[tommyboy]

I am getting ready to install the Honda backup sensors on my 2021. I figured that while I have the bumper off I might as well add the BSM as well. I opted for the $109 Easyguard system. To say their installation instructions are lacking is an understatement, and their website is a joke. Has anyone installed them on their Clarity? If so, do you have any tips to share? It would be greatly appreciated.

 

[EV Nerd]

I am getting ready to install the Honda backup sensors on my 2021. I figured that while I have the bumper off I might as well add the BSM as well. I opted for the $109 Easyguard system. To say their installation instructions are lacking is an understatement, and their website is a joke. Has anyone installed them on their Clarity? If so, do you have any tips to share? It would be greatly appreciated.

I opted for the top-rated (and pricey) Brandmotion RADAR-based unit, and had it installed by an authorized installation shop.

When I saw the very detailed (and somewhat complex) installation instructions, I decided it wasn't something I wanted to tackle myself. (The older I get, the more dollar value I attribute to what I call "The Hassle Factor".) It requires using a protractor to bend mounting bracket angles and aim the RADAR emitter/sensors. (I may be an engineer, but I ain't got the patience for that!) It's mounted entirely behind the rear bumper fascia, with no exposed emitters. (The RADAR passes right through the plastic.)

I'm extremely pleased at how well it functions. It was about a grand, all-in.

I know this doesn't answer your specific question, but I can say that you'll need to be prepared to do some very careful and precise work, in order to get good results.

 

[tommyboy]

Thanks. I have everything I need and have watched a YouTube video, so I can do it, but I was thinking someone on this board might have found an easier way, or something to avoid. The place on the back bumper where the units mount is actually 20 degrees offset the back of the car. I also have a tool from my old solar sales days that gives me angles of incidents so I can verify. The instructions are only 8 steps, while the Honda backup sensors have 74 steps!

 

[EV Nerd]

Thanks. I have everything I need and have watched a YouTube video, so I can do it, but I was thinking someone on this board might have found an easier way, or something to avoid. The place on the back bumper where the units mount is actually 20 degrees offset the back of the car. I also have a tool from my old solar sales days that gives me angles of incidents so I can verify. The instructions are only 8 steps, while the Honda backup sensors have 74 steps!

Cool. There's no way I'd attempt the Honda backup/parking sensors, with the need to cut multiple sonar sensor holes in the bumpers. I've cut enough holes in plastic (and metal) to know that it's not something I want to do without the proper tools. In my earlier R&D engineering days, the lab was well-equipped with the proper tools. I miss that access...a LOT.

 

[tommyboy]

Well, the Honda backup sensor install when perfectly. The instructions that I downloaded were lengthy, but surprising accurate and easy to understand. 74 steps are needed to be clear on the order of removing of panels, covers and taillight assemblies. The drilling of holes for the sensors was a snap. Honda has the positions marked on the inside of the bumper cover and the unit is a plug and play system - all harnesses just plug into existing connections. I did not install the blind spot monitor as I was not in the mood to start splicing wires at the taillights and reverse lights just yet. Now that I know how to get all the panels off it won't take long at the trunk. Someday I will finish but for now I am pretty happy with the progress. I did this job while my wife is out of town. I will be she won't even notice the next time she is in the car

 

[EV Nerd]

Well, the Honda backup sensor install when perfectly. The instructions that I downloaded were lengthy, but surprising accurate and easy to understand. 74 steps are needed to be clear on the order of removing of panels, covers and taillight assemblies. The drilling of holes for the sensors was a snap. Honda has the positions marked on the inside of the bumper cover and the unit is a plug and play system - all harnesses just plug into existing connections. I did not install the blind spot monitor as I was not in the mood to start splicing wires at the taillights and reverse lights just yet. Now that I know how to get all the panels off it won't take long at the trunk. Someday I will finish but for now I am pretty happy with the progress. I did this job while my wife is out of town. I will be she won't even notice the next time she is in the car

Does it automatically integrate with the car's systems?

 

[tommyboy]

Only a beeping g sound that gets faster as the bumper gets closer to sn object. It doesn't have any interface with the camera.

 

[tommyboy]

Well, my OCD got the best of me this morning. I removed the rear bumper again and installed the BSM sensors. Getting the 20 degree angle was not hard, as the mounting place was close to 20 degrees. Only a small fine tuning. I couldn't find my incident angle tool so I improvised. I took a broomstick and zip tied it to the bumper clips do get a straight line of reference. Lining up the sensors were easy at that point. I ran the wires into the trunk and buttoned it all up. I need the correct wire combinations for the rear left and right turn signals and the reverse wire ( in the trunk lid). When I get bored I will finish up the job. Years ago I bought panel removal tools. On sale, thought someday I would need them. They really made the bumper removal much easier and with no worry about the paint or breaking any of the bumper tabs

 

[EV Nerd]

