Nice !!! I want these now, they are very helpfull but i wish they had the little light that lights up when their is a car in the way..

 

I have the lights in the side mirrors on the Jag.

And industry wide, blind spot monitors are becoming the norm, and car mags rag on high end cars that don't have them now. They rag on the Azera for not having them while trying to compete with the likes of the upcoming Lexus ES.

But seriously, ask yourself why would you prefer seeing some little light in your mirror that is suppose to represent a car to your side and behind you instead of just seeing car to your side and behind you in your side mirror?

The only reason you need blind spot mirrors or monitors is because you are using your side mirrors wrong. People use their side mirrors as rear view mirrors. That's what your rear view mirror is for, and that's why they call the other mirrors "side" mirrors.

Those little convex mirrors do more harm than good. Before I knew how to properly adjust my mirrors I used them on cars with crazy blind spots (try a Lotus Esprit). I found it took a lot more mental effort to study these tiny little convex mirrors to understand what was happening versus what I saw in the rest of the side mirror. Who needs that?!

If no one has told you yet, definitely don't take it from me, just Google "how to adjust your side mirrors" and see how many videos and websites are trying to help you to do it right even though you have been adjusting your side mirrors wrong for 20 or 30 years.

Back to the Jag. That stupid light is worthless. You are trying to check if the light is on, but whether it's on or not, you don't really know what's about to happen. A car could be speeding up into your blind spot and you can't just trust that the light will give you the warning you need. You still want to see what's going on.

The right solution is to have a 360deg view of what's around you at all times without craning your neck. If you adjust the mirrors right, you will have that, and save some bucks and maybe your life.

 

I bought a pair of little convex mirrors for $3 at my auto parts store and stuck them on. Work great and put them on all my cars. I like the mirrors but not sure they are worth the money. Will be interested in your thoughts once you get them installed.

 

I'm with you on this one. They're nice but too much to go through just for a mirror. At least the stick on type can be removed if I decide I don't like them.

 

Thanks for the tips^^ I will go look that up now!!

 

If you do get them please let us know what you think.

 

I've seen these before but didn't want to risk it...

So if you get them done, share some infos with us as i'll try my best translating it haha.

1. Remove the glass holder from the side mirror as shown above in the first picture.

2. Remove the holding pin(I'm guessing it's talking about that silver pin in the picture) from the glass holder and place it on the new BSA mirror as shown above in the 2nd, 3rd, and the 4th picture.

I'm not sure if this makes sense but that's basically what the description in the picture says.

 

Thanks Richysh for the translation!

I will take pictures and post once I start the process. Shouldn't be too involved....I hope

 

RICHYSH, that seems about right, but I can't read Korean but from the photos seems to make the most sense. Now I used some wide angle mirrors on our VW and they didn't need the tab removal/reinstall.

I have been holding off for someone to do these mirrors and will await OptimaSX's update on install.

 

RICHYSH, that seems about right, but I can't read Korean but from the photos seems to make the most sense. Now I used some wide angle mirrors on our VW and they didn't need the tab removal/reinstall.

I have been holding off for someone to do these mirrors and will await OptimaSX's update on install.

Haha same here. As soon as i saw these on eBay, i was like this is what ive been looking for especially with that blue tint on the glass like bimmers and mercedes.

 

I went out immediately after buying the car as I really had a bit of an issue seeing next to me on the drivers side. The mirrors are larger than my Altima but they are closer to you and it is not as easy to get the angle to see. I have always used convex mirrors and have never had any issues.

As for the light in mirrors to let you know when someoine is beside you or in the blind spot... How many accidents will happen because the light stops working and joe lazy driver never double checks.

 

I found these very useful when driving my wife's Tahoe but I had it on my Taurus and didn't find it useful. It's a personal preference I suppose. Let us know how well it works and if it really is handy!

 

Some one described proper side mirror adjustment in another thread about a month ago. Since then I tried it and never changed back. Who ever he was, I want to thank him.

 

Spread the word! If I had to guess based on observation, I'd say about 5% of the population uses the mirrors correctly. I have not seen any sign that the driver's schools have caught up with the times and are teaching the proper method yet.

When you pass a car on the left or right, you can tell if they are using their mirrors correctly if you can or can't see their face in their side mirrors as you pass into their blind spot. It's the old trucker saying, "If you cant see me, I can't see you." If you can't see their face in the side mirror from their blind spot, you know they don't know how to do it.

