Electric folding mirrors? Want them automated?
12 July 2008, 11:45 PM
#1
Electric folding mirrors? Want them automated? (Fits classics and 08/09 STIs too!)
I have been working on a wee gadget to auto-fold the mirrors in when the ignition is switched off. I use the folding mirrors quite a lot and it irritates me that the manufacturers don't include an auto option; so I've made one available. I call it the Mirror-Matic 
It works on cars with electrically operated folding mirrors that have a manual rocker-type switch to work them, classic WRX or STi Scoobs included. The mirrors will fold out with either the 'Acc' or 'On' position on your ignition and will fold in when 'off'. The rocker switch can also override the module and fold the mirrors in if required whilst the ignition is on.
Here is a video of a prototype running on my old Skyline and a finalised version running on my current WRX Impreza. These will also work in conjunction with turbo timers and will fold the mirrors in after the countdown. Any alarm with a 12v output can be wired up to the module too for folding on arming.
These are simple to fit and can be removed without problems in a couple of minutes at some future time. The last one took me 10 minutes to install. Supplied with detailed fitting instructions and all wiring/connectors.
A gimmick? Perhaps.
Cool? Yes
Interested? £30 delivered via ScoobyShop as soon as I can get a vendor account sorted out. All my attempts to get one so far seem to be ignored
Interested parties please don't PM me asking me to sell them to you. I'd really like to do this legitimately through the proper channels, i.e. the club shop. That's what it's there for.
EDIT: It should be noted that I've actually been selling these for 21 quid for a while.
EDIT2: Now fits 08/09 STIs!
It works on cars with electrically operated folding mirrors that have a manual rocker-type switch to work them, classic WRX or STi Scoobs included. The mirrors will fold out with either the 'Acc' or 'On' position on your ignition and will fold in when 'off'. The rocker switch can also override the module and fold the mirrors in if required whilst the ignition is on.
Here is a video of a prototype running on my old Skyline and a finalised version running on my current WRX Impreza. These will also work in conjunction with turbo timers and will fold the mirrors in after the countdown. Any alarm with a 12v output can be wired up to the module too for folding on arming.
These are simple to fit and can be removed without problems in a couple of minutes at some future time. The last one took me 10 minutes to install. Supplied with detailed fitting instructions and all wiring/connectors.
A gimmick? Perhaps.
Cool? Yes
Interested? £30 delivered via ScoobyShop as soon as I can get a vendor account sorted out. All my attempts to get one so far seem to be ignored
Interested parties please don't PM me asking me to sell them to you. I'd really like to do this legitimately through the proper channels, i.e. the club shop. That's what it's there for.
EDIT: It should be noted that I've actually been selling these for 21 quid for a while.
EDIT2: Now fits 08/09 STIs!
Last edited by Major_Sarcasm; 30 October 2009 at 10:07 PM. Reason: Reduction in price some time ago... New models fitted!
13 July 2008, 12:07 PM
#3
You could look at it that way, but I've spent a significant amount of time and effort making sure this unit works flawlessly, writing fool-proof instructions for installation and sourcing supplies.
Plus, you don't have to buy one
Thanks for your input though.
Plus, you don't have to buy one
Thanks for your input though.
15 July 2008, 06:25 PM
#4
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ello mate,
Just watched your vid about the "magic mirror module." Wouldnt mind getting one of these but all i have is a button to move the mirror itself, or a switch to change between left and right mirrors. Does this mean i would have to run considerable wires for the mirrors to fold in and out etc....
Is a nice gimmick to have,although i do think £30 delivered isnt a bad price as you would be covering postage, but could be a little more competitive, if ya get me.
Nice job though mate, good work, i really wouldnt know where to start when it comes to stuff like this
Just watched your vid about the "magic mirror module." Wouldnt mind getting one of these but all i have is a button to move the mirror itself, or a switch to change between left and right mirrors. Does this mean i would have to run considerable wires for the mirrors to fold in and out etc....
Is a nice gimmick to have,although i do think £30 delivered isnt a bad price as you would be covering postage, but could be a little more competitive, if ya get me.
Nice job though mate, good work, i really wouldnt know where to start when it comes to stuff like this
15 July 2008, 06:54 PM
#5
If your mirrors don't fold in and out electrically, then the module won't fit bud, sorry
Not sure if the wiring is there for electric folding. Probably is, as Subaru would have made a common loom for most scoobs, but your mirrors wouldn't have the necessary motors fitted. You could probably retro-fit the correct mirrors and the mirror control switch with the folding option, but this would be expensive I think!
