Rear view mirror vs dash display and camera

[Danglerb]

I have knocked the rear view mirror loose on both my cars a couple times, still have no rear mirror on my 85 (windshield cracked ready to be replaced), and while pesky seeing behind me, the unobstructed front view is pretty nice.

What do you all think about ditching the rear view mirror as mounted top center for some kind of dash level display and a rear video camera?

[honerboys]

not sure in California - but i'm pretty sure that in Colorado the rear view is required by law - of course it would be a really observant police officer to catch that

[Alan in AZ]

No - just get a better rear view mirror. The Porsche ones are crap, no mirror height adjustment - just angle. Get a Donelley autodimming mirror with maplights dual adjustment - very nice. Some have compass & temp display too.

I have one - it works really really well, very happy with it. Hated the Porsche mirror

Alan

[Danglerb]

Two side mirrors of some spec and no need for a rear view mirror, ie typical closed back end truck.

Its less about the mirror than it is unobstructed view for me.

I've thought about the fancy new mirrors, but never pulled the trigger on one.

Maybe when I replace the glass I will make up my mind.

[Alan in AZ]

With a dual adjusting mirrior - even a cheap JC Whitney one (two swivel adjusters - like most cars today) you can raise the mirror up so it isn't so much in your sight line (unless you are really tall). Makes much more difference than you'd think. Might be worth a try as a cheap test case.

Alan

[BoiseShark]

I just had my front windshield replaced and not long after, the rear view fell off. I love the view more than what is behind me. I have my side views if I really need to see. I'm not sure about the laws in my state either, but will wait for that observant officer to let me know. It really is amazing the difference with just that little piece of decayed plastic and blotchy mirror gone. I feel like a fish in an aquarium.

[Alan in AZ]

My side mirros are set so I can't really see anything much right behind me... I think that's the way to do it... I have a good rearview mirror for that - thus they are fully complimentary.

My wife disagrees - she sets her side mirrors so they give a good overlapping rear view also - compromising her view to the side of adjacent lanes (a lot! - based on where they are when I drive her car).

I tell her she's nuts and she rolls her eyes at me like I'm an idiot... For a long time I couldn't fathom why her mirrors were adjusted as they were - no matter how I contorted my head they never seemed to be even close to right. Eventually it dawned on me that she was trying to do something completely different than I was trying to do.

Seriously - I think there are 3 mirrors for three different reasons - if the view in all of them is the same - maybe you should move them so it isn't...

Alan

[Danglerb]

All cars built after May1 2018 are required to have back up rear camera's, big push by auto makers to shift to cameras from mirrors.

[harborman]

Originally Posted by Danglerb

All cars built after May1 2018 are required to have back up rear camera's, big push by auto makers to shift to cameras from mirrors.

Has anyone installed a rear view cam in the 928? My JVC radio has the ability.

[AirtekHVAC]

I'm going to put one on mine...once I get to that stage. I have a Pyle DD navigation unit new in the box, and a pioneer one, both have rear camera input. Might be a while tho'

[harborman]

Originally Posted by AirtekHVAC

I'm going to put one on mine...once I get to that stage. I have a Pyle DD navigation unit new in the box, and a pioneer one, both have rear camera input. Might be a while tho'

Ok. Well I am not sure why these are necessary as I have never had one and have been driving quite a long time. I have a feeling it's related to law suits with people running over their kids in a SUV while backing up.

[Alan in AZ]

I have one in my SUV. They are only active while reversing - so no replacement for an interior rear view mirror IMO.

They have some value but are easily abused. Great for reversing to a trailer hitch (has a zoomed mode for this) - good for final stage parking (e.g. distance to something like a wall or another car - though the wide angle distorts distance some). The new types (~all now) with predicted turning guidelines can also be helpful.

However the biggest single risk is sole reliance & tunnel vision. It gives you a great view of what is right behing you - but no real sense of what is coming from the sides. My car has an audible static proximity detector from the rear bumper as many do but also for rear cross traffic at a distance (detects moving vehicles only) at up to 50+ feet away to the sides, this is a good supplement - but aditional side views would be better IMO.

I have an autodim mirror on that vehicle too and wouldn't want to rely on the wide angle rear camera instead. The distorted view is quite weird over a long distance and the placement of a head unit in the console has you look much further way from the road than a rear view mirror - so you lose peripheral vision of whats happening on the road. Sometimes the sun on the console also means you can't see it very well anyway.

Originally Posted by Danglerb

All cars built after May1 2018 are required to have back up rear camera's, big push by auto makers to shift to cameras from mirrors.

I think all production cars that have rear view cameras also have rear view mirrors - not sure I see that changing any time soon, usage is different.

Alan

[77tony]

Originally Posted by harborman

Has anyone installed a rear view cam in the 928? My JVC radio has the ability.

Already have a license plate mounted camera in the truck that's activated by the reverse light wiring. It's connected to a double din JVC AVX 820 that is essentially has all the same features as the JVC AVX77, just double din. This time will mount the small camera just above the license plate and tie into a rearview mirror. Seems that's more of a natural place to look when starting to back up vs looking down at the radio.02. T

[harborman]

I have the same JVC in my car, looks and works great. I do not have any video hooked to it however. I did install a sub woofer and amp which I posted here sometime ago. That made a big difference in sound, yet will not blast you out of the car. It is a spare tire mounted sub speaker.

[Danglerb]

Originally Posted by harborman

Ok. Well I am not sure why these are necessary as I have never had one and have been driving quite a long time. I have a feeling it's related to law suits with people running over their kids in a SUV while backing up.

Happened half a block down the street from a place I worked at. Young couple got into an argument in the front yard, one of them jumped in the car and backed out over the baby.

[77tony]

Pic of the JVC AVX 820 with license plate mounted camera. Trailer hooked up and a bit sunny today, so some glare. T