Blind Spot Mirrors

[originalstarlite]

Well, after driving since Sept., I finally decided that I have never been comfortable with certain driving tasks, most notably lane changes, backing up, and merging. I guess that includes a lot of daily driving tasks that cause me to take longer than necessary to complete as I check, double check, and still look over the shoulder.

Sure, I follow the tips for viewing to the rear. Those mirrors have been set to eliminate the blind spot. But that rear pillar and that tiny, tinted window create a spot that I just can't forget. Anyways, many will disagree with me, but it just does not work. The decisions take too long in multiple lanes of fast moving traffic.

So I purchased adjustable blind spot mirrors, more sophisticated than just convex stick-ons. They have not arrived yet (due next week), but I think this is what I need to feel better about those quick decisions. The only thing they will not improve is vision directly to the rear. That is another issue. Pictures will follow next week after I have them on and adjusted. The sales video is an audio mess, but the point is well made visually.

http://www.qvc.com/qic/qvcapp.aspx/view.2/app.detail/params.aol_refer.false.tpl.detail.msn_refer.false. item.V25820.ref.GBA?cm_ven=GOOGLEBASE&cm_cat=For%20the%20Home&cm_pla=Home%20Projects&cm_ite=V25820

[palmerwmd]

This is real interesting.
I have similiar problems in the Z and to a lesser extent in the G-Coupe

Fred..:auto:

[originalstarlite]

Well the mirrors arrived today and they are on and adjusted. Tomorrow I go into the city for a theater performance during rush hour, returning after dark . That will be the real test, but based upon what I see, I like them.

It is a shock to first see them on the Rogue, but to be honest, the factory could have put these on and I would not have given them anything more than a cursory glance of approval.

http://photos.freshalloy.com/gallery/d/34754-1/Blind+Spot+Mirrors+006+Large+e-mail+view.jpg

http://photos.freshalloy.com/gallery/d/34757-1/Blind+Spot+Mirrors+007+Large+e-mail+view.jpg

http://photos.freshalloy.com/gallery/d/34751-1/Blind+Spot+Mirrors+004+Large+e-mail+view.jpg

http://photos.freshalloy.com/gallery/d/34760-1/Blind+Spot+Mirrors+008+Large+e-mail+view.jpg

[originalstarlite]

Well the mirrors arrived today and they are on and adjusted. Tomorrow I go into the city for a theater performance during rush hour, returning after dark . That will be the real test, but based upon what I see, I like them.


Yesterday was a good test of the mirrors capabilities, and usefulness. There was daylight Interstate driving with lots of merging. Returning home in the dark was even more interesting because there was a sleet/snow mix falling and extreme care was the password.

THE GOOD:

I always like to start with something positive. So, the good news is that there was little difficulty removing the Blind Spot Mirrors this morning. Following the removal directions to work fishing line under the mirror, the adhesion broke cleanly with no traces of residue. Very neat.

THE BAD:

The bad news is simply the fact that $20 is gone. It could have been worse, but that is not a real consolation. That could have been almost half a tank of gasoline or a nice glass of Cabernet at Morton's. :eek:

THE UGLY:

The mirrors created a blind spot!! There were placed according to directions but when on the highway, the "sweet-spot" of the Rogue's mirror was covered. I did not realize that area was the SS until I no longer could use it.

The factory driver's mirror is still the go to 1st choice when checking a lane's activity. And that view was compromised. I saw the on-coming vehicle, but a big chunk of it was covered, and it was quite unnerving.

The blind spot mirror would not contain this data for it was adjusted to see another area. Then when the oncoming vehicle began passing the blind spot would pick it up. That was good feed back, but the other view being compromised to such an degree was way too unacceptable.

Back in Sept. I had written in the first impressions area that the Rogue's mirrors were a bit over-sized and generous, a good thing. These BS mirrors affected that to such a degree that any benefit they provided was negated with the trade-off. If they had been much smaller this problem may have been far less visible.

I stated in my needs assessment, that the driver's side view could use bolstering. But this was not a good choice. Maybe a should have spent the extra money for the frog mirrors that sit on top the other. Too late now.

[Mo_money]

I'd almost ran two cars off the road, the blind spots are dangerous, I have to double and triple check before I change lanes.

[Tried]

I feel that I have a similar issue in my Altima Coupe.

I drove a GCC (Dubai, etc) spec vehicle and it has factory convex mirrors on the LH side also (it says so in Arabic (I think, I can't read Arabic though)).. But I digress...

Point is that I wish my Altima Coupe had convex mirrors, and I guess it's a similar situation with you and your Rogue.

My biggest fear was swiping somebody while getting into the left lane. So I just put the mirror to point as far left as I felt was still comfortable to barely see down the side of my vehicle while my head is on the left side of the headrest. Then to check the blind spot I move my head to the right and forward, and I can see everything to the side. I also glance left real quick to see if anything is directly next to me, but I've had it like that for a few weeks and I'm a lot more confortable with changing lanes now. Getting into the Right lane is no problem. Try adjusting your mirrors a bit more to the left and see if that helps.

For reference, I did take a trip in a Rogue about 3 months ago...about 4 hours total driving on the highway. I didn't have any real issues, but I only had it for 4 hours.

[originalstarlite]

Anyone who wants to try these BSMirrors that I took off is welcome to them. They were not damaged with removal, but the adhesive needs replaced, of course.

Send me enough money for a package and postage.