Upgraded Side Mirrors

[GWBlack]

Hi, Does anybody know of any nice exterior mirrors with the convex lens (along with the regular one) to better allow seeing in my blind spot? I looked on the Toyota website and it doesn't appear they offer an OEM upgrade. I know I can buy those little round stick-on convex lens, but would prefer a step up from that. I used to have a F350 truck and the convex part was built into the bottom of the existing mirrors and was really nice.

Thanks!

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by GWBlack

Hi, Does anybody know of any nice exterior mirrors with the convex lens (along with the regular one) to better allow seeing in my blind spot? I looked on the Toyota website and it doesn't appear they offer an OEM upgrade. I know I can buy those little round stick-on convex lens, but would prefer a step up from that.

Thanks!

FWIW, I've used a pair of Pep Boys stick-on convex mirrors for two years now and have found them perfectly adequate, and that's both for city driving and off-road use. Just my two cents.

[PhotonDreams]

I tried the round one's. Too small and the shape wastes too much space that shows nothing. Went with the rectangular shape. They take up most of the lower part of mirror. I put them in the lower inside corner. They are great at night and even work well at night in the rain. They leave the upper half of the flat mirror to be used in its regular function. You can test them by using tape to put them on temporarily. My eye checks them before I change lanes, then the flat part of the mirror. With them nothing can be in the blind spot on either side. I would not have an SUV without them.

[mikmabz]

I have a question on those stick-on mirrors. Don't they fall off if I regularly heat the mirrors? It's getting pretty cold here now so I'm wondering if they adhere pretty good to the stock mirror even if you use the "heat mirror switch". thanks!

[PhotonDreams]

Amazingly I've never had one fall off, and on some cars I've had they were on for 8 years. I suspect the adhesive is yet another piece of reversed technology from that UFO that crashed over there in Roswell. They probably just pried the rear view mirrors off the thing and analyzed the glue.

If it's cold where you are I'd just get a hair dryer and blow a little heat on the glass and the tape before you peel off the protective tape. I put mine in the lower inside corner of each mirror and they've been simply great for spotting anything in the two blind spots on each side. They are the larger rectangular mirrors and go about half way up the flat mirror and about 2/3's over to the outside edge. You could have someone just hold them in position to test them out. Most auto stores carry a range of sizes. Be sure surface is clean.

[GWBlack]

Originally Posted by PhotonDreams

I tried the round one's. Too small and the shape wastes too much space that shows nothing. Went with the rectangular shape. They take up most of the lower part of mirror. I put them in the lower inside corner. They are great at night and even work well at night in the rain. They leave the upper half of the flat mirror to be used in its regular function. You can test them by using tape to put them on temporarily. My eye checks them before I change lanes, then the flat part of the mirror. With them nothing can be in the blind spot on either side. I would not have an SUV without them.

Thanks!!! The location & positioning tips will help alot.

Just curious - which brand and size did you settle on? And is it a real mirror, or the simulated foil type? I'd like to get the right size and material the first time around.

Thanks again for the info!

[TrailDust]

Originally Posted by mikmabz

I have a question on those stick-on mirrors. Don't they fall off if I regularly heat the mirrors? It's getting pretty cold here now so I'm wondering if they adhere pretty good to the stock mirror even if you use the "heat mirror switch". thanks!

Nope, never had one fall off, and mine have been exposed to minus 0 temperatures in the Sierra Nevada mountains and in full sun at 120+ in the Mojave desert for two years now. Modern adhesives are outstanding!

[PhotonDreams]

I think one guy supplies them all in different packaging. They are about 2 1/2 X 3 3/4. Does not take much pressure since the tape is pretty sticky. When you stick them on you have to sort of put a little pressure on the outside part of the flat mirror to compensate for the pressure you will put on the mirror to stick it on. If you don't you'll hear a little plastic clicking noise as you force the gears that move the mirror left and right or up and down. Don't think it hurts it but why take the chance.

[naturoses]

Please see this link below for elimination of blind spot. I am not sure whether they sell for highlander..

http://www.multivexmirror.net/technology.html


Other links:

http://www.autobahnmirror.com/

http://www.welcometogiftshop.com/_e/...ini_Mirror.htm

http://www.welcometogiftshop.com/_e/...ini_Mirror.htm

http://www.allviewmirror.com/whyallview2.htm

http://www.autobarn.net/auxwidmir.html


Some more links with lights:

http://www.muthco.com/products/wide-...signal-mirror/

You Tube

You Tube

I do not have any of these and would love to find the best. I really like the signal mirror technology. Hope this helps.

[mikmabz]

I bought the Hot spot brand (rectangular shape) the same size as what photondreams posted above. It really shows the blind spots but the thing is I'm not used to my side mirror covered about 1/4 of the viewable space. I'll try it for a couple of months if I'm not comfortable with it then I might have to remove it or change it to a smaller one.

[PhotonDreams]

Yup, that was my impression too at first. I thought, yikes are these things too big? But I found that it not only covers the blind spot but a fair area behind the car. I just positioned left and right mirrors so that I can glance at the convex mirror first, before changing lanes, then the flat to check that nothing fast is coming up from further behind. All in all it has worked out really well. Hope it works out as well for you.