Answers to Your Most
Frequently Asked Questions About BAK-TALK™
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Click to Hear Bak-Talk in Action.
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Just click on the question to see the answer.
What is the zone coverage of BAK-TALK?
What happens if I get closer than 12 inches?
How does the unit get its power?
Does it work well in all climates and weather conditions?
How is BAK-TALK installed?
How are the sensors installed?
How big are the sensors?
How big is the speaker?
Where is the speaker installed?
How is the sound level adjusted?
Can BAK-TALK be turned off if I'm towing a trailer?
Why a female voice?
Will the talking and beeping of BAK-TALK drive me crazy?
Can I get BAK-TALK that speaks in a different language?
How does BAK-TALK compare to the back-up sensors on some
new cars?
Why would I need BAK-TALK if I'm considering, or my car already
has a backup camera?
What technologies are used in reverse aid systems?
Q: How much area does BAK-TALK "see"?
BAK-TALK will scan from 12 inches to a distance of 8 feet behind you car,
detecting objects from 10 inches off the ground to 4 feet high. With the
3 sensors, it scans to a width of 9 feet, and as most vehicles are about
6 feet wide, that gives you an extra foot and a half on either side of your
car to cover your blind spots.
Q: What happens if I get closer than 12 inches?
BAK-TALK will start beeping and then say, "CRASH." At that point
you really have to stop!
Q: How does the unit get its power?
The BAK-TALK microprocessor, which is the brains of the unit, is about the
size of a deck of cards, has a wire that crimps on to your car's back-up
light wire. That's where it gets it's power and that is why the BAK-TALK
system only works when you are going in reverse. The sensors and speaker
connect to the microprocessor, and get its power through it.
Q: Does BAK-TALK work well in all climates and weather
conditions?
Absolutely! BAK-TALK's sensors have an all-weather capability from -50°F
to +135°F.
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Q: How is BAK-TALK installed?
Approximately 70% of our customers install the unit themselves. The Bak-Talk
unit will come with complete installation instructions. You can also Click
Here watch Bak-Talk installed. If you don't want to do the installation
yourself, you can arrange to have one of our recommended service companies
install it for you.
Q: How are the sensors installed?
The sensors are installed on the face of the bumper, with industrial strength
2-sided tape, or below the bumper, using the hinge brackets that are included
with the unit.
Q: How big are the sensors?
The sensors are about the size of your little finger, about 3 inches long,
3/4 of an inch high and 3/8 of an inch thick.
Q: How big is the speaker?
The speaker is about the size of a silver dollar, and 3/8 of an inch thick.
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Q: Where is the speaker installed?
The speaker can be installed anywhere inside the passenger compartment with
the double-sided adhesive pads provided. We recommend placing the speaker
on the shelf between the rear seat and the back window, or on the pillar
behind the driver's seat. We've found that it's more comfortable to have
the speaker behind you as you back up.
Q: How is the sound level adjusted?
There is a side slide volume control on the speaker. You can position it
to "high," "normal," or "mute."
Q: Can BAK-TALK be turned off if towing a trailer?
Just slide the sound level control on the speaker to mute.
Q: Why a female voice?
Studies have shown that some women drivers feel intimidated by automated
systems with a male voice, and that most men prefer to have a woman talking
to them. And, when BAK-TALK speaks, it will be accurate and only talk when
necessary.
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Q: Will the talking and beeping of BAK-TALK drive
me crazy?
No. First of all, it only is active while the vehicle is backing-up. Most
of the time, there is nothing behind you, so when you first put the car
in reverse, it will beep once, just to let you know that BAK-TALK is active.
As you continue backing up, if nothing is behind you, it will remain quiet.
Q: Can I get BAK-TALK that speaks in a different
language?
There is a special order BAK-TALK unit available that speaks Spanish.
Q: How does BAK-TALK compare to the back-up sensors
on some new cars?
All reverse aids are helpful, but BAK-TALK is the best. Here's why: most
of those other systems only beep as you back up. They will beep faster as
you get closer to the obstacle. But, as an example, if a child were 2 feet
behind your car, when you put the car into reverse, the BAK-TALK unit would
immediately say, "2 feet," and you know you'd better not move.
With a unit that only beeps, your car or the obstacle has to move, before
it would beep faster. On that first beep, you don't know how far away the
obstacle (or child, in this case) is.
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Q: Why would I need BAK-TALK if my vehicle already
has a backup camera?
The camera is helpful, but does not provide a comprehensive view of the
entire rear area of the vehicle, or have much depth of view if it's very
dark outside. For some people it's awkward to look at the monitor while
backing up. Drivers are used to using the mirrors and turning their heads
while driving in reverse. And, because the monitor's image is 2-dimensional
and often the camera has a fish-eye lens, you cannot determine the distance
to an obstacle, so you still need to look around outside your vehicle and
use your mirrors to confirm rearward clearance. Also, according to some
car manufacturers, cold weather will limit the camera system's effectiveness
and the view may become cloudy. BAK-TALK operates effectively night or day,
in all weather conditions, from -50 degrees to +135 degrees Fahrenheit.
Lastly, the backup camera is very expensive, usually available only as part
of a package with the navigation system.
Q: What technologies are used in reverse aid systems?
BAK-TALK uses ULTRASONIC ECHOLOCATION, which is the same as the most sophisticated
SONAR used in military applications (e.g., SONAR in submarines). BAK-TALK's
miniature acoustic detectors transmit a modulated beam signal which is capable
of seeing through fog, rain, smoke or snow - day or night. This system is
accurate to + or - 2 inches. BAK-TALK is the only system to "tell"
the drive the distance to an obstacle, and will detect either stationary
or moving objects continuously.
There are other technologies that have been applied to vehicles as a backup
warning system, but each technology has serious limitations, particularly
during inclement weather:
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