Aftermarket electrochromatic rear view mirror + camera

[The Ace]

Since my C5 didn't have the auto-dimming electrochromatic rear view mirror, I searched for alternate ways of implementing this feature, and possibly some other small extras along the way. The idea of installing the stock auto-dim mirror was dismissed, because it meant changing the entire front par-brise (or ungluing the plain base+button and gluing on the bigger base that comes with Exclusives).

Therefor I decided to install an aftermarket auto-dimming rear view mirror. And since I was already on that path, why not choose one that has an LCD built-in, buy the OEM rear-view camera, and have that feature as well ?

And I made it so! This mirror was bought, and this OEM camera was also purchased for my C5.

After waiting for the parts, and a bit of misunderstanding about the correct base/button (due to me not checking the correct button before-hand), which meant a bit more waiting for the correct bracket to arrive, the operation was a complete success!!!! And with excellent results, I might add.

These are the complete parts



We begin with the stock plain mirror



We install the ??? camera in place of one of the rear licence plate lights



After wiring and connections are made, the new mirror is installed in the stock location, using the stock button and the correct bracket



New mirror in operation. Auto dimming via 3 sensors, automated switching to the "camera" video input when reverse signal is sensed, and we can also choose manually to change to the "video" input, should we have another video source that we need to project on the LCD



Almost better than the stock auto-dim mirror, with more features, and a complete stock look!!! Excellent, If I might say so myself

[wurlycorner]

Now that is really nice work

[Stickyfinger]

And a link to the product ?...

[vborovic]

The links are already in the text, are they not?

[DickieG]

The links are already in the text, are they not?

Yep, £12.88 delivered.

[Stickyfinger]

The links are already in the text, are they not?

DONK !....yes they are

[Zelandeth]

That's a really smart way of getting a reversing camera. Always said I'd never have one in my cars as I hate gigantic great screens taking up half the dash...that though is really tidy.

...now to figure out how to fit one in the 107 as I can't reverse that thing to save my life.

Xantia, no problem. Jag XJ6...no problem. Fifteen metre rear steer coach...so long as you're not in a hurry. The 107 though almost invariably ends up squint in the parking space!

[The Ace]

And a link to the product ?...

Yeap, both links are in the first post, both for the mirror (120GBP) and the OEM camera (13GBP). I also bought the button for the first bracket (5GBP) and then the correct bracket (another 10GBP).

[daviemck2006]

I'm the same as Zel lol. Park a coach, a XLWB transit van, 7.5t box van no problem. Lots of different size and shapes of car and what's the only thing I have scraped parking? A peugeot 107 lol

[vborovic]

For those guys in tiny cars, can't you just lower the window and push your arm to the back, you should be able to reach the rear wiper and prevent from hitting the wall ...

[ekjdm14]

Now this does look good, my better half has been worried about our impending move up from a ZX hatch to an XM estate (when the world-record attempt weldathon is finished! ) and this looks an ideal solution, the mirror fits the XM and it looks like the camera could be made to fit too. not cheap, but looks great and it's a bit different, in the vein of the XM...

[The Ace]

A small problem I didn't even suspect could arise: the camera has a LED light, while on the other light I have installed a Phillips WhiteVision W5W bulb. Obviously the color temperature difference is significant, so I installed a small LED W5W bulb on the other licence plate light. However, instead of staying continuously on, both LEDs blink on and off at about 5-6Hz. The LED I installed is operational and just removed from a Peugeot 206 (side/parking bulb). By itself or paired with a normal W5W, the camera LED works OK. Any ideas ?

[Piti]

What about side auto-dimming electrochromatic mirrors? It's possible to connect them to this aftermarket mirror?

[wheeler]

Sounds like you need CAN bus compatible LED's. LED bulbs draw hardly any current compared to normal filament bulbs. Some multiplexed cars detect this as a fault & cause problems with bulb failure detection systems etc. The CAN bus LED's have resistors in them to trick the car into thinking the bulb is OK.
A search on eBay for CAN bus or error free LED's will bring up thousands of results.

[GiveMeABreak]

Nice Job Ace - it would be great if you could do a 'how to' write up - especially how and where you ran the wiring etc. Ditto Wheeler - just get some CAN-bus compatible LEDs and you should be fine - I have a lot of the W5Ws in the car - especially in the door sill lights and the car interior, no issues at all with them - as long as you get the right type.