Fish eye mirror question

[random006]

Hello all,

My Sorento has a blind spot that, no matter what you do with the side mirrors, stays too large for comfort.  Looking over my shoulder is OK for most situations but not all.  Also my optimal seat position makes turning my head that much quite painful.

Normally fish eye mirrors would do the trick.  In my case, my side mirrors are heated.  Is it advisable to place those stick-on fish eyes on heated mirrors?  Is there another solution available?  

I have tried the rear-view mirror add-on on another car and did not like it.

Many thanks in advance!

[Mdxtasy]

I've seen the 'fish eye' mirrors that you attach to the bottom of the side mirrors....not sure where you can get them but I know they exist.

[barrie1]

Random I think you should be alright with the Fish eye Mirror's as the heat will still work thru the extra layer of glass. It will be safer for you to drive with them on and should not cause you any trouble at all. If there is any problem you can always remove it.

[random006]

Thanks for the quick response!

I was worried about the "glue" liquefying when heated from behind and causing the fish eye to fall off but I guess that should not be a problem.

I will purchase some forthwith!

Also, is there a preference (or even a legal requirement) on placement?  On my previous car, I used the lower outside corner.  I found that perhaps the lower inside corner might be less distracting.  Comments?

[Mdxtasy]

I'd say inside bottom corner is best.  

[barrie1]

I think it depends on the shape and model of the vehicle. On my truck I put the Fish eye mirror on the outside on the pass side mirror and on the inside on the drivers door mirror. Each vehicle and Drivers needs are different and you will figure it out very easily. The heat actually helps keep the stickey stuck to the glass I have found. Much harder to remove later if needed.

[Snowman]

Fish Eye?!....help me here. You guys are talking about them small convex stick-on mirrors…right?

[ovr50]

No, Snowy, it's the "look" we get from our spouses when we start talking about another car!!

[Mdxtasy]

If you want to get all physics on us and use the proper terms....yesh Professor Snowman.

[Snowman]

Sorry….my age must be showing. When I think of fish eye…..I think of a fish eye lens for an SLR:
http://www.nearfield.com/~dan/Photo/wide/fish/

[Roadrunner]

The heated mirror has no effect whatever on the convex mirror. Unfortunately, the heating element isn't strong enough (as I had suspected prior to mounting two on my van) to have the heat penetrate the back of the convex to defrost IT.  It has been mentioned location is a matter of personal preference, and I put mine on the outer lower corner on both.
When I drove big rigs I never used the 3" convex a lot of guys use. I paid the extra bucks and mounted (off the west-coast mirror) a 6" convex(rimless) below the big mirror and eliminated the blind spots.

[barrie1]

Agreed Roadr those are the answer but not all of us have the need of them that large. We all sit differently behind the wheel and need them placed wherever for our Needs. These small stickies are probably about a $100. cheaper then the Nice Big Rig stuff as well. They are Nice tho.  

[ovr50]

Ask Harrie Skank where the blind spots are.

[maritime_storm]

The heater element may eventually cause the glue to let go, but at $3-5 a piece for them who cares? Stick it on, visibility that can prevent an accident is worth the money. What I don't get is why these mirrors aren't on most SUV's & minivan as standard equipment. The visibility on most of these things stink at best & they're actually getting worse.

[tpl]

If your left and right mirrors are mirror images of each other ( sorry) then can you put another RH convex mirror on the left?
BMW and Audi have a Euro LH mirror glass that is normally convex for most of its area and heavily convex on its outer 1/3. It also has the heater and, the Audi one has the auto dim as well.

I fitted on to my car and feel much safer while negotiating the DVP in rush hour.

Needless to say convex LH mirrors are illegal for MFr's to fit in North America


Have you thought of installing a convex interior mirror?   Cambodian tire used to have them

[safristi]

"LH mirrors are illegal for MFr's to fit in N America"  that's a bit strong on poor 'ol Harrie Skank & his mate Greta Pewbes..

[safristi]

Hey..can you see me now!!??...HEY...Can YOU SEE ME NOW!!???...HEEEYYY!!! CAN YOU SEE ME NOWWWWWWWW!!!!!!...SPLAAATTTTT!!!!!..........


HOW hard is it to turn yer head??? if you are
constantly checking your 3 REARS !!! there is no problem with a head check available in heavy traffic.Yeah Millions die from poor lane changes.....the guy blast you and you wake up and look sheepish..pay attention YOU ARE DRIVING at 120KPH fer gawgs sake...

[brian]

I bought an adjustable teardrop shaped mirror that sticks or uses a suction cup to stick onto your windshield and allows you to see the driver's side blind spot.  Costs $8 at Canadian Tire and I think it works quite well, although really thick window pillars may block its view a bit.  Still I like it better than taking a chunk of your side mirror and distorting it with an angled or convex lens.

[Snowman]

I don’t have a problem with blind spot coverage with any of our vehicles. I outboard the side mirrors as much as possible and have sufficient overlap with the rear view. Check mirrors, shoulder check, and turn indicators on…..takes about a second.

[Roadrunner]

It's the old story again...Different strokes for different folks. I totally agree the convex mirrors aren't necessary. My preference is because the wife and I take turns driving when we go south and when the camper is on behind, the little extra rearward vision helps. Besides, it doesn't take as long to glance in a mirror and check for traffic as it does to crane your head over your shoulder.
That checking for traffic over the shoulder is fine when starting to pull out from a parking spot but look out (in FRONT) in 100+kph traffic!

True too is the fact not everyone is able to use convex mirrors simply because they can't get used to them.
Speakin' of 'fish-eyes', I'd rather be Walleye fishin'!