Should I get the Electrochromatic mirror?
April-13th-2002, 11:28 PM
#4
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 484
Yeah, i was going to say that for the price of that "mirror", you can probably get ALL windows tinted (probably add a few mor bucks), which makes the car look MUCH better and cooler in the summer.
Unless you're talking about a magic mirror that make you look better
Unless you're talking about a magic mirror that make you look better
Last edited by douggie; April-13th-2002 at 11:31 PM.
April-13th-2002, 11:31 PM
#5
Protege Newbie
Thread Starter
Join Date: Apr 2002
Posts: 11
I'm living in Canada and can't have the front door glass or windshield tinted (aftermarket anyway). I really think a car with the back windows tinted and the front ones clear looks stupid.. so I guess I'm out of luck that way.
I'm really hoping to find a deal on this mirror.
I'm really hoping to find a deal on this mirror.
April-13th-2002, 11:33 PM
#6
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 484
Sorry to hear that it's that strict in Canada. Well, try www.mazdastuff.com and see if they have them. Their prices are typically cheaper than your local dealers.
April-14th-2002, 05:32 AM
#8
Always Flippin The Game
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: DFW, Texas
Posts: 558
RaT,
I have this in my MP3. It is great! I have the one with the Temp sensor and Electric Compass. Even though I have tinted windows (dark!), I still used to manage to get this bright *** glare from headlights behind me. Not any more! You can toggle the auto-dimming feature on and off, and the temp displays either Celsius or Farenheit (spelling), not to meantion that the compass is accurate as hell. I got it from Mazdastuff.com which is the dealership in Austin where I bought my ride. Refer to my post on the Protegemp3.com site for detailed install info ( I posted the install instructions) and such:
http://forum.protegemp3.com/vbb222/s...ghlight=Mirror
If you get this, make sure you get the compass and temp features. It would be a wast not to IMHO!
I have this in my MP3. It is great! I have the one with the Temp sensor and Electric Compass. Even though I have tinted windows (dark!), I still used to manage to get this bright *** glare from headlights behind me. Not any more! You can toggle the auto-dimming feature on and off, and the temp displays either Celsius or Farenheit (spelling), not to meantion that the compass is accurate as hell. I got it from Mazdastuff.com which is the dealership in Austin where I bought my ride. Refer to my post on the Protegemp3.com site for detailed install info ( I posted the install instructions) and such:
http://forum.protegemp3.com/vbb222/s...ghlight=Mirror
If you get this, make sure you get the compass and temp features. It would be a wast not to IMHO!
Last edited by LinuxRacr; April-14th-2002 at 05:40 AM.
April-14th-2002, 11:29 AM
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2001
Location: Des Moines, IA
Posts: 381
If you're looking for a good deal on one, try canvassing the scrape yards. There are a number of cars that have them stock. The Grand Prix doesn't have the compass, but I believe the GM Trucks and caddies do. IIRC just two wires, so you don't have to get one specifically designed for you vehicle. You can share the same power lead as the maplights or sunroof.
April-15th-2002, 08:29 PM
#11
Demands Perfection
Join Date: Jan 2002
Posts: 344
I bought the OEM compass/temperature auto-dim rear view mirror from Mazda, and have found it a cool additional toy. I saved on the dealer's rip off installation charges by doing the work myself, which I feel better about anyway since they didn't even know that the Protege had that feature as an option. The parts guy was all, "Compass, temperature... rear view... the Protege doesn't have that". That's when I whipped out the official Mazda parts brochure indicating that, low and behold, the Pro DOES have that as an option.
The OEM model is actually made by a company called Donnelly, www.donnelly.com, just as the original rear view mirror is. If you're somewhat technically able, I'd recommend doing the work yourself, and you may be able to use third party manufacturers other than Donnelly-- They might cost less, I don't know.
I still have the OEM instructions for installing the Donnelly unit. If you'd like I can scan them and e-mail them to you. Just let me know here on the board!
Later, and good luck!
The OEM model is actually made by a company called Donnelly, www.donnelly.com, just as the original rear view mirror is. If you're somewhat technically able, I'd recommend doing the work yourself, and you may be able to use third party manufacturers other than Donnelly-- They might cost less, I don't know.
I still have the OEM instructions for installing the Donnelly unit. If you'd like I can scan them and e-mail them to you. Just let me know here on the board!
Later, and good luck!
April-15th-2002, 08:46 PM
#12
Always Flippin The Game
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: DFW, Texas
Posts: 558
You are right! I installed mine myself, and posted the instructions here:
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/linuxracr...l+Instructions
It will blow up to full screen with Internet Explorer.
http://photos.yahoo.com/bc/linuxracr...l+Instructions
It will blow up to full screen with Internet Explorer.
