rear view mirror upgrade

[jano]

Hi,

I'm having trouble finding the pre-server-hiccup thread that discussed the upgraded rear view mirror, with autodimming and garage buttons... I am interested in re-reading the particulars on this upgrade, and hopefully try to do it as well, if the product is still available.

Thanks!

1994 e500

 

[Glen]

Rik (2phast) is our resident mirror guru, see his website for the details: www.2phast.com
He sells converted mirrors so just contact him and I'm sure he can hook you up.

 

[gerryvz]

I think that's one of the threads (unfortunately) that didn't make it through the recreation process - couldn't recreate it. Rik can provide everything you need and it's a quality product. I have two of them from him - one for my E500 and one for my 560SEC. Expect to pay around $150 for the deluxe model, shipped.

As Glen said, I think he has the mod documented on his site.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[gsxr]

I just installed mine last week. I got the model from Rik with Homelink and auto-dimming, but no compass. Installation was a minor nuisance since the channel where the mirror plugs into does not connect into the channel where the dome light wires are. So, I had to drill a couple of small (1/8") holes to feed wires through, and I tapped into the wiring at the dome light. This allowed me to install the mirror without removing the visor trim panel - everything was done via the dome light opening. The Homelink buttons programmed without a hitch, and after training my garage door opener to "learn" the code, the buttons work fine.

The only issue I encountered was that the mounting stalk came apart from the mirror ball during installation. I believe Rik modifies a factory MB stalk, and then uses epoxy of some sort to attach it to an aftermarket (or non-MB) mirror, which is modified to plug into the MB stalk. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough epoxy, or it didn't cure properly, or something. Anyway, I was able to re-attach it with copious amounts of JB Weld, and so far it's been rock solid. Hopefully that is a permanent fix.

So far, I like the mirror. I do wish the remote buttons could have an "always on" power source separate from the auto-dim (and compass) function. That would require modifications inside the mirror though, and may not even be possible.


Bottom line: If Rik offers more of these for sale, I would probably buy another one for my wife's car. Rik? How about it? You gonna do another production run?

 

[jano]

Ah, cool, thanks guys. I had visited Rik's site earlier this year, and forgot he had the write up here.

Will think about it, I'm kind of digging this old school mirror flip thingy.

 

[gerryvz]

Rik has put up a web site detailing these mirror conversions.

http://www.2phast.com/mirror/

Here's a thread I recently started on Benzworld.org about the 2Phast mirror upgrade, albeit on my 560SEC. It is nearly identical in form, function & installation for the E500E.

http://www.benzworld.org/forums/w126-s- ... -view.html

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[Jim]

What is this rear view mirror?

Hi Guys,...

Does anyone recognise this mirror, please?

The switch underneath has off ...min ... max setting but does nothing.

There appears to be a sensor in the top right of the glass.

It is hanging on the left side only of the mounting. It's been too hot to work inside the car until now.

Thanks,

Jim.

 

[gsxr]

Don't recognize that mirror, Jim... but my guess is the switch controls the auto-dim function. This wouldn't be obvious unless you were driving the car at night.

 

[gsxr]

I installed another 2phast Homelink mirror last week in my wife's E420. Installation went smoothly, and the Homelink buttons work fine. However, this mirror has the compass feature, and I have been unable to get it calibrated correctly. I've done the calibration process described in the manual, and set it to my geographic region. I even tried setting it to a couple other regions to see if that would help. No dice. The compass seems to read 45° off my actual direction, i.e. when traveling straight north, it says "NE". When traveling south, it reads "SW".

Has anyone else had a similar issue? Any ideas on how to correct it?

 

[gerryvz]

Both of my mirrors (126 and 124) compasses work just fine. I have found it can take a little while to adjust once you're driving in a given direction. However, when I travel known NSEW roads in a straight line, it's generally pretty bloody accurate.

IIRC I'm two zones different than you are.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[2phast]

Just found this thread, shows you how often I visit this site, haha.

