Wooderson Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 You know, the little round mirrors that attach to your side mirrors. I had them on my last car and they really help to get a clear view of whats ont he side of you. But they look ugly. I was debating putting them on my LGT. Anyone use them on theirs? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Metal2You Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 Yeah, I use them. They look ugly? Well, you look stupid when you turn your head away from the road to see your blind spot without them, so there Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scruit Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 Other way around. I have my side view mirrors adjusted to show me what is at the side of my car - and I have a 'blind spot' mirrror on there too to provide a view directly behind me. 99% of the time when I look in my side mirror it's for lane changing etc and I need to see beside me. I only use the 'blind spot mirror' for making a left turn into my driveway, etc - to ensure there is not a bike passing me. I use my rear-view mirror to see behind me. The setup I have allows me to keep a passing car in view at all times - I have no blind spot now, because a car that passes me will appear in my side mirror before it disappears from the rear-view mirror, and also will be visible to my eyes beside me before it disappears from my side mirror. The only thing I lose with this setup is the ability to see all the way back in an adjacent lane - too see if it's safe to pull out of a stationary lane of traffic into an open lane, for example. That's a pretty rare thing for me to do - mostly I'm passing or being passed or someone sets up camp in my blind spot (or what WOULD be my 'blind spot' if I had my side mirrors ajusted to act like rear-view mirrors) The exception is bikes - they are small enough to be hidden still, so I always shoulder check twice as well. I'm a biker too, and I wish other drivers would do this also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spec B Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 I have one of the square ones for my drivers side mirror (mounted on the low inner corner)...not that bad looking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KartRacerBoy Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 You don't need a blind spot mirror (at least on driver's side). Just turn/angle your driver side mirror all the "out" (or away from you). You will now see what's in your blind spot on that side or at least get you in the ballpark. Then wait for a car to pass you on the driver's side. If you can't see the passing car appear in your driver's side mirror as it leaves the view of your center rearview mirror, turn the mirror a little inward until you can. Voila! Driver's side blind spot now covered. With this, you don't even need to headcheck on the driver's side, but I often still do out of habit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LongHiway Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 I don't have them but, rented a car that did. I have to admit they worked. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRS Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 How to adjust your mirrors How to eliminate the dreaded blind spot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Spec B Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 You don't need a blind spot mirror (at least on driver's side). Just turn/angle your driver side mirror all the "out" (or away from you). You will now see what's in your blind spot on that side or at least get you in the ballpark. Then wait for a car to pass you on the driver's side. If you can't see the passing car appear in your driver's side mirror as it leaves the view of your center rearview mirror, turn the mirror a little inward until you can. Voila! Driver's side blind spot now covered. With this, you don't even need to headcheck on the driver's side, but I often still do out of habit. For some odd reason...I need to see a portion of my car in the mirror to be comfortable driving, it was probably a bad habit I developed while learing to drive...I need the blind spot mirror. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
edkwon Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 i just turn my head briefly to check, never found it a problem, plus i have one of those extra wide rear view mirrors that partially eliminate my blindspots. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scruit Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 How to adjust your mirrors How to eliminate the dreaded blind spot Exactly what I do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnnyT Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 How to adjust your mirrors How to eliminate the dreaded blind spot I read about this method in rec.autos.com many years ago and have been using it ever since. It takes some getting use to, but it really does works. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
one69chev Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 nah, dont use 'em Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madjik_Man Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 I've used them on every car I've ever owned. I like them, with a quick glance I can see everything around me on the sides. And I don't think they look ugly at all, but of course that's all subjective Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 There is no need for these stupid "blind spot" mirrors if you adjust your mirrors correctly. If you drive behind someone and can see the driver's face in the side mirror you know he has not adjusted his mirrors properly.... Here is how to do it: http://www.motorists.org/other/home/how-to-adjust-your-mirrors/ When do we rely on our mirrors the most? Probably when we are changing lanes. Our objective is to change position without getting in another driver's way or cutting him/her off. The positioning for the inside rearview mirror is fairly obvious -- you should be able to see out of the rear window. Be sure the day/night switch found on most rearview mirrors is in the day position during daytime operation. As for the side mirror or mirrors, most people adjust them so they can see the side of the car on the inside edge of the mirror. Consider the view when the sideview mirrors are set up as just described. Essentially, you have created "tunnel vision" to the rear. Your sideview mirrors overlap much of what your inside rearview mirror sees and you've also created blind spots. What is the solution to tunnel vision and blind spots? Simply adjust the sideview mirrors just beyond the point where you could see the side of the car on the inside edge of the mirror. With this setup, you almost completely solve the blind spot problem. To adjust the outside mirrors this way, follow these two steps: (This of course, is for vehicles with an inside mirror)For the driver side mirror, roll up the window and press your head against the glass. Adjust the mirror so that you can just see the edge of the car.For the passenger side mirror, place your head in the center of the car (directly behind the inside mirror mount) and adjust the outside mirror so that you can just see the edge of the car. This is necessary even with convex (curved) mirrors where the image