In my opinion, the four cameras are enough. They cover almost everything that one needs to see while laboriously manoeuvring the car. Regardless of whether the system is called Area View or has any other name, the larger the car is, the sooner we need it.

Ultrasonic is cheaper, particularly if it only works with acoustic signals, but however, it's not always reliable, e.g., when it comes to recognising wire-netting. A vehicle with a wide-angle camera right up front, can even 'see' around corners, e.g., to timely pick up crossing traffic when emerging through a narrow exit.

There are two cameras installed into the lower part of the outside mirrors and one directly underneath the tailgate. By covering an observation-angle of 190°, there is no spot around the car which cannot be seen. In addition, as a highlight, the system can simulate a camera above the car and pointing downwards, with which one can really manoeuvre the car in the tightest situations.

So, if there are any obstacles near to the car which the ultrasonic doesn't pick up, this can't happen with the cameras. Should one of the cameras not function, then at least the others will still be working. With ultrasonic, the whole system simply stops working and in the same manner, one is warned by bars which are displayed on the screen.

The system is also great when hitching a trailer to the tow-bar. A second person is not needed, even with heavy trailers. With this system, and the respective helping projection lines, one can reverse the car so that the tow-bar-ball is exactly beneath the coupling.

Indeed, should a camera have to be exchanged, it must then, as a rule, be re-adjusted, e.g., if the overlapping with the two neighbouring cameras is no longer correct. Basically, the adjustment is always the same and is described here. 08/15