| rocket21 |
| I would definately AVOID the auto/day night mirror as an add-on. We just picked ours up and it looks terrible. Not from the front -- it looks and functions fine. But from the back it is horrible. There is no plastic cover provided to hide the brackets and wires. IT LOOKS TERRIBLE FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT. The dealer said he would check with Honda to see if any kind of cover was made or was planned but I'm not holding my breath. Something similar to the MDX is what's needed. If the dealer doesn't come up with anything we are going to have it removed and return it. |
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| Sage |
| As I asked in the other thread... What are you talking about? Pics please? |
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| aerostar45 |
I have two complain about the Auto Day/Night mirror.
First, it seems to me everybody behind me has a Xenon light. I used to drive a Nissan Maxima and on its auto-dimming mirror the color of other cars headlight is green, which is very cool. The one for the pilot is pure bright write color. :mad:
Second, did anybody else find out that the mirror vibrate big time when the radio is on. It follows every beat come from the subwoofer. I didn't notice any vibration of the factory mirror before I replaced them.
:( |
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| Sage |
quote:
Originally posted by aerostar45
I have two complain about the Auto Day/Night mirror.
The one for the pilot is pure bright write color. :mad:
Second, did anybody else find out that the mirror vibrate big time when the radio is on. It follows every beat come from the subwoofer. I didn't notice any vibration of the factory mirror before I replaced them.
:(
I thought the color looks white with a tinge of blue light. :8:
No vibration and I DO crank it up at times!
At my age... tsk tsk... ;) |
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| kemc |
| I have had no problems and the install is very clean on mine. I have a mirror that is sim. on my Grand Cher. and I guess I am just used to it!! |
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| howardbuck |
Yep, I have the exact same vibrations from the sub woofer on the radio. Very strange I must say.
The installation, however, looks OK. |
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| Len |
No vibrations and the lights to me look grey....but then again, I'm red-green color-blind.
But I like it, especially the compass. |
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| bakerlar |
quote:
Originally posted by rocket21
I would definately AVOID the auto/day night mirror as an add-on. We just picked ours up and it looks terrible. Not from the front -- it looks and functions fine. But from the back it is horrible. There is no plastic cover provided to hide the brackets and wires. IT LOOKS TERRIBLE FROM THE PASSENGER SEAT. The dealer said he would check with Honda to see if any kind of cover was made or was planned but I'm not holding my breath. Something similar to the MDX is what's needed. If the dealer doesn't come up with anything we are going to have it removed and return it.
Not so! You must have a bad install - ours is fine with nice finish cover. Looks like your dealer forgot something - best check how it "should" be done before recommending not to do it.
Bake in Wisconsin |
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| bananaboy |
| Ditto Bake. Mine looks perfect and I love it - especially the built-in compass. |
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| ChiefPilot |
The wires are covered, the auto-dimming works well, and it doesn't vibrate with the music.
Poor install, perhaps? |
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| N_Jay |
use the "attach file" box at the bottom of the "post" screen.
Attach file:
Maximum size: 200000 bytes
Valid file extensions: gif jpg png txt zip bmp jpeg 123 wk4 |
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| rocket21 |
| Here is a photo of my auto day/night mirror from the passenger seat. Does this look like everyone else's? |
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| Sage |
Well ya know what Rocket... I just went out to check the passenger side of my mirror. Yep - I have exposed wires too that I didn't realize. About an inch and a 1/2. But instead of curved like yours - mine are straight from the 'tube' to the mirror. I have to agree with you. These wires need to be covered.
Can someone please post a picture of their mirror that doesn't have the exposed wires from the passenger side.
Going to eat my words from prior posts now Rocket... :( |
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| Dano |
Are the wires on everyone's installation?
I'd love to get the mirror, but don't want those wires hanging around there, looks like it was done by a weekend warrior.
Can we get a consensus on what the proper install should look like?