Not sure if the wiring is there for electric folding. Probably is, as Subaru would have made a common loom for most scoobs, but your mirrors wouldn't have the necessary motors fitted. You could probably retro-fit the correct mirrors and the mirror control switch with the folding option, but this would be expensive I think!
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18 July 2008, 04:57 PM
#9
If i had electric folding mirrors i would have one of these off you mate!
Good thinking
However i just leave it out on my street and the chavs on bikes will always be kind and quickly fold them in for me.
Good thinking though, and good luck.
Tom
Good thinking
However i just leave it out on my street and the chavs on bikes will always be kind and quickly fold them in for me.
Good thinking though, and good luck.
Tom
30 July 2008, 10:18 PM
#14
'Fraid not mate, it's too much aggro stuff like this!
A reasonable amount of effort went in to developing a reliable Mirror-Matic unit, testing components, sourcing suppliers, making sure I was using quality wire, etc. Then, for your trouble, you get this:
Hehe, it just isn't worth it
A reasonable amount of effort went in to developing a reliable Mirror-Matic unit, testing components, sourcing suppliers, making sure I was using quality wire, etc. Then, for your trouble, you get this:
Hehe, it just isn't worth it
31 July 2008, 10:06 PM
#16
If we can do some testing of voltages on the rear of the switch and establish the type of switch, it may well do. Is the switch the standard 3-position jobbie that stays in whatever position you put it in, i.e. it doesn't return to center? If it is, we may be in business.
Take a couple of piccies of the switch and the wiring at the back, post them here and we can see whether we can go any further.
Take a couple of piccies of the switch and the wiring at the back, post them here and we can see whether we can go any further.
05 August 2008, 05:53 PM
#19
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'Fraid not mate, it's too much aggro stuff like this!
A reasonable amount of effort went in to developing a reliable Mirror-Matic unit, testing components, sourcing suppliers, making sure I was using quality wire, etc. Then, for your trouble, you get this:
Hehe, it just isn't worth it
A reasonable amount of effort went in to developing a reliable Mirror-Matic unit, testing components, sourcing suppliers, making sure I was using quality wire, etc. Then, for your trouble, you get this:
Hehe, it just isn't worth it
If people want to buy a relay from you for £30 thats up to them, everything i have said is my opinion, which i think im entitled too. I have a HND in electrical engineering by the way, so knocking something up the shut the windows etc realy isnt a problem.
05 August 2008, 07:25 PM
#22
Yes, you are. Why you feel the need to air your opinion exclusively in this thread is beyond me. All I've done is come up with a nice little device that automates something that should've been done by the OEM. Who are you to tell me how much I should charge for my device? Make your own, charge whatever you like. Please leave my thread alone.
17 August 2008, 08:14 AM
#25
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I think £30 is a cracking price. Yes, I could design one for myself, but it would take me a while and then more time to source all the bits. For £30 why bother with all the effort. Nice one Major_Sarcasm
21 August 2008, 05:23 AM
#27
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It appears that you have spent a reasonable amount of your own time to perfect your product before offering it for sale. If you counted up your time at a reasonable £10 per hour how much out of pocket would you be? In my humble opinion you are therefore able to charge a reasonable cost to recover your loses in order to sell your product. If the HND wants to make up his or her own package and try to sell it cheaper than yours let himget on and put his money and time where his mouth is and give you some competion instead of trying to wind you up!
22 August 2008, 11:39 PM
#29
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Bloomin hell mate your getting a bit of slack aint ya
Just to put my ore in if you had asked £20 via PayPal i would have bought it a long time ago.£30 seems a bit too steep and for £15/£20 you would sell more so would make more money anyhow Used to have this problem when i was selling LED conversions that i made for Vauxhalls 8 years ago.
Just to put my ore in if you had asked £20 via PayPal i would have bought it a long time ago.£30 seems a bit too steep and for £15/£20 you would sell more so would make more money anyhow
Used to have this problem when i was selling LED conversions that i made for Vauxhalls 8 years ago.
23 August 2008, 08:38 AM
#30
It's a fair comment. I'd considered reducing the price at some point down the line anyway. I'd have got there in my own time though
Always difficult, setting an initial price for something you've developed. There's nothing else out there that does what my module does, so there's no comparison...
Always difficult, setting an initial price for something you've developed. There's nothing else out there that does what my module does, so there's no comparison...