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Rearview mirror in the way. Possible (hi tech) solution

41K views 145 replies 39 participants last post by  suzukicap34  
#1 · (Edited)
This is how much the rearview mirror obstructs my view (when in its highest position!). It obstructs a complete car coming from the right. And pedestrians. As you can see this isn't my original rearview mirror though, it's a dashcam/rearview camera LCD display unit placed in front of the original in the exact same position (for testing if this could work). You can see the original mirrors on/off button at the bottom behind the new one and it's frame sticking out on the left side.

Point is if I move the original mirror even further up with some bracket, due to the rear window being so far down I'll only see the tarmac behind the car and not very far behind the car at all. But with this camera/display mirror I can remove the original mirror completely and place this one as high up as I want, I'll have a perfect view behind me at all times regardless position.

Main test now is to see where to place the camera at the rear. When the rear window gets dirty you have a hard time seeing out with the original mirror, how bad does it get with the camera placed on the inside of the window? Will it get worse faster or slower when the dirt adds up? I only need to clean a small circle on the window for the camera to get a clean view though hehe. I'll also test placing the camera on the outside, right behind the shark fin on the roof. I'm pretty sure it will keep itself clean much much longer there! I'll keep you posted. Now I'll look at how to attach the display/mirror further up, right up against the plastic housing.

IMG_20201224_114911.jpg


Some feedback on the quality of the display as a mirror. Main issue is the framerate at 30fps, there is a visible 30fps sort of stutter. For me personally it's okay but I'm guessing some would have a harder time with this. The resolution is absolutely good enough IMHO. The rear camera is 1080p but the display is only 320 pixels vertically but I have no problem, I feel I have a better detailed view than with the real mirror which is a bit odd. But my eyesight at the displays distance isn't perfect, my glasses are optimized for what is further away.
 
Discussion starter · #11 ·
Me too Lauren - even in the example Magnus posted, it's very easy just to look round the mirror to see if a car is there surely? I just do that naturally (in all cars to a greater or lesser extent, because the mirror always represents a "blind spot").
Of course I bend down and to the left to look around the mirror. All the time. In the city every 10-15 seconds or so? Bicycles running red lights everywhere, pedestrians the same. Done this in every car I've had. But with a few cm lower mirror in the Yaris I need to bend down and to the left quite a bit more...
 
Discussion starter · #20 ·
Discussion starter · #27 ·
Obviously all depends on what mirror you buy, there are lots and lots of different models with different specifications. Not sure if mine autodims but in lit tunnels it worked well. Didn't react to it being too bright, not yet anyway. There is not much of noticeable delay but the 30fps framerate will probably annoy some but is okay for me. But it would have been nice with 60fps.
 
Discussion starter · #32 ·
Looking good Magnus. Did you manage to mount the new mirror directly or is it still fastened to the original one?
Did a 3D printed mount that is screwed onto the big original plastic piece/panel. The mirror is so high up now that it's flush to the ceiling. Since I'm 196cm tall every cm higher the mirror is helps :) The original mirror is removed.
 
Discussion starter · #37 ·
Yes it's a Dash cam recording everything from both cameras, both front and rear. It records onto a memory card. So not having to have an extra unit in the windshield for a dashcam was a big reason, having the rear view recorded too is a big bonus too.
 
Discussion starter · #47 ·
That is some impressive work?, the vision front and rear is not a problem for me, but having the front and rear cameras for recording is a big bonus keeps things nice and clean?
it looks OE with no cables in view.
And you can leave your dashcam in the car, no one will smash your window to grab it. (although someone might rip my roof mounted cam off the car... :rolleyes:)