is distorted a little.When you're in your normal driving position, you won't be able to see the sides of the car but will be able to see other vehicles in the adjacent lanes. For those times where there is a vehicle present in the other lane that isn't visible when checking the mirrors, the other vehicle's position will probably be such that its front is adjacent to your door and you'll spot it in your peripheral vision as you check the sideview mirror. Most of us have dealt with blind spots by turning our head for a quick check. This isn't generally a problem in terms of missing something ahead; however, there can be a dangerous side effect. Unless you've worked to control it, your arms will move in the direction your eyes are looking causing the steering wheel to turn. With well-positioned mirrors, your head won't have to turn as far to check any remaining blind spots. There are other applications of changing lanes that this setup is useful for as well. For example, when getting on a highway, your ability to judge how to best merge with the traffic flow will be greatly enhanced with the view provided by the "wideview" side mirror. Likewise, as you pass interchanges on the highway, your ability to monitor traffic entering the highway is enhanced. And finally, a good guideline for deciding when to move into the passing lane or back into the traveling lane is to make sure that you can see the headlights of the vehicle you want to pull in front of in the rearview mirror. We can all appreciate the value of adequate pull-in space. Interesting tidbit: Ther Indianapolis 500 race was originally envisioned as a test-bed for new ideas. In the first race in 1911, Ray Harroun, a test driver for a now-defunct car company, installed a rectangular mirror mounted in front of and above his head, the first such use of a mirror. He won the race. Some racers of the day said he cheated because of that. (All the other racers had a mechanic who rode facing backwards. Harroun's use of a mirror saved his car the weight of a mechanic.) It wasn't until the mid-Twenties that rearview mirrors were required on Indy race cars. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
super.duper.BL6 Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 How to adjust your mirrors How to eliminate the dreaded blind spot Only problem I can immediately see with this solution is that it's going to make it difficult to parallel park and gauge how close you are to the curb Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
f1anatic Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 Only problem I can immediately see with this solution is that it's going to make it difficult to parallel park and gauge how close you are to the curb I do not use those lil' blind spot mirrors since I have always adjusted my mirrors correctly (as described above). And yes it is more difficult to parallel park but you get used to it...and besides there is nothing that prevents you from leaning center-right when you maneuver the car in reverse ? Sure enough, that is when you may turn your head and look backwards. Being me...I also undo my seat belt when I reverse into a spot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TRS Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 http://www.hotautoweb.com/images22/Img_9135.jpg Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
super.duper.BL6 Posted January 9, 2008 Share Posted January 9, 2008 hmm...not a problem leaning over to the center to parallel park if my fiancee is in the passenger seat....But if a dude is sitting there then not cool! I'll give this mirror config a shot on the commute home tonight. I was taught during the typical driving lessons to configure the mirrors in the "traditional" method, so its gonna be a hard transition after all these yrs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icrackedcorn Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 curb feelers= big pimpin but on our cars? obedience to church and state is subjugation to the unjust authority of men Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spect2k Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 You don't need a blind spot mirror (at least on driver's side). Just turn/angle your driver side mirror all the "out" (or away from you). You will now see what's in your blind spot on that side or at least get you in the ballpark. Then wait for a car to pass you on the driver's side. If you can't see the passing car appear in your driver's side mirror as it leaves the view of your center rearview mirror, turn the mirror a little inward until you can. Voila! Driver's side blind spot now covered. With this, you don't even need to headcheck on the driver's side, but I often still do out of habit. exactly!! For some odd reason...I need to see a portion of my car in the mirror to be comfortable driving, it was probably a bad habit I developed while learing to drive...I need the blind spot mirror. You should not see your car in your mirror....it serves completely no purpose other than to increase your blind spot. When the car leaves your rear view mirror, it should enter your side view mirror. When it leaves the side view mirror, it should be in plain sight next to you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpecBee Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 edkwon i just turn my head briefly to check, never found it a problem, plus i have one of those extra wide rear view mirrors that partially eliminate my blindspots. Soder the eye it's quicker.... Yes I have allways used blind spot mirrors and depend on them.... edkwon i just turn my head briefly to check, never found it a problem, plus i have one of those extra wide rear view mirrors that partially eliminate my blindspots. The BS mirrors help with parallel parking as well... I get the smallest ones made like 2" and place them as far out and up on the mirror as possible. Also the guide to sligning the mirrors shows too much of the side of the car. I usually only see the bare minimum of the door for reference only... But that's just me.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SpecBee Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 In my defense of the typo's, I just had two my secrete recipie drinks..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Richard B. Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 no. i physically turn my head to look. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kaycy Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 You know, the little round mirrors that attach to your side mirrors. I had them on my last car and they really help to get a clear view of whats ont he side of you. But they look ugly. I was debating putting them on my LGT. Anyone use them on theirs? I have the rectangular ones on my side mirrors. The look alright and no one has been stupid enough to tell me to take them off, because they work very well. pic tomorrow. I've had near misses from people who were clever not to put them on their cars and also not to do a head check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rc0032 Posted January 10, 2008 Share Posted January 10, 2008 How to adjust your mirrors How to eliminate the dreaded blind spot wow...Great post! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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