specifically
developed to work with the electrical systems of “non-industrial” vehicles.
Contents of the Model A-F kit (instruction
manual not shown)
What
distinguishes our systems from other systems?
Our systems incorporate “Smart Sensor
Technology”, a form of “artificial intelligence.” What does this
mean to you?
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Our systems will react differently to a
moving obstacle than to a stationary one. For example, someone walking or
running behind your vehicle would be recognized by TailGauge as a “fast
moving object”. A “fast moving object” would trigger the system to signal
a “hit” alert, while a stationary or slowly moving object at the same
distance might register without the “hit” warning. (The same “hit” alert
will sound in the event any object comes within 18” of the vehicle,
regardless of how fast either the vehicle or object is moving.)
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The TailGauge
system can distinguish between objects at different distances from the
vehicle. For example, if there is a person 5 feet away from the vehicle
and a telephone pole 4 feet away, the system will alternate between both
objects, first displaying one distance, than the other, to make sure you
see both. If the person decides to move, the system will pay more
attention to them than to the stationary pole.
-
TailGauge systems can see wide objects up
to 15 feet away. They are programmed not to identify most objects at that
distance, in order to prevent unnecessary alerts. However, if the object
is wide and is in your vehicle’s path, the system is designed to register
it.
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TailGauge significantly reduces false
alarms. Our systems are programmed to ignore small pieces of trash or
leaves blowing in the wind, rain, hail, snow, etc. that might cause other,
less sophisticated, warning systems to sound a false alarm.
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TailGauge systems have been designed with
“limited peripheral vision” to provide detection of objects in a 45º field
to the left and right of the rear of the vehicle. This feature allows
TailGauge to warn you of objects next to (but behind) the vehicle without
registering objects that are not in the path of the vehicle, and thus not
relevant to the driver. If an object in peripheral view looks like a
problem, TailGauge will identify it, alert the driver, and react as though
the object might be in his/her path. In addition, TailGauge will identify
objects along the curb to help you avoid hitting them, and will provide
you an accurate reading of distance to the car behind you as you parallel
park (great for those who have difficulty judging distance while backing
up).
Hear what the Model A-F sounds like.
Series A
systems (Models A & A-F) are audio-only; they do not include an LED display.
Interested in a visual LED display with an actual readout?
How Model A-F Works
If the
system determines that conditions require the driver to take precautionary
or corrective action, the driver will be ACTIVELY notified by both the
recorded voice warning and the audio warning beeps, which will increase in
tempo as the vehicle gets closer to the object. If the vehicle comes within
12" of the object, the audio speaker will say “crash” and the beeper sound will
change from multiple beeps to one continuous warning tone which will sound until the driver
stops the vehicle and takes it out of reverse gear.
During
operation, ultrasonic signals are emitted by the system's sensors. Obstacles
behind the vehicle are then detected by these sensors. This information is
sent to a microprocessor which will calculate both the
distance (or range) of the object and the closing speed between the vehicle
and the obstacle(s). The processor continuously updates this information and
transmits it via the VWS and MTA system.
As the
vehicle backs up, the voice warning calls out the distance between the
obstacles and the rear of the vehicle in the following increments: "12 feet,
9 feet, 6 feet, 5 feet, 4 Feet, 3 Feet, 2 Feet, 18 inches, 1 foot." Upon
backing up closer than 8 inches to an obstacle, it warns you of an
imminent crash by saying the "CRASH!"
What the System Detects
The
system's ability to detect objects is based on both the width of the object
as it faces the vehicle and its distance from the rear of the vehicle.
| OBJECT TO BE DETECTED |
DISTANCE AT WHICH
IT SHOULD BE DETECTED |
Large
objects
(6 feet wide and wider) |
12 feet |
| Objects
2 feet wide |
8 -10
feet |
Objects
4 - 8 inches wide
(a telephone pole or fire hydrant) |
5 - 6
feet |
Objects
2 inches wide
(a metal sign post) |
3 – 5
feet |
| Adult or
Child |
3 – 5
feet |
| Objects
narrower than 2 inches |
Might
not be detected
beyond 4 feet |
If an
obstacle which the system has identified suddenly disappears from the
system’s “view”
(Example: if a person falls to the ground behind the vehicle) our Model A
Industrial will go into “object in
blind area mode”
a mode indicated by
the voice
warning calling out the words "Object in Blind Area!".
This notifies the driver to stop the vehicle immediately, shift into
park and check behind it.
What Types of Vehicles Should Use the Model A-F
TailGauge
makes different types of backup warning systems. Most of our systems are
designed for commercial applications. However, the Model A-F is intended for
use on passenger vehicles, light vans, mini buses, sport utility vehicles
and light trucks with closed beds. This system may not be suitable for heavy
trucks, pick up trucks or any other vehicle where the power unit will be
exposed to water, (unless the installer can figure out a way to install it
so that the power unit will stay dry). In addition, the system is not
intended for use in situations where the sensors may be obstructed from a
clear view or where they may be damaged by either debris in the vehicle or
the loading/unloading process.
For
industrial applications, or if you must install this system in a damp or
otherwise harsh environment,
check out our Model
A-F Industrial system.
Why is our Model A-F
better than other flush-mounted sensor systems on the market?
Although
there are other back-up warning systems on the market, we think you’ll find
that the TailGauge Model A-F is a better product because:
1.
On other
products, the sensors are an average of 3/4 inches wide. Model A-F sensors
are only 1/2 inch wide so they are not as noticeable on your bumper and are
easier to install. And their translucent design makes them
invisible to the casual observer!
2.
The Model
A-F can detect obstacles up to 12 feet away.
3.
Other audio alert systems only beep at the driver as obstacles are detected.
TailGauge Model A-F warns the driver using both a multi-tone beep system AND
a voice warning speaker, making it twice as effective.
See pictures of and learn more about the Model A-F click here
For accessories for this kit,
click here
To see a complete Technical Specification sheet for the Model A-F click here
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