Let me know if you think the number is over 5%? It might be less. One day it will be 95%. That day will take a long time to come because of the old timers that hate change and will tell you, "I've been driving this way for 30 years and I haven't had a problem!"

 

The rear window is useless. You need to line up sides properly like any car as our mirrors are hugeWhat is the solution to tunnel vision and blind spots?Simply adjust the side-view mirrors just beyond the point where you could see the side of the car on the inside edge of the mirror. With this setup, you almost completely solve the blind spot problem. To adjust the outside mirrors this way, follow these two steps (This of course, is for vehicles with an inside mirror):

• For the driver side mirror, roll up the window and press your head against the glass. Adjust the mirror so that you can just see the edge of the car.
• For the passenger side mirror, place your head in the center of the car (directly behind the inside mirror mount) and adjust the outside mirror so that you can just see the edge of the car. This is necessary even with convex (curved) mirrors where the image is distorted a little.

When you’re in your normal driving position, you won’t be able to see the sides of the car but will be able to see other vehicles in the adjacent lanes.
For those times where there is a vehicle present in the other lane that isn’t visible when checking the mirrors, the other vehicle’s position will probably be such that its front is adjacent to your door and you’ll spot it in your peripheral vision as you check the side-view mirror.

From NMA:
Most of us have dealt with blind spots by turning our head for a quick check. This isn’t generally a problem in terms of missing something ahead; however, there can be a dangerous side effect.

It was the "Blind Spot Danger" Thread...

 

UPDATED: w/Pictures and Notes.

Got the mirrors on, nothing to it. I was able to follow the steps as shown in the directions that came with the mirrors. I did however not use a screwdriver to get them out.

Above are the steps as shown.

Step 1. I found the spot as shown in the original directions, step 1.

But instead of using the screwdriver, I tilted them up as far as they would go...

... then put my fingers under the lower edge of the mirror, pulled out and up, and off it came.

**NOTE: You will hear a noise like gears stripping, but it's nothing to be concerned about, it's the mechanism slipping....just don't do it excessively. It takes a little effort, but the mirror comes off, it doesn't snap.

**NOTE: DON'T pull it too far from the attachment base, you'll tear the wires...although they are located at the top of the mirror, close to the car, you can easily tilt it out at the top far enough to remove the wires from the posts.

**NOTE: Before removing the wires, note which one attaches to which terminal of the mirror.Once I removed the 2 wires that go to the heater connectors the original mirrors were free.

Step 2: (steps 2,3, & 4)Next I pried out the metal tabs, from the back of the original mirrors, put them on the new mirror, two on drivers side, one on passenger. If you put a small screwdriver under the base of the tab, you will not risk damaging the original mount. The Passenger side mirror on mine only has one of these tabs. You can tell which slot on the mirror to put it in as there is grease on the mirror housing in the appropriate slot.If you do one mirror at a time and have them sitting side by side, you'll not have any issues as to where they go. All metal tabs are the same size. I believe these are there to stabilize the mirror and prevent shaking while the car is moving.

Step 3:Reattach the original wires. in exactly the same place as they came off.On my car, the black wire with the white stripe, was on the tab furtherest from the car, and toward the outside of the mirror.

Step 4:Set the base of the mirror against the mounting base, lining it up at the bottom of the mounting base, you may want to place a cloth over the front of the mirror (the cloth is for your protection, so if you break it you won't cut yourself).
Press around the mounting points, NOT on the outside of the Mirrors at this time. If they flex you will break them.

**NOTE: To test the quality of the attachment, I actually used my fingers and moved the mirrors. You will hear a grinding noise when doing this, but it won't hurt anything. If you can move it and it doesn't come off, it's attached.Took me about 10 minutes total.Since my seats are still out of the car, I can't tell you my findings or impressions. All I know so far is, "Objects in Mirror are Closer Than they Appear", no matter which mirror I look at.Should get the car back either Friday the 27th or 30th

 

wouldn't the little stick on $3 mirrors do the same thing?

 

Yeah pretty much but they wouldn't look clean as these

 

i tried driving a Ford Escape or something like that once with these types of mirrors. i thought I was going to throw up because they were driving my eyes crazy. almost like a picture in a picture but with motion.

no thanks I know how to adjust my mirrors correctly .... i'll pass

 

Dude us the multi-quote button, click the little quote and plus sign button for each post you want to reply to then hit reply with quote on one of those posts and you respond to everyone in one post.

