58 replies to this topic

[UCFBrett]

After attending competition school with the Alfa club last weekend, it became clear that my OEM inside rearview mirror is inadequate for racing.

From what I can tell, I have a few choices of two different kinds of mirrors. The first is the multiple-panel mirror and the convex panoramic style. So, I’m looking for input from people with experience, preferably with both kinds of mirrors, to get the pros and cons of each. Or, maybe there is something on the market or another solution I don’t know about.

I understand there are some issues with convex mirrors, such as objects being closer than they appear, etc. I get that. I also can’t help thinking the multiple-panel wink-style mirror could be distracting and hard to glean info from at a quick glance.

I really don’t know which one to get, only that I need something better. I welcome all valid input, but empirical evidence carries more weight.

[William Bonsell]

After attending competition school with the Alfa club last weekend, it became clear that my OEM inside rearview mirror is inadequate for racing.

From what I can tell, I have a few choices of two different kinds of mirrors. The first is the multiple-panel mirror and the convex panoramic style. So, I’m looking for input from people with experience, preferably with both kinds of mirrors, to get the pros and cons of each. Or, maybe there is something on the market or another solution I don’t know about.

I understand there are some issues with convex mirrors, such as objects being closer than they appear, etc. I get that. I also can’t help thinking the multiple-panel wink-style mirror could be distracting and hard to glean info from at a quick glance.

I really don’t know which one to get, only that I need something better. I welcome all valid input, but empirical evidence carries more weight.

I use a 5 panel wink and love it. No distortion and huge view area. Had a small blind spot more from my net, so went with a mesh style and feel very confident since I seem to be more the passee rather than the passer!

[Keith Novak]

I have the 5 panel mirror. If I bought a mirror now I'd probably go with the 3 panel. When I first installed it, it vibrated so badly I couldn't see anything in it at all. I stuffed a piece of roll bar padding between it and the cage and added a couple zip ties to snug it up which works fine. It really needs a 3rd bracket in the middle. It's not distracting. You'll figure out where to look to see behind you. One real benefit is it gives you such a wide field of view, if you're out on the track with high HP cars and you see a passing flag, you can see everything right of your head in one mirror quickly. I also added a parabolic on the drivers side. That gives me a wide field of view left and I point the stock mirrors right along side for when I'm close to other cars. When people try to give you too much room on the LHS, they can easily hide in a big blind spot with the stock mirror alone.

[Kyle Burkhardt]

I had an Allview in my BMW, and I recommend it for rookies who are still trying to develop their awareness. The wink/panel mirrors can be intimidating when you are still learning.

The Allview is expensive, but an excellent mirror.

[Cy Peake]

I like the wink mirrors because they don't distort distance like the convex mirrors do, so it's easier to gauge how close the cars behind are...plus they're half the price.

[davew]

I may be biased, but I do have an opinion too.

I had the multi panel wink mirror in my Mustang and loved it. I did not like it at all in the Miata. Tried 2-3 and 5 panels.

I recomend the AllView mirror, mentioned above. And yes I do sell them. But of all the curved/wide angle mirrors I have tried (and I have tried every brand out there) The AllView is the best. In my biased and humble opinion ;-))

Dave

[john mueller]

+1 for Allview

[UCFBrett]

This has been helpful. Thanks.

[Tom Hampton]

+1 for Allview.

Although I'm using the longer (5.5") Longacre brackets to push it a little closer to the windshield instead of the bracket/hose-clamp setup that it comes with. The view is awesome. Maybe there is some distortion, but I can't see any. Very clear view.

As with Keith's wink mirror description above, you can see everything to the right of your head in the mirror...including 3/4ths of the passenger door window. Exactly how much will depend somewhat on your mounting location relative to your eyes.

[Danny Steyn]

All view with the longer backets as Tom says above - gets the mirror further waway - eassier to look up and gives you superb rear view. Aslo great for your in-car camera showing the race behind you.

see the videos on my youtube channel

[Adam Molaver]

Tom / Danny - can you by chance provide a link to the longer longacre brackets you're referring to? i've got the allview and wished it was able to be further forward - sounds like just the ticket. thanks!

ahm

[UCFBrett]

Adam,

Pegasus has them. I was thinking of going the same route.

http://www.pegasusau...pID=MIRRORCLAMP

[Adam Molaver]

thanks! $40 for mirror brackets!?!?! seriously?

ahm

[sak-daddy]

Adam, let me check around my stash of pieces and parts from things I have tried... I may have a set of those brackets (not sure what length?) if I didn't use them to mount the wink mirror.

To answer the original question, I use a wink mirror and love it. I have tried the Longacre curved mirror, and found it to be difficult to use. The wink mirror doesn't cause the same distortion that I saw in that, and provides excellent visibility IMO.

[ChrisA]

thanks! $40 for mirror brackets!?!?! seriously?

ahm

Adam, I have the AllView. You are welcome to swing by an check out.

[Adam Molaver]

thanks pete - if you have the longer brackets, let me know what you want for them.

chris - i have the allview mirror and the included pipe clamp mounting, just don't have the longer brackets. thanks though,

ahm

[ChrisA]

thanks pete - if you have the longer brackets, let me know what you want for them.

chris - i have the allview mirror and the included pipe clamp mounting, just don't have the longer brackets. thanks though,

ahm

Gotcha. FWIW, I tried the longer brackets and couldn't get them to work. Didn't have enough clearance between the rollbar and windshield header.

[Ken Wilkinson]

Adam, I also want to try out a longer mounting bracket for my Alview and you know I'm too cheap to buy one. Let's figure something out that we can make ourselves.
Ken

[Alberto]

I had an Allview in my BMW, and I recommend it for rookies who are still trying to develop their awareness. The wink/panel mirrors can be intimidating when you are still learning.

The Allview is expensive, but an excellent mirror.

I second what he said

That is what rookie me got for that reason. Looking up into a multi panel mirror with 5 panes of the same car in the rear view was a serious WTF moment when I tried it in a LeMons race. The Allview was more natural viewing and offered a wide field of vision. I like it better than the convex mirrors which distort whats in the mirror.

[UCFBrett]

This is what I ended up with. I got the Allview, but I inverted the L brackets to mount it farther from my head. I ran with SpeedTrial USA last weekend and I was a lot more aware in traffic. I also added little stick-on convex mirrors to the outside mirrors. It wasn't what I imagined at first, but I like the way it turned out.

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