left hand mirrors

[Tonz]

Can the intelligent ones here comment on why we get these stupid (in my opinion) concave mirrors that have 'cars are closer than they appear'

Would it not be easier and more practical to have flat glass as the drivers side.

[cs123]

The are like that give you a wider field of view.

[Focusfan]

If the manufacturers thought about it they only need a 4 or 5 cm strip along the top of the glass to provide wide view with the remainder
remaining flat normal vision mirror. Makes sense to me as I agree the wide vision mirror is a safety hazard in itself.

[JaguarDave]

Agreed. Not much point having a wide field of view if the whole thing distorts the depth perception and makes it necessary to do a mental calculation just to judge the actual distance that something is away from you. Might have been useful to a very small degree when mirrors were about the size of women's compacts but the mirrors are so large nowadays having them convex is superfluous to requirements.

[pottery beige]

how do yo get that writing stuff off the mirror

it really annoys me

[Work Horse]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

how do yo get that writing stuff off the mirror

it really annoys me

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by pottery beige

how do yo get that writing stuff off the mirror

it really annoys me

Writing like this ?.............

[pottery beige]

baziinga

[mechanic]

And the older you get the more annoying this seems to get !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Some of these latest ideas are just absolute rubbish as you spend more time trying to work out whether it's possible to change lanes than watching the traffic in front.

[Revolver]

I replaced mine with

"Objects in mirror are losing"

[Lotte]

The thing is, when you're driving you should always check both your mirrors and do your head check when changing lanes.
The wide angle gives you a greater field of vision that you simply wouldn't get with the same style strip across the top or bottom, because that would be too small to see anything of value in.

If a car is coming up on your left had side, and you saw it for it's true size, you'd see nothing in your mirror but a small portion of said vehicle.

Also. Farside Gallery. *High five*

[El Tazo]

Originally Posted by Tonz

Can the intelligent ones here comment on why we get these stupid (in my opinion) concave mirrors that have 'cars are closer than they appear'

Would it not be easier and more practical to have flat glass as the drivers side.

I THINK I'm intelligent, so I'll have a go.

They're there to allow a wider field of view without having a metre-wide lens. They're not good for showing accurate distance when reversing but they do allow you view objects that would otherwise b in your blind spot. A lot of older cars have a flat driver's mirror (like my DF) or flat on both sides. I personally appreciate having the bent one on the left, and I wouldn't mind one on the right as well.

Also they're convex, not concave...

[foxtrot3]

Hi. Nothing wrong with a curved L/H mirror, if your changing lanes you should be able to see the car that your moving in front of in your inside mirror. If you cant see it in the inside mirror but you can see it in the side mirror you know that it is right on your rear corner. Cheers MD

[Tonz]

Originally Posted by El Tazo

I THINK I'm intelligent, so I'll have a go.



Also they're convex, not concave...

depends which side of the mirror your looking from

[danzvtil]

I have this problem in my work car, it has these mirrors on both sides. Ive learnt that a lane merge needs a side mirror check first, then the centre rear vision mirror, if I cant see the car in the rear window, then its too close to move over.

[nitro50th]

I am so used to the convex mirror on my fg (and actually like it) that when i get in my missus car that has a flat left side mirror, i find it practically useless.

Once you are used to the convex mirror and do a head check when you are unsure, i think they are a better option to flat.

Each to their own.

[Lotte]

Originally Posted by danzvtil

I have this problem in my work car, it has these mirrors on both sides. Ive learnt that a lane merge needs a side mirror check first, then the centre rear vision mirror, if I cant see the car in the rear window, then its too close to move over.

This is how I was taught to drive.

[Ben73]

If a car is at the point where I am not 100% sure if there is room to change, I just wont do it.
But a combination of side mirror, rear mirror and a head turn I have never change lanes with a car too close to me.

What I found really weird is driving a LHD car and looking in the right hand mirror. It looks so small and far away, I really didn't like changing lanes to the right. Felt like I needed binoculars to change to the right.

[Franco Cozzo]

Who uses mirrors? At best MAYBE use your indicators and barge across all the lanes.

Thats how most Melbourne drivers seem to drive.

[LTDHO]

I find you need to allow that perception has changed from a pre EF mirror, but they are a great idea. Especially for those who use them!

I particularity find them useful when towing a trailer, you see more from the trailer to what is next to you.

[zilo]

Improved visibility is a passive safety improvement in modern cars.

[El Tazo]

They bloody need to improve visibility somehow - it's harder to reverse a VE than a Lambo and you can hide entire semis behind most current A-pillars!

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by El Tazo

They bloody need to improve visibility somehow - it's harder to reverse a VE than a Lambo and you can hide entire semis behind most current A-pillars!

Whilst they maybe fine for seeing what's in the next lane, they are almost impossible to use for reversing, especially if you have a trailer connected.

[csv8]

Maybe. get the new Range Rover, it has side cameras as well as front and rear cameras !!!

[Lotte]

Originally Posted by GasOLane

Whilst they maybe fine for seeing what's in the next lane, they are almost impossible to use for reversing, especially if you have a trailer connected.

What's a bigger safety issue?
Reversing into a letterbox at 5km an hour, or having a side on with someone at 100km/hr?

Each time an improvement (safety or otherwise, but usually safety), there'll be a compensation somewhere else. This is a prime example. However the comparison needs to be made between them all, and people need to be taught how to drive and use their mirrors properly, or so I seem to be garnering from this thread a little bit....

Originally Posted by El Tazo

They bloody need to improve visibility somehow - it's harder to reverse a VE than a Lambo and you can hide entire semis behind most current A-pillars!

Also, pretty much this. I test drove VEs for nigh on a year. Awful visibility. And handling. And other things.

[devilcv8]

Originally Posted by Lotte

What's a bigger safety issue?
Reversing into a letterbox at 5km an hour, or having a side on with someone at 100km/hr?
...snip......
and people need to be taught how to drive and use their mirrors properly, or so I seem to be garnering from this thread a little .

Exactly. Some drivers, especially those of 4x4 need to realise they have mirrors for a reason. Use them.
Because if they don't and change lanes at 110-120km/h and clip a motorist minding their own business, they will be the ones who suffer the worst. Multiple rollover, fatality, helicopter ride for severely injured and the rest off to hospital as well. Meanwhile the other driver has to live with seeing the result, have his car impounded and endure 10 weeks and counting of being in limbo.


Yes, I am talking of a specific event.

[GasoLane]

Originally Posted by Lotte

What's a bigger safety issue?
Reversing into a letterbox at 5km an hour, or having a side on with someone at 100km/hr?

I never mentioned safety in my message, however if you want to talk about it when your look in you left mirror what can you see ?

If you say the down left side of your car and you're driving on a multi lane road you're doing it wrong.

I usually have the left mirror adjusted so I can see down the left side and behind my car when travelling on the open road.
When I come to a multi lane road I adjust it so I can see the lane next to me, my interior mirror will let me see what's behind me and my left mirror lets me see the left lane.

No bent mirror glass is necessary.

( if you don't have an electric left mirror the above paragraph could be a problem )