how are convex rear view mirrors not standard equipment on vehicles?

[ZippyDan]

something like 10 years ago someone gifted me some crappy As Seen on TV product called the Lanechanger... it was a 100% plastic convex mirror that attached to your normal mirror

i decided to try it out and ended up using it for something like 6 years. it was awesome as it removed nearly all blind spots and even made the side view mirrors somewhat redundant. at some point the sticky glue wore off and i stopped using it

i recently bought a new vehicle and im thinking about it again. how is it we are in the 21st century and most every new production vehicle still has a huge and dangerous blind spot? how are convex mirrors not yet standard equipment?

i have seen tiny convex mirrors on some cars, but since convex mirrors tend to make things look smaller in the first place, they didnt seem very useful to me. however a single full size convex mirror seems like it would prevent lots of accidents

the only downside to them is if you get used to using it then you might stop actually turning your head to look, which could be a problem if you drove a car that didnt have convex mirrors (rental, friend's)

i see these kinds of mirrors are available lots of places like brookstone... but i hate clip on or glue on mirror additions. id like to actually replace the oem mirror on my vehicle. i found lanechanger is still around here and sells an actual replacement mirror. but i was so unimpressed with the quality of my old langechanger that i wonder if this is any good. anyone have any advice or experience?

 

[tomywishbone]

Rear or side mirrors?

 

[lokiju]

My brothers Saab 9-3 has factory side view convex mirrors.

Works really well actually and made me wonder why it wasn't standard on all cars.

 

[SVT Cobra]

All cars are slightly convex, and you are an idiot if you cannot adjust your mirrors so you do not have a blind spot, you have to line them up correctly.

Like I said they are slightly convex, but they cannot make them too convex or idiots would change lanes into other cars because of how a convex mirror makes a smaller virtual image, hence the "objects in mirror are closer than they appear."

 

[kaymin]

probably because it's huge and ugly. consumers won't buy a car with an ugly rear view mirror.

 

[ZippyDan]

Originally posted by: tomywishbone
Rear or side mirrors?

see thread title

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
All cars are slightly convex, and you are an idiot if you cannot adjust your mirrors so you do not have a blind spot, you have to line them up correctly.

Like I said they are slightly convex, but they cannot make them too convex or idiots would change lanes into other cars because of how a convex mirror makes a smaller virtual image, hence the "objects in mirror are closer than they appear."

wow. are you claiming that the blind spot does not exist and in fact is only a myth?

also, usually only the left side view mirror has this warning about closer than they appear. if you are also claiming that most rear view mirrors are slightly convex, then the slightness is useless

 

[George P Burdell]

I used one of the clip-ons until some drunk idiot broke it. My friends used to call it the HDTV mirror. Only downside, as the OP mentioned, is the fact that you forget how to use your side view mirrors.

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: ZippyDan

Originally posted by: tomywishbone
Rear or side mirrors?

see thread title

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
All cars are slightly convex, and you are an idiot if you cannot adjust your mirrors so you do not have a blind spot, you have to line them up correctly.

Like I said they are slightly convex, but they cannot make them too convex or idiots would change lanes into other cars because of how a convex mirror makes a smaller virtual image, hence the "objects in mirror are closer than they appear."

wow. are you claiming that the blind spot does not exist and in fact is only a myth?

also, usually only the left side view mirror has this warning about closer than they appear. if you are also claiming that most rear view mirrors are slightly convex, then the slightness is useless

Blind spots are not a myth, but you can pretty much eliminate them.

Second, if they were not slightly convex you would have an even worse view.

Also do you think the driver could read the warning on the right mirror? No, no point of it.

Also what you describe would look fugly.

 

[ZippyDan]

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra

Originally posted by: ZippyDan

Originally posted by: tomywishbone
Rear or side mirrors?

see thread title

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
All cars are slightly convex, and you are an idiot if you cannot adjust your mirrors so you do not have a blind spot, you have to line them up correctly.

Like I said they are slightly convex, but they cannot make them too convex or idiots would change lanes into other cars because of how a convex mirror makes a smaller virtual image, hence the "objects in mirror are closer than they appear."

wow. are you claiming that the blind spot does not exist and in fact is only a myth?

also, usually only the left side view mirror has this warning about closer than they appear. if you are also claiming that most rear view mirrors are slightly convex, then the slightness is useless

Blind spots are not a myth, but you can pretty much eliminate them.

Second, if they were not slightly convex you would have an even worse view.

Also do you think the driver could read the warning on the right mirror? No, no point of it.

Also what you describe would look fugly.

i was referring to a warning on the rear view mirror, where you could read it. also considering the litigious nature of this country, i would think they would stamp it on the right side even if you couldnt read it

i found that with one convex rear view mirror, i did not need to use my side mirrors at all. can you explain to me how having 3 mirrors that require you to turn your head as many as four times (left, middle, right + blindspot) is better than having all the info in one spot?

 

[tomywishbone]

IMO, the convexing of the mirror, limits your ability to identify vehicles at great distance. AKA you can't spot the Fuzz behind you on Interstate 5. Vehicles in the distance become hazy. As far as overall safety? I guess they help.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Because if you have half a brain and know how to adjust your side mirrors properly you can eliminate your blindspots already, even if neither side mirror is convex.

The problem is that most morons adjust their sideview mirrors so that both sideview mirrors duplicate the field of view of their center rearview mirror.

ZV

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
Second, if they were not slightly convex you would have an even worse view.

