Digital Rear View Mirror - Is It A Thing?

Hey y'all. I recently added a Roof Top Tent in the bed of my Tacoma on top of some Front Runner Load Bars. It looks great, and sits flush with the roof of the cab thanks to the load bars. One issue I noticed is that I can no longer see out of my rear view mirror when I have the tent on the truck.

My wife has a Rav4 which has the digital rear view mirror. I use that feature when I drive her car so I don't mess with her mirror settings. It's really a cool feature.

Does anyone know if there is something like that available for the Tacoma? I would like to have an OEM type of addition if that is possible. If not, a good quality aftermarket route might be possible. Don't want to do any drilling - Tacoma is a '21 so still new.

 

What's a digital mirror? How is it different from a regular mirror?

 

I know for sure they make backup camera screen mirrors. You could swap your mirror for one of those, somehow get the signal from the backup camera to it, and run a backup camera anytime mod.

Lots of stuff like this on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/VanTop-Contr...rear+view+mirror+screen&qid=1616506303&sr=8-3

 

I'm not smart enough to really explain it, so maybe this screen shot can help:


Basically, you can use a camera mounted on the rear of the Rav4 if something is blocking your view from either something in the back seat or cargo space. This way you can still use your rear view mirror.

 

Gentex probably has something

 

That looks pretty cool! That shouldn't be too hard to install..?? The mod part I am not familiar with, so I know I would need to do some/a lot of reading/research on that.

 

No idea on the install but there's one in the Amazon Warehouse right now for $88 used like new. Grab it quick!

 

You can simply use the Anytime Backup Camera mod. Then just look at the head unit screen instead of looking up at the mirror.

 

They have some nice ones. But they also come with a high price tag. Took me a while to find one for sale. Some are discontinued.

 

We got another brand from Amazon for our daughter's Mazda that didn't have a backup cam. The install requires mounting the camera and running camera signal and power harnesses. A relatively easy afternoon effort. She likes the view from the camera so much that she uses video for the rearview instead of turning it off and using the reflection. The biggest challenge is finding a good mounting spot for the camera.

 

I might go with the one from Amazon too. I wish there was an option to have it like they have on the Rav4. I would had done that before I took my truck off the lot. I can see more with that camera, and the image is very clear. A little slow, I'm talking like a half a second, but it is great!

 

I'm sure that you could get an actual mirror display, but the cost will be extreme compared to the reliable Amazon options. Ours is not slow in the least. Gives a perfect image for both reversing and rear view.

The future will be video for rear and sides. Just not there yet. The FMVSS is woefully out of date for stuff like this.

 

I have this one and love it. It is a dash camera as well and records both front and rear.

PORMIDO 12” Mirror Dash Cam with Detached Front Camera,Anti Glare Full Touch Split Screen HD 1296P,Car Backup Rear View Mirror Camera Dual Lens,Super Night Vision,Parking Assistance

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08CXGMDR4/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s01?ie=UTF8

 

Where did you mount the rear camera?

 

Is it too wide to allow you to use the sun visors? I had this problem with my first gen where the clip on style is too wide and when you go to put down the visor, you bump the mirror way out of position.

 

My wife's Highlander has it and after getting used to it, it's amazing. Almost feels like having X-ray vision since you can't see the people in the back seat, only the road behind you.

I'd love it on the Tacoma.

 

Not complex.

Just need a rear facing camera and a display screen.

Motor coaches and some semi-tractors have had this for years.

Some are replacing the wing mirrors with camera/display units to reduce aerodynamic drag.

 

You can actually mount it on the rear view of your truck already with the straps that are provided. I found that it is a little too thick for my taste though. I actually took apart my rearview and used the same mount. I took apart the rearview and mounted a 2 inch thick of wood to the OEM mount and attached the new rearview to that mount.

 

The included straps in the one that I got were a bit weaksauce. I swapped in some zip ties for a better grip.

Fabbing up something like yours would be much better.

 

I like this youtubes install of the mirror and camera. Looks pretty solid.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qzZsIsktbto