Scion xA aero mods

[NeilBlanchard]

Further tweaking of the rear wheel strakes -- and I added one on the right side, too.




The current profile:


Yeah, I starting to get a lot of looks and second takes; espeically when I pick up my kids at school. I traffic the other day, someone in the opposite side of the road yelled "WTF is that?!" :-) And some of the guys at the slotcar track asked me about the stuff I was smokin'...

[Nevyn]

It's starting to look like the back of the race-tuned Renault Meganes...

[3-Wheeler]

Neil,

Keep up the good work!!

It's starting to look pretty cool in my opinion.

Jim.

[2009Prius]

Just got pointed to this great thread from another mirror deletion thread. Thank you so much for the wealth of information!

About the video camera and LCD screen:

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Hiya,

I just clicked the "buy" button on two each of these:

REAR VIEW CAMERA NIGHT VISION WATERPROOF NEW FOR CARS

6 inch standalone headrest car lcd tft monitor screen

The cost is ~$156 shipped; pretty reasonable really!

The small mirror may get moved to the driver's side (to meet the the letter of the law)...so far I have liked how things have worked with it on the passenger side.

I just looked at the website and found this:
3.5 in car monitor w/ back up color cmos camera system
3.5 in car monitor w/ back up color cmos camera system

It looks like the same camera with a smaller monitor (3.5 vs. 6 inches) at the same price as the larger monitor without camera. My question is: would 3.5 inch be large enough to get a good view especially with the distortion of the camera? Thanks!

[NeilBlanchard]

The 3.5" screens would work okay *if* you can mount them fairly close to the driver. If you hang them from the headliner or at the top of the 'A' pillar -- you cannot obstruct any airbags; so be careful about placing the monitors.

The other major consideration with the monitors is direct sunlight -- the hardest time to use video mirrors is actually in bright sunshine. Both the cameras not being able to handle the super bright light (they need a few more "F-stops"?) and the glare on the screen from direct sunlight and/or reflecting from light colored objects -- and the monitors I have seem to dim when they get hot.

So, I think the ideal place to put monitors in many cars will be up at the top of the driver's side 'A' pillar and just to the right of the rear view mirror; again up high hanging from the headliner. These spots will be shaded and relatively close to the driver. If you have side air bags, then the left one would have to be moved in...

[brucey]

I have the 3.5" screen and have mounted it what is the most natural spot for a 'mirror replacement'



In that spot, glare from the sun isn't a problem (windows are tinted though) and it's only slightly visible on the windshield at night, and even then only if I"m sitting all the way back. I haven't driven a lot of miles (<100) like this though, so I'll see how it does in different weather conditions.

I'm impressed with the field of view on this thing though! I can see the side of my car and someone directly beside of me at the same time.

[2009Prius]

Originally Posted by brucey

I have the 3.5" screen and have mounted it what is the most natural spot for a 'mirror replacement'

...

In that spot, glare from the sun isn't a problem (windows are tinted though) and it's only slightly visible on the windshield at night, and even then only if I"m sitting all the way back. I haven't driven a lot of miles (<100) like this though, so I'll see how it does in different weather conditions.

I'm impressed with the field of view on this thing though! I can see the side of my car and someone directly beside of me at the same time.

Looks good! Did you buy this particular one
3.5 in car monitor w/ back up color cmos camera system
or some other camera/screen combo? Thanks!

[2009Prius]

Another dumb question I have is whether it is possible to mount the camera inside the car. The field of view may be sacrificed somewhat but the installation may be easier.

[NeilBlanchard]

I think outside will be much better -- at night, the infrared LED's would cause a glare on the inside of the glass, I think. Also, in the rain, it is a very good thing having the cameras outside, because then they are not affected by the water drops on the outside of the window, or the mist/moisture on the inside.

They need to be slightly away from the side in order to "see" straight behind the car. Since mine are mounted on the stock supports for the mirrors (I can still mount the mirrors for inspection, or if I sell the car) they show me vehicles that are directly behind me. When a large truck is right behind me -- I can see it in all three mirrors (both video mirrors and the rear view optical mirror).

[miket]

When vortex generator kits are added to small planes the air can stay attached to their wings at higher angles without separating and the plane going into stall so they can take off in shorter distances. I wonder if vortex generators would allow you to use a more curved shorter practical boat tail without air separation or improve the efficiency of the one you have planning. Turbulent air can have alot less drag than separated air even if its not the ideal laminar.