Sep 11, 2008

20/20 Hindsight

Drivers who want a backup camera system to see video images of the area behind their vehicle while backing up will no longer have to wait until they purchase a new vehicle. Gentex Corp., a manufacturer of automatic-dimming rearview mirrors for auto manufacturers, has now made its rear camera display (RCD) mirror available to the consumer.

The unique RCD mirror has a high-resolution liquid crystal display (LCD) that appears automatically through the auto-dimming mirror’s reflective surface when the vehicle is shifted into reverse. The display disappears when the vehicle is shifted into any other gear. The mirror-based display technology makes the system less expensive and less complicated to install on a wider range of vehicles. Other rear camera systems on the market may show the video images in the navigation system or another screen located in the center console or instrument panel.

The RCD mirror also has an auto-dimming function that utilizes proprietary electrochromic technology to dim in proportion to the amount of glare from trailing vehicle headlamps. The brighter the glare, the darker the mirror becomes, making nighttime driving safer.