Why is the surround for the rear view mirror so large?

[MELISSAB]

I'm looking at dash-cams (recommendations welcome) as we'll be taking a long road trip in 2 weeks and I like the idea of of them. I want something that gives a great field of view but doesn't block my field of view. I see many that hang from what looks to be a suction cup mount up near the mirror so I wanted to see if that is an option. While looking I realize the surround for the mirror is massive. I'd noticed it before when applying our toll pass but not really looked close at it. Curious if anyone knows the reason for the size? I'm in an EX, so I don't have the auto dimming or the homelink buttons. Also, there are vents in it, I've attached a photo of the vents. Anyone know why there would be vents in whatever the surround is concealing? I'm just curious.

 

[rznhales]

There is also a sensor for the cruise control mounted there. My understanding that you can install the upgraded mirror and have auto dimming and homelink so I assume that there is wiring for that installed as well

 

[MELISSAB]

I wonder how the lane keeping works, if it's a camera inside the vented area or something else. I hadn't even considered it being in there but I guess it would have to "see" the lines somehow and being up high instead of on the bumper or grille would likely help with that. I've read about being able to swap the mirror here on this forum I believe but we ended up just buying a little replacement garage remote and I don't usually drive at night so I haven't noticed if not having auto dimming matters. I think we may have had auto dim on my Odyssey's mirror but it also had a little flip handle at the bottom of the mirror so it may have been manual.

 

[TellurideLI]

The EX comes with the auto dimming mirror.

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[392DCGC]

I wonder how the lane keeping works, if it's a camera inside the vented area or something else. I hadn't even considered it being in there but I guess it would have to "see" the lines somehow and being up high instead of on the bumper or grille would likely help with that. I've read about being able to swap the mirror here on this forum I believe but we ended up just buying a little replacement garage remote and I don't usually drive at night so I haven't noticed if not having auto dimming matters. I think we may have had auto dim on my Odyssey's mirror but it also had a little flip handle at the bottom of the mirror so it may have been manual.

Look at the mirror area from the front of the windshield. You can see the camera cutout and rain sensor (for SX anyway).

 

[Crazymom5]

I'm looking at dash-cams (recommendations welcome) as we'll be taking a long road trip in 2 weeks and I like the idea of of them. I want something that gives a great field of view but doesn't block my field of view. I see many that hang from what looks to be a suction cup mount up near the mirror so I wanted to see if that is an option. While looking I realize the surround for the mirror is massive. I'd noticed it before when applying our toll pass but not really looked close at it. Curious if anyone knows the reason for the size? I'm in an EX, so I don't have the auto dimming or the homelink buttons. Also, there are vents in it, I've attached a photo of the vents. Anyone know why there would be vents in whatever the surround is concealing? I'm just curious.

The EX has the auto dimming mirror.