Dolphin/Echomaster Backup Sensor Long Term Updates?

[zmanH2]

I have been looking into this wireless sensor backup device. I have seen 3 brands but i think are essentially the same item:
Echomaster Hitchscan
Dolphin Sonarstep
Audiovox ASH300
I know a few members purchased one of these sytems and am now wondering if the device still works as advertized.

[BradO]

I used a Guardian Alert Doppler system from Sense Technologies on my 06 H3 and use the Ash300 on my 06 H2. The ASH300 is flawlessly accurate from corner to corner after adding a hitch extender to get it past the spare tire. Before, I got too many false readings. The Doppler system was ok, sometimes picking up elevation changes (driveway for example) instead of obstacles. I did not have to extend it though. Traded my 06 H3 for an 07 H3 and bought another Ash300 for it, same deal, extended the hitch past the spare tire. I highly recommend the Ash300 as long as you extended it from the original hitch. Otherwise it will pick up too many false readings.....

[zmanH2]

That's what i thought. So you do need to buy an extender. It probably looks a little weird from an angle or side view due to the length. How far from the spare tire does it have to protrude? Flush, 1", 2"? Can I trouble you for some pics?

[mountainbiker]

Originally Posted by BradO

I used a Guardian Alert Doppler system from Sense Technologies ... The Doppler system was ok, sometimes picking up elevation changes (driveway for example) instead of obstacles. I did not have to extend it though.

I have recently ordered the Sense Tech one as well from Sears. However, I went with the bumper mount model as my hitch is occupied with a HitchCAM. The bumper mount one needs to be installed behind a foam or plastic bumper or in front of a metal bumper. I was going to install it the tire cover. I am hoping at that height it is still going to get some adequate ground coverage, but I guess it will solve the "elevation changes" detected by the hitch model. It might be an an expensive test. We shall see...

[lennyrebel]

Originally Posted by zmanH2

That's what i thought. So you do need to buy an extender. It probably looks a little weird from an angle or side view due to the length. How far from the spare tire does it have to protrude? Flush, 1", 2"? Can I trouble you for some pics?

I used a video cam with 130 degree lense and I found about 6 " out was good which was about 6" inside tire thats on the trailer receiver of course,.The Rebel

[BradO]

Here are a couple of pics of the H2 w/ ash300. I got a 14in hitch extender for the H2 and 7in for the H3....Doesn't stick out too bad, but i will say even if the thing won't beep, you'll know when to stop before doing any damage....

[zmanH2]

Wowzers! Nice ride BradO. It looks like it extends 2 to 3 inches after the spare tire. Do you think it will work OK if I used a 10" extension (to make it as flush as possible with the spare tire)?

Also, how long have you had these units for your 2 & 3?

[BradO]

Thank you.

It's actually 3-4 inches out from under the spare, so 10in would be flush. That's probably the minimum I would say is ok. You just need to be sure the sensors are far enough out not to pick up the tire or tire cover. If you can find a 12in extension, that would probably be the safest bet and it's a buffer. I've used the ash300 on the H2 since August 2006 and on the H3 since Jan 2007. Also a nice bonus is that it comes with at least one locking pin. I really have to give it high marks for price, ease of installation/removal, and detection accuracy.

[zmanH2]

Thanks you very much for the quick reply & tips.

I hope the other owners chime in with their experience on the unit.

[HitchScan]

Hey guys, I'm here from Echomaster, to once again tell you that our product HitchScan is back online and open to public. (It was offline due to website difficulties and other problems) The product is still the same, SonarStep is now HitchScan and it can be found @ http://hitchscan.com/

you can check out its reception in the tundra forums http://www.tundrasolutions.com/forum...sor-hitchscan/

Thanks!

[zmanH2]

Holy Resurrection, Batman!

I did buy this unit in 2007 after asking here. I am happy to report that after 2 years, the SonarStep is still working great. It's an excellent product.

You can barely see the unit in the below photo: