Replacing Insight side mirrors with cameras?

[saboeme]

Hello, again

Just looked over a thread in General Discusions about a diesel 1.0 litre VW. Seems they use a camera and LCD system to reduce drag, it just looks cool. Has anyone here considerd removing the side mirrors and keeping the mirror directing servos to control micro cameras and mounting effective small LCD displays on or near the dash? Also does anyone know of an electric window shade that would work for Insight's back hatch? A friend of mine mentioned that Mercedes uses one in certain of their production cars. Apprecaite any input.


Saboeme

Hi Salome:

___A PC tech site called Arstechnica.com that I used to frequently visit had an Insight review about 3 or 4 years ago where a friend of the sites admin did a mod similar to what you have envisioned IIRC. Head on over and look around. I am sure you will find it with about 5 minutes worth of searching if the article is still available.

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___[email:2uzqju8o]Waynegerdes@earthlink.net[/email:2uzqju8o]

Hi Salome:

___Never mind the search, here it is: Honda Insight. In particular, page 4 of the review has some commentary about having LCD(s) installed in place of the mirrors

___And the goofy windmill attachment? I hadn’t a clue as to how nuts some Insighter’s must have been way back when but that guy was definitely out to lunch

___Good Luck

___Wayne R. Gerdes
___Hunt Club Farms Landscaping Ltd.
___[email:95x8tqbr]Waynegerdes@earthlink.net[/email:95x8tqbr]

[Delta Flyer]

Does anyone know if it's illegal to remove the side mirrors? Need to know that before proceeding.

[Foxpaw]

Hmm, that's a good point.
Where I live, (in Canada) I don't think it's illegal, but you likely wouldn't be able to get the a road safety certificate without them, which is required to transfer ownership.

I can't speak for the United States though. However, I don't believe that those solar cars that they have in those cross-country races have side mirrors. So maybe they aren't mandatory.

[b1shmu63]

You could always install a set of dental mirrors like the bikers.

[Resist]

It's not legal in most states.

[Jackmpg]

Hi Salome,
Thought for a long time about
removing the dumbo ears.
Does anyone know who sells
these camera systems and
if they sell for less than a years
supply of gas?
Jack

[flunkysama]

I'm not in favor of such a mod. Modern CCD cameras may be pretty good, but they still don't have the light sensitivity of a good pair of eyes. I.E. cameras won't be able to make out details in the dark that your eyes can. The monitors will have to better than your typical LCD screen so it will not be washed out in direct sunlight. And they need good backlighting too.

The end result will be a system that may be more aerodynamic, but will weigh more, cost alot more and break down more often. No thanks, I'll take simplicity and safety over a little aero drag.

[saboeme]

I did not realize that I would get such a responce. Thanks Driver XCEL for the link it was pretty good, and I have to agree with you on the windmill thing.
Jackmpg, I have not seriously looked at total cost to do this. Others brought questions about the legality of such a mod. I will have to find out if PA. would permit this. Funkysama indicates that it may not be worth the trouble with present systems. Also I do not have much experience with CCD cameras and their limits. I was hoping that someone on this forum might know and could give some tips. Thanks all for the input.

Saboeme,
or Salome?