I know pics have been posted on other threads, but i don't recall seeing anything like this. |
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| kruzo |
I will forward that photo to my contact
at Honda (a service manager), and will ask
if this is normal. I will let you guys know
what he has to say.
I myself don't have the Day/Night -- I went
with an "optical filter" type aftermarket
mirror + Nav for compass. ;)
However, I can tell you that the OEM stock mirror
also does vibrate if you play music with a lot
of base loud enough. |
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| aerostar45 |
I never sit on the passenger seat before but your picture caught my attention. I swing back to my car and took this picture.
Yes, there is about 2 and 1/2 inch wire exposed there. However, there is a wire cover but it seems that it was not strech long enought to cover the exposed portion. I will try to realign it to see if it can be fix this way. |
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| kruzo |
As promissed, I forwarded one of the snap shots
of the mount to my contact at Honda Service.
Today I heard back from them. Here is what they had to say:
quote:
I have had a chance to get my technician Ed XXXX to take a look at this concern. He is the technician that installed your accessories.
He has assured me that this is normal. Ed has installed these and has noticed the same thing.
Keep in mind, Ed, the technician they mentioned,
is a "Gold" Class certified Honda technician,
there aren't that many of them around. |
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| rocket21 |
I forwarded the picture of my install to a Project Engineer at
Magna Donnelly, the manufacturer of the mirror. I spoke with him today and he said that my installation is correct and was supposed to look like it does. Unfortunately there is little, if anything that can be done. He thanked me for my input and said they would take it into account on future development.
Since there appear to be no good alternatives, we are going to have the auto day/night mirror removed and return it. The auto day/night mirror looks completely out of place (when viewed from the passenger seat) in the beautifully finished pilot. |
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| Sage |
| I was thinking of just wrapping the wires with some sort of thin black flexible tubing. At least to hide the colored wires. Although I do agree with you that it sure is a messy looking install and they could've designed it differently. But I like my mirror and hopefully I can wrap it neat enough to go un-noticed. :( :rolleyes: |
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| Dano |
| Isn't it possible to use some heat shrink tubing? You can buy it at Radio shack in various sizes and it looks nice and tidy when it shrinks around the wires. You might have to disconnect the wires from the connector and then reconnect. . .not sure if there is another way to get the tube on the wires, don't have the mirror |
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| g128620 |
| But how does the mirror work....does it do a good job at night for you, I might get it if it does...let me know...I'll have my shrink tube ready.... |
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| Sage |
quote:
Originally posted by Dano
Isn't it possible to use some heat shrink tubing? You can buy it at Radio shack in various sizes and it looks nice and tidy when it shrinks around the wires. You might have to disconnect the wires from the connector and then reconnect. . .not sure if there is another way to get the tube on the wires, don't have the mirror
But what if you have to take it off for some reason? Sounds sorta semi-permanent-permanent?
g128620 - Well I really like it - It works great for me. It you do a search on "auto Mirror" you'll see all kinds of comments. It basically subtly changes the mirror from Day Mode to Night Mode without having to flip a switch on the mirror. HOW will have to be explained by the Pilot Guru's... they'll know. I just know I like it. The best thing is the compass. :cool: |
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| jfrano |
I really like mine. Theres only one wire and its black on mine, almost like a tube.
Love the compass!! |
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| Sage |
quote:
Originally posted by jfrano
I really like mine. Theres only one wire and its black on mine, almost like a tube.
Love the compass!!
Can you post a pic? You don't have a green or yellow wire? :confused: Maybe you have the one they installed the right way. OOPS... that's right. Ours are installed right too. :rolleyes: |
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| ChiefPilot |
How about using some split tubing... the kind they use to consolidate cables behind a home entertainment center??
It usually comes in larger sizes and should easily fit OVER the wires and the mirror support. |
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| Sage |
quote:
Originally posted by ChiefPilot
How about using some split tubing... the kind they use to consolidate cables behind a home entertainment center??
