I seen Summit has a rearview mirror that auto dims and has outside temp and compass. Has anybody installed this in their car? Was it a struggle?

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1992 Camaro Z-28 5.7L auto t-tops arctic white

1967 Pontiac Catalina 2 door fastback 400 v-8 auto cameo white dark red interior

 

My IROC can stock with this option, but my question is....why does it have a sensor on the front, I am currently rebuilding the engine so I have never driven the car. um.....what does it do, auto dim your highbeams to oncoming traffic?

 

That would be a nice touch, but no. It just senses the light outside so it knows when to begin adjustments. It only works in the dark. Actually, now that I think of it, it may tilt when the tranny is in reverse to give you a better view backing up. My memory isn't working right now-anyone else?

 

The dodge I drive some times has one, its just so it knows when its dark outside to start diming the mirror so you don't go blind from the persons lights behind you. Go out and just turn on the power to your car and put your hand over it, you will see it turn darker and darker.

 

The one out of a Chevy Tahoe has been used...

Looks Amazing IMO.....and worth the money when you find them used.....

 

I had one of those self adjusting mirrors on my 1987 Aerostar. The thing never did work. I would just adjust it like you would any other rear view mirror. My z28 had the same exact mirror. It has a little motor that raises or lowers the mirror instead of having to do that by hand. The one on my z worked, but it didn't work correctly. It would lower the mirror at night, but then remain in that position the next day too. I wonder if anyone has ever had one of these mirrors that did work right from the factory? By the way, that mirror from the Tahoe looks great with those numbers in it. Is that the temperature?

dave

 

The auto-dimming mirrors used in recent cars and the ones sold by summit racing are electrochromic ones. Great for watching for certain headlamp patterns in the rearview mirror at night:



You're very correct about the old motorized autodimming rearview mirrors never working right in the first place and being more of a conversation peice than anything else. But electrochromic mirrors are solid state and have no moving parts.

 

i agree, i'm sure johnny law will figure that out soon too if they already don't know.........


that console above does look nice though, i wouldn't mind having something like that a little longer with more compartments like the one in my gtp.

 

Here's an article i wrote after installing an autodimming mirror in my crown vic. Install will be similar in a thirdgen f-body, but the reverse light wire is light green in color.

http://www.p71interceptor.com/gentexmirror

 

yep, there are some unmarked lumina, f150 and tahoe traffic enforcement units around here. but the majority are crown vics.

 

Really how does a electrochromic work?

 

Hey that's my console! I didnt know that picture got saved and it's floating around the internet now.. hmmmmmmmm

 

Behold the powers of the search button.......

 

LMAO

 

follow this link for an explanation:

http://www.gentex.com/automotive_products2.html

 

I know about the dimming feature, I just was really wondering how all of this would help identifie the fuzzes lights?

 

yep, it's definetly nice not to be blinded by headlight glare at night. start to forget how well the nvs mirror works until you drive a car without the feature.

they aren't cheap though. even aftermarket, the base autodimming mirror is around $100, and the loaded one with compass & thermometer around $250. maybe if you ask nicely, santa will deliver you one for christmas

 

Yea I used to drive a dodge with one.