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Photos of wide angle rearview lens

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by Bob Allen, Jun 9, 2005.

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  1. Bob Allen

    Bob Allen Captainbaba

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    Hi: In the Album section, I uploaded two photos of my wide angle lens, clearly showing how it works and what the view is like. The photo from outside is harder to see. The lens is just to the right of the pink "Pilot" painted on the glass, and just above the violet portion of the rainbow band.
    Hope these help. Works great. I think it's the equivalent of having a camera mounted in back and waaaaay cheaper.
    Bob
     
    #1 Bob Allen, Jun 9, 2005
  2. DanMan32

    DanMan32 Senior Member

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    Bob, want to pick a topic and delete the other?

    Also, a link to the photos would make things easier.
     
    #2 DanMan32, Jun 9, 2005
  3. TonyPSchaefer

    TonyPSchaefer Your Friendly Moderator
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    Bob,
    What's the white thing on your rear wiper?
     
    #3 TonyPSchaefer, Jun 9, 2005
  4. Bob Allen

    Bob Allen Captainbaba

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DanMan32\";p=\"96955)</div>
    How do I do that?
     
    #4 Bob Allen, Jun 9, 2005
  5. Bob Allen

    Bob Allen Captainbaba

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TonyPSchaefer\";p=\"96979)</div>
    It's a solar disc. Intended for use in your pond or swimming pool, the batteries are charged up by the sun during the day and at night, the disc puts off a slightly bluish white light. I'm pretty committed to solar power and I thought it would be a fun gadget for the car. There are other photos of it in the Album section.

    Bob
     
    #5 Bob Allen, Jun 9, 2005
  6. hschuck

    hschuck Member

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    I bought the wide angle lens at Pep Boys for 9 bucks. 8x10 was the only size they had.

    I second Bob's comment. It really works. What is most amazing is that I didn't realize how much I wasn't seeing. Thanks for the info Bob.
     
    #6 hschuck, Jun 9, 2005
  7. NuShrike

    NuShrike Active Member

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    #7 NuShrike, Jun 9, 2005
  8. TCD

    TCD Junior Member

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    Hi Bob,

    Have you used the window defroster much since this installation? I'm wondering how the lenses will hold up to being heated...

    PS You get my vote for the simplest and most productive mod of the year!!
     
    #8 TCD, Jun 10, 2005
  9. Bob Allen

    Bob Allen Captainbaba

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(TCD\";p=\"97210)</div>
    Nope, haven't used the defroster yet, but I shared your curiosity about how it would affect the plastic. My guess is that it wil have minimal effect because I don't think the wires would heat the plastic up any more than direct sunlight. While this installation is protected from direct sun by the spoiler overhang, I did have one of these lenses mounted in the back window of my VW Rabbit with no problems.
    I'll let the chatline know if there is an issue. Thanks for the vote.
    Bob
     
    #9 Bob Allen, Jun 10, 2005
  10. Ian MacDonald

    Ian MacDonald Junior Member

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    Here's my installation

    Thanks for the great idea Bob!

    I decided to cut the lens to a rectangle so I could try various locations on the rear window. I ended up liking the center location the best. The field of view is such that I can see the blind spots on either side of the car as well. This helps on the freeway when I have traffic coming up from behind. Until a car actually gets up beside me, I can see them in both the rear window lens and the side mirror.

    Here's a link to a picture of my installed lens:
    Centered Rear-view Lens

    Cheers,

    -- Ian
     
    #10 Ian MacDonald, Jun 14, 2005
  11. Godiva

    Godiva AmeriKan Citizen

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    Does this lens install on the outside of the window or the inside?
     
    #11 Godiva, Jun 14, 2005
  12. Ian MacDonald

    Ian MacDonald Junior Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Godiva\";p=\"98250)</div>
    The lens goes on the inside of the window. Once you've trimmed the lens to size, you just spray a little water on the window then stick the lens on. You can easily reposition the lens while things are wet. The remaining water will evaporate completely in about 24 hours. You can simply peel it off if you want to remove it. There is no adhesive involved.

    Cheers,

    -- Ian
     
    #12 Ian MacDonald, Jun 14, 2005
  13. Ken S

    Ken S Member

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    Sounds like this wouldn't get along with a tint job on the rear window?
     
    #13 Ken S, Jun 14, 2005
  14. DanMan32

    DanMan32 Senior Member

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    I'd have to put it in the middle. The headrests get in the field of view for the sides, which is why I would want something like this.
     
    #14 DanMan32, Jun 14, 2005
  15. Kathleen2

    Kathleen2 New Member

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    #15 Kathleen2, Dec 29, 2005
  16. amacd

    amacd Junior Member

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    Mine is in the middle and I have window tint.
    2005 Silver Prius, 15426 miles, 47.0 MPG
     
    #16 amacd, Jan 6, 2006
  17. Rocketeir

    Rocketeir New Member

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    Might be a stupid question, but where did you get the fisheye film?

    Regards.
    Steve
     
    #17 Rocketeir, Jan 15, 2006
  18. Zacher

    Zacher New Member

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    'fisheye film' = Fresnel lens
     
    #18 Zacher, Jan 21, 2006
  19. bernzx

    bernzx New Member

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    You can get the 8"x10" wide angle lens at Pep boys for about $10.00. I got mine at a RV supply store and paid a lot more.
    bernie
     
    #19 bernzx, Jan 22, 2006
  20. Kathleen2

    Kathleen2 New Member

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    I placed mine in the middle and during the day it worked great. However, at night it picked up the light from the cyclops and I would get a big red diffused mess. I moved it over to the drivers side and it seems to work okay.
    I also removed the center head rest as it seemed to get in the way of my vision when backing up.
    Kathleen
     
    #20 Kathleen2, Jan 25, 2006
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