Electrochromic Mirror w/Compass...worth it?

[adventureman73]

I'm considering getting the auto-dimming mirror w/compass for my 2003 4Runner and I was wondering if those who have it find it worthwhile? I'm gonna be adding a GPS soon, so I wasn't sure if it would be worth my time to install it and the $170 to buy it.

 

[Mark86]

It is definitely worth every penny. I would never drive a vehicle without this feautre. The mirror eliminates all of the glare from the headlights behind you. A few nights ago, I turned off the dimming feature for the fun of it and couldn't believe how useful the mirror was. The best part of having the electrochromatic mirror is you don't even realize if the guy behind you is trying to blind you with his brights!!

 

[slowginjoe]

i'd say it's worth it. it's nice to not have to manually flip the tab on the rear view mirror for anti-glare like on most cars, and the compass is a useful thing to have even with the gps, as it's much simpler to read.

 

[jharris2]

The auto-dimming is worth it. The compass is something that you could live without.....but like Mark86, I don't want another vehicle without the auto-dimming mirror. Heck, I bought one to install in the Camry after having it on the 4Runner!

 

[iFORCE]

...The best part of having the electrochromatic mirror is you don't even realize if the guy behind you is trying to blind you with his brights!!

LOL. I concur wholeheartedly.

 

[SevenJ]

A few nights ago, I turned off the dimming feature for the fun of it

Mark, you are a wild and crazy man--turning off the dimming feature.


Does it really make that much of a difference? I don't have the auto mirror, but I never notice lights bothering me in the 4Runner. I rarely flip the mirror at night in the 4Runner. Now my Accord is a different story...

 

[Spider5]

Sorry, but I have to go the other way on this one. I find that with the tinted windows the mirror just gets to dark for my taste. The biggest disappointment of the mirror is that you can't adjust the amount of dimming and you can't permanently turn the dimming feature off without cutting the wire. With the GPS I can't remember the last time I used the compass.

 

[iFORCE]

Sorry, but I have to go the other way on this one. I find that with the tinted windows the mirror just gets to dark for my taste. The biggest disappointment of the mirror is that you can't adjust the amount of dimming and you can't permanently turn the dimming feature off without cutting the wire. With the GPS I can't remember the last time I used the compass.

You can't control the dimming is because it fluctuates with the amount of light it receives.... so.. therefore.. AUTODIMMING. I agree with the tinted windows.. my windows are tinted alot more than factory so sometimes its harder for me to see. If I really can't see out the back window.... ROLL IT DOWN!

you can turn off the dimming feature by pressing the "mirror" button.

 

[Mark86]

Mark, you are a wild and crazy man--turning off the dimming feature.


Does it really make that much of a difference? I don't have the auto mirror, but I never notice lights bothering me in the 4Runner. I rarely flip the mirror at night in the 4Runner. Now my Accord is a different story...

Sitting in bumper to bumper traffic can make you do these crazy things! I was getting a little impatient so I played with the cool features in the 4Runner to occupy my time!

As for turning it off, I agree with iforce. Mine doesn't turn back on unless I do it myself.

 

[Spider5]

You can't control the dimming is because it fluctuates with the amount of light it receives.... so.. therefore.. AUTODIMMING. I agree with the tinted windows.. my windows are tinted alot more than factory so sometimes its harder for me to see. If I really can't see out the back window.... ROLL IT DOWN!

you can turn off the dimming feature by pressing the "mirror" button.

iforce, I agree with your statement

 

[scott78945]

Try Ebay, I got one off of there new for around $60. I don't know if I would pay $170 for it but for the $60, I think it is worth every penny. I would probably pay up to $100 for it. I like the compass on it as I don't and won't be having GPS.

 

[Koz]

I never had a dimming mirror before and I will make sure I get it on every vehicle in the future. Worth every penny!

Koz

 

[HRunner]

It's worth it. I like mine as well~

 

[Pirate VI]

Hey guys i was thinking about adding this too. I could really use the compass part but dont think i need the dimming part. if i bought one out of another toyota would it fit, say a camry or maybe a tundra? also how hard is it to install, where does it plug into?
thanks
ben

 

[HRunner]

Hey guys i was thinking about adding this too. I could really use the compass part but dont think i need the dimming part. if i bought one out of another toyota would it fit, say a camry or maybe a tundra? also how hard is it to install, where does it plug into?
thanks
ben

The dimming is very handy. I would say it's useful as compass. You don't need to flip up the mirror if someone is blinding from behind and it will automatically adjust to normal after if nobody is tailing you...

Compared it to my old-school supra, I rather to have the dimming mirror. :

 

[Pirate VI]

i dont think i have ever used that flip thing ever... maybe im missing out on something tho

 

[Mark86]

Hey guys i was thinking about adding this too. I could really use the compass part but dont think i need the dimming part. if i bought one out of another toyota would it fit, say a camry or maybe a tundra? also how hard is it to install, where does it plug into?
thanks
ben

The Camry and Tundra mirror will fit on the 4Runner (all of the Toyota mirrors are made by gentex) but it doesn't come with all of the wiring. The Camry has the pre-wiring for this mirror from the factory so it is basically plug and play. If you look at the 4Runner accessories, the mirror is not listed because of this. When I wanted to install this mirror in my Sport, I bought the same Gentex mirror with all of the wiring.

 

[HRunner]

The Camry and Tundra mirror will fit on the 4Runner (all of the Toyota mirrors are made by gentex) but it doesn't come with all of the wiring. The Camry has the pre-wiring for this mirror from the factory so it is basically plug and play. If you look at the 4Runner accessories, the mirror is not listed because of this. When I wanted to install this mirror in my Sport, I bought the same Gentex mirror with all of the wiring.

Just wonder, why not get the 4Runner original part, instead of the Camry and Tundra mirror? Are they cheaper?

 

[Mark86]

Just wonder, why not get the 4Runner original part, instead of the Camry and Tundra mirror? Are they cheaper?

Every Toyota model uses the same auto-dimming mirror. The only difference is in the wiring. For example, if you were to purchase a Camry without the auto-dimming mirror, the wiring is already installed for the mirror and it is basically plug and play. All you would have to purchase is the mirror through Toyota. On the 4Runner, you actually have to wire everything from scractch because there is no prewiring installed from the factory. Purchasing the mirror through Toyota would not serve you any benefit.

The Gentex mirror that I bought from brandsport was cheaper than any of the mirrors sold through Toyota. I think I paid around $60 for it. It is the same exact mirror as on the all Toyota models.

 

[HRunner]

Every Toyota model uses the same auto-dimming mirror. The only difference is in the wiring. For example, if you were to purchase a Camry without the auto-dimming mirror, the wiring is already installed for the mirror and it is basically plug and play. All you would have to purchase is the mirror through Toyota. On the 4Runner, you actually have to wire everything from scractch because there is no prewiring installed from the factory. Purchasing the mirror through Toyota would not serve you any benefit.

The Gentex mirror that I bought from brandsport was cheaper than any of the mirrors sold through Toyota. I think I paid around $60 for it. It is the same exact mirror as on the all Toyota models.

Thanks for the explanation. Good to know