Originally Posted by Daniel454
I used the Genk5A model. It was actually a Christmas present from the wife so I am not sure which website she got it through but Amazon has them.
http://www.amazon.com/Gentex-GENK5A-Auto-Dimming-Compass-Aftermarket/dp/B002Z61QAU
They have MANY models though, you can get one with the compass, outside temperature, map lights or now they even offer one with built in back up monitor and soon one with a built in radar detector. I didn’t need the map lights or the temperature since the car already had those, and such a small car I wasn’t really interested in the back up monitor, so the compass only one was the winner for me. It is also a green display so it matches out internal color scheme well.
The rear view mount IS an issue.... I did a lot of searching and about the only option for one that uses our existing mount is to get one of the 2004 models from the Crossfire or you MAY be able to source one from another small European car but since Gentex is the manufacturer for almost all of those I really liked the idea of just getting a new one straight from the original maker. Plus, as said above, I really wanted one with the compass.
So, again, the mount is an issue so I just popped of the factory mount and picked up a standard metal, slide tab mount. Some rear view mirror adhesive and I was good to go! I had to mount it a touch lower on the window, but it folds up high and into the same place as the factory one so it doesn’t obstruct any more view. If you looked at it from the outside and didn’t already know the factory one mounted higher, you wouldn’t ever second guess it and again from the inside you would have to go looking to notice any difference.
If you Google "Removing rear view mirror mount" you will find all kinds of posts out there on doing it, for me I just heated it up with a heat gun and slid a hard paint scraper behind it... I know, that sounds bad, but I was very careful, didn't scratch the window at all and it popped off amazingly easy. In fact, I was actually just testing it to see how far I could push the scraper in before running into resistance and POP off it came!
As said before, this was a Christmas present, LAST year, so its actually been done, installed and working since about February, I just had not had time to post about it. So if any one is worried about the new mount holding, it has been through 2 seasons and 7 months of use and driving (over 15,000 miles!) with no issues whatsoever.
Thanks Daniel. That's the one I'd use too as I don't need the temp either. I have had lots of experience with remounting mirrors over the years and never an issue with them as long as you let them dry well before hanging that weight on them.
I already have a 3.5" backup cam that is wireless so that would be unnecessary add on but would be a nice feature for de clutter.