Rear Visibilty
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 2,074
Likes: 309
Rear Visibilty
After seeing all the complaints about the visibility to the rear, I was just wondering about the possibility of using the back-up camera while driving, like the Corvette Racing Team cars have to help the drivers avoid unpleasant traffic experiences.
Anybody know if it has been done and how?
Anybody know if it has been done and how?
Instructor
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 168
Likes: 16
I'd say it's a pointless waste of time. Why would you need the backup camera while moving forward? It only looks directly backwards and has poor peripheral vision, so it wouldn't be any better than just glancing at your rear view mirror. Not to mention the resolution is fairly poor.
Not saying that the rear visibility isn't poor, but honestly the best solution to any issues with that is your right foot.
Not saying that the rear visibility isn't poor, but honestly the best solution to any issues with that is your right foot.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 10,548
Likes: 176
From: Upstate NY
I think my most challenging view is a 45 degree intersection where I am merging onto a roadway from the left side. I have to position the car to make use of the tiny quarter windows in the rear. Not much to look through. 
Pro
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 680
Likes: 17
From: Moulton Alabama
Cruise-In 8-9-10-12 Veteran
Have to agree here. Only close tailgaters can be seen in the backup camera. I also understand there are some of those though.
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 99
Likes: 4
From: Hendersonville North Carolina
I use spot mirrors on all my cars. Drove the C7 home 450 miles without them and felt uneasy when in traffic.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,079
Likes: 17,935
From: DFW Area TX
All 2014 vettes had the backup camera. FYI, it is still not a legal requirement yet. Implementation keeps getting delayed. Now not required until May 2018.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 1,298
Likes: 77
From: Wichita Kansas
After seeing all the complaints about the visibility to the rear, I was just wondering about the possibility of using the back-up camera while driving, like the Corvette Racing Team cars have to help the drivers avoid unpleasant traffic experiences.
Anybody know if it has been done and how?
Anybody know if it has been done and how?
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,949
Likes: 12,362
From: NE South Carolina
I have to do the same when stopping in the divided 4 lane highway that I enter from our rural road every day. Have to carefully place the Vette in the space of the divider at a specific angle to have the small window provide enough view to see what's coming down the highway! I also added blind spot mirrors that I find very effective. Did not need these on my -87, '93 or '08 but I feel the C7 with it's smaller rear view does.
Did not need for my '87, '93, or '08 Vettes but feel they are needed and effective for the C7.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 5,891
Likes: 1,199
From: Ft. Myers FL
Actually I set my outside mirrors further out so I just barely see the side of the car and this is the most recommended position for blind spots. However I've wondered if those "blind spot" mirrors really would help too. The reason is I had a nut in a Mercedes whip past on my passenger side and almost clip me because she was past the mirror's range and going pretty fast. I was doing 70 + and she passed me like I was standing still. She managed to honk though. 
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
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From: I live my life by 2 rules. 1) Never share everything you know. 2)
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13, '16-'17-'18
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Hurst, TX USA
JerryU, I've been looking for blind spot mirrors and those oval ones look pretty good (compared to a round dot). Where did you get them?
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,949
Likes: 12,362
From: NE South Carolina
Actually I set my outside mirrors further out so I just barely see the side of the car and this is the most recommended position for blind spots. However I've wondered if those "blind spot" mirrors really would help too. The reason is I had a nut in a Mercedes whip past on my passenger side and almost clip me because she was past the mirror's range and going pretty fast. I was doing 70 + and she passed me like I was standing still. She managed to honk though.
First, I do have my mirrors set per the 1995 SAE paper that discusses how to set to avoid blind spots! That is what all the folks site (indirectly) as "set correctly!” Hard to see from my photo. I lean my head on the window etc. etc.! Have used on all my Vettes. However that paper also said you need a good view at the rear to watch the car move from the rear view mirror to the side. If the rear is restricted it doesn’t work! Second they say that some folks don’t like the idea that they can’t see both their car and the folks coming up. The blind spot mirror lets you see both.
Made this pic to show the difference.
A convertible must be even worse! Funny the last two rental cars I had this year had blind spot mirrors built in the standard mirror. In Europe they allow convex mirrors on the drivers side like on the passenger side. The US does not. I think they help, did not use in my ’87, ’92 or ‘08 Vettes but the rear view in the C7 is less. To each his own but I like them!
The C7 rear view is narrow and does not allow you to fully see what the 1995 SAE paper defined as a way to avoid blind spots! Vert is worse!
Last edited by JerryU; Oct 29, 2014 at 12:31 PM.
E-Ray, 3LZ, ZER, LIFT
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 34,949
Likes: 12,362
From: NE South Carolina
I got mine from Amazon. I like that they are small and can be set high so do not affect the view in the main mirror. Be sure to look for ones made from glass, slightly more money but have kept their appearance for a year.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 39,079
Likes: 17,935
From: DFW Area TX
Actually I set my outside mirrors further out so I just barely see the side of the car and this is the most recommended position for blind spots. However I've wondered if those "blind spot" mirrors really would help too. The reason is I had a nut in a Mercedes whip past on my passenger side and almost clip me because she was past the mirror's range and going pretty fast. I was doing 70 + and she passed me like I was standing still. She managed to honk though.
