flaagan

ecklers Panavex mirror kit

Was asking about mirror inserts to help with blind spots on the driver's side, and someone suggested this guy. Looks like it's a new addition to ecklers, wondering if anyone has tried it out yet. If not I'm definitely willing to be the guniea pig for it.

c5BlackBeauty

Thanks for the post. First time I've see this and would also be interesed to hear feedback from anyone who purchased.

hxrly

The original mirror is already flush with the housing, and this one being a stick on to your original mirror, it doesn't look good in my opinion. When I was researching it I found some pictures, but can't find them right now. The little round mirrors don't look good neither, but at least they're only $3 and very functional.

I had these in my VW:



These actually replaced my stock mirrors and worked great. I've been looking for something similar for the Corvette, but the full size stick on Panavex mirror did not convince me.

jrose7004

If you set your mirrors right, you shouldn't have a blind spot. It's all about setting them flat enough that you see the lane beside you, not the back of your own car.

Mr.Bill

I have never need anything like that, I have my drivers side adjusted where I don't see any of my car and it works great. No issues where I would need anything like that at all.

mighty mousd

killain

Me too ! Just got to adjust them right.

Vetteman Jack

First I've seen of that product - hopefully someone has some experience with it and can give you some feedback.

Patches

This is the method I have read about before and tried. It does work on most cars. Problem with many cars is severely limited visibility out the back window, making this adjustment technique a bit more difficult.

http://www.wikihow.com/Set-Rearview-...te-Blind-Spots

flaagan

OK, to all the folks saying "just adjust your mirrors right", see my post #33 here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c5-g...on-the-c5.html

If you don't want to bother, I'll just say I can't "adjust my mirrors right".

flaagan

So ordered one up, showed up today. When the 'vette gets back from the body shop this week I'll give a try on the car. I stood in my hallway and held it next to me, I was able to damn near see into the room to my left and back down the hallways behind me with very little noticeable distortion, so it should be interesting to see it on the car. I'll keep you guys updated.

chasboy

TheRadioFlyer

I use the 2" bubble mirrors. I've had them on every car I've ever owned and it makes lane changing and merging significantly less stressful especially on highways

91z07

I put them on every car I drive as well. However I've noticed that the women in my life don't like them at first. It takes them a while to get used to them, but now they always want me to put them on when they get a new car!

hxrly

Every discussion in every forum about mirrors will have people saying to adjust them right because it works for them. It simply doesn't work for me because I park very close to the curb backwards, and not only I need to see the side of the car, but with the convex mirror I actually see the tire in relation to the curb.

Looking forward to your impressions of the Panavex mirror; please post some pictures!

o2bnkc

flaagan

Ok, finally got around to putting this sucker on. Been a lot of delays because of some big issues I'm having to deal with in relation to the recent body work.

Haven't had a chance to drive with it yet, but just having my father do the "walk around til I disappear" test has proven to me this thing was a good buy.

For reference, here's the before shot. Ignore how much of the body is in the mirror, I held my phone a little off to the side. Instead, pay attention to how much of our Avalanche and the Vette's body is in the shot.



Here's the after shot. Again, look at how much view I've gained.



And for a final reference shot, here's a view of my mirror, adjusted for the panavex install, and so you can see how much of the install is viewable. You don't notice it at all from inside the car, and if it ever bugs me enough, I'll get some small rubber weatherstripping and run it along the edge of the mirror to hide the extension.



Personally, unless the driving experience with this comes back as negative, I'd highly recommend giving it a go. I'll likely be driving tonight, so the 'worst case' for driving with something like this will be tested. Compared to before, I'm loving the extended viewing.

flaagan

Also, just as a note, my father saw the results and the first thing he said was "I wonder if they make something like this for my XLR".

K9Leader

A couple of other places carry it as well so I just ordered one from Corvette Central. Looks as though it may be the solution.

K9Leader
Red cars are faster. They did a study on it.

flaagan

OK, just got home from coffee with friends. So initially it's a slight bit disorienting, but I only made that bad for myself because I had to back down our long shared driveway. After driving a few miles with it and doing normal "check your mirrors" driving, it works out pretty damn good. Had a hard time finding anyone who could pass me, so when I passed some folks on the right to get over to my exit, I paid attention to the mirror. I ended up actually adjusting the mirror in a bit from the pictures above. Even then, there was absolutely no chance of losing sight of cars next to me, even with the body of my car visible in the edge of the mirror for reference. Definitely liking this buy.