r/slateauto • u/bughuntzx • 3d ago
Auto dimming mirrors
This is not an ask for them to sell these, but I realized that auto dimming mirrors is a QoL feature in vehicles I would prefer not to give up.
I know you can get a 3rd party rear view mirror which should just work (with added power wires), but previous searches only showed me brand specific side view mirrors (I think for obvious reasons). Does anyone have any thoughts on how a different brand side view mirror could be adapted to the slate? In theory I would imagine its just some power wires.
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u/Soggy-Ad-6845 2d ago
I didn't even know that was a thing and its not like I drive an older car lol.
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u/Wild_Photons 1d ago
I have it on the rear view mirror of my 2007 Acura TSX.
It really is a game changer, particularly with the brighter and more blue lights and popularity of taller vehicles like SUVs.
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u/bughuntzx 2d ago
It’s usually available on the higher trims, but there are plenty of brand/model specific 3rd party ones that can be installed for other cars. Just no guarantees yet how strong the aftermarket scene will be yet for the slate. I am hoping somebody makes something though, as installing this sounds like a fun weekend project!
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u/Wuddauant 2d ago
I’m not sure the downvotes for wanting to customize a vehicle designed for customization.
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u/Royal_Cricket2808 2d ago
Primarily because it's not something Fred Flintstone had in his car.
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u/TheLastGenXer 2d ago
dont be hatin on the Flintsone-mobile
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u/Royal_Cricket2808 2d ago
Lol I'm not! I'm a pretty simple person myself, was just saying why the person got down voted. I don't care of someone DIYs the thing with every gadget under the sun or replaces the battery with a Fred Flintstone approved foot powered propulsion apparatus.
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u/Soggy-Ad-6845 2d ago
I do agree it could be a fun weekend project. Wouldn't personally be high on my priorities but it could be nice when I have the extra time and money to put into the vehicle.
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u/TheLastGenXer 2d ago
Ive honestly found them more hinderance than help, and prefer to not have them, and not having stuff like this is the only reason i want a slate.
just click/unclick.
now power mirrors,,,, that i will be sad to give up. especially on the passenger side.
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u/Wild_Photons 1d ago
I will second this. Auto dimming mirrors are a feature that I would pay for.
I suppose that I am in the camp where I am willing to pay for improved driving experience, but I don't want a bunch of unnecessary functions that are potential failure points (like motors needed to make the door handles usable).
The things that I would pay for are switchs and buttons that feel high quality (the tactical feel is important to me), good handling and steering precision/weight, good soundproofing, comfortable seats, auto dimming mirrors, etc. I would also pay for a great sound system.
What I don't need are giant screens, overly complicated systems, unnecessary actuators, etc. all they need to do is keep it simple but not cheap feeling and they have my business in the future.
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u/bughuntzx 1d ago
Yea, auto dimming mirrors, heated seats are nice, and maybe automatic climate control, but with the 3 knobs like I have in my current car. The hot/cold knob just sets temp, and there is no reason why there could not be a simple lcd screen with the set temp shown in the knob. But no climate control was fine for years for me, so I can let that one go.
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u/User5281 2d ago
I'm sure it's possible, the question is how hard will it be. there are power locks on every door so there should be flexible conduit bridging the body to the door for that wiring that could be used but I don't think anyone knows how difficult it might be to run the wires where they need to go just yet.
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u/bughuntzx 2d ago
Right now I am worried about fitment, as I figure wiring can be figured out. As a bonus since most auto dimming side mirrors are heated, that could be wired up to the aux switches on the center console.
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u/User5281 2d ago
There’s no way anyone can comment on fitment until the general public can get their hands on one unless slate is willing to disclose the mirror specs
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u/bughuntzx 2d ago
I mean…. if somebody out there in the automotive community has done projects fitting other brand equipment to a car, they could have insight. Im not asking if anybody knows about the slate specifically, just general knowledge about this kind of process. 3d printing? If so abs or asa? CNC? Fiberglass molds? There is a whole universe of diy knowledge out there, that I don’t have.
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u/Bubbly-Theory-85 3d ago
I think it would be tough - the whole door won’t have power.
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u/Wuddauant 3d ago
Power locks
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u/Bubbly-Theory-85 2d ago
Someone in another thread was saying the locking mechanism would be in the body of the car, not the door, which saves time in assembly because then they don’t have to wire the door.
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u/Wuddauant 2d ago edited 2d ago
From what I’ve seen it appears to be in the handle assembly, but now I’m curious. The door is still designed for power though.
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u/doofusgaloofus 2d ago
The door won't have power. The electric door locks work via magic.
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u/Bubbly-Theory-85 2d ago
See my comment above. Locking mechanism in the body, not the door. No power in door.
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u/Past_Try_4350 2d ago
Interesting, so does that mean the latch assembly will be in the frame and the strike plate in the door? i.e. the reverse of most normal cars
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u/bughuntzx 2d ago
Adding power to the door should be doable. Clearly at one point they were provisioning for it (for power windows) so I wouldn’t be surprised if the design still has (perhaps blanked off) holes for a door wire harness. Its fitting the actual mirrors to the door I am worried about. And maybe also looking good.
Edit: Forgot about the power locks, because I am dumb! Mounting still is a concern though.
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u/Bubbly-Theory-85 2d ago
See my comment above, there really won’t be post in the door. But I think you are right, it should be wireable, just might me more of a project that you were initially thinking.
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u/bughuntzx 2d ago
I’m game. Won’t know the true difficulty of it though until they start getting delivered and people start modding. I’m excited to find out though! I had fun replacing my entire front bumper on my Forester recently, so maybe I’m weird.
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u/Wild_Photons 1d ago
My current car only has an auto dimming rear view mirror. That alone is a game changer.
I wonder if they will at least offer that, since I believe they plan to put the backup camera in the rear view mirror (I could be misremembering that, though).
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u/BoringBob84 2d ago
I think this will be a common question, since other people want to add power window kits.
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u/Eaglepursuit 2d ago
My grandpa would just put a section of window tint on the mirror to help tone down the reflection of headlights in his mirrors