Jump to content

Photo

Advice on an inside rearview mirror

- - - - -

  • Please log in to reply
58 replies to this topic

#1
UCFBrett

UCFBrett

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 46 posts
  • Location:Ventura, Calif.
  • Region:NASA SoCal
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:25
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.

#2
William Bonsell

William Bonsell

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 398 posts
  • Location:Poulsbo, WA
  • Region:Northwest
  • Car Year:1999

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!:rolleyes:
Make it Rain - Made Paypal donation of $100+ Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#3
Keith Novak

Keith Novak

    Steadily Improving Member

  • SMembers
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,128 posts
  • Location:Seattle
  • Region:Northwest/Oregon
  • Car Year:1995
  • Car Number:88
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.
Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations!

#4
Kyle Burkhardt

Kyle Burkhardt

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 202 posts
  • Location:Oak Park, Illinois
  • Region:NASA Midwest
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:12
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.
  • Alberto likes this
Kyle Burkhardt
Team ///Miata #12
PajamaPants Racing
NASA Midwest
Posted Image
Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations!

#5
Cy Peake

Cy Peake

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 280 posts
  • Location:West Simsbury, CT
  • Region:NER
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:7
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.

-Cy
Supported by LTD Racing

2011 + 2013 NER STU Champion


#6
davew

davew

    Veteran Member

  • SMembers
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,297 posts
  • Location:Beloit, Wi
  • Region:Chicago
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:72
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

Dave Wheeler
Advanced Autosports, the nations most complete Spec Miata shop
Author, Spec Miata Constructors Guide, version 1 and 2.0

Building Championship winning cars since 1995

4 time Central Division Spec Miata Champion car builder 2012-2013-2014-2017

Back to Back June Sprints Spec Miata 1-2 finishes 2016 and 2017

5 time June Sprints winner in Mazda's

6 Time Northern Conference Champion Car Builder

2014 SCCA Majors National point Champion car builder

2014 SCCA Runoffs winner, T4 (Bender)

2014 Central Division Champion, ITS (Wheeler)

2013 Thunderhill 25 hour winning crew chief

2007 June Sprints winner, (GT1, Mohrhauser)

Over 200 race wins and counting.
www.advanced-autosports.com
dave@advanced-autosports.com
608-313-1230

Survive the 25, NASA Thunderhill - Survive the 25, NASA Thunderhill We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Sponsor / Advertiser - Site sponsor / advertiser... support these guys! Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#7
john mueller

john mueller

    Veteran Member

  • SMembers
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,075 posts
+1 for Allview
We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Series Champ - Won a points based series in a Spec Miata Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver Instigator - Made a topic or post that inspired other Survive the 25, NASA Thunderhill - Survive the 25, NASA Thunderhill Make it Rain - Made Paypal donation of $100+

#8
UCFBrett

UCFBrett

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 46 posts
  • Location:Ventura, Calif.
  • Region:NASA SoCal
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:25
This has been helpful. Thanks.

#9
Tom Hampton

Tom Hampton

    Egregious Member

  • SMembers
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,060 posts
  • Location:Mckinney, tx
  • Region:South west
  • Car Year:1992
  • Car Number:41
+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.

-tch
Build: www.tomhampton.info

video: vimeo.com/tomhampton

Support: X-Factor Racing

 

I didn't lose, I just got outspent!

Beta-Tester - Assisted us with beta testing the website. Donor - Made PayPal donation Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#10
Danny Steyn

Danny Steyn

    Zulu rain warrior

  • SMembers
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 2,439 posts
  • Location:Fort Lauderdale
  • Region:FL
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:39
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

Danny
Danny Steyn Racing | DSR YouTube Channel
Danny Steyn Photography | Adept Studios | Ocean MachineryOPM AutosportsRossini Racing Engines | G-Loc Brakes | 

 

2 x SCCA Runoffs Champ | 1 x NASA National Champ | 6 x June Sprints Champ | 10 x ARRC Champ

1 x SCCA Super Sweep | 2 x Triple Crown | 4 x Hoosier Super Tour Points Champ | 6 x Majors Points Champ | 5 x SEDiv Driver of the Year

 

 

June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner Series Champ - Won a points based series in a Spec Miata ARRC Champion - Won the ARRC Race in a Spec Miata We have a Winnah! - Won their 1st race... Congratulations! Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver NASA Champs Winner - NASA Champs Winner June Sprints winner  - June Sprints winner ARRC Champion - Won the ARRC Race in a Spec Miata ARRC Champion - Won the ARRC Race in a Spec Miata Majors Winner - BFG Supertour Winner -

#11
Adam Molaver

Adam Molaver

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 77 posts
  • Region:Mid-Atlantic
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:50
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

#12
UCFBrett

UCFBrett

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 46 posts
  • Location:Ventura, Calif.
  • Region:NASA SoCal
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:25
Adam,

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

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

#13
Adam Molaver

Adam Molaver

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 77 posts
  • Region:Mid-Atlantic
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:50
thanks! $40 for mirror brackets!?!?! seriously?

ahm

#14
sak-daddy

sak-daddy

    Junior Member

  • Members
  • Pip
  • 1 posts
  • Location:Washington, DC
  • Region:Mid-Atlantic
  • Car Year:1992
  • Car Number:71
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.

#15
ChrisA

ChrisA

    Veteran Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 659 posts
  • Location:Richmond, VA
  • Region:NCR
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:58

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

ahm

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

Chris

 

Happiness is a dry martini and a good woman ... or a bad woman.
- George Burns


#16
Adam Molaver

Adam Molaver

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 77 posts
  • Region:Mid-Atlantic
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:50
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

#17
ChrisA

ChrisA

    Veteran Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 659 posts
  • Location:Richmond, VA
  • Region:NCR
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:58

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.

Chris

 

Happiness is a dry martini and a good woman ... or a bad woman.
- George Burns


#18
Ken Wilkinson

Ken Wilkinson

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 69 posts
  • Location:Midlothian, VA
  • Region:Mid Atlantic
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:228
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

#19
Alberto

Alberto

    Veteran Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPipPipPip
  • 1,471 posts
  • Location:Mountain View, CA
  • Region:SFR
  • Car Year:1990

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.
Bona fide - A bonafide Spec Miata driver

#20
UCFBrett

UCFBrett

    Member

  • Members
  • PipPipPip
  • 46 posts
  • Location:Ventura, Calif.
  • Region:NASA SoCal
  • Car Year:1999
  • Car Number:25
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.

Attached Files






0 user(s) are reading this topic

0 members, 0 guests, 0 anonymous users