It usually comes in larger sizes and should easily fit OVER the wires and the mirror support.
Exactly what I was thinkin'!
Where are you in South Florida, Chief?
Do you see alot of Pilots?
I think I'm 1 of 2 over here so far. :( |
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| Dano |
| the heat shrink wrap cuts off easily with a razor blade. . .I used to own a 1983 jeep cj-7, used it all the time to splice into a wiring system designed by army engineers. . . |
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| Sage |
| Will definitely have to check that out, Dano. Thanks! |
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| ChiefPilot |
quote:
Originally posted by Sage
Where are you in South Florida, Chief? Do you see a lot of Pilots?
I work in Fort Lauderdale and live in west Broward county.
Haven't seen too many up to now, but the population seems to be building faster since the recent Consumer Reports article. I was out and about during the election and happened to see about three or four of them in south Broward. |
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| banningjr |
I hope you got this cleaned up. I can't imagine not having the day/night. I love it. The factory mirror is too small for this vehicle and the day/night gives it more of a finished look.
As far as the wiring, my wires are in a tiny black tube on top of the shaft and the green and black only exit at the back of the mirror enough to be clipped into the mirror. Rocket21, trust me they can do a lot better on the install. I didn't even notice the wires and I have a parking pass I had to wrap around it for work!
Good luck. |
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| Sage |
quote:
Originally posted by banningjr
I hope you got this cleaned up. I can't imagine not having the day/night. I love it. The factory mirror is too small for this vehicle and the day/night gives it more of a finished look.
As far as the wiring, my wires are in a tiny black tube on top of the shaft and the green and black only exit at the back of the mirror enough to be clipped into the mirror. Rocket21, trust me they can do a lot better on the install. I didn't even notice the wires and I have a parking pass I had to wrap around it for work!
Good luck.
What do you mean by "clipped into the mirror"? Can you post a pic of yours? |
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| banningjr |
| I will do my best but can't offer a time frame. The clip I am referring to is the white one on the passenger side rear of the mirror. |
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| MDXlite |
| For cryin' out loud. The black tubing the wires are in is about a foot long. Disconnect the 'conduit' that goes against the glass, pull down on the headliner a little so you can get to the other end of the black tubing where it is taped. Remove tape. Slide tubing down to cover unsightly wires. Push back headliner. Reinstall conduit. Clean prints off glass. Go have a beer... |
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| Sage |
Uh... Ok MDXlite... I'll get right to it. (What did he say again... :13: ...pull down on the headliner? Not me... :headshak: )
Appreciate your offer of help MDXlite! Thanks! |
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| rocket21 |
| My auto/day night mirror has been removed and returned and the original reattached. It looks 1000 times better. Have fun jerry-rigging guys. All these replies about using heat shrink tubing etc. just further make my point. The back of this product needs to be reengineered. |
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| MDXlite |
The headliner is just velcro'd along the windshield edge. You may have to remove the roof console to make it a little easier. Either way this is a very easy fix.
Didn't mean to sound condescending, but this thread on exposed wires being the end of the world is a little much... |
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| bakerlar |
quote:
Originally posted by MDXlite
The headliner is just velcro'd along the windshield edge. You may have to remove the roof console to make it a little easier. Either way this is a very easy fix.
Didn't mean to sound condescending, but this thread on exposed wires being the end of the world is a little much...
I agree - I have the day/night and absolutely love it - no problem with the install or the looks. opinions may vary. :4:
bakerlar |
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| Sage |
quote:
Originally posted by MDXlite
The headliner is just velcro'd along the windshield edge. You may have to remove the roof console to make it a little easier. Either way this is a very easy fix.
Didn't mean to sound condescending, but this thread on exposed wires being the end of the world is a little much...
