Thread: Vacuum Fluorescent Display in Rear View Mirror

I havn't done it myself, but I have seen it done. Trying to remember where, I don't think it was here... I think they used LEDs instead of a VFD tho. If you go forward with it, I'd definately like to see your results. I'd like to try it myself, but I'm already elbow deep in a rebuild

Do it!

There's a spy/surveillance shop in downtown DC near the corner of 16th and K NW. Don't remember their name but they do have a window display. They may deal with that kind of stuff. Also, at the corner of Glebe and Columbia Pike in VA is a Cop Shop - mostly handcuffs, batons, etc but they also may have that kind of stuff. And finally, in the Edsal Road Industrial Park is ADI, an alarm/security supplier. They're next door to Arcade Electronics. ADI normally only sells to licensed alarm companies but I was able to get them to sell me some IR repeaters directly.

The attached picture is from an old car audio magazine (don't remember which one) that I had scanned as a future idea to incorporate. The text that went along with the picture is:

"The factory rearview mirror holds a couple of its own display surprises. For starters, an Accele LCD2.5R 2.5-inch color monitor was sculpted into the mirror. Part of the reflective surface was etched away by hand, leaving a window through which the monitor peers. The monitor was also disassembled, and its electronic componentry was stashed into the headliner, with a ribbon cable connecting the pieces. A similar process was used to install a remote visual display for a ValentineOne radar detector. The directional arrows and proximity indicators glow red in the mirror. The rest of the detector sits slightly aft of the mirror in an enclosure formed from more ABS plastic and wrapped in tan suede to match the Lexus' interior."

I've got another article where a guy moved the entire headunit display to the mirror - I'll post it when I find it.

But if your goal is to not see the display when its off, then also check out the Audi A4 convertible. New for this year is a mirror with a transflective display for the compass option in the upper right. It doesn't have the blacked-out area when its off like Gentex mirrors - it appears to not have a compass when its off. When its on, you can see the display clearly. Since Audi is part of VAG, maybe the mirror is transplantable to the Beetle.

Originally Posted by Bugbyte

Do you have an idea of where to get the 1 way mirror? I was considering just getting some 1 way mylar tinting material. If the VFD is bright enough, it shouldn't matter.

How is a one way mirror going to help you?
Think about it!

If you've ever seen a one way mirror up close, then you know that its not perfectly blocking light in one direction. You need it to be dark on the other side to prevent even some light from getting through. Stop by the customer service desk at Best Buy and look at their one way mirror. If the lights are on in the office, you'll make out a little of the room inside.

By using the VFD display, he'll purposely shine light through, though it will be dimmed, but with it off, you won't even know the display is there.

My question is what have you, Bugbyte, thought about the bright/dim setting? What I mean is, what will you do when someone's headlights behind you are too bright - you won't have the option to flip the mirror up. And for anyone, what is the proper name of the function I'm talking about?

Originally Posted by Saab9-5

By using the VFD display, he'll purposely shine light through, though it will be dimmed, but with it off, you won't even know the display is there.

Ah, ok apologies. Maybe I've not spend enough time in police stations, or pressing my face up against best-buy windows.

Originally Posted by Saab9-5

you won't have the option to flip the mirror up. And for anyone, what is the proper name of the function I'm talking about?

It's polarised.