Topic: Stock mirror blocking your vision? Autozone 8" rearview mirror

[kennysabarese]

So I've always had issues with the stock mirror getting in the way of my vision. On the street I often cannot see cars or people going in front of me from right to left. On the track I can never look ahead enough to the track out point of a turn, which is usually the best way to keep a proper line.

I have an 07 RedLine with the power seat which is a lot higher than NA seats without power. And I do sit with the seat back very straight. I also have an Onstar mirror which is about 1/2" lower than one without.

Originally I tried adjusting my mirror higher than it came, I thought it would break, it was just stiff. I was able to get it higher, but you just run out of adjustment room. And I wanted to go at least 2 inches higher than it was. I had another thread trying to find a mirror with a longer shaft (http://KappaPerformance.com/index.php?topic=3303.0) and I couldn't find anything. Then I thought of ideas to build my own, but figured I'd just try something else and see if it worked, worst case return it.

So the Autozone mirror is $14 bucks and is available in 8" and 10" width. It fits onto the existing rearview mount so installation takes about 30 seconds. Just need a torx to get the OEM unit off, and a flat or phillips screwdriver to put the Autozone one on. The OEM mirror is 10" wide so I thought that the 8" might be a problem, but I really have no issues at all. Not only is it smaller in every dimension than the OEM mirror, it also gives you a bit more adjustment wiggle room so I was able to move it up higher than the OEM mirror. 

Then I took it a step further and flipped it upside down, so the switch is on top and it gave another 1/2"! As you can see in the photo, it's actually behind and touching the plastic, that's how tight it is. It's a little tough to flip the switch at night.

So I'm happy so far. Even upside down, the night switch works just fine. Here's a link to the product if you want to order online. 

http://www.autozone.com/autozone/catalog/accessories/accProductDetails.jsp?displayName=RearViewMirror&itemId=1707-10&navValue=101707&parentId=1-10&productId=31940&fromString=search&itemIdentifier=31940_0_0_&filterByKeyWord=rearview&categoryNValue=100001&store=5266&skuDisplayName=8in.day/nightrearviewmirror&categoryDisplayName=AppearanceandPersonalization&_requestid=794868

[Kelu]

I do have same problem, 6.34 ft tall, this looks nice but one question:
What about interior light? 

[kennysabarese]

Yeah no inside light. I'll have to find an alternative.

[Uranium-238]

So what did you do with the onstar cable, just tuck it up under the plastic?

Looks good. Might have to pay Autozone a visit this week...

[kennysabarese]

Yeah. i've pulled that top part off about 20 times in the last month. just shoved it up there. plenty of room.

I'm even thinking of cutting the mirror to make it even smaller. i test drove a 370z and though the mirror is big. the window out the back is so small you only need a mirror about 3/4" tall!

[elff]

You tall people have so many problems
 

The interior Light fix is an easy solution
Use the wires that provide power for the stock Mirror Lights and install small LEDs into the plastic windshield surround. 
Just put one on each side.  You could mount a switch just above the dash on each side.

[kennysabarese]

You tall people have so many problems
 

The interior Light fix is an easy solution
Use the wires that provide power for the stock Mirror Lights and install small LEDs into the plastic windshield surround. 
Just put one on each side.  You could mount a switch just above the dash on each side.

Sounds good Do I need resistors to match the voltage or anything?

[elff]

I don't think so. 

[Uranium-238]

Wow!

Just did this mod myself, and I had no idea thew stop mirror used that much space!

Now we'll see if I can live without the lights for a while...

[TomatoSoup]

Sounds good Do I need resistors to match the voltage or anything?

Yes you DO!  The stock mirror power is "Always-on" 12V.  The map lights (interior lights) use a switched ground to turn on/off-dim.  You must match LEDs either with a driver circuit or with a simple resistor to drop the voltage to the 2V-3V or so (depends on LED type and color) that an LED can handle.

[kennysabarese]

I just found this site that says they have 12 volt LEDs

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=/1157.htm

also what do the non-onstar cars have for interior lights?

[LiquidPT]

I just found this site that says they have 12 volt LEDs

http://www.superbrightleds.com/cgi-bin/store/index.cgi?action=DispPage&Page2Disp=/1157.htm

also what do the non-onstar cars have for interior lights?

AFAIK, all Solstices have the lights in the mirror, Onstar or not

[Sol Asylum]

My non-onstar mirror has interior/map lights in it.

[1LILNDN]

 Kenny  :: (" So I've always had issues with the stock mirror getting in the way of my vision. On the street I often cannot see cars or people going in front of me from right to left. On the track I can never look ahead enough to the track out point of a turn, which is usually the best way to keep a proper line.")

 Why not Just buy another mounting block . Mount it at a Lower location on the windsheild so when your Auto X ing  just put that Mirror on the lower connector

[kennysabarese]

if i was autoxing i would just remove the mirror.

for road racing i need the mirror to see who is behind me.

anyway, i could put another mirror mount HIGHER if i wanted. but i've heard those things never hold well. since i don't care about the onstar controls it's not worth the hassle.

i'll just put a flashlight in the car. i got two LED flashlights that are tiny laying around

[Uranium-238]

I'm going to re-install the stock mirror later this afternoon. The AZ mirror has some pretty major flaws in the glass, and it's pretty distracting. Also, I've decided that I prefer having the mirror lower, so it's more inline with my field of vision.

I guess I'll just have to stop whining about it oversized.

[kennysabarese]

You must spend too much time looking backwards

[Uranium-238]

If I had $100 for every time some woman talking on a cell phone has smoked the tires stopping behind me I'd have a much shorter wish list for the car. A few times the only thing that has saved me was gunning the engine and forgetting any ideas of turning left...