Dave, you should of contacted me directly with any problems. I would never leave anyone hanging with any issues. Noticed your first problem happened quite a while ago. To date, only three mirrors have had that problem and since the first report of the problem, the whole design/integration of the ball has changed to address that specific problem. For the three mirrors that had the problem, I replaced them with the new design and would be happy to do this for you as well.

Your second mirror wouldn't have the ball problem but I understand your having a compass calibration issue. Once you set the compass zone, you should initiate a "calibration" by holding in the recessed button till a "C" appears on the display. Once calibrated, the compass should work correctly. As for the compass zone, you should be in zone 4 (Boise?) but there are numerous Zone maps around with some variance. The zone map used in my installation document shows Idaho almost completely in Zone 4, but other Zone maps show the SE section of Idaho in Zone 5.

This is the first report of a compass problem I have heard of. So if the proper compass zone is selected and the calibration process has been properly completed and your still having issues, I can exchange the mirror for you. I seem to keep selling the mirror in my own personal car, so have been through 10 o so mirrors. The compass mirrors the direction of my in car GPS, although its not quite as fast when updating the direction, maybe 1-3 seconds slower. All of the mirrors used in my car have operated in this fashon.

As for the installation, my installation instructions note that there is no direct route from the mirror mounting point to the map light area, hence why the wires need to be routed under the headliner.

Jim; The mirror in your posted picture is a rare factory W124/W201 auto dimming mirror. There were several flavors offered by MB and the one pictured is a early Gentex flavor. The switch allows you to turn the auto dim function off or adjust the rate at which it dims. These mirrors were never designed for a ball/socket type of mount, so they were modified after the fact for use on a Mercedes. Originally these mirrors mounted to the windshield (on other cars).

Like Gerry mentioned, my mirror specific site is http://www.2phast.com/mirror and I have show cased the different styles of mirrors I have/can build.

What isn't on the site yet is a new mirror I am working on that has the Passport radar SmartCord integrated into it. The LEDs will be in the mirror and the mute button mounted on the bottom of the mirror. I plan on building a similar mirror using the remote display for a V1 as well. These mirrors differ from the current design, as the buttons for the Homelink are on the front and there is also a on/off function for the auto dim (no compass though). This particular mirror also uses a two way glass, so when powered off, you wont see anything. Standard mirrors have a reflective coating on the rear that needs to be removed for any light to shine through.

 

[T-500]

Rik,
I remember seeing seeing your Passport mirror conversion in your CLK, a year or so ago. That really appealed to me.
If the V1 is a better Detector, that might be the unit I would want, but I understand that it is not possible to secret the receiver where it not be visible. Is that true? Could the whole thing be completely invisible?
I really like the idea of the 2-way mirror, hiding the readouts. That is a desirable improvement over your already impressive, Passport prototype.

Please keep us posted.

 

[2phast]

Rik,
I remember seeing seeing your Passport mirror conversion in your CLK, a year or so ago. That really appealed to me.
If the V1 is a better Detector, that might be the unit I would want, but I understand that it is not possible to secret the receiver where it not be visible. Is that true? Could the whole thing be completely invisible?
I really like the idea of the 2-way mirror, hiding the readouts. That is a desirable improvement over your already impressive, Passport prototype.

Please keep us posted.

Hello Sean.

The Passport install in my CLK is a bit different, as that Radar/Laser was a SR7 system. The small under dash display was taken apart and the LED assembly installed inside the mirror. The remainder of the control unit was mounted up in the headliner. That install also required removal of the silver mirror backing, not an easy task and one I would like to avoid doing again ;-)

IMO, the Passport 9500ix/ci is the best detector on the market right now. The V1 is a excellent detector as well, but it lacks the GPS integration and updatability of the 9500ix. I switched several years back and am very happy with the ability to lock out false signals and be warned (verbally) when aproaching speed traps and red light cameras.

