BMW i3 - Low Hanging Fruit (improving aerodynamics)

[Snax]

I have been using the side pod cameras long enough to know what works and does not about them at this point, so here is a rundown of the more significant cons I see with my current hardware.

Less than optimal camera location and orientation mean:
- Can't see rear wheels
- Horizons are each canted and non-adjustable in the housing
- Too much skyline during daylight darkens road image excessively
- Body reflections are slightly confusing during daylight and very misleading at night

Monitor issues are:
- No automatic brightness control or easy means to manually adjust. Either too dark in daylight, or too bright at night. Less than optimal for both when set in the middle.
- No way to shift image up or down to compensate for camera view of the horizon.
- They simply look like cheap add-ons.

So I think I have assembled a more polished system to address those issues including the pods I am having 3D printed in the attached image. But unlike my sub $100 test system, this one runs just over $320. It should work far better with upgraded 960h AHD cameras, the custom pods, and a system to split screen both cameras onto a single HD over the mirror style dashcam monitor. I am still working out how to mount the monitor, but it should work nicely, centered on top of the dash center OEM display.

[freebeard]

- Can't see rear wheels
....
- Body reflections are slightly confusing during daylight and very misleading at night

These two work against each other. How do you work that out? Satin clear top coat?

[Snax]

I am planning to wrap the car in a matte finish vinyl soon . . maybe . .

No, actually a more easy way to fix that may be to simply shim the mount out more at the rear to limit it. Not sure how that will affect my ability to see the rear wheel yet, but I think it will minimize the reflection enough to not be distracting.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Snax

... a more easy way to fix that may be to simply shim the mount out more at the rear to limit it. Not sure how that will affect my ability to see the rear wheel yet, but I think it will minimize the reflection enough to not be distracting.

Yes. This seems smart. I think a mirror too close to the body and at the wrong angle would also be dubiously useful at night because of reflections off body panels...

[Snax]

Just a picture of the pods I had printed in ABS. As working prototypes, I am not hugely concerned about the present roughness, and can clean them up nicely later if I stick with this iteration.

[California98Civic]

Originally Posted by Snax

Just a picture of the pods I had printed in ABS. As working prototypes, I am not hugely concerned about the present roughness, and can clean them up nicely later if I stick with this iteration.

Yes, get the rough prototype into service and see how you like it.

[Tahoe_Hybrid]

Originally Posted by Snax

Still waiting on the wheels, so installed my side view cameras yesterday. I'm not super pleased with the performance, but I also only spent $79 on the entire setup and it is an improvement nonetheless. I am going to keep shopping and hope better options turn up, but will keep it for now.

So now with my phone on it's mount, a scant 6 LCD screens are visible.

the issue with LCD screens is they are shotty with the smaller cheaper ones

[Ecky]

Originally Posted by Tahoe_Hybrid

the issue with LCD screens is they are shotty with the smaller cheaper ones

I haven't found ANY I particularly like. They're all TN panels with low resolution, poor color and poor viewing angles, plus video noise from a digital to analog converter.

Here are the ones I'm currently using:

[Snax]

I have actually found some nice high resolution HD monitors that would work well for a more complex system, but the cost and aesthetics just aren't right for me.

So here is the current progress with that. I spent about 4 hours fine tuning and finishing the aluminum bracket I made to mount it. Not sure the paint I used will hold up, but I can powder coat it later if I keep it this way.

The monitor just shows the front camera view right now without the other cameras installed yet, but with the split screen, it should provide a nice high def view of both sides. The smaller pillar located ones will obviously be going away.

[Ecky]

I found it difficult to look right when trying to merge left, but I suppose if the screen is "better enough" it could be a worthwhile.

Did I miss links to the specific products? I'd like to take a look.