Has sentry mode ever made you feel like an ass before?

[Kognos]

I agree that there should be an option for a "active" or "passive" sentry system. I've now been to two car garages (one at a convention) and have found upon review of the sentry videos, the flashing of the lights actually generated more attention than I really would prefer in that case.

Look, at the end of the day, some jerk is going to do bad things. But shining a light in their eyes and telling them exactly this only provokes. I don't mind the screen saying the recording is happening, but there's no need to flash lights.

Sentry tends to start recording the moment people walk in front of the car, so simply having people walk by the car (parked in reverse) makes the car a spectacle. In that particular instance, had I known this, I would've opted for something a bit more passive.

 

[acarney]

Ya. The proximity sensors should be able to tell where the max range is vs someone 18 inches away or something. I actually wouldn’t mind a slow gentle increase of the headlights if someone continues to approach (and in fact that might help ID someone when it’s dark) but a quick flash can startle someone. The majority of Sentry activity is going to be people walking down a parking aisle and in front of your car or something. I don’t need to scare everyone or grab their attention, just if they’re getting real close or lingering or something.

For the above where someone was interested in the car, Elon could add a “good ambassador setting” when the center screen has HAL & then big text saying “Look but just please don’t touch!” or something.

 

[sperkin]

I was leaving dinner one night and a couple eating at the window in front of my car was giving me evil eyes. I didn't know why. Thought they were gas guzzlers and hated Teslas. But I had like 24 plus sentry notifications so I looked at it at home. The car must have flashed that couple like 12 times as people walked by the front of the car. The couples looked like deers in the headlights.

 

[hydro 481]

I already feel like an ass**** without sentry mode

 

[PhilDavid]

I’ve only had my Model 3 for a little over a month, so I didn’t know that Sentry mode flashes the lights when people get near...

Well I was leaving the movies tonight and three girls were walking to the car parked in the row behind mine. They must have been looking at the Model 3 because all three screamed a little and jumped when they got close and the lights flashed. Of course I was about 20 feet behind them and then had to get in the car that scared the crap out of them....

I decided to demonstrate the acceleration of the Model 3 since I felt like a huge ass and wanted to get out of there, lol.

Anyone else have interesting sentry stories or videos that has made them feel like a complete idiot?

Why would you feel like an ass?

Most cars flash their lights when you unlock them.

Most people will assume the car flashed the lights because you unlocked the car as you approached it, a perfectly rational explanation.

In fact they might have been just self-aware that they were possibly checking out the car just as the owner approached.

For what it's worth, I wish the flashing lights for Sentry Mode was an OPTION.

In fact depending on where, I would like the option to:

+ NOT Flash the lights. (Car is parked someplace super busy)
+ Flash the lights. (Default option)
+ Turn on exterior lights for 30 seconds. (Car parked some place dark where no one should be really around your car. 30 seconds on for all lights will allow the cameras to capture a clearer image of who is around the car.

I can think of different scenarios where each option would be useful.

 

[acarney]

Why would you feel like an ass?

Most cars flash their lights when you unlock them.

Most people will assume the car flashed the lights because you unlocked the car as you approached it, a perfectly rational explanation.

In fact they might have been just self-aware that they were possibly checking out the car just as the owner approached.

For what it's worth, I wish the flashing lights for Sentry Mode was an OPTION.

In fact depending on where, I would like the option to:

+ NOT Flash the lights. (Car is parked someplace super busy)
+ Flash the lights. (Default option)
+ Turn on exterior lights for 30 seconds. (Car parked some place dark where no one should be really around your car. 30 seconds on for all lights will allow the cameras to capture a clearer image of who is around the car.

I can think of different scenarios where each option would be useful.

I totally can think of situations each of those would be useful!

 

[camalaio]

As a matter of fact, after going through a month of sentry footage today, yes.

We were at a cidery. A group was standing in front of the car (say 5 feet away)t I guess before they leave or something. It must've flashed them. One guy got a really sour face and started checking around the whole car. Got to the back corner, saw it was. Tesla then I guess, shook his head and frowned even harder.

Oops?

Same lot (maybe same clip, it's deleted anyhow), I also realized that the side cameras are at an unfortunate angle for ladies that don't know a camera is pointed their way while getting out of their car beside a Model 3. I feel far worse about that than the other flashing that occurs with Sentry mode.

 

[fseir]

Yes. My city has a jazz & blues festival every year which is quite a draw. They shut down a couple blocks and there are lots of tents with acts, vendors, and live performance, it's a pretty happening spot. It was this past week so my wife and I went downtown to check it out. Parking was pretty crazy but I noticed there were some empty chargers near where we wanted to go. I ended up parking right by a sidewalk but it was very well lit and next to a busy street. So I plugged in and we went for a walk. I fully expected lots of sentry activation being that it was right next to a busy sidewalk. Where I live there isn't a tremendous amount of Teslas and I like to try to be a good ambassador to the brand, so I really don't mind if people check out my car, I just turned on sentry in case someone backed into it or whatever. We get back a couple hours lator and sure enough, there is lots of activations. As I'm browsing the footage, I noticed a nice older couple casually checking out the car, they where respectful, not touching it or anything just walking around it. You could tell the husband was very interested, perhaps thinking about getting one himself, then the wife comes along and points to the screen. It obviously showed it was recording and at that moment they awkwardly turned to the camera, waved and promptly took off. I couldn't help but feel bad as in this case it was not my intention to scare people off who are genuinely interested in he car and just wish to respectfully look at it, no harm was done. Maybe if they had more time to check it over they would be that much closer to buying an EV themselves, who knows.

As embarrassed as they may have been to have been “caught” looking, I bet it was a selling point for them. Everyone that hears about sentry mode thinks it’s the coolest thing ever!

 

[Glamisduner]

I think it's great! Some jackass does something stupid to your car, I think it's great that the M3 let's them know that they were busted and recorded. I'm thinking of having window stickers made advising people to "Smile, you're on Tesla Camera"... and you can't do anything about it. I caught someone at my office opening his door into my car and chipping some paint. I know who it was and confronted him with video... I love it!

Are they paying for the repair?

 

[Kleenerth3]

I already feel like an ass**** without sentry mode

LMAO! I'm a member of the triple A...
Always An Ass.
Welcome brother!

 

[KenC]

I was leaving dinner one night and a couple eating at the window in front of my car was giving me evil eyes. I didn't know why. Thought they were gas guzzlers and hated Teslas. But I had like 24 plus sentry notifications so I looked at it at home. The car must have flashed that couple like 12 times as people walked by the front of the car. The couples looked like deers in the headlights.

I wonder if backing in would be better, then would the lights flash every time a car passed?

 

[Kleenerth3]

I take pride in probing all your secret
moves.
My tearless retina takes pictures that can prove.

I'm made of metal
My circuits gleam
I am perpetual
I keep the country clean

Protected, Detective Electric eye...

Apologies Judas Priest.

 

[poppap]

Not very exciting but while reviewing the Sentry videos, I found a video of a guy got spooked by my car and flipped the bird at it... (I backed into a spot and he just walked pass in front of the car)