A page from Paolo's notes: Rear View Mirror Re-View
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A while back, on the Bluebirds Mailing List,
I promised to give you my review of the AllView rear view mirror. I actually went a step
further and compared 4 mirror systems. There are at least two other commercial after market
mirrors available that I would like to test, but this is what I have to date. Evaluation
was based on the following items:
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- 1. Field of vision
- 2. Distortion
- 3. Mounting
- 4. Night operation
- 5. Adjustability
- 6. Cost & availability
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I also added dimensions, weights, and features to the list, but not as evaluation
criteria. This evaluation is based on application in the Datsun 510, but much of it
is applicable to any passenger car, with full rear and side windows. The summary is
as follows, in my order of preference:
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ALLVIEW
| field of vision: | 150-165 degrees |
| mounting: | double reticulating ball with glue to glass pad.
Existing sun visors & mirror can be retained. |
| adjustability: | full angular adjustability, limited by mirror contacting windshield |
| dimensions: | 2-1/2"x17-3/4" |
| weight: | mirror=15.5 oz bracket=5.1 oz |
| features: | built-in sun visor |
| cost: | $49.00 +$6.00 S&H |
| source: | http://www.allviewmirror.com |
| observations: |
The AllView gives very good overall images of what is behind or to either side of you. It has a
definite but uniform depth distortion - objects look further than they really are. At first, this was
annoying and took some getting used to.
It takes up little windshield space. It offers minimal night anti-glare protection, though factory
mounting allows for easy tilt to avoid glare. It is small enough and thin enough to not blocks view
of streetlights when at intersection. The factory provided sun-visor works well.
By design, the AllView mounts directly in front of you, just above your line of sight of the road.
This position gives you the greatest overall rear field of view, and also allows you to retain your
existing rear view mirror if desired, but I find having both is distracting. Optionally, you can
mount it in the center in place of existing mirror, but the center position skews your rearward field
of view (hard to see car directly behind you). However, this position avoids nighttime glare of the
most annoying lights of the cars directly behind you.
It is the most expensive mirror tested. I also object to the misleading advertising claim is that
it comes with the patented AllView Windows Program. This is not a piece of software! It is
simply a piece of paper that says if cars appear in only your rear window, it is safe to change lanes.
If cars appear in any of your side windows, do not change lanes. It does work however, and using this
concept is quite effective in abating the depth distortion problem.
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WINK 5 panel
| field of vision: | 160-170 degrees |
| mounting: | remove exist mirror & visors, L-brackets bolt to old sun visor holes w/ finagling |
| adjustability: | none by design |
| dimensions: | 35.5"x2-5/8" |
| weight: | mirror=18.0 oz brackets=6.2 oz |
| features: | built-in sun visor |
| cost: | $24.95 +$7.50 S&H |
| sources: |
http://www.truechoice.com/store/bresults.asp?whl=1
http://www.talbotco.com/cat_body.htm
http://www.howeracing.com/cockpit/cockpit11/index11.htm |
| Observations: |
The Wink gives the most accurate overall image of what is behind or to either side of you.
It also has the least visual distortion of mirrors evaluated. There is no depth distortion
but field of view is fractured by separate glass panels. Being such a large mirror, it takes
a great amount of eye movement to verify images from one side to the other. Although Wink
offers 3 and 4 panel designs (which I have not tested) I suspect that with fewer panes, the
field of view would be reduced and/or the rearward image would not be as continuous as the
5 panel.
The Wink takes up a lot of windshield space. This is its biggest drawback. Not being able
to see stop lights when at an intersection without cranning your neck, or any part of the top
15% of the windscreen is a definite problem. The Wink offers no night anti-glare protection.
There is no factory provision for sun-visor, though mirror acts as visor at higher sun angles.
It is also the heaviest of mirrors.
Note: Wink Mirror Modification from BMW-CCA tech tips
http://www.bmwcca.org/tips/tipbody1.shtml
Offers a suggestion to reduce headlight glare by installing a tinted plastic Sun Shield, available
from Pilot Industries, 14314 Shadywood, Plymouth, Ml 48170 for $3. The 17" shield has clamps to be
mounted on standard sun visors but adapts very well to the Wink.
Sun Shields are also available in 15, 22, 25 and 28-inch models.
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STOCK, upgrade (Nissan w/night)
| field of vision: | 67 degrees |
| mounting: | stock unit from roof |
| dimensions: | 2-1/2"x17-3/4" |
| weight: | mirror=12.5 oz bracket=4.3 oz |
| features: | night driving flip-up anti-glare |
| cost: | $3.00-$20.00 |
| source: | local auto bone yard |
| observations: |
The stock 510 flat mirror gives you a simple view of what is directly behind you.
It also does not have a night time anti-glare flip lever. Junkyard sources from most
later model Datsun/Nissan cars (1978-80 version 510, 240Z,260Z,280Z, 610,710,810, Maxima, Pulsar,
etc. are better made, a bit larger, and have the day/night lever for night time anti-glare
operation. This is an easy retrofit as the mount uses the same 3 screw mounting patterns.
Some versions can clip straight into the stock 510 base, while others should use the base
from the donor car. Some models offer a little bigger mirror that stock, but no extended
field of view. It is a worthwhile upgrade.
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CIPA mirror, model 34000
| field of vision: | 110 degrees |
| mounting: | clips on to stock mirror |
| dimensions: | 3"x12" |
| weight: | mirror=4.2 oz |
| features: | none |
| cost: | $8.00 |
| source: | Wall-Mart (mfg: CIPA USA Inc.
Port Huron, MI 480060) |
| observations: |
This is a cheap plastic wide angle mirror that clips onto your existing mirror. It extends
your field of vision to almost twice that of the stock mirror, but not enought to adequately
see cars clearly in your blind spots. It has quite a bit of distortion from side to side and
objects definitely appear farther than they really are. Not recommended. Since it does
not allow a wide enough field of view for a quality situation assessment and cars seem farther
than they are, it is too likely to lead you into a "cut-off" situation and cause accidents.
CIPA also make other mirrors, some similar to the AllView. I hope to locate and like one of
these in the future.
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Other mirrors not evaluated
E-mail me
a suggestion for another mirror to consider.
E-mail me
your comments about this evaluation page.
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Misc Mirrors Sources
http://www.stenten.com/
http://www.golfcarttrader.com/Rear_View_Mirrors.htm
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by Axsys Technology Ltd™. All Rights Reserved. Reproduction in any form
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