All mirrors on my 944 are flat and non-convex. Convex passenger-side mirrors were not commonplace until the late 1980s, even on cars that did have passenger side mirrors (many cars didn't even have standard passenger side mirrors until the late 1980's).

ZV

 

[SVT Cobra]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Because if you have half a brain and know how to adjust your side mirrors properly you can eliminate your blindspots already, even if neither side mirror is convex.

The problem is that most morons adjust their sideview mirrors so that both sideview mirrors duplicate the field of view of their center rearview mirror.

ZV

:thumbsup: Thank you.

 

[Eli]

I completely agree.I have one, and it rules. Infact, I should put it back in my truck. I tried it in my car, but it was too heavy for the mirror, and wouldn't stay adjusted properly.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt
Because if you have half a brain and know how to adjust your side mirrors properly you can eliminate your blindspots already, even if neither side mirror is convex.

The problem is that most morons adjust their sideview mirrors so that both sideview mirrors duplicate the field of view of their center rearview mirror.

ZV

:thumbsup: Thank you.

My grandfather was a trucker. The very first thing I learned before I got my license, even before I was allowed to start the car, was how to position the seat properly and adjust the mirrors properly to cover my blindspots.

ZV

 

[ZippyDan]

status quo lovers. i am still wondering how 3 mirrors that require you to turn your head is better than 1 mirror that does it all

 

[Minjin]

I used a Lanechanger when I was younger. I do recall thinking that it was the best thing since sliced bread. When I got rid of the car, I never thought to take it with me. Nowadays, the only thing that would prevent me from getting another one is that they do block a little bit of view out the front. I like every single square inch of my windshield real estate...

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: ZippyDan
status quo lovers. i am still wondering how 3 mirrors that require you to turn your head is better than 1 mirror that does it all

Perspective correction and view out the windshield. I can't even stand having the sun visors down unless it's just impossible to see without them down. The mirrors you are talking about are gigantic and block what is, for me, a very critical area of the windshield, especially when checking cross-traffic.

Besides, set properly, you really don't have to move your head. You should have the seat positioned such that you can check the mirrors, even the side ones, just by moving your eyes without moving your head.

ZV

 

[ZippyDan]

Originally posted by: ZippyDan

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra

Originally posted by: ZippyDan

Originally posted by: tomywishbone
Rear or side mirrors?

see thread title

Originally posted by: SVT Cobra
All cars are slightly convex, and you are an idiot if you cannot adjust your mirrors so you do not have a blind spot, you have to line them up correctly.

Like I said they are slightly convex, but they cannot make them too convex or idiots would change lanes into other cars because of how a convex mirror makes a smaller virtual image, hence the "objects in mirror are closer than they appear."

wow. are you claiming that the blind spot does not exist and in fact is only a myth?

also, usually only the left side view mirror has this warning about closer than they appear. if you are also claiming that most rear view mirrors are slightly convex, then the slightness is useless

Blind spots are not a myth, but you can pretty much eliminate them.

Second, if they were not slightly convex you would have an even worse view.

Also do you think the driver could read the warning on the right mirror? No, no point of it.

Also what you describe would look fugly.

i was referring to a warning on the rear view mirror, where you could read it. also considering the litigious nature of this country, i would think they would stamp it on the right side even if you couldnt read it

i found that with one convex rear view mirror, i did not need to use my side mirrors at all. can you explain to me how having 3 mirrors that require you to turn your head as many as four times (left, middle, right + blindspot) is better than having all the info in one spot?

interestingly i just took the time to notice this in my vehicle today and apparently i was wrong. ONLY the RIGHT side has the warning about objects being closer than they appear. AND i can read it just fine from the driver seat. what was that about convex again?

 

[mobobuff]

They're called spotter mirrors, and yes they are very handy especially on longer vehicles without windows like utility vans.

 

[Steve]

Are you people dash-mounting your lanechangers? The only time I ever saw a lanechanger in use, it was mounted atop the rearview mirror.

 

[Zenmervolt]

Originally posted by: mobobuff
They're called spotter mirrors, and yes they are very handy especially on longer vehicles without windows like utility vans.

Very true. However, if you see a spotter mirror on a normal sedan or coupe it's a sure sign of an inept driver.

ZV

 

[ZippyDan]

Originally posted by: Zenmervolt

Originally posted by: mobobuff
They're called spotter mirrors, and yes they are very handy especially on longer vehicles without windows like utility vans.

Very true. However, if you see a spotter mirror on a normal sedan or coupe it's a sure sign of an inept driver.

ZV

im still wondering why being smart enough to have one mirror that does the job of three = ineptitude

 

[cavingjan]

Because the side mirrors serve multiple purposes. Having that type of rearview mirror only serves one of those functions and at a reduced capacity.

Side mirrors are used for looking in your blind spots, helping you park, helping you backup, and allowing you to see when your vehicle is carrying someone/something that is blocking the path of your rearview mirror.

When it comes to safety devices, redundency is usually a good thing.

 

[ZippyDan]

Originally posted by: cavingjan
Because the side mirrors serve multiple purposes. Having that type of rearview mirror only serves one of those functions and at a reduced capacity.

Side mirrors are used for looking in your blind spots, helping you park, helping you backup, and allowing you to see when your vehicle is carrying someone/something that is blocking the path of your rearview mirror.

When it comes to safety devices, redundency is usually a good thing.

i can agree with that...

but the consensus here seems to be that if your 3 mirrors are redundant, then you are not using them correctly...