Garage Parking Aids

For a new driver, the task of parking within the confines of the family garage can be incredibly nerve-wracking. Although it’s important for every driver to gain enough spatial awareness to park without help (in most places), the use of garage parking aids can prevent a lot of early mishaps. Below, we’ve covered a few of the most common garage parking aids.

The Maxsa Laser Garage Parking System
Price: $29.99-34.99

Laser-guided garage parking systems are essentially modern-day versions of the tennis ball on a string method. Instead of having an ugly tennis ball hanging down from the ceiling, however, you have a mounted laser guidance system that turns on when you pull into the garage. Set it up when your car is already parked correctly and then note where the laser hits your car’s hood when the car is in the proper position.

In the future, you can guide yourself into place based on the positioning of the laser. This laser parking system comes with both velcro mounts and screw mounts, so you can decide how permanent it should be. The version shown offers laser guidance for two cars, but a single car edition is also available (or you can use the two-car system and direct both lasers at the front corners of the hood).

Pros:

• It looks a lot nicer than a dangling tennis ball.
• Since it attaches to the ceiling, there’s nothing to get in your way as you move around the garage.
• Includes a battery backup in case you lose power.

Cons:

• The system requires installation.
• You’ll need a 110V outlet nearby for power.
• Depending on the color of your car, it may be difficult to see the laser.
• You won’t know if you are leaving enough room on the sides of your car until you can see the laser on your hood. By then, it may be too late to pull back out and adjust.

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Park Zone Traffic Light Garage Parking Aid
Price: $23.99.
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The Park Zone Garage Parking Aid is a fun and handy way to know when you’re getting too close to the garage wall. The lights change colors to let you know when it’s okay to advance, when you need to slow down, and when it’s time to stop.Because not all garages are equal, the unit does allow you to program the distance you’d like to have between your vehicle and the wall. The memory module will remember your preferences.Pros:

• Relies on distance rather than ability to see a particular cue.
• Has an indicator light to let you know the unit is working.
• Let’s face it, the design is kind of fun.

Cons:

• If you store anything in front of the wall, you may not be able to mount this.
• Must be mounted.

Where to Buy:

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Park ‘n Place Garage Parking Aid
Price: $16.95.The Park ‘n Place may not be as high-tech as some garage parking aids, but it’s incredibly simple and easy to use. To set it up, you snap the pieces together and set it wherever you’d like to come to a stop. When your car hits the sign, it will move slightly and the face of the sign will light up.

The Park ‘n Place is 46″ tall, so even drivers with large SUVs will be able to see the stop sign as they pull in.

You can also use the Park ‘n Place to help you get your side-to-side position correct. Just make sure that it’s placed right in the middle of where you hope to end up, and then line up the center of your hood with the top of the stop sign. When you finally get to the sign, you’ll have plenty of room left on all sides of the car.

Pros:

• Very affordable.
• Quick setup.
• Doesn’t need an electrical outlet.

Cons:

• Sits on the floor of the garage, which may bother some.
• Could be knocked over if you come at it too quickly (though you certainly shouldn’t be driving that quickly in a garage).

Where to Buy:

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