1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

Greatest car, with the WORST rear view visibility :(

Discussion in 'Gen 4 Prius Main Forum' started by Chris Wolfgram, Sep 28, 2022.

  1. Chris Wolfgram

    Chris Wolfgram Active Member

    Joined:
    Oct 20, 2019
    412
    167
    0
    Location:
    Sacramento CA
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    LE
    You all should know how much I LOVE my Prius. But one of the few downsides, is that it has absolutely terrible rear view visibility :( I feel like I'm trying to see through a little hole between the top of the seat, the roof, and the two headrests :( Yes, I'm getting my dark tint again, but that doesn't make a lot of difference with this issue.
    Three years ago, with my 2019, I posted about this. Went back and read that thread again just now, and I didn't really see any workable suggestions then.
    It seems like they now make WAY more digital rear views.... but they nearly ALL have 57 options that are completely worthless to me, most commonly, recording cameras. I already have a 3 way camera (for rideshare mostly) that records in front, behind, and in the car. I also have the factory back up camera.
    All I need, is a rear view that lets me see everything behind me, with no obstructions, at all times, when I'm driving, day and night. Auto dimming with bright headlights is cool. As would be night vision. But all the cameras, temp gages, garage door openers, and other controls are worthless, and just in my way.
    Also, I think strapping a digital mirror over the factory one, is totally goofy. I want to completely replace the worthless mirror that is in the car now, with something that actually allows good visibility behind the car.

    Anybody doing something about this ?
     
    #1 Chris Wolfgram, Sep 28, 2022
    atterbury90 likes this.
  2. Leadfoot J. McCoalroller

    Leadfoot J. McCoalroller Senior Member

    Joined:
    May 12, 2018
    7,432
    6,915
    1
    Location:
    Pennsylvania
    Vehicle:
    2018 Prius c
    Model:
    Two
    I haven't seen it in the USA (regulatory issues prevent it from being a factory option) but you can get a full time video rear vision system and a display which looks like a traditional mirror, mounted in the traditional location for a rearview mirror.

    It won't be plug-and-play; if you aren't comfortable hacking up your wiring you'll want to make friends with a mobile autosound dealer or the like.

    Amazon sells these for between $200-300. I don't have a suggestion for a specific search term- they seem to be mixed in with the ones that attach over top of an existing rearview mirror.
     
    #2 Leadfoot J. McCoalroller, Sep 28, 2022
    Chris Wolfgram likes this.
  3. Mambo Dave

    Mambo Dave Active Member

    Joined:
    Jul 5, 2019
    641
    306
    0
    Location:
    33312
    Vehicle:
    2019 Prius
    Model:
    L Eco
    There are industries / companies set up around doing this. It's been a common issue with big trucks, especially big box trucks that operate in cities, long enough that I've seen quite a few different monitor systems. Some of them have three cameras, all visible all the time on the monitor they install on the dash.
     
    #3 Mambo Dave, Sep 28, 2022
    Chris Wolfgram likes this.
  4. alanclarkeau

    alanclarkeau Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 24, 2016
    7,044
    7,587
    0
    Location:
    near Brisbane, Australia
    Vehicle:
    2016 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    Personally I don't have a problem. One thing I do love about it is that the "bar" is about the height of large SUVs, Trucks etc's headlights.

    I do have my back seat folded 99% of the time - which improves rear vision - but the external mirrors are good (better than a Mazda I was in a few days ago).
     
    #4 alanclarkeau, Sep 28, 2022
    Doug McC and Harters like this.
(You must log in or sign up to post here.)