Electric Power Mirrors Add-on PLEASE

[bartflossom]

The truck is small enough that you just have to roll down the passenger window and lean over and adjust it.

Can't. I have T-Rex arms.

 

[SlateModGarage]

There’s a four button Bluetooth module for the right side of the steering wheel that controls audio. Just needs a center button toggle to switch between audio, driver mirror, and passenger mirror.

Hey everyone,

So I went down a rabbit hole last night after seeing the discussion about Bluetooth mirrors and the steering wheel’s Bluetooth connector. Turns out, there’s actually a pretty cool possibility here: I contacted a manufacturer in China, and they’ve got a model that could work perfectly. These mirrors can be controlled with a phone app and pair with the steering wheel’s Bluetooth controller, making installation super streamlined.

Originally, the retail price would have been around $250–$270, which is pretty reasonable for something this high-tech. But with tariffs, that jumps to about $700–$800 per set, which is a bit steep right now.

These mirrors use rechargeable batteries that can last 6 months to a year, so you don’t have to worry about frequent charging. If you want to bypass wiring for turn signals, there’s an additional plug-in Bluetooth module that goes inside the vehicle. This module detects when turn signals are activated and sends the signal to the mirrors, so you get turn signals without any complicated wiring.

I’m looking into U.S. manufacturers as well, but it’s tough to find one that can handle the entire process—design, glass cutting, battery integration, app development, and packaging. In China, you get everything done under one roof, which makes the process a lot simpler.

I’m going to keep exploring options and see if the costs come down. If that happens, these Bluetooth mirrors could be a game-changer. Appreciate all the ideas—this community is awesome for brainstorming this kind of stuff!

 

[TheShark]

How did people survive in the 60ies and 70ies???

I lived through manual mirrors, they were a PITA to keep adjusted and god forbid if you changed drivers. I can live without some things but power mirrors isn't one of them, just seems like a basic safety issue if nothing else, kind of like have a passenger side mirror. I think we have the Japanese to thank for the ubiquitous power mirrors now being standard across the board.

 

[E90400K]

Hey everyone,

So I went down a rabbit hole last night after seeing the discussion about Bluetooth mirrors and the steering wheel’s Bluetooth connector. Turns out, there’s actually a pretty cool possibility here: I contacted a manufacturer in China, and they’ve got a model that could work perfectly. These mirrors can be controlled with a phone app and pair with the steering wheel’s Bluetooth controller, making installation super streamlined.

Originally, the retail price would have been around $250–$270, which is pretty reasonable for something this high-tech. But with tariffs, that jumps to about $700–$800 per set, which is a bit steep right now.

These mirrors use rechargeable batteries that can last 6 months to a year, so you don’t have to worry about frequent charging. If you want to bypass wiring for turn signals, there’s an additional plug-in Bluetooth module that goes inside the vehicle. This module detects when turn signals are activated and sends the signal to the mirrors, so you get turn signals without any complicated wiring.

I’m looking into U.S. manufacturers as well, but it’s tough to find one that can handle the entire process—design, glass cutting, battery integration, app development, and packaging. In China, you get everything done under one roof, which makes the process a lot simpler.

I’m going to keep exploring options and see if the costs come down. If that happens, these Bluetooth mirrors could be a game-changer. Appreciate all the ideas—this community is awesome for brainstorming this kind of stuff!

At the production cost level, it's a door switch, two wire harnesses, and electic motors in the mirror head. There are hundreds of mirror motors already in production, which I'm sure are found in an automotive engineering catalog.

Trying to go Bluetooth seems like an overreach.

 

[SlateModGarage]

At the production cost level, it's a door switch, two wire harnesses, and electic motors in the mirror head. There are hundreds of mirror motors already in production, which I'm sure are found in an automotive engineering catalog.

Trying to go Bluetooth seems like an overreach.

agreed. There is lots of kits already out there. Nun for me to be innovating and original with. I am sure others will have a kit quickly. I like the crazy ideas and try to make them.

 

[Slater]

Perhaps they can add on blind spot cameras on the mirrors as an option. There will already be a display for the standard rear view camera.

 

[Rocket13foxtrot]

Already the tech/power/luxury creep is setting in.

Power mirrors a safety issue!?! That's quite a stretch.

Power mirrors are not a need. If someone would like power mirrors as an add-on or aftermarket, that's your prerogative, as long as the rest of us don't have to financially support the engineering for development in purchasing the manually adjusted version.

 

[E90400K]

Already the tech/power/luxury creep is setting in.

Power mirrors a safety issue!?! That's quite a stretch.

Power mirrors are not a need. If someone would like power mirrors as an add-on or aftermarket, that's your prerogative, as long as the rest of us don't have to financially support the engineering for development in purchasing the manually adjusted version.

Exactly, because cars that have blind spot warning DON'T have the indicator built into the mirrors glass...

And why do cars need blind spot indicators, because most people don't know how to properly adjust the mirrors.

 

[JeffVA]

Already the tech/power/luxury creep is setting in.

Power mirrors a safety issue!?! That's quite a stretch.

I remember when I learned how to drive that one of the requirements was to adjust the mirrors before you put it in drive. Has something changed that requires you to adjust them while driving?

Power windows - That's just lazy.

I like watching all these people try to build a mini Cybertruck

 

[lgerger]

I'd be ok with it being an optional thing. I want to keep costs down, so I don't want this, and it's kind of a first world problem for me to manually adjust the mirrors.

 

[lgerger]

most people don't know how to properly adjust the mirrors.

This is very true. You're supposed to adjust the passenger mirror out until you can just see the side of the vehicle when you're looking from the center, and the driver's mirror out until you can just see the side of the car when your head is pressed against the window.

 

[E90400K]

This is very true. You're supposed to adjust the passenger mirror out until you can just see the side of the vehicle when you're looking from the center, and the driver's mirror out until you can just see the side of the car when your head is pressed against the window.

I was taught pretty much that, but the opposite process. Set the drivers mirror first with your head at the window, then lean the same amount to the passenger side and set the passenger mirror.

 

[lgerger]

Already the tech/power/luxury creep is setting in.

Power mirrors a safety issue!?! That's quite a stretch.

Agreed. Power mirrors are not a safety issue. It's a convenience issue. There was a time passenger-side mirrors didn't even typically exist. My first two cars didn't have them. I can't imagine a situation whereby my passenger mirror being out of alignment was a major immediate safety concern. I'd just adjust next time I was parked. And driver side I can reach.

I am seeing the "luxury" creep and bloat growing too. I hope Slate doesn't cave to the convenience crowd and raise the starting price. Keep it basic. And it's important to remember this is the 1.0 product, the first version. Depending on its success, I am sure they will want to expand into different levels of standard equipment. A new business must focus on getting that one thing right.