Navigating tight parking spots or backing up in busy areas without clear visibility can be a real headache. I remember feeling that frustration, constantly craning my neck and still guessing distances. A lack of a reliable view behind you is not just inconvenient; it’s a significant safety hazard that could lead to costly accidents or, worse, injury. Finding a proper solution to improve rearward awareness was absolutely necessary to feel confident behind the wheel.
Before diving into the specifics of a particular model, it’s helpful to think about what makes a good aftermarket rear view mirror, especially one with integrated features. The primary reason anyone looks into this category is to enhance safety and convenience when operating their vehicle in reverse or, in some cases, for other driving situations. This type of product is ideal for vehicle owners whose cars didn’t come equipped with a backup camera system from the factory, or perhaps have an outdated system they want to upgrade. If your car already has a high-quality integrated display in the dashboard or a factory backup camera, this might not be the right path for you unless you specifically want the display moved to the mirror or need the extra features like compass and temperature.
When considering a purchase in this category, several key aspects warrant your attention. First, compatibility is crucial; ensure the mirror’s mount will work with your specific vehicle or that it includes a reliable universal mounting option. Second, the quality and size of the integrated display are important – is it large enough to see clearly? Does it have sufficient brightness for daylight use? Also, consider what additional features are important to you, such as a compass, outside temperature, auto-dimming (of the screen or the mirror itself), or multiple video inputs. Finally, factor in the installation process – is it something you can tackle yourself, or will you need professional help?
An Overview of the Master Tailgaters Rear View Mirror
The product in focus today is the Master Tailgaters 10.5″ OEM Rear View Mirror with 4.3″ LCD Screen + Compass & Temperature. This unit promises to completely replace your existing mirror with an OEM-style look and feel, while integrating modern technology like a backup camera display, compass, and temperature readouts. When you purchase this rear view mirror, it typically includes the mirror unit itself, the necessary wiring harness, and different mounting options, including a universal windshield button mount, to facilitate installation in a wide range of vehicles.
Compared to a standard, featureless OEM mirror, this Master Tailgaters mirror offers a significant upgrade by adding functional electronics directly into a familiar location. It’s designed for drivers who prefer an integrated solution rather than mounting a separate screen on the dashboard or using a mirror that clips over the existing one.
Here’s a quick look at some pros and cons:
Pros:
* Clean, integrated OEM-style replacement look.
* Bright 4.3″ LCD screen automatically activates with backup camera signal.
* LCD brightness adjusts automatically to ambient light.
* Includes built-in compass and outside temperature display.
* Offers two video inputs for added versatility.
* Comes with mounting options for broad vehicle compatibility.
Cons:
* The overall build quality might feel slightly less robust than some factory mirrors.
* The mirror glass itself (not the LCD) does not have an auto-dimming feature on this specific model.
* The resolution of the LCD screen (480×272) is not high definition.
* Compass calibration process can be inconvenient.
* Some users reported a slight tint to the mirror glass.
Exploring Features and Practical Benefits
Having used this Master Tailgaters rear view mirror for a good while now, I’ve had ample opportunity to experience its various features and how they translate into real-world benefits. It’s more than just a mirror; it’s a multi-functional display unit designed to enhance your driving experience, particularly when reversing.
Seamless OEM Replacement Design
One of the immediate appeals of this rear view mirror is its design. It’s built to fully replace your original mirror, connecting to the factory windshield mount on many popular makes like Toyota, Nissan, Honda, Mazda, Mitsubishi, and GM. For vehicles with different mounts, a universal windshield button style mount is included. This ensures that the mirror looks like it belongs there, maintaining the clean aesthetics of your vehicle’s interior without bulky clip-on attachments or dashboard-mounted screens. The benefit here is primarily aesthetic and functional integration; it doesn’t clutter your dash and sits in the natural line of sight for a rear view mirror. While the build quality feels slightly lighter than a heavy-duty factory mirror, once installed, it looks remarkably similar to higher-end OEM units found in newer cars.
Integrated 4.3″ High Brightness LCD Screen
The centerpiece of this product is the integrated 4.3-inch TFT LCD screen. This screen is ingeniously hidden within the mirror glass and becomes visible only when activated. Its primary function is to display the feed from a connected backup camera when you shift your vehicle into reverse. This automatic activation is incredibly convenient; you don’t have to press any buttons or manually switch inputs while trying to back up. The screen is specified as “high brightness,” and in my experience, it lives up to that claim, performing well even in bright daylight conditions. The benefit of having the backup camera view here is that your eyes are already accustomed to looking at the rear view mirror, making the transition to using the camera feed feel natural and less distracting than looking down at a dashboard screen. While the 480×272 resolution isn’t HD, it’s sufficient for getting a clear view of obstacles and the general area behind your vehicle, which is the main safety benefit. You might not see fine details perfectly, but you can definitely spot people, poles, or curbs.