Last edited by LinuxRacr; April-15th-2002 at 08:53 PM.
April-15th-2002, 09:14 PM
#13
Protege Enthusiast
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Kansas City
Posts: 77
I got the mirror and would suggest it to anyone. It's a very practical, and attention addition. The auto dimming is really nice, but it really brings out the difference without it on the side mirrors. I don't know how many people have commented on it. I fanagled with my finance guy at the dealer and got a free install.
July-10th-2002, 08:08 PM
#14
Protege Owner
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 731
Well... I just got one of these mirrors and went about the installations process today. All the hardware (temp sensor) and the wiring installation was very straight forward and pretty simple to do with the provided instructions.
The bitch of the install was getting the original mirror off the mount... the directions say somethhing like "insert the flat head screwdriver in the bottom of the miror, push up until it stops, then apply some more pressure and pull on the mirror"... my A$$!!!! It took me a good 40 minutes of screwing around with the screw driver (which I managed to bend) before the thing came off... for a short while I considered abandoning the install as I did not want to risk cracking the glass...
So... if you are going to do it... have a lot of patience on hand!
So far I like it... though initial comments on it are as follows:
- the compass is very good, I checked it against the GPS I have with me in the car and it was pretty much right on
- the LED display is green and that pretty much sucks with the nice red illumination that the P5 comes with.... it would have been nice to have a choice on what color LEDs are in there
- the LEDs do not dim when you turn the lights on, I am not sure how much this is going to be an annoyance when driving at night and will have to wait and see... but it does seem that they should have rigged it so that the interior lighting controls also worked on it!
Was it worth the bucks? Time will tell... but it is a pretty cool toy!
The bitch of the install was getting the original mirror off the mount... the directions say somethhing like "insert the flat head screwdriver in the bottom of the miror, push up until it stops, then apply some more pressure and pull on the mirror"... my A$$!!!! It took me a good 40 minutes of screwing around with the screw driver (which I managed to bend) before the thing came off... for a short while I considered abandoning the install as I did not want to risk cracking the glass...
So... if you are going to do it... have a lot of patience on hand!
So far I like it... though initial comments on it are as follows:
- the compass is very good, I checked it against the GPS I have with me in the car and it was pretty much right on
- the LED display is green and that pretty much sucks with the nice red illumination that the P5 comes with.... it would have been nice to have a choice on what color LEDs are in there
- the LEDs do not dim when you turn the lights on, I am not sure how much this is going to be an annoyance when driving at night and will have to wait and see... but it does seem that they should have rigged it so that the interior lighting controls also worked on it!
Was it worth the bucks? Time will tell... but it is a pretty cool toy!
Last edited by JJB; July-10th-2002 at 08:11 PM.
July-10th-2002, 10:30 PM
#15
Protege Owner
Join Date: Oct 2001
Posts: 731
it came from mazdastuff.com as a gift, so I am not sure what the price was for it, but I am pretty sure that it goes for about $200... not cheap, but cool 
The temp sensor gets mounted on the bottom lip under the bumber (kind of by the left tie down location)... if you look slightly to the front and right of the tie down, in the metal lip there are two small holes, this is where the sensor clips. It faces down to catch the air as you go along. You then route the wire up and around to the firewall. The sensor might be delicate, but it is on par with the other sensors that I have seen on other cars and they seem to last.
I have no idea what they would charge at the dealership for the install.... I am one of those people that does not like other people working on their car when it comes to routing electrical wires (i.e. stereo install, etc). I am sure that the dealer's techs would do a very good job, but it was not that big a deal to put in. Once I got the mirror off the rest of the install took only about 30 mins.
I decided to take a late ride tonight to see how it was on the highway with headlights behind me... man that is pretty sweet... darkens right up as needed and then changes back when they are not there. Very cool! I also found that the LEDs were not too bright... so that is a good thing.
The temp sensor gets mounted on the bottom lip under the bumber (kind of by the left tie down location)... if you look slightly to the front and right of the tie down, in the metal lip there are two small holes, this is where the sensor clips. It faces down to catch the air as you go along. You then route the wire up and around to the firewall. The sensor might be delicate, but it is on par with the other sensors that I have seen on other cars and they seem to last.
I have no idea what they would charge at the dealership for the install.... I am one of those people that does not like other people working on their car when it comes to routing electrical wires (i.e. stereo install, etc). I am sure that the dealer's techs would do a very good job, but it was not that big a deal to put in. Once I got the mirror off the rest of the install took only about 30 mins.
I decided to take a late ride tonight to see how it was on the highway with headlights behind me... man that is pretty sweet... darkens right up as needed and then changes back when they are not there. Very cool! I also found that the LEDs were not too bright... so that is a good thing.
Last edited by JJB; July-10th-2002 at 10:35 PM.