Installed backup radar on my 850. This was a special installation in that Volvo does not put out an accessory bulletin for this model. The bumpers on the 850 and V-70 are the same externally, but different internally from what I gathered for the literature. The 850 is an easier installation by far than the V-70 or V-70 XC, in that you don't have to cut into the metal bumper channel which you apparently have to on the later models. The four sensors are all contained within the five-inch thick styrofoam shock absorber.

Hookup was simple, but I was disappointed with the range. The little beeper didn't go off until I was within 58-62 inches of an object. The literature says it will activate after 1.5 meters, which is right under 60 inches.

There was a later bulletin that came with the kit insisting that the face of the four sensors HAD to be painted, two coats, no more no less, otherwise it wouldn't work properly. Of course Volvo never gives any reason. This "must paint" bulletin came out March 2000 (and as early as 1999 in Norway), quite some time after they started marketing the unit, and what problems arose by not painting them I do not know.

My question is this: Is there any way to extend the range of this unit, say up to six or seven feet? Does not painting the sensors (or, in my case, cleaning the paint from them with a solvent) extend the range beyond the specified 1.5 meters? Four and a half feet (if you're not inching backwards) before you hear the first beep hardly gives you time to react unless you've got reflexes like Sigourney Weaver's alien. Would really appreciate hearing from someone out there about extending the range if possible. Dick

> Hookup was simple, but I was disappointed with the range. The little

> beeper didn't go off until I was within 58-62 inches of an object.

> The literature says it will activate after 1.5 meters, which is right

> under 60 inches.

So it's right within spec.. What's so disappointing? This is a parking aid and you should (at this point) be crawling backwards anyway. The whole idea beind it is that you can slowly move backwards until the 'bleep-bleep' turns into 'beeeeeeeeeeeeep' and you're about 10 inches from an object. It's not designed to give some long-range indication.

It's exactly how it works on my 2000 V40 and I'm very happy with it (actually my mom is very happy with it as she usually drives this car) and parallel-parking is a breeze.

> There was a later bulletin that came with the kit insisting that the

> face of the four sensors HAD to be painted, two coats, no more no

> less, otherwise it wouldn't work properly.

Odd. The documentation I got with this specified that it MAY be painted with AT MOST 2 layers of paint or it will not work properly.

> My question is this: Is there any way to extend the range of this

> unit, say up to six or seven feet?

Not that I know of. And if the echo-treshold for the ultrasonic transducers is set too low it will start giving lots of false alarms when it's engaged. A colleague of mine has an aftermarket setup on his VW and it was adjustable, but set waaay to sensitive at first. It would trigger 'bleep' noises even in gusty weather because the pressure waves in the air would be registered as 'objects'.

Bye, Arno.