No problem, MDX. I understand. Not the end of of the world. Just an observation of a product install that could've been alot better. So the headliner is just velcro'd? I did not know that! Thanks for the tip! :) |
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| gymeni |
| I was thinking about getting the auto day/night mirror but after reading this thread and seeing the pictures I don't even want to be bothered. Have the mirrors/installation gotten any better yet? |
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| banningjr |
I believe you will find this thread to be the exception rather than the rule. My mirror was put in, June of '02, and I have not had an issue with it.
If your wiring looks bad take it back to the dealer and make them fix it. You paid a nice sum of cash for this vehicle and the mirror. Don't let some accesories guy doing the quickie job on your truck ruin it. It can and should be fixed to YOUR satisfaction.
I still think the window looks naked with the dinky stock mirror, but this is only my opinion. |
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| max_501 |
Interesting thread. After taking a 800 mile trip this week with a decent chunk being driven at night, I think I'll stick with the stock mirror. I didn't have any problems with the mirror size or with the manual flip function at night.
That said, I have to admit that I do like my auto dimming mirror in our Ford Explorer, but I don't want loose wires in the Pilot. |
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| Pilotron |
I've been building computers for 20 years and every time some really new technology comes out it lacks artistic perfection. But that doesn't seem a good enough reason to me to do without the benefits. I think the mirror is fantastic, and I can hardly wait until someone puts even MORE instrumentation into it (which I hear is happening already). It is the wave of the future.
As mentioned earlier in this thread, it is a 10-minute job to cover up the wires with split flex tubing (available at any hardware or auto parts store), if it is important at all. In her car my wife keeps a laptop computer or cell phone plugged into the accessory power outlet (aka cigarette lighter socket) on the dash all the time, and so there are wires showing. Would she do without the laptop or the cell phone because of the wires? Not a chance. |
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| Ted |
quote:
Originally posted by MDXlite
For cryin' out loud. The black tubing the wires are in is about a foot long. Disconnect the 'conduit' that goes against the glass, pull down on the headliner a little so you can get to the other end of the black tubing where it is taped. Remove tape. Slide tubing down to cover unsightly wires. Push back headliner. Reinstall conduit. Clean prints off glass. Go have a beer...
Couldn't have said it better myself. I know others don't want the mirror b/c they don't seem to think it's a big deal, but I love it. It is a big deal to me at night, and the installation, if done correctly, looks great.
Now the windshield spray nozzle leaking thing--- that's a problem!
Ted |
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| max_501 |
I think the point is that the wires should be invisible (or close to it). The designers cut a corner when they left the wires exposed. It would seem likely that they'll fix that with a cover of some sort and then you can have a perfect installation rather than something that has to be jury rigged to fix their design flaw.
Of course you can't be sure that they'll ever get around to fixing it, but the stock mirror works fine so what's the rush? |
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| ge356 |
Just installed my day/night mirror... works good BUT has the vibration from woofer and road bumps!
Has anyone addressed the vibration issue with their mirror? |
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| HerkPilot |
quote:
Originally posted by MDXlite
For cryin' out loud. The black tubing the wires are in is about a foot long. Disconnect the 'conduit' that goes against the glass, pull down on the headliner a little so you can get to the other end of the black tubing where it is taped. Remove tape. Slide tubing down to cover unsightly wires. Push back headliner. Reinstall conduit. Clean prints off glass. Go have a beer...
Well - I just installed the auto day/night mirror... Took me under 2 hours and I took my time.
I got it from a dealer I found on eBay for $174.00 delivered.
No need for pictures as it looks like every other mirror on this thread. I took MDXlite's advice prior to install. I undid the electrical tape and slid the tubing down so it's flush with the conduit that connects to the back of the mirror. Then, I retaped it with fresh electrical tape, so it's snug.
It looks clean and neat - if I do say so myself... About the hardest part I had with the install was "unlocking" the retainer on the 10-plug connector that goes into the fuse box. I had never unlocked one before, so it was a bit confusing as I didn't want to break it and be SOL... So, that probably took about 20 mins to do by itself.