 

Glad to hear the install was as easy as it was, can't wait to hear the on the road impressions.

 

If you set your mirrors correct you shouldnt need these. BUT I still would like to have them. Because they do add quite a bit of range to the drivers view behind and to the side. I might be inclined to spend the 50 bucks.

Cool post!

 

The wires for the mirror, are they simple plug and play or do they need to altered in any way? Thanks

 

Simple plug and play, they use the same size male ends as the original mirrors.

 

Cheaper option maybe?

Curved Blindspot Side Mirror Glass 2p For 11 12 Kia Optima : K5 | eBay

 

Cheaper option maybe?

Curved Blindspot Side Mirror Glass 2p For 11 12 Kia Optima : K5 | eBay

Certainly, but I bet your mirrors won't defrost anymore. With the tape you'll now have a layer of insulation.

 

Was driving down the freeway today and as I was passing a lady in a Lincoln MKZ, I saw she had the small convex mirror on her driver's side mirror. I also noticed I couldn't see her face as I was in her blind spot area (she's not doing it right). I wasn't going much faster then her and as I was passing her, she decided she wanted to be in my lane and just pulled into my lane and I had to swerve to avoid her hitting me. She noticed what she did and I could tell it freaked her out. She thought she knew what she didn't.

Boy, I really hate people that don't use the mirrors right or use convex mirrors and think they know better. They don't. Dangerous to me, themselves, and others.

 

There is nothing better than turning your head and looking, no real excuse in my book. She probably never uses those mirrors anyway, cause we know if they were adjusted correctly and she'd have looked, she would have seen you. This is why I love a loud horn!

 

Updated post 16 w/Pictures and Notes.

Post #16 updated

 

Love this thread.

I think the blind spot on the passenger side of my Optima is one of the worst I've ever had in a car. I use both inside and outside mirrors as well as a head check before changing lanes and I still seem to have a spot that I can't see at the car's passenger side C-pillar. I really dislike this about my car. I went out and bought the little $3 bubble mirrors at Napa and used them on that side but everything looks so tiny it's almost worthless. I've never had to adjust my mirrors the way a few of you have alluded to (thanks for the info!) but I'm going try that out. If all else fails, $50 is a cheap investment if it really helps. I'd be interested in a side-by-side comparison to the $3 stick-ons to the $50 eBay mirror.

And I'd also love to be able to see the curb when I parallel park without having to adjust my passenger mirror whenever I back up (another Portlander who's in downtown a lot).

Tony

 

I've never had to adjust my mirrors the way a few of you have alluded to (thanks for the info!) but I'm going try that out. If all else fails, $50 is a cheap investment if it really helps. I'd be interested in a side-by-side comparison to the $3 stick-ons to the $50 eBay mirror.

IMO every car has a blind spot if the mirrors are set the way most people do it (so that you can see the side of your car). I had a Miata and even with the top down (i.e no b or c pillar!) I ran with my mirrors wide. I still find myself glancing over my shoulder for an instant before changing lanes, but old habits die hard. I feel you will be amazed at how much visibility you gain simply by adjusting your mirrors wide.

 

If this works well I think it isa good upgrade.

 

I was a little hesitant about these mirrors, even before I bought them, but I"ve always felt the wing mirrors should be wide angle.
Now that I have the car back, I can officially tell you they are great! So much better field of vision, especially on the driver side.
The built in mirrors are not too large, and only do what they are designed for, give you a wider field of vision....and for my needs, now I can really see the curb when parallel parking.

No regrets, and I highly recommend them! You won't be disappointed (plus they look great!)

 

Thank you for this! I really appreciate this type of thread with the follow up!

 

Just purchased these. So you just tilted your mirrors up as high as they would go to create a gap to slide your fingers in. Then you pulled on the actual mirror itself (outwards and upwards)? Or did you put any pressure on any tabs in the back that are holding it on? Just want to be clear I am so looking forward to getting these on.

 

You got it right, just tilt them all the way up, put your fingers underneath in the center, pull out and up. They will come loose.
I'll send you a pm with my phone if you have any questions.

 

Thanks for the report back SX, I will be getting a set for mine!