FAQ

"Auto dimming"?!? What sort of sorcery IS this? Can you even install one of these??
No witchcraft or magic crystals involved. If you have even some basic wiring skills, you can do this! For example, all it takes to get the auto-dimming and compass features to work is 1 wire going to a power source that comes on with accessories or ignition, and 1 ground. Each additional feature you may opt for requires another 1 or 2 wires run in similar fashion, but that's it! Everything (with the exception of a temp sensor if applicable) is self-contained.

See? Nothing terribly complicated that requires a PhD. But if you still don't feel comfortable tackling installation yourself, no worries. Most local car electronics shops will be glad to have one of their shaman perform the right installation rituals for a small fee. Oh, and every mirror purchase comes with a pin-out diagram explaining what each wire is for, so no guessing or trying to figure it out on your own!

Are all your mirrors pre-owned/used?
Yes, all Gentex mirrors and accessories sold on the site are factory options removed from vehicles whose time on our roads have come to pass. This is how RVMS can offer prices that are usually more than 50% below the price of new!

Used, you say. Well are the mirrors at least tested??
Every feature on every mirror (and temperature sensor) sold by RVMS is tested prior to being added to inventory with the same vigor and gusto of an angry Gordon Ramsay impatiently waiting for a screw up to eviscerate someone over. If a mirror fails in any capacity, it is called a donkey and told to "GET OUT" like the idiot sandwich that it is.

But why would I get a USED mirror?
One word: Savings! Even some of the basic optioned Gentex mirrors can very easily exceed $200 or even $300 new. That's significantly more than the fanciest, most expensive mirror offered on RVMS. Aside from the price difference, the selection of new mirrors that Gentex offers direct to consumer is actually extremely small, so getting the combo of features you want is far less likely. For example, they do not offer the orange or red compass displays directly to consumers, as those were only made for specific car manufacturers. That means the only way to get those mirrors is by forking over a small fortune to a dealer (IF they're even still available), or by buying one second hand.

That's where RSVM comes in! 😊 We've curated enough glorious electrochromic goodness to make Narcissus jealous. Given they spend their lives inside the car and not out in the elements, they're almost indistinguishable from new. And since Gentex mirrors have a great track record of working for decades, the odds are pretty high that even a used one will outlast your ownership of the car!


How do I know if these mirrors fit my factory mirror mount?
Despite all the tech in these mirrors, there's no complicated space-aged mounting device. All the mirrors sold on the site mount to a universal style wedge mount windshield button used on most vehicles since the late '70s/early '80s. There are a handful of manufacturers (mostly European) and models (like early Hondas, Subarus and some Jeep years/models) that use(d) unique style mounts which are not compatible. But if your windshield mounting button looks like the one below (measurements included just to be extra super duper sure), you're in business! If it doesn't and you're willing to switch over to gluing a universal wedge mount to your windshield, you can request one with your mirror purchase free of charge! Just mention it in the "Order Notes" at checkout. 

 

Do you provide everything I'll need to make the mirror function?
Other than some extra length of wire to run to power/ground sources, yes! Every purchase will come with the mirror itself, the connector on the back with at least 2" of wire to work with, factory wire cover to conceal the wires going from the mirror to the headliner, temp sensor (if applicable) and a connector pin-out diagram explaining what each wire is for. Just add elbow grease and some electrical know-how (or take to a local car electronics shop for install) to create your own rear view magic!

If you're looking to custom/retro fit a mirror into an older car or anything that doesn't have a compatible modern universal wedge windshield mounting button, you can request one free of charge with your mirror purchase to glue onto your windshield in place of the factory button/mounting method. Just mention it in the "Order Notes" at checkout.

Also, if you have an older Subaru or Honda with a camlock style mounting button, you're in luck! RVMS sells the adapters to convert to a wedge style mount button to make it compatible with any Gentex mirror on the site without removing your existing mounting button!

I noticed you only sell used Gentex mirrors. Why no Donnelly??
Frankly, I have seen way too many Donnelly mirrors fail over the decades, and when they do, it's often in a way that makes the entire mirror useless. Namely, the gel or fluid inside tends to form a spot on the mirror (usually starts at the center) and continues to gradually expand until you can't see anything out of the mirror anymore. Sometimes, it will even start melting the plastic mirror housing. Even in climate controlled storage, I've gone to grab one a couple times only to find it had developed the "death spot".

By comparison, I have come across a very small percentage of Gentex mirror failures. When they do, it's usually more of an electrical issue (e.g. power flickers when you wiggle the connector on the back), so at the very least, it can still serve as a rear view mirror. I still have a few original mirrors from the early-to-mid '90s and they still function perfectly!

So yeah...no Donelley. Just Gentex.

What is the return and warranty policy?
Each mirror is thoroughly tested to ensure everything is functioning before being added to inventory and again before shipping out for an order. However, because the mirrors are used and an electrical item that require custom wiring/installation, RVMS does not offer returns, refunds or warranties on purchases. Please keep this in mind when making your decision to purchase.