A very nifty add-on, and we missed not having the compass since we traded in the Montero Sport.
I recommend it - but shop around as the prices seem to vary greatly. The install went smoothly, but then again, I consider myself handy around the shop. If you're worried taking apart your 'baby', then go ahead and pay for a professional installer.
Best of luck!
-HerkPilot |
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| ryanb |
quote:
Originally posted by HerkPilot
About the hardest part I had with the install was "unlocking" the retainer on the 10-plug connector that goes into the fuse box.
Recently I too installed the day/night mirror on my ’05 but I thought the hardest part was removing the lenses from the overhead console. Though it ended up being very simple none of places I looked, the instructions, owner’s manual and service manual depict the two lens setup and how to remove them. |
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| pilotesan |
ryanb,
Can you describe how you removed the lenses? I got the day/night mirror as a gift for Xmas and have been unable to figure out how to remove the lenses, and this isn't mentioned in the instructions. Was holding off on the install for fear I would break the lenses if I did this wrong.
Thanks in advance for any help you can provide. |
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| ryanb |
pilotesan,
You may already know this if so just ignore but before removing the lens or any other of the trim pieces (lots of them when you do the fog lights at the same time) you’ll need a trim removal tool which you can buy at an auto parts store or can fashion from house hold materials for yourself.
I have a set of trim tools from Astro Pneumatic Tool that I got from an online tool store. These trim tools are made from nylon and aid in prying loose things like the plastic trim without scratching or breaking anything. I also made a couple of tools out of an old piece of vertical blind. The blind was made of thin plastic similar in thickness to a credit card. In fact an old credit card would probable work. This thin but firm plastic is easy to cut with scissors and is ideal in removing the lens.
The pictures (in this and the next post) show the lens and the arrow the place where I found that I could easily pry them loose. As you can see the lenses have plastic clips that attach to the pivot and retaining points of the overhead console. |
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| ryanb |
I also found that a set of jewelers screw drivers and a wooden cuticle stick is helpful in unlocking the retainer on the 10 pin connector that HerkPilot describes. The cuticle stick can usually be snitched (temporally misappropriated) from your wife or girlfriend!
Second lens picture. |
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| pilotesan |
ryanb,
Thanks alot for the pictures and the help, it is much appreciated! |
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| tlaudio |
quote:
Originally posted by rocket21
Here is a photo of my auto day/night mirror from the passenger seat. Does this look like everyone else's?
This exposed wire issue can be fixed easily.
BEFORE The Install locate the harnes that plus into the mirror. There is electrical tape on one end. Remove the tape. Move the black plastic wire cover over the exposed wires on the opposite side that you remove the electrical tape. (move about 1 inch). Re-tape end that had the electrical tape on it. Now the exposed wires are covered. Should have been done at the factory that made them for honda.
TL |
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| piconut |
| I'm planning on buying a 2005 Pilot EX inext week and wanted to get the day/night mirror but now I'm questioning that choice. Since the last post on this subject was in 2004, I was just wondering if anyone has one of these mirrors on a 2005 vehicle? Does it still have the problem of exposed wiring? |
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| mbass |
I installed the Donnelly mirror in our 05'. It's the auto dimming with temperature, map lights and compass. The wires are not an issue as a black mesh sleeve (about six inches long) is provided to cover the wiring harness running from the back of the mirror to the headliner. The sleeve is long enough and thin enough to tuck in the headliner for a custom look/fit and there are no wires showing from the passenger seat as indicated in previous posts.
The temperature readings between the mirror and the OEM guage differ occassionally and sporadically by one degree (usually they agree). Also, the OEM guage takes longer to "get" to the outside temperature.