The Smartcord for the 9500ix is a straight direct power wiring item that also has a remote LED display and mute button. The LED's are just to indicate power and blink when the unit detects radar/laser. Using this item, you could turn your 9500ix display off completely and just rely on the Smartcord display. If you look at my web site under interior and scroll down to the ashtray delete tray, you will see where my Smartcord display is now.

After working on this project again today, I may just mount the ckt board and drill three holes into the bottom of the mirror (mute button and the two LED's) and go that route. There isn't much advantage having the two LED's show through the mirror. The mute button would need to be desoldered from the ckt board and its a surface mount momentary switch (SPDT), so that would be more trouble than its worth.

But, for the V1 remote display, having all of the LED's and directional arrows visible through the mirror would be very nice. There are several people who do this type of conversion and sell the mirrors on Ebay. They sell for quite a lot of money though, overpriced IMO. So I am probably going to save these particular mirrors (with two way glass)for V1 remote display conversions.

You can (if using a remote display) mount your V1 or Passport somewhere quasi hidden. The detector still needs to see out the front/rear windshield though. Some people have mounted their detectors in the rear headrests or in a small compartment on the headliner (out of sight). You can see what I am talking about by looking at this auction

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/VALENTIN ... 3cb2ff49fc

I believe these mirrors have the silver backing removed using a programmed template via a laser (might justify his selling price). The RJ10 jack is mounted on the rear of the mirror and is not rerouted internally through the stalk.

 

[500AMM]

Hi.

Do this radar warning system work over here in Europe?

-arnt-

 

[gerryvz]

The Valentine-1 can be adapted for European frequencies, yes. It is very programmable and there are details on the Valentine-1 site specific to Europe.

But, do know, that in Europe, radar detectors are generally considered illegal. Here in the US (most states anyway) they are legally considered the same as a car radio - a receiver of publicly broadcast radio waves. But in Europe, there is a different legal status accorded to radar detectors.

Cheers,
Gerry

 

[500AMM]

That's right, radar detectors are illegal here in Norway at least.

Regarding these mirror types, they are in fact very, very rare to see in my country, even the auto dimming mirrors without any knobs are rare. I have the auto dimming mirror in both my cars, so these types described here goes on the wish list so far.

Thanks for the info.
-arnt-

 

[2phast]

Regarding these mirror types, they are in fact very, very rare to see in my country, even the auto dimming mirrors without any knobs are rare. I have the auto dimming mirror in both my cars, so these types described here goes on the wish list so far.

Thanks for the info.
-arnt-

Thats one of the reasons I starting making these mirrors.

The factory OEM auto dimming mirrors were very expensive AND if you can find one used, they also go for a lot (a used one recently sold on German Ebay for over $270). That is a extreme amount of money for a simple auto dimming mirror. I sell a simple auto dimming mirror for right around $100 or a fully loaded one for $150.

What I build is better looking (and more functional) than the OE mirror IMO.

 

[500AMM]

(a used one recently sold on German Ebay for over $270). That is a extreme amount of money for a simple auto dimming mirror..

Wow - that price for a secondhand!
So, I guess I was the lucky duck when I left my local breakers with;
- one auto dim.mirror incl. el.harness
- one el.rear sun blind incl. el.harness
- a complete set of el.mirrors incl. switch and el.harness
+ other bits, all for 85 dollars!
But as they said: "The W124 are aging now and not the car type making us rich these days." I think I'll cope that attitude.

I shall think closer on your mirrors, Rik, it's a nice option and both good looking and working. Keep up the good work, your homepage is great!

Cheers
-arnt-

 

[2phast]

Yes you did get a really good deal on those parts. Ebay used to the place to get the smoking deals, but it seems of late that going to the breakers is best choice. Most all of my donor parts come directly from the breakers, Ebay is just too expensive.

I was amazed at the amount of activity for the OE mirror and the final selling price! Makes me want to advertise my mirrors on Ebay.de

Here is the closed auction for the OE mirror, sold for 266 euro

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie ... MEWAX%3AIT