Rear Trunk 'Window'

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Steven B

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Anyone else notice that the rear trunk window is two-way: it provides no protection for valuables locked in trunk. Honda should put in a sliding "shade" or something that can be shut to prevent prying eyes from looking in to see if it is worth breaking into.

What options do we have that won't cause issues with the rear window defroster circuitry that is on it?

I would have preferred elimination of this and the front trunk window in deference to a more functional rear seat pass-through opening. Just give me a way to easily turn on the rear camera whenever I need it and I'll be able to see midget cars behind me without needing a "low" window.
 
Steven B said:
Anyone else notice that the rear trunk window is two-way: it provides no protection for valuables locked in trunk. Honda should put in a sliding "shade" or something that can be shut to prevent prying eyes from looking in to see if it is worth breaking into.

What options do we have that won't cause issues with the rear window defroster circuitry that is on it?

I would have preferred elimination of this and the front trunk window in deference to a more functional rear seat pass-through opening. Just give me a way to easily turn on the rear camera whenever I need it and I'll be able to see midget cars behind me without needing a "low" window.
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I totally agree. I don't use that little window. It is too low to show anything useful for me. I would much rather have a larger pass-through as you suggest.

Perhaps have that window heavily tinted. It may not be opaque but close.
 
I'm getting my tinted on Monday and I'll them to put heavy tint there. I'm use to my prius V having a slide out horizon curt that shielded most of my values stuff in trunk area.
 
loomis2 said:
Keep a black sheet in your trunk and use that to cover whatever you don't want to be seen. It will look like the trunk is empty.
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nobody expects it to be see through from the outside- you really have to look- so its hard to imagine it will be an issue
 
LAF said:
nobody expects it to be see through from the outside- you really have to look- so its hard to imagine it will be an issue
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When I first noted this earlier, it was because I had my flashlight with me and inadvertently shined it at the car. I was surprised at the ability to see inside the trunk. When I unlocked the car, the interior lights went on, and that was further evidence. So while most of us probably don't have a lot of expensive junk in the trunk - lol - there may be times when we're out shopping or traveling with gear. That might be a great time to employ a black sheet or some other kind of covering to limit the looky-loos. I had my windows tinted, but my tint guy and me both agreed that the window already appeared to be tinted and probably didn't need an additional $15-$25 treatment. So we left it as is. Maybe a 20% would've helped out.
 
The window is necessary if backing up without the camera, it allows visibility to see if there is a small object (like a child) behind the vehicle. With the camera not as much so. Look at all the complaints about the Tesla Model 3 rear visibility saying how bad it is. That is how the Clarity would be without that window. Again, as long as you use your camera (and keep it clean) that window isn't necessary. My guess is it is more for people who don't grow up with cameras and are conditioned to look behind them or use the mirror.
 
The window is mainly for when you look through the rear view mirror, and that includes driving forward, not just in reverse. You use the window every time you do that, which is probably often. If it wasn't there you would be complaining that rear visibility is terrible. Maybe I don't mind it since I have driven a Prius for years and it is basically the same setup.
 
I followed the suggestion of black fabric. It works great. I also tried hanging a black cloth and that also blocks very well and the sag in the middle leaves visibility through the window (but it hanging down gets in the way so best to have a way to easily unhook or clip it up). I almost didn't but the car when I discovered the window - people want a trunk for a reason!
 
Honda got this idea from cars that have a high trunk. It helps with backing up without the camera to reduce blind spot. Blame the lawyers! A few bumper stickers tape to the inside should do the trick!
 
The window is an absolute necessity based on the overall car design. As others have said above, it is not only used for backing up, but for general rear vision when driving forward and using the rear view mirror. The view would be unacceptable without it. I think it works well. Having said that, I agree that being able to see into the trunk can be worrisome. Some kind of manual shade that is found in hatchbacks would have been a nice addition.
 
Mark W said:
The window is an absolute necessity based on the overall car design. As others have said above, it is not only used for backing up, but for general rear vision when driving forward and using the rear view mirror. The view would be unacceptable without it.
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My 2018 Clarity (red w/tan interior) has a tan colored tape of some sort across the inside trunk window (behind the rear seats). I don't know if it was put on at the factory or something the dealer added. Anyway, I left it on and have no issues with visibility during normal driving. The rear window provides a good view for me (I'm 6'3"). I use the backup camera in wide-angle view which works well for me. YMMV.

I do agree that the glass in the trunk lid limits privacy/security. I'm still tossing around the idea of spraying some frosted coating on the inside of that little window.
 
The rear camera is great when it works. But I had times when either sun or headlight or other street lighting cause glare, or even water from rain made the view from the camera not usable so the rear window is needed for those times as well.
 
Mark W said:
The Clarity's rear camera is clearly the worst of the 6 or so cars that I have driven with rear cameras. Makes me mad every time I use it.
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I really like it. It's the best one I've ever had. I particularly like the really wide view that lets you see cross-traffic when you're backing up. I wish it had better resolution, and a bigger screen, but I like it. I do, however, really wish the Clarity had a good bird's-eye view camera.
 
Insighter said:
I really like it. It's the best one I've ever had. I particularly like the really wide view that lets you see cross-traffic when you're backing up. I wish it had better resolution, and a bigger screen, but I like it. I do, however, really wish the Clarity had a good bird's-eye view camera.
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I agree; I originally thought the resolution would be an issue, but comparing to our 2015 Highlander which has a sharper but narrower view, I find the Clarity camera on wide view is better much of the time; it's nearly a 180 degree view. I make it a point to check edge to edge when backing out of a parking spot, and I'll often see a pedestrian walking up the aisle right next to the cars that I definitely wouldn't see either in the Highlander's camera or directly past most taller cars parked on either side. Yeah, the Highlander has rear cross-traffic alerts, but that doesn't always trigger on people; I trust looking through the Clarity's camera more.

And yeah, the birds-eye all-around cameras are cool; test drove a Bolt with that and could see really enjoying parallel parking it, but it was otherwise an unpleasant car for me at least, between the short wheelbase and "bucking" feeling and Chevy's idiotic non-adjustable seatbelt digging into my neck.
 
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