View Full Version : Racing Mirror
Chuck 10-17-2008, 07:57 AM http://www.cleanmpg.com/photos/data/500/wide_mirror.JPG
This was only about $20 at www.jcwhitney.com (http://www.jcwhitney.com).
It's a racing mirror that clamps on to your existing mirror in a couple of minutes with a 4-blade screwdriver. It's twice as wide as the OEM mirror and curved.
Won't say it completely replaces side mirrors, but it comes close.
Shiba3420 10-17-2008, 09:16 AM Is it curved all the way across or flat in the center & curved on the ends?
Chuck 10-17-2008, 09:21 AM Is it curved all the way across or flat in the center & curved on the ends?Curved all the way across, with the center a couple of inches closer than the ends. Objects seem a little smaller but the view is great.
jimepting 10-17-2008, 09:32 AM I've been wondering just how much aero improvement would be achieved by eliminating both outside rear view mirrors. A curved mirror like this would make it easy to do so. Anyone have any real data?
Chuck 10-17-2008, 09:52 AM I know billy's Insight (that he sold recently) lowered his Cd from 0.25 to 0.235.
He removed the side mirrors and the rear windshield wiper.
Chuck 10-17-2008, 10:06 AM Is it curved all the way across or flat in the center & curved on the ends?
This is the picture and info (http://www.jcwhitney.com/HERCULES-GLARE-FREE-PANORAMIC-WIDE-ANGLE-MIRRORS/GP_2008408_N_111+10201+600015497_10101.jcw)
Chuck 10-17-2008, 10:10 AM What the side mirror covers the racing mirror does not is the area the quarter panels cover, but it's not too bad.
Shiba3420 10-17-2008, 10:18 AM Anybody know if eliminating the side mirrors is legal if you have an alternate device...like an ultra wide rear-view or a video camera based side-mirror system?
Chuck 10-17-2008, 10:26 AM That could be a state-by-state thing...I need to check this out myself.
billy was allowed to use a video cam instead of his rear view mirrors in Washington State.
JusBringIt 10-17-2008, 11:13 AM That would be great if it was allowed, I'll check with NY state. They probably wont stand for it. We have to have at least the driver side mirror currently.
basjoos 10-17-2008, 11:21 AM In SC, outside rear view mirrors are only required if the view through the inside rear view mirror is blocked.
PookieSoup 10-17-2008, 11:36 AM Nice. I know what I'm buying myself.
Chuck 10-17-2008, 02:06 PM Anybody know if eliminating the side mirrors is legal if you have an alternate device...like an ultra wide rear-view or a video camera based side-mirror system?Side mirrors not required in Texas (http://wiki.answers.com/Q/In_TEXAS_is_it_required_to_have_a_passenger_side_mirror)
Texas law seems to be a clone of Illnois law (http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=062500050HCh%2E+12+Art%2E+V&ActID=1815&ChapAct=625%C2%A0ILCS%C2%A05%2F&ChapterID=49&ChapterName=VEHICLES&SectionID=59764&SeqStart=123900000&SeqEnd=124400000&ActName=Illinois+Vehicle+Code%2E) (625 ILCS 5/12‑502) (from Ch. 95 1/2, par. 12‑502)
Sec. 12‑502. Mirrors. Every motor vehicle, operated singly or when towing another vehicle, shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the driver a view of the highway for a distance of at least 200 feet to the rear of such motor vehicle.
(Source: P.A. 82‑122.)
I think that means if a rear view mirror is adequate - that's all you need.
TheForce 10-17-2008, 03:59 PM I just took a look at Ohio's law on the mirrors and the wording is very similar to Texas. From the way it sounds I can get by with just the rear view mirror and remove the side mirrors.
I'm tempted now to remove my side mirrors and not replace them with video cameras. When ever I make turn I always turn my head all the way around to make sure nothing is at my sides. The only time I even use my side mirrors is just to quickly keep tabs on the cars around me and even then they arnt that useful.
jimepting 10-17-2008, 09:19 PM That could be a state-by-state thing...I need to check this out myself.
billy was allowed to use a video cam instead of his rear view mirrors in Washington State.
I assume he mounted the video cam in some way so as to cover the left rear quarter blind spot. It wouldn't seem to help in replacing the mirrors if it was mounted on the rear of the car.
Video cameras may have some limitations. The one on my motorhome doesn't do a very good job at night. It doesn't see well without a bit of scene illumination. But it does "see" approaching headlights pretty well. Another negative is the screen illumination at night, just when one is trying to adjust to the poorer light that headlights provide. The video system would seem to need a "life size" display, otherwise one might get size distortion - sorta like on the right side mirrors used on most cars. Just thinking. Your experiences may differ.
Chuck 10-17-2008, 09:29 PM billy drilled a hole in the left tailight for his video cam.
Chuck 10-19-2008, 07:36 PM Already this mirror potentially saved a collision.
I35E near Harry Hines has lots of drunks, addicts and other reckless drivers.
Yesterday, someone refused to let me shift left so I don't go into Irving away from downtown Dallas (Reid knows this location well). I barely had time to shift left in time...fortunately the mirror kept me from an accident.
Copyright 2006 Clean MPG, LLC. All Rights Reserved.
vBulletin® v3.6.7, Copyright ©2000-2013, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
|