Spotter Mirror Upgrade with OEM BSM light (how to - picture heavy)

Spotter mirror with the BSM can be found here, but the light output for the *older BSM alert is much less than the original OEM light output. *Edit: Spotter Mirror recently upgraded their light. Apparently, the new Spotter Mirrors Blind Spot Alert achieves the same brightness as OEM.

This can lead to a false sense of cars not being in your blind spot because the light doesn't flash like normal, especially in direct sun conditions.

My solution was to remove the Spotter Mirror light, and replace it with the OEM light.

Spotter mirror light:


OEM light:


Remove the Spotter Mirrors:


Here's a comparison photo of the passenger mirrors (OEM mirror is on the Right):

Start by removing the Blind Spot Monitor (BSM) lights from the OEM mirrors and from the Spotter Mirrors using a blade, pry the light from the double-sided tape (note: see picture below, the Driver side Spotter Mirror is different, and you need to break a clip to remove the BSM light):


Again, here are the passenger mirrors for comparison, but with the BSM lights removed:


Here is the Spotter Mirror Driver's side with the bottom clip broken off to remove the BSM light:


Picture of the Driver's side mirror before breaking off the clip:



Removing the double-sided tape from the Spotter Mirror:


The Spotter Mirror should look like this when done:


Align the OEM BSM light over the Spotter Mirror symbol:


Using Crazy Glue Gel, glue the edges of the OEM light to the mirror. Let it dry for 10 minutes before handling (note: the Driver Side will look slightly different - see "bottom clip broken off" picture above). Be sure to use superglue spairingly as too much will show through the opening in the glass:


Plug-in the mirror, and try it out:


Spotter Mirror BSM Light:


Spotter Mirror with the OEM light retrofitted into the mirror:


Cheers!

 

Nice write up!

 

Funny you did this, I was just thinking today while driving why the spotter mirror light wasn't as bright or brighter than stock.... Thank you!

 

No problem!

I actually received a reply email from Spotter Mirror after sharing this OEM BSM light retrofit install with them:

"Sorry that you had to go through this trouble. We will immediately look into the light output and look for a brighter option."

 

That was my one gripe about the spotter mirror. Great write up!

 

Thank you!

The main difference I found between the two lights is that the OEM uses two LEDs that face the mirror, whereas, the Spotter Mirror only has one LED that is perpendicular to the mirror. Otherwise, It's a great product! I'll post back here if they let me know if they're improving the design.

 

Great idea and great timing - saw this thread a day before I installed the Spotter mirrors. A little nerve-racking on the Driver's side mirror (used a sharp knife to shave the clip instead of breaking it) but it worked out just fine.

Thanks @RyanDCLB!

 

Slightly off-topic here but is the heater indicator at the top inside of these mirrors there for a reason? I was confused as to why it looks like they should light up as well when heating but mine don’t seem to do anything…

 

I think the symbol is there to remind you they're heated if you need it. They don't light up as far as I know.

 

Man, I wish I could like this post more than once! Really stoked to hear you tried it out! Did you happen to take any pics of the install?

 

No pictures before or during the install, but there would have been nothing new to add to or improve on yours. I'll try to get some tonight of the awesome result though.

 

Ok - here are some after pictures taken late afternoon on a drizzly day. Exposure sucks/blurry w/BSM on, but in person they're crystal clear and sharp. At night they really do catch your peripheral vision. Thanks again @RyanDCLB for the excellent idea and mod!

 

After I saw your post I did my mirrors on Friday. I wanted to take pictures but only had a small window of time. Both sets of lights come away quite easily as long as you are patient. Be sure to use superglue spairingly as too much will show as through the opening in the glass. Easy to do and much better than what spottermirror has delivered.

 

Just came across your write up, definitely know what I’m doing this weekend! Thank you!!

 

Aren’t there Rav4 mirrors that already have that convex part?

And the same here, I’d like to add these as well and keep the bsm light.

 

I may be wrong, but I don't think the Rav4 mirrors, with the convex, have the BSM light. It's either non-tech with convex mirrors, or tech package with BSM light.

Rav4 mirror thread found here

 

Cool, thanks!

I know a high clearance bumper is in the future and I think only one works with bsm

 

Pretty good discount on Spotter Mirrors right now, $50 off. Check out a YouTube clip from Jessee Rizo and see if these work for you.

 

Are they still using low led output for BSM?

 

The reason the stock BSM indicator is so good and the aftermarket mirrors suck as far as the brightness is that the stock indicator is designed to work with the BSM modules. The Toyota BSM modules only put out 9VDC to the indicators, it is my belief any aftermarket mirror is expecting 12VDC. So, the illumination goes way down. Do not put 12VDC to the stock mirror indicator it will blow the circuit. I'm currently looking for a passenger indicator for that very reason.