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Our modestly priced 2018 RAV4 LTD has amber blind spot warning lights in both outside mirrors. And I like them a ton. Knowledge is power. And it just might save your life.
Are you trying to say that the c7 is lacking in tech because your Rav 4 has blind spot detection while the Corvette doesn't? The short answer is that (1) the Corvette design team didn't want a lot of alerts interfering with driving enjoyment and (2) the location where the blind spot sensors needed to be placed interfered with the transmission and differential cooling components.
Personally, I'm glad the design team prioritized performance over driver safety aids. It's a Corvette for crying out loud. If you prefer tech and safety over performance there are plenty of sporty options that meet that criteria. Edited to add: I also don't have a problem with blind spots and the regular side mirrors. I'm able to adjust them to a point where there aren't really any blind spots as long as I glance over my shoulder before making a lane change.
Tadge's full response regarding why the c7 doesn't have blind spot detection is below.
Many of the questions on this forum relate to trade-offs in the vehicle design process. Side Blind Zone is a perfect example.
Generally speaking, we tend to err on the side of not having a lot of alerts that would interfere with the joy of driving. The SBZ feature was just emerging as a feasible customer feature as we were designing the 7th generation Corvette. We thought very carefully about including it in the program since we knew other vehicles were going to offer it. SBZ uses sensors located on the rear outboard corner of the car, just behind the fascia. That is precisely the location we needed to package our race-derived transmission and differential coolers. Having heat exchangers in the back corners interfered with both the physical space need for the sensors and disrupted their performance. In the end, we prioritized vehicle performance over a new feature that we were not sure would be a strong customer desire. We have gotten similar feedback from several customers asking the same question. SBZ does seem to be gaining good acceptance from customers so, although not feasible in the short term, we will strongly consider that customer desire in our future plans.
Are you trying to say that the c7 is lacking in tech because your Rav 4 has blind spot detection while the Corvette doesn't? The short answer is that (1) the Corvette design team didn't want a lot of alerts interfering with driving enjoyment and (2) the location where the blind spot sensors needed to be placed interfered with the transmission and differential cooling ducts.
Personally, I'm glad the design team prioritized performance over driver safety aids. It's a Corvette for crying out loud. If you prefer tech and safety over performance there are plenty of sporty options that meet that criteria. Edited to add: I also don't have a problem with blind spots and the regular side mirrors. I'm able to adjust them to a point where there aren't really any blind spots as long as I glance over my shoulder before making a lane change.
Tadge's full response is below regarding why the c7 doesn't have blind spot detection is below.
Many of the questions on this forum relate to trade-offs in the vehicle design process. Side Blind Zone is a perfect example.
Generally speaking, we tend to err on the side of not having a lot of alerts that would interfere with the joy of driving. The SBZ feature was just emerging as a feasible customer feature as we were designing the 7th generation Corvette. We thought very carefully about including it in the program since we knew other vehicles were going to offer it. SBZ uses sensors located on the rear outboard corner of the car, just behind the fascia. That is precisely the location we needed to package our race-derived transmission and differential coolers. Having heat exchangers in the back corners interfered with both the physical space need for the sensors and disrupted their performance. In the end, we prioritized vehicle performance over a new feature that we were not sure would be a strong customer desire. We have gotten similar feedback from several customers asking the same question. SBZ does seem to be gaining good acceptance from customers so, although not feasible in the short term, we will strongly consider that customer desire in our future plans.
What I'm saying is being safer on the road is a goal we should all share. Intentionally not understanding your surroundings is not being prudent. Which makes me wonder about those...............
What I'm saying is being safer on the road is a goal we should all share. Intentionally not understanding your surroundings is not being prudent. Which makes me wonder about those...............
You are correct to say that intentionally not understanding your surroundings is not being prudent. If blind spot detection can be added with no drawbacks then fine, include it.
However, that is not precisely the scenario that the Corvette design team was faced with. They had the option to either increase performance (cooling components) or increase safety (blonde spot detection). Given the history of the Corvette, which is a car that competes with others costing 2-3 times it's price, I'd say the design team made the correct choice.
The day Corvette stops prioritizing performance over other considerations is the day the Corvette will cease to be what it has been since the c4.
You are correct to say that intentionally not understanding your surroundings is not being prudent. If blind spot detection can be added with no drawbacks then fine, include it.
However, that is not precisely the scenario that the Corvette design team was faced with. They had the option to either increase performance (cooling components) or increase safety (blonde spot detection). Given the history of the Corvette, which is a car that competes with others costing 2-3 times it's price, I'd say the design team made the correct choice.
The day Corvette stops prioritizing performance over other considerations is the day the Corvette will cease to be what it has been since the c4.
Well I have my mirrors correctly adjusted to minimize and almost eliminate the blind spot. Adjusting the mirrors correctly really does work. However, I will be watching this very closely and would love to try one of these out.
Yes, adjusting the mirrors properly really does ALMOST eliminate the blind spot, and I'm very familiar with the proper technique. It doesn't completely eliminate it.
There are a lot of things we don't need but purchase anyway because they make things a little better. If you'd rather keep turning your neck, taking your eyes off the road briefly to check, that's an option. Even with the optimum mirror adjustment, there is still a small blind spot. That's particularly true of smaller vehicles and those overtaking very slowly.
There are a lot of things we don't need but purchase anyway because they make things a little better. If you'd rather keep turning your neck, taking your eyes off the road briefly to check, that's an option. Even with the optimum mirror adjustment, there is still a small blind spot. That's particularly true of smaller vehicles and those overtaking very slowly.
This is true. I know how to adjust my mirrors and it's pretty small but it's there.
Probably, how much space do you need? It's 36' x 50', and there's a 45' motorcoach normally in the center section. That could be moved outside for awhile as long as it's not horribly cold, since it's not winterized.
Probably, how much space do you need? It's 36' x 50', and there's a 45' motorcoach normally in the center section. That could be moved outside for awhile as long as it's not horribly cold, since it's not winterized.
I think we should be fine, just want to be able to show a visual before and after - really just another car width
Want to start off by saying thanks to Clay (Foosh) for volunteering to put us in
his heated garage and taking time out of his day to host my wife and I. It was a
pleasure and hope to get together again soon,
While this was far from Scientific (nor was it meant to be) We did fit the Prototype Blind Spot Mirror
today. Installation was simple enough that 3 grown adults with higher educations did not screw it up
We gained a full 5 Feet of visibility directly in the Blind Spot Area.
Notice my mirrors are adjusted wrong
But
I now have complete visibility down the side of the entire car
and
The Blind Spot is COMPLETELY eliminated
I was able to drive 100+ miles today with the mirror installed and my first impression is WOW. Personally I love it - a lot.
I am now able to see a car approaching from behind left and never lose sight of it in the mirror until I can see it
beside me without the mirror. On narrow 3 lane streets I could actually see over 1-1/2 lanes. My favorite thing is
being able to see down the side of the car. When your mirrors are "correctly" adjusted you lose that side of the
car reference point (visual) I just love being able to see down the side of the car AND the blind spot.
01-19-2019, 05:35 PM
