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Greetings all. I am starting my Christmas shopping early. My dad has a 2000 and I was wondering if a compass mounted rear view mirror was available and how much of a PITA it would be to install. My dad is not a big fan of GPS but has mentioned on a few occasions how just a compass would be a great help. Any positive input would be appreciated.
I put a Gentex in mine years ago - I actually was driven to change the mirror not for the compass but for the built in Homelink buttons. I have a vert and didn't like the remote sticking up on the visor and got tired of chasing the remote all over the inside of the car with sporty driving. I did lose the lights on the bottom of the mirror - one for each side and a third one for general light. I recall someone - again years ago - posted detailed instruction on how to add some LED lights into the mirror. I also had to pull a constant power wire to the mirror for the homelink - only switched power was available. And BTW, I really do like the compass. Great on windy mountain roads - easy to get turned around. So, think it through. I doubt you'll find an all inclusive mirror - lights, compass, homelink (if that's an interest).
I put a Gentex in mine years ago - I actually was driven to change the mirror not for the compass but for the built in Homelink buttons. I have a vert and didn't like the remote sticking up on the visor and got tired of chasing the remote all over the inside of the car with sporty driving. I did lose the lights on the bottom of the mirror - one for each side and a third one for general light. I recall someone - again years ago - posted detailed instruction on how to add some LED lights into the mirror. I also had to pull a constant power wire to the mirror for the homelink - only switched power was available. And BTW, I really do like the compass. Great on windy mountain roads - easy to get turned around. So, think it through. I doubt you'll find an all inclusive mirror - lights, compass, homelink (if that's an interest).
I researched a new mirror in detail last year and the lack (or loss of) map lights was the killer for me as I also own a vert. I actually use my map lights on a regular basis and I didn't want to lose them.
Outside of that Gentex has some excellent Homelink mirror options. I was wanting compass, homelink, autodimming and maplights. I could get 3 of the 4 and even sent an email to Gentex asking whether they had any plans to offer one with the options above and maplights. I received a generic reply that pointed me to their existing models.