After kicking around the idea of the gentex mirror with the integrated outside temp display, i decided it wasnt worth scrapping the SE compas mirror ($$)
So, I knew there were these wireless units at walmart/target for around $15-$25, so i headed out to get one of these and install the sensor somewhere away from the engine bay area.
While I was looking for the stickypads, I saw in the generic car accessory rack at walmart, a Bell Clock.temp display. Its about the size of 2 packs of gum, and was only $10. I thought, ok this has to be a POS, but for $10, I cant go wrong. I put the wireless unit back and bought this Bell.
Found a url for the Bell unit:
http://www.bellautomotive.com/asp/product_details.asp?id=24149
I get home and test the temp accuracy against my more "proper" units, to my surprise it was spot on.
Ok, approved to go in the X.
INstal is super easy, it uses a AAA battery. Has clock mode, inside temp, and outside temp. Just flip the switch.
The outside sensor is on a wire probably long enough to wire to the front of the car grill like the gentek. I decided against that due to the radiant engine bay heat. So i looked for a closer spot to the side of the car, that was still "outside" the weather seals.
Pics explain the rest. So far so good. Tested against my other car with a factory outside temp display, and the two were off by 1 degree F.
The unit looks ok, and i thought about flush mounting it into the dash, but its not worth it for something I might look at once a day.
PICS:
All Done (cant be seen well from the driving position, but thats fine with me being out of the way. The other side of the steering column might be better for viewing and for the passenger to see, but that was my point, to keep it out of the eyes of others. Ultimately its not oem looking so its considered an "eye sore" to me
![]()
Display unit before mounting. Cut a small notch in the lower dash pannel so the wire can run smoothly through
![]()
Just some duct tape to hold the sensor wire down on the lower door sill, the sensor is tucked into a metal bracket that should help keep the elements away, the rest of the wire goes through the kick pannel and up through the lower dash pannel:
![]()
Where the sensor is if you looked from the outside, of course you cant see it unless you get real close.
![]()
So, I knew there were these wireless units at walmart/target for around $15-$25, so i headed out to get one of these and install the sensor somewhere away from the engine bay area.
While I was looking for the stickypads, I saw in the generic car accessory rack at walmart, a Bell Clock.temp display. Its about the size of 2 packs of gum, and was only $10. I thought, ok this has to be a POS, but for $10, I cant go wrong. I put the wireless unit back and bought this Bell.
Found a url for the Bell unit:
http://www.bellautomotive.com/asp/product_details.asp?id=24149
I get home and test the temp accuracy against my more "proper" units, to my surprise it was spot on.
Ok, approved to go in the X.
INstal is super easy, it uses a AAA battery. Has clock mode, inside temp, and outside temp. Just flip the switch.
The outside sensor is on a wire probably long enough to wire to the front of the car grill like the gentek. I decided against that due to the radiant engine bay heat. So i looked for a closer spot to the side of the car, that was still "outside" the weather seals.
Pics explain the rest. So far so good. Tested against my other car with a factory outside temp display, and the two were off by 1 degree F.
The unit looks ok, and i thought about flush mounting it into the dash, but its not worth it for something I might look at once a day.
PICS:
All Done (cant be seen well from the driving position, but thats fine with me being out of the way. The other side of the steering column might be better for viewing and for the passenger to see, but that was my point, to keep it out of the eyes of others. Ultimately its not oem looking so its considered an "eye sore" to me
Display unit before mounting. Cut a small notch in the lower dash pannel so the wire can run smoothly through
Just some duct tape to hold the sensor wire down on the lower door sill, the sensor is tucked into a metal bracket that should help keep the elements away, the rest of the wire goes through the kick pannel and up through the lower dash pannel:
Where the sensor is if you looked from the outside, of course you cant see it unless you get real close.