Not a difficult install given the help from the other posters. :4: |
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| tlaudio |
quote:
Originally posted by piconut
I'm planning on buying a 2005 Pilot EX inext week and wanted to get the day/night mirror but now I'm questioning that choice. Since the last post on this subject was in 2004, I was just wondering if anyone has one of these mirrors on a 2005 vehicle? Does it still have the problem of exposed wiring?
MY Pilot is an '05. Bought the mirror from Handa-accessories. It had the exposed wires.
It is VERY easy to fix, if you have the parts before hand:
"BEFORE the Install locate the harnes that plus into the mirror. There is electrical tape on one end. Remove the tape. Move the black plastic wire cover over the exposed wires on the opposite side that you remove the electrical tape. (move about 1 inch). Re-tape end that had the electrical tape on it. Now the exposed wires are covered. Should have been done at the factory that made them for honda."
Love the mirror. Works great!
TL |
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| piconut |
I have never owned or used one of the day/night mirrors so please excuse me if this is a stupid question. What is the response time of the Honda factory mirror? In other words, if a car with bright lights changes lanes and gets right behind you for 15-20 seconds then moves into another lane, does the mirror take a while to respond so that it just begins to get dark after the car with bright lights has already changed lanes?
Also, I'm curios how it works? Is it some type of liquid crystal? Does it have a particular color when it's in the dimmed mode? Finally, does it have a range of dimming, or is it either dimmed or not (basically on or off like the stock mirror)?
Thanks in advance for your answers! |
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| CMasten |
| The only option other than RES I got on my 05 EXL was the day/night mirror. I took a look at the install docs on handa.com and thought... ok you guys can do this one. They did a great job (Metro Honda in Montclair, CA) and it took them a couple of hours. I had to adjust it for our region for the compass to work but that was easy enough. There is an on/off button where you can just quickly see the difference. I have sensitive eyes to lights at night as I wear contact lens's and this unit does the best job of all the auto dimming mirrors I have had, even better than the one in my TL. I am still able to see the objects behind me clearly, just not the hot-spots from the taller trucks and high beams. I am not sure just how they operate, I am guessing some kind of LCD panel? |
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| piconut |
Thanks CMasten for telling me about your experiences. But what about the response time of the mirror? How long (in seconds) does the mirror take to adjust once it detects bright lights?
Also, is the level of adjustment variable or is the mirror either on or off? |
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| mbass |
For those that want to know how to build the watch :eek:
A rearview mirror system for a vehicle having an electrochromic reflective element and heating means for uniformly heating substantially the entire reflectance surface in order to promote uniform coloration of the reflectance surface to a desired reflectance level. The reflective element is illustrated as an all solid-state electrochromic element having a large area reflectance surface for use as the exterior mirrors of a truck or other large vehicle. The application of energy to the heater can be controlled on the basis of a low ambient light condition and an ambient temperature that is low but not necessarily freezing, such as between 5.degree. C. and 20.degree. C. The heater can be resistance film that is evenly covering a surface of the reflective element and divided into first and second regions by an insulating break in the resistance film. Energy may be applied to one region in order to heat the reflectance element at a high rate to remove frost and dew. Energy may be applied to both regions in order to apply heat at a lower rate for even coloration of the mirror.
For those that want to just know the time :2:
The electrochromic mirror senses ambient light and glaring headlights from behind. It then automatically reduces the annoying glare from bright lights in a matter of seconds. This feature may be turned off, but it cannot be adjusted. |
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| hobbes |
| I don't know what the exact response time is, but I would say less than a second. Certainly faster than doing it manually. Also, the dimming level appears to be graduated depending on the amount of light from behind. |
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| davebutch |
I installed the day/night mirror on my 05 Pilot yesterday. It took around two hours. The only special tool needed was the trim removal tool suggested in an earlier post. The tool cost about $9 at a local auto parts store. I had ordered the mirror kit from cheaphondaparts.com for about $175.
Thanks to all the previous posts, I dont have the dreaded exposed wires behind the mirror and everything went smoothly with the install. |
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