autodimming rearview mirror with reverse camera system installed
#1
autodimming rearview mirror with reverse camera system installed
Saturday I installed a rearview mirror with the built in LCD screen for a camera system for reverse. Install was straight forward but time consuming. I lowered the front edge of the headliner to run 5 wires (2 signal, power, ground and a remote turn on) The mirror has photo-optic sensors that when it sees someones headlights shining into it, it automatically dims down. I tested this on the highway last night and it works awesome. I can be in front of someone with bright HID's and within 3 seconds it dims right down so that the lights don't bother me. Before having this I've constantly driven around with the stock mirror folded into the dim-angle. The thing I love is that at night when there is nobody behind you it unfades, so you can still see what is behind you no problem. As cars approach slowly from behind you it gradually fades darker, as appropriate. The reverse camera I used was just the license plate type. I ran the remote line to my drivers side reverse light, so when it goes into reverse my mirror view screen and camera both get power. I'm still learning to feel for using this, but I love it so far. The camera I have also has infrared LEDs so that it has perfect night vision, and the screen also auto adjusts for brightness. Works good in pitch black midnight with no lights around. In the pic below I'm backed against the garage pretty close, you can see it in the mirror.
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Yeah. I'm really happy with how it turned out. I'm going to do the same exact thing on my other Ranger, but I'm going to fiberglass the camera into my hard tonneau cover, or into the liftgate itself. I didn't want to cut the metal though.
#7
Look on eBay for either reverse or back up camera, I forget which one gives better results. One will give you $30 ones from Hong Kong and the other gives you $30 ones from the US. His is the same as what they sell on eBay.
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Update:
Built another setup like this for my sonic blue 2004 ranger.
I took the camera out though, mounted it custom into a plate surround, used some body filler and painted it with basecoat/clearcoat to factory match sonic blue body color. Also painted the mirror to match body basecoat/clearcoat as well.
I have another mirror that I bought that I was going to put on my Evo IX, but I probably will be willing to sell if anyone wants it.
You can see here, I haven't removed all of the masking tape yet. The clearcoat also needs to be polished.
Built another setup like this for my sonic blue 2004 ranger.
I took the camera out though, mounted it custom into a plate surround, used some body filler and painted it with basecoat/clearcoat to factory match sonic blue body color. Also painted the mirror to match body basecoat/clearcoat as well.
I have another mirror that I bought that I was going to put on my Evo IX, but I probably will be willing to sell if anyone wants it.
You can see here, I haven't removed all of the masking tape yet. The clearcoat also needs to be polished.
#23
I added the license plate camera to a double din head unit on my sport trac. The problem (at least with my set up) is you have to turn the camera on, then put it in reverse, which can take a minute with my head unit. Its wierd. You have to go to the GPS (wait for it to load, then accept the warning notes). Then hit the back button which will give the option to go to camera. then hit the camera. If you go back to the radio you have to go through this routine again.
Using it to back up to a trailer is not a problem, but this won't happen everytime I back out of a driveway. It takes too long.
with the rear view mirror, it turns on instantly in reverse.
I plan to add one to my wifes car. The only issue is the mirror is also the dome light (convertible) so I need a good light on the mirror/video screen.
Using it to back up to a trailer is not a problem, but this won't happen everytime I back out of a driveway. It takes too long.
with the rear view mirror, it turns on instantly in reverse.
I plan to add one to my wifes car. The only issue is the mirror is also the dome light (convertible) so I need a good light on the mirror/video screen.
#24
I added the license plate camera to a double din head unit on my sport trac. The problem (at least with my set up) is you have to turn the camera on, then put it in reverse, which can take a minute with my head unit. Its wierd. You have to go to the GPS (wait for it to load, then accept the warning notes). Then hit the back button which will give the option to go to camera. then hit the camera. If you go back to the radio you have to go through this routine again.
Using it to back up to a trailer is not a problem, but this won't happen everytime I back out of a driveway. It takes too long.
with the rear view mirror, it turns on instantly in reverse.
I plan to add one to my wifes car. The only issue is the mirror is also the dome light (convertible) so I need a good light on the mirror/video screen.
Using it to back up to a trailer is not a problem, but this won't happen everytime I back out of a driveway. It takes too long.
with the rear view mirror, it turns on instantly in reverse.
I plan to add one to my wifes car. The only issue is the mirror is also the dome light (convertible) so I need a good light on the mirror/video screen.
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