Well, my OCB got the best of me this morning. I removed the rear bumper again and installed the BSM sensors. Getting the 20 degree angle was not hard, as the mounting place was close to 20 degrees. Only a small fine tuning. I couldn't find my ncident angle tool so I improvised. I took a broomstick and zip tied it to the bumper clips do get a straight line of reference. Lining up the sensors were easy at that point. I ran the wires into the trunk and buttoned it all up. I need the correct wire combinations for the rear left and right turn signals and the reverse wite ( in the trunk lid). When I get bored I will finish up the job. Years ago I bought panel removal tools. On sale, thought someday I would need them. They really made the bumper removal much easier and with no worry about the paint or breaking any of the bumper tabs

Nice! I got a set of trim tools about 20 years ago. Used them once for removing door trim for speakers, and a multitude of times for other applications, where metal tool-caused surface marring was a big risk. They look cheap, and are made of a really strong plastic. IIRC, they weren't cheap, though.

 

[First Honda]

I am getting ready to install the Honda backup sensors on my 2021. I figured that while I have the bumper off I might as well add the BSM as well. I opted for the $109 Easyguard system. To say their installation instructions are lacking is an understatement, and their website is a joke. Has anyone installed them on their Clarity? If so, do you have any tips to share? It would be greatly appreciated.

I am curious, what is the usefulness of backup sensors when you have a back-up camera? I find them more useful in the front.

 

[tommyboy]

It does "see" objects to the side as I am backing up. If Honda had made the system for both front and rear I would have purchased that version.
I am taking my time with the BSM installation. I put the sensors in and routed the wiring into the trunk last week. Today I spliced into the left and right turn signals and reverse light. Everything from here on is just routing wiring under the door sills and such. No more splicing, just regular ol connections
I would like to route the warning lights onto the doors, on the fixed glass next to the mirrors, but may just finish up with them on the pillars for the time being

 

[Insighter]

It does "see" objects to the side as I am backing up. If Honda had made the system for both front and rear I would have purchased that version.
I am taking my time with the BSM installation. I put the sensors in and routed the wiring into the trunk last week. Today I spliced into the left and right turn signals and reverse light. Everything from here on is just routing wiring under the door sills and such. No more splicing, just regular ol connections
I would like to route the warning lights onto the doors, on the fixed glass next to the mirrors, but may just finish up with them on the pillars for the time being

This is where my installer put them. He's installed dozens of these systems and said the LED warning lights that come with the system are too bright for his liking, especially if they're mounted in the pillars. He said that they are just too visible and too annoying in that position. So he installed these smaller ones that are blue. I like them. Positioned where they are, you definitely see them when you need to, but they are out of sight and out of mind most of the time (as is the case with the factory ones that are built into a car's side view mirrors).

 

[EV Nerd]

This is where my installer put them. He's installed dozens of these systems and said the LED warning lights that come with the system are too bright for his liking, especially if they're mounted in the pillars. He said that they are just too visible and too annoying in that position. So he installed these smaller ones that are blue. I like them. Positioned where they are, you definitely see them when you need to, but they are out of sight and out of mind most of the time (as is the case with the factory ones that are built into a car's side view mirrors).
View attachment 833

I suggested to my spouse that we could do as you did, but she was pretty insistent that they be the bright yellow ones on the A-pillar, so that's where they are. Her vision isn't the best. They are very visible on the A-pillar, at all times. Fortunately, I don't find them so bright as to be annoying.

 

[Insighter]

I suggested to my spouse that we could do as you did, but she was pretty insistent that they be the bright yellow ones on the A-pillar, so that's where they are. Her vision isn't the best. They are very visible on the A-pillar, at all times. Fortunately, I don't find them so bright as to be annoying.

The are definitely more noticeable and thus more effective where she wanted them. I just feared I would find them annoying.

 

[tommyboy]

I finished my installation this morning. Everything works fine and I don't find the warning lights annoying. The light on the driver side is at the left edge of the pillar and the right side is closer to the tweeter, making it more visible from the driver side. The lights are silver so they match the pillars. I like that the lights are inside the cabin instead of in the mirror. If the mirror has grime, snow, etc or the windows are fogged you can't see them when activated. I would, however, like them to be on the door like Insighter's (amber instead of blue). Does anyone know where to get them for the 4-wire plug used on the Easyguard system?

 

[PDXEV]

Tomboy, thanks for the awesome write up. Could you share the URL for where you downloaded the instructions? And, if its not too much trouble, the part number for the sensors? I've been thinking of doing this upgrade and the blindspot warning (I hate the passenger side video thing). Thanks, again.

 

[tommyboy]

here is the link: Back Up Sensors it includes the sensors (select your color). be sure to click on the wiring harness kit. They also provide the instructions. The price is the same as I paid from another online outlet for the sensors and wiring kit. you will need to purchase two hole saws - a 24mm (for the two back) an 26mm (for the corners). I suggest you buy them online as it is hard to find them in local stores (neither Home Depot, Lowes or Harbor Freight had them). you don't need anything expensive or fancy as they will be a one-use item.