Automatic LCD Brightness Adjustment
A crucial feature for usability day and night is the LCD display sensor that automatically adjusts the screen’s brightness based on the ambient light. When it’s bright outside, the screen gets brighter to combat glare and direct sunlight, making the image clearly visible. Conversely, when driving at night or in low-light conditions, the screen dims down. This prevents the bright display from being blinding or distracting in a dark cabin environment. This automatic adjustment is a significant benefit, ensuring the backup camera display is always comfortable to view, enhancing safety during nighttime maneuvers. It’s important to note, as the product description and some users point out, that this auto-dimming applies *only* to the LCD screen itself, not the mirror glass reflection. So, if headlights behind you are dazzling, you’ll still need to manually flip the mirror to the night position, just like with a standard mirror.
Dual Video Inputs
The inclusion of two video RCA inputs adds valuable versatility. One input is typically used for your primary backup camera feed, triggering automatically when the reverse signal is detected. The second input can be used for another video source. This could be a front-facing camera, a camera mounted on a trailer, or even potentially a video feed from a dash cam system if it has an RCA output (though this is less common now with digital connections). The benefit here is the flexibility to add more camera views or other video sources without needing a separate display unit. While the automatic switching is primarily tied to the reverse signal, you can typically manually cycle through the inputs using a button on the mirror. One minor drawback noted by a user is that having a source connected to the second input can cause the screen to turn on automatically with the vehicle, requiring a manual turn-off, which isn’t ideal.
Quality Mirror Glass
Even with an integrated screen, the primary function is still to be a mirror. This Master Tailgaters mirror uses 4mm thick glass, designed to be clear and distortion-free. This is important because when you’re not in reverse, you need a reliable, sharp reflection of the road behind you. The quality of the glass ensures that the mirror performs its basic function effectively. While one user noted a slight yellowish tint compared to their OEM mirror, I haven’t found this to be a significant issue, and the reflection remains clear and useful for standard driving.
Integrated Compass and Temperature Display
Beyond the backup camera feature, this specific model also includes a built-in compass and an external temperature sensor. The compass displays your current heading (N, S, E, W, etc.) in the upper corner of the mirror, while the temperature sensor displays the outside temperature. These pieces of information are integrated into the mirror display, visible alongside the compass even when the LCD screen for the camera is off. Having these features built into the mirror adds convenience, providing useful environmental and directional data without needing separate gauges or displays on the dashboard. The temperature sensor requires routing a small wire probe to an appropriate location, usually behind the front bumper, to get an accurate reading. One user did mention that the silver color of the numbers and letters for the compass and temperature can be hard to see in daylight compared to green displays, and that the compass calibration process is cumbersome, requiring an external video source on the second input.
Installation Considerations
Installation involves removing your existing rear view mirror and mounting the new mirror using the appropriate bracket. You’ll then need to route the wiring harness, which includes connections for 12V switched power, ground, the reverse trigger wire (typically tapped from the reverse light circuit), the temperature sensor wire, and the RCA video inputs for the backup camera(s). The wiring can usually be tucked neatly into the headliner and down the A-pillar. For many vehicles, the included bracket works directly with the factory windshield button mount. If your vehicle uses a different mount type, you may need to use the provided universal mount, which requires adhering a new button to the windshield (often with a specialized UV adhesive). While the process is straightforward for those comfortable with basic car wiring, getting the reverse trigger wire correctly tapped and routing all the cables can take some time and effort, perhaps an hour or more depending on the vehicle. Professional installation might be preferred by some, especially if the factory mount isn’t compatible or if dealing with vehicle-specific wiring diagrams is daunting. The provided instructions are generally decent and all necessary parts for connection are included, though adhesive for the universal mount button might be separate.
Feedback from Other Users
Looking around online, I’ve seen quite a few positive comments from other folks who have installed and are using this Master Tailgaters rear view mirror. Many are happy with how well it blends into their car’s interior, giving it a factory-installed look even on older models. People frequently praise the clarity and brightness of the backup camera display when it’s active, noting that it makes reversing much safer and easier, particularly in challenging conditions. The convenience of the screen turning on automatically when shifting into reverse is also a popular highlight. Of course, not everyone is completely thrilled; a few users have mentioned that the mirror glass itself doesn’t auto-dim like some higher-end factory units, meaning you still need to manually flip it for bright headlights at night. Others found the process for calibrating the built-in compass a bit fiddly, requiring an extra step involving one of the video inputs. Overall, though, the sentiment seems to be that it’s a solid upgrade for adding essential modern features without drastically altering the car’s original feel.
Wrapping Things Up
In summary, struggling with poor rear visibility while backing up or trying to squeeze into tight parking spots is more than just inconvenient; it poses a genuine risk to your vehicle and those around you. This is a problem that really needs a reliable solution to ensure safety and confidence. The Master Tailgaters 10.5″ OEM Rear View Mirror with 4.3″ LCD Screen + Compass & Temperature offers a compelling way to address this. It’s a great fit for solving this problem because it provides a clear, integrated backup camera display right where you naturally look, adds useful features like a compass and temperature, and manages to maintain an OEM-like appearance in your vehicle’s cabin. If you’re looking to add modern safety and convenience features without resorting to dashboard clutter or complex head unit replacements, this mirror is definitely worth considering. To learn more and see if it’s the right fit for your vehicle, Click here.