I'm looking to install a dashcam on the inside of my windshield, but the "fisheye" aspect of the lens picks up the plastic housing behind the mirror in my Lariat, blocking some of the driver-side capture. On the Lariat this plastic housing is quite large.

The ideal spot would then be to mount it on the driver side, but I notice there is a small square sensor in the back of the rearview mirror. Is this just a general light sensor or will it cause problems with auto-highbeam or other automatic feature if I mount the camera between it and the windshield?

The camera I have is the Blackvue DR650GW-2CH, if that makes any mounting differences or triggers someone's own install experiences.

Thanks!

 

The light sensor on the rear of the mirror is to measure the ambient light and compare it with the light in the mirror for self-dimming. It MAY also be for the auto headlight dimming although that light source is normally on top of the dash near the base of the windshield.

The large plastic cover behind the mirror covers the optics for the rain sensing windshield wipers. If/when you need to replace your windshield for whatever reason you don't need a "special" windshield some vendors will try to sell you at an elevated price. A standard OEM windshield will work fine. What is important is the purity (if that is the correct word) of the glass. Any imperfection may affect the operation of the rain sensing. The optics are actually small and are attached to the windshield with silicone that absolutely must be bubble free. Just went through this with a Volvo SUV. Some aftermarket windshields come with that lens already attached - given my experience, that's the best way to go. Will save a lot of headaches trying to get proper operation.

 

i installed my garmin 10 under the plastic housing
i got use to it being there

 

If it's ambient, then I should be able to mount in front and still get enough light hitting it, I hope. I'll have to dry-mount the camera with the truck running to see if it makes a difference.

There is a center-mounted sensor at the base of the windshield, rectangular with a rounded, reddish top. In hindsight, I wonder if that is the headlight sensor? I would have thought that it would have been forward-facing though, either under the plastic assembly behind the mirror or in the back of the mirror. The one at the base seems to aim upward (though I think it also has to sense street lights too).

My 2008 Lariat had a sensor in the mirror facing the back window, so if someone approached from behind, the mirror would auto-dim. What would be the purpose of a forward-facing dimming sensor?

Thanks for the info on the windshield. That's really good to know, about the purity and not needing a special one if replacing. I had a few chips in my old windshield that thankfully didn't go any further than chips, but if the new on gets the same quantity of rocks thrown at it, I might not be so lucky.

 

Now that's a covert place to mount it! I looked up the Garmin 10 and it looks large - I'm surprised it fit.

How difficult was it to remove the plastic housing? I don't think the Blackvue would fit though, it's a large beast. It would be a sweet location though.

 

sorry the suction cup is on the window bellow the plastic housing
sorry for the mislead

 

Oh, I understand now, lol. Yes, below the plastic housing would be nicely centered in that location.
The problem with the Blackvue is that it's large horizontally, with the camera lens offset to the left side (when viewed from behind, inside the truck).
Ideally I would like to have it hidden from the driver's view. Some locations will issue tickets for obstructing the driver's view with a GPS or dashcam.

I'm Just about to head out for a long drive now, so I'll test the light sensitivity of the mirror sensor in full daylight.

 

"My 2008 Lariat had a sensor in the mirror facing the back window, so if someone approached from behind, the mirror would auto-dim. What would be the purpose of a forward-facing dimming sensor?"

The forward facing sensor measures ambient light, compares it to the light coming from behind, and dims accordingly. It's not an "off" and "on" thing but is gradual based on the strength of the light. A good way to prove this is to turn on your vehicle, cover the forward facing sensor with your finger and shine an up close flashlight on the rear facing sensor (the one on the mirror side). You'll see the mirror darken.

The headlight sensor at the base of the windshield again measures ambient light and the best way to do that is to face upward. The ECU (or whatever controls the headlights) uses that light strength to turn on your lights, assuming you have the feature selected with your headlight switch.

 

Same camera

Mount it upside down in the upper left side from the passenger seat POV

Completely hidden from the driver side, mirror housing doesn't block its view and the blackvue software has a "flip" so you can watch the video correctly

 

Awesome. I'll have to play around with the software. I didn't realize it had that option. That would certainly be a better mount option. Thanks for the tip