Today my curiosity and frustration got the best of me.

I have a gate and a garage where I live with two different remotes. I leave them in the center storage bin when I leave my car and always lock the bin. If I forget to unlock the center bin I have to stop the car, turn it off and pull the keys out to open the darn lock. My other car has a homelink system in the visor and I want one in my S2000. I found the following site that sells homelink modules:
http://www.jpcustoms.com/WebPages/HOMELINK...UN%20VISOR.html

I sent them an email asking for the dimensions of the product and installation instructions.

Curiosity boiled over today. I went to the Honda dealer to check into an Accord or Odyssey visor with the homelink installed, but they don't put them in the visors on Hondas?! I checked with the parts department and found out the retail price of a new visor was only $45. I decided to open up my passenger side visor (which I never use) to see what was inside, get the rough dimensions and see what could be installed.

One screw (allen 1/8 screw head) and you can slide the visor off and out to the right.

Then, I used an exacto knife to cut around the edging with the glue to separate the two different visor materials (you know the vinyl and the lint collector stuff on top). There is also a plug next to the mirror. Use a small flathead screwdriver to gently pop up the plug, go around the entire plug and it pops out in seconds with NO damage (still goes back in and hold the material for me).



The bottom, vinyl side has a thin white foam liner held in place by a thin line of glue down the middle across the length of the visor. I separated the glue from the liner by slowly running the back side of the exacto knife between the liner and the glue.

The inside is just packed styrofoam. I cut from the edge farthest from the metal rod in. I found a thin metal bar inside (approx 1/4 inch in from the edge). I kept cutting to see where the metal frame is located.





Rough dimensions:
4 1/4 by 2 3/4 inches (approximate) for the mirror
3/4 inch foam (thickness)
thin metal rod (to inside to leave styrofoam around the rods) 1 3/4 inch from the end (the slant is equal along the left side and 1 inch from each side.
total visor - 4 7/8 deep by 13 wide by 3/4 inch height

Note: I am looking at mounting a Valentine 1 into the visor and the dimensions of that product are:
4.5 in. L x 3.6 in. W x 1.0 in. H

My plans are to install the homelink system into the driver side visor and a Valentine 1 into the passenger side to conceal it, yet have it as high in the car as possible.

Power for the homelink would wire down the pillar and use the "always on" connection, the V1 would wire through the windshield frame to the pillar and use the "on with ignition" connection.

If anyone has suggestions on the V1 mount into the visor let me know.

I saw some people thinking of putting the VAFC screen where the mirror is mounted. I plan on buying a new visor to make the cuts better next time, if anyone wants more measurements let me know.

 

For these low draw uses, you could just tap off the interior lights which are easy and convenient to access. Just pry (or prise if you are English) off the lens at the pry points. The reflectors come out with two screws and reveal what you want.

 

Great idea, keep us posted.

I built a prototype in leather with a pocket for an opener and an small integrated LED clock (for a clock-less '00) but it is a disappointment. Standalone HomeLink was not available at the time and I priced some HomeLink visors not much more expensive than the offering in the link (not a bargain).

I certainly would replace my visors for new function and look forward to your next report.

 

I'm definitely interested in the V-1 mount and will be watching your progress. I'd like to try it fully mounted in a stealth location in the visor with the remote module down low so the police won't be able to see the arrows, numbers, and LEDs.

 

One thought occured to me, the home link system in my Accord, seems to take up little space, and I'm willing to guess it's little more then a circuit board tucked in there somewhere. Perhaps check with honda as to wether they can get you just this part, or even better check a few wreckers, and see if they have any newer Accords on the lot. I really doubt anyone would take the time, or even think about removing the Homelink system

 

I went to Honda first and the plate on the headliner install had to be ordered with the module... The module is the same size for all vehicles. Johnson controls sells two units. One with the three buttons and one that includes the voice recorder. The travel notes is a touch larger than below specs.

I received these dimensions from JPcustoms.com
Length: 3.5"
Width: 2.5"
Thick: 5/8"

I also received the installation instructions and a cutout template from JP and how to get power, tap into map light wires as suggested above.

JP will make the taps and wire lengths to your specifications. He is going to send me more detailed instructions on how to put it into our visor. I sent him measurements and photos of the visor for assistance.

I hope to have the homelink install done within the month.

On the radar for the passenger side I am still playing around with a universal way to install several different models from the V1 to the 8500. After seeing a picture Rick Hesel posted on evergreen plastic he used on his stereo door I was thinking of making a box to put the detector into using that material and then a custom cover around the visor. For those of you in Canada, install you could install your good remote into the visor and a really, really cheap one on the dash. If you get caught, turn off your car and let them take the crappy detector...

 

I installed my SmartTire receiver in my driver's side visor... there are a ton of things you can put in a visor...

 

Shaner,

do you have any photos of your SmarTire install?

walkabt,

I'm interested in seeing how the V1 works out.

Thanks,

Ted

 

Wouldn't a radar detector concealed in the visor be blocked by the upper portion of the windshield frame? Doesn't seem like it would have a clear view through the windshield in that position.

I removed my driver's side visor and made a steel bracket that screws to the original mount. I welded steel mounting tabs onto a 1/4" rod, the end of which goes into the visor center mounting hole.

One tab mounts a RAM ball mount for a smaller Garmin GPS (III Plus, V) not the larger street pilot size. This allows the GPS to mount high enough that it doesn't block view through the windshield. Another tab mounts the radar detector (8500). This allows the RD to mount further aft, no suction cups on the window, and it is not easily visable from outside the car if the top is up (when's that?? Paint is still drying on the mount so I haven't looked at it installed with the top down yet.

Unfortunately my digital camera is broken and Canon hasn't sent me a quote for the repairs yet. I'm gonna buy another one if I can figure out which on to buy. When I do, I'll take some pictures of the mount.

Later on I may install a Bel 975 remote mount RD. I have the previous model 915R installed in my VFR800 motorcycle and am happy with its performance.

 

I have one of the huge old Stanley remotes which I clip onto my passenger visor. It is quite a few years old. I bought it, and the garage door opener, in Canada many years ago and am stuck with the large remote (approx 2" * 2.5" * 1" ) as Stanley do not sell these items over here in Australia.

Does anybody know if there is a smaller universal remote remote (or similar) I could replace the Stanley with (I assume the remote would have to be programmable) so I could mount in a similar way to how walkabt is proposing?