Android Smart Rear View Mirror First Look

[2phast]

I am still working on this project, but will share some pictures and would like to gauge interest in this particular item. Projecting a price point of $225-250. This mirror can be used in any W124, W201, W126, W116, W123/R107. This will come pre configured with the bracket for your automobile, wire harness, GPS module, 720P Backup camera and installation accessories. (sim card and SD card not included)

So let me discuss some of the features.

No auto dimming function, but the glass is anti-glare and does have a darker tint to it.
No Homelink

What it does have;

Compass, clock and date
Front facing 1080P camera that records whats in front of you and locks video in case of an accident (Built in ADAS). You can also view the front camera on the screen or split the screen between the front/rear camera and you can also record both the front and rear camera output. (camera has a certain level of adjustment as well)
Backup camera which can be used for backing up, or you can switch to it and have it fill the entire mirror display for field of view of about 140 degrees (720P), or it will switch on when you put your vehicle in reverse.
Bluetooth for hands free phone use
GPS
Android 5.1 OS
Full 10: touch screen
CPU MT6735 1.3 ghz quad core A53, 1 gig LPDDR3 RAM, 16gb, EMMC flash rom
Cellular sim card slot (Micro Sim) frequencies not compatible in USA.
SD Card Slot, supports 64gb (might be 128 but I don't have one of those to test)
Wifi 802.11a/b/g

There is more functionality but these are the highlights for now. Basically its a souped up Android Phone in a rear view mirror.

For the mirror to gain internet access and download apps and use WAZE for navigation (or other online apps). You can connect the mirror via Wifi to your smart phone. You need to be able to configure your smart phone as a "Hotspot" and you should have a unlimited data plan.

There are three sets of wires that plug into the top of the mirror, power, backup camera and GPS. These can be tied together and routed up into your headliner, the wires are external to the bracket. I don't have a full procedure for these just yet, as I have not installed one of these mirrors.

Let me know what you think of this product.

 

[2phast]

The mirror screen can be turned off completely and the mirror glass functions as a regular rear view mirror, or you can have it display the compass and time. (time displayed on this screen seems to be independent of OS settings, as internally the time is not in 24 hour format. Working on a fix.)

 

[2phast]

Main OS navigation screens

 

[2phast]

WAZE (GPS online navigation program) running.

 

[2phast]

Front camera view with ADAS overlays

 

[2phast]

Bluetooth configuration screen

 

[2phast]

Wifi connection screen

 

[2phast]

This is where your installed apps are. Limited to 16 gb minus whatever the OS uses.

 

[2phast]

Accessing the Google Play store via tethered internet access via my Iphone

 

[2phast]

Settings menu. QR code allows you to find/install Car Assist mobile application. Most of these functions really require a SIM card in the mirror so you can remotely access the mirror, preview live video and talk to the driver.

 

[2phast]

Backup camera view expanded to full screen. You can use the mirror in this configuration and get a wider field of view than with a normal reflection from the mirror glass. I believe this viewing angle is either 120 or 140 degrees.

 

[nocfn]

I see some serious distracted driving

What about if you own two of the famous 2Phast mirrors..... got any add on units?

 

[2phast]

I see some serious distracted driving

What about if you own two of the famous 2Phast mirrors..... got any add on units?

I will make sure to load yours up with some good porn that you can stream while driving ;-)

 

[nocfn]

Oh my.... but I got 500+ in two of these, a backup camera add on would be the bees knees....

 

[outrbnks]

Awesome, I'll pre-order 1 to start

 

[mikeym]

If this can be coupled with a clean back up camera install, it will be doubly awesome.
Regardless, count me in.

 

[Jlaa]

2phast! YES. Remember we were swapping emails a while ago on this idea? You have the drive and fortitude to make it work. I do not. Yes, I would be interested. How does dimming work?

Thanks!

 

[Maui]

I'd love the apple version.

 

[2phast]

If this can be coupled with a clean back up camera install, it will be doubly awesome.
Regardless, count me in.

It ships with a 720p backup camera. Camera can be mounted inside the vehicle using 2 sided tape or out side with a couple of included screws. Included cable should be long enough for the W124. For the reversing camera to properly function, the power wire for the camera needs to be connected to your reverse light, that way when you put the car in reverse, the camera comes on right away. This wire is basically a trigger wire, the camera gets it power from the mirror itself.

 

[2phast]

2phast! YES. Remember we were swapping emails a while ago on this idea? You have the drive and fortitude to make it work. I do not. Yes, I would be interested. How does dimming work?

Thanks!

There is no auto dimming on this mirror. It does have tinted anti glare glass which is suppose to function in a similar way to an auto dimming mirror.

 

[2phast]

I'd love the apple version.

I don't think Apple would ever allow something like that to happen and if they did, the licensing fees would drive the price of the mirror up to where current Iphones are.

 

[Dunnik]

While that's not my thing, I do admire your ingenuity. That reminds me to order up one of your Home Link auto dimming mirrors.

 

[Jlaa]

WAZE (GPS online navigation program) running.

This is way cool. Assuming one does not use a SIM card with this in the US, is it possible to run Waze with the mirror acting as a wifi client, tethered to your phone? (your phone then being a wifi hotspot)

 

[2phast]

This is way cool. Assuming one does not use a SIM card with this in the US, is it possible to run Waze with the mirror acting as a wifi client, tethered to your phone? (your phone then being a wifi hotspot)

You may want to read the entire first post, as this was something I did address.

 

[qtstorm]

I'd love me one of these. Lemme know

 

[2phast]

Since I don't drive my car enough to get a good test of this mirror, I need someone who can install it, use it and report back any quirks. Extensive desktop testing has been done with only a few issues related to the OS. So far, the manufacture has not provided a updated firmware to fix the quirks but I will list what I have so far.

1. If you set the date to our standard format, it will change in the menu, but in sleep mode one (one press of the power button that turns off the display but keeps a compass and clock on the screen) the clock is displayed in 24 hour format.

2. The mirror has a internal battery and as long as the battery has a charge, you can leave your car, come back and Wifi/Bluetooth will still be as you set (presumably on), if your car sits for more than three days, this internal battery will be drained. Initial turn on of the mirror at this point takes longer (assume a cold boot) and the Wifi/Bluetooth defaults to the off position.

3. The mirror occasionally will randomly talk to you. I am sure its not a feature and another OS bug. It basically will tell you its shutting down, when it is already shut down. (might be due to low battery condition)

You will need to supply your owne Micro SD card, I did my tests with a 64 gb card (fast enough for recording video), so I have confirmed a 64 gb will work, several different areas of the user manual says it only supports 32 gb another says 128 gb.

Keep in mind the SIM card slot will not work in the US due to the frequencies used. For the mirror to get internet access (assuming you want it for Google Maps or WAZE), you need to to connect the mirror to your Smart Phone which will need to be configured as a "Hot Spot". You should also have a unlimited data plan on you phone.

$200 plus shipping and it will be shipped as shown in the photos (bracket installed) minus the original box (it will not fit with the bracket installed).

 

[msq]

....
3. The mirror occasionally will randomly talk to you. .....OS bug
....

So if you already have one female passenger, this mirror acts as a second?