
Car mirrors – do we know everything about them?
Mirrors on cars did not appear immediately, and, one might say, by accident. One day, there was simply no assistant next to the racer in the car who was supposed to look at what was happening around, including behind. Without thinking twice, the driver attached a pocket mirror to the car body, which helped him participate in the competition.
Later, the reflective "device" was also installed in the passenger compartment. Now imagine modern car It's quite difficult without mirrors.
Above you can see the rear view mirror of a Marmon Model 32 Was. Photo: youtube.com
Unless, of course, we take into account the "tricked-out" VIP technology with rear-view and even all-round cameras, as well as fully autonomous cars. Today's mirrors are not at all what women carry in their handbags - sometimes we are talking about rather complex devices.
The main part is a reflective element. It can be applied outside or inside. In the latter case, it will be protected by glass. But, on the other hand, the image will be slightly distorted, bifurcated. If the reflective coating is outside, the view in it will be more real, but there is no protection from the effects of the external environment. However, this disadvantage is actively being combated today: the production of a layer, for example, from titanium nitride has long been practiced. Such a coating is resistant to sand, dirt, it can be safely wiped with pressure. And the reflection will be clear.
Folding mirror with turn signal. Photo: youtube.com
The second element of the design is the body. It should be durable and, preferably, folding. If someone touches such a mirror or you do it yourself (for example, when entering a narrow garage, box), the product will simply fold, remaining intact. The mirror also includes an adjustment mechanism. On budget cars it is manual, more expensive ones - with an electric drive. Heating can be added to the options.
Electrically adjustable side mirror. Photo: youtube.com
There are also other additional "features": for example, turn signal repeaters integrated into the body. Such an option can "come" from the factory or be built in independently. Someone has probably seen an LED on a reflective surface: it lights up (the sensor is triggered) if a car appears from behind, going on a parallel course to overtake. This allows you to "remove" the "blind" zone. However, let's turn to the main component of the design - the reflective surface, which comes in three types.
The classic version is a product similar in reflective properties to the one you look into every morning at home. Such a mirror shows the real situation behind the car.
On the first Zhiguli, the mirrors were not only flat, but also round. Photo: youtube.com
You will be able to accurately estimate the distance to the object. But flat mirrors are "guilty" of a minimum viewing angle, which leads to the formation of significant "blind" zones.
When maneuvering in heavy traffic or changing lanes, with such a product you will have to turn your head frequently.
Convex mirrors that make objects visible in them appear farther away. But they provide a wider viewing angle. If you have a similar product of foreign manufacture in your hands, most likely there will be an inscription on it (somewhere in a secluded place), which means in translation that "the object is further away than it actually is."
Convex spherical mirror. Photo: youtube.com
When driving a car with a flat mirror and then switching to a car with a spherical one, problems may arise: you will need to get used to the distant reflection. However, today more advanced products are appearing.
These mirrors can be called universal. In them, two thirds of the reflective surface (the one closer to the driver) is occupied by the spherical layer described above. But the outer part is very rounded, which allows to completely eliminate the "blind zone".
Aspherical mirror: its outer edge, outlined by a vertical strip, receives more objects. Photo: youtube.com
For ease of use, aspherical products are supplied with a vertical stripe showing where the division into viewing zones occurs.
Often, cars are equipped with a pair of side mirrors of different types. On the driver's side - a classic flat one, the passenger's - a spherical, panoramic one, with a vertical strip. However, there may be options: it all depends on the preferences of the manufacturer or the car owner. But, in accordance with GOST, in any case, it is not allowed to install a flat mirror on the right side.
Initially, they were installed in sports cars: the image was displayed on separate monitors or projected onto the windshield. By removing the mirrors, manufacturers improved the aerodynamic qualities of the car. However, it turned out that a delay in the signal through the wires could lead to a delay in the information received by the racer. And at high speeds, fractions of a second are important.
Monitor connected to rear view camera with graphic markings. Photo: youtube.com
However, on more expensive cars, video cameras are almost mandatory. At least, there will definitely be a parking device. In premium cars, cameras are installed "in a circle": everything is visible not only from behind and from the sides, but sometimes from above (though, why is not very clear). The data is displayed on the multimedia display.
This option is worth mentioning separately: frozen and fogged mirrors have a negative impact on driving safety. And in Russia, in most regions, winter lasts 9 months a year. Therefore, many people prefer to install heated mirrors themselves. It is important to remember: current consumption is about 5-6 amperes. Therefore, connect through a separate relay and fuse. And the switch can be combined with rear window heating.
Previously, they had two main problems, which were subsequently solved by manufacturers. This is a small view and blinding by the light of a car driving behind. In the latter case, a mechanism was installed inside the mirror that allows you to change the angle of the reflective surface. As a result, by pressing the lever, you can make the darkening.
The rear side windows are also visible in the panoramic mirror. Photo: youtube.com
As for improving the view, if it is not satisfactory, you can buy a panoramic spherical mirror, fixing it directly to the standard one. As a rule, clamps are provided for such a case. However, the factory product can be completely replaced with the one you like.
What about additional electronics? Opinions differ on safety here. For example, if there is a recorder inside the product, then there is nothing to worry about: the mirror works in normal mode as a regular one, there are no extraneous images on it. Therefore, safety will not be affected. Such a device is usually “examined” at a bus stop when it is necessary to view a recorded event.
The presence of the image transmitted by the rear view camera in the mirror when parking will not cause any harm either, since the picture appears only when reversing. But when they start to cram a bunch of electronics into this product, it is worth thinking before buying such a “toy”. It is also acceptable when the set of “options” is limited to a modest LED signaling a radar or a number indicating the battery voltage. But if applications are reflected, then this is too much.
Video recorder mirror Artway MD-175 with rear view camera, Android 8.1, Wi-Fi, SIM card, navigator, Hands Free system. Average price: 13960 rubles. Photo: market.yandex.ru
Someone will say: what about the drivers? trucks and vans, where there is no interior mirror? It is not that it ceases to perform its direct functions: the pictures will distract from the road, which is fraught with the creation of an emergency situation. In this case, it will no longer matter: you can only use the side mirrors or you need an interior one. And for entertainment, it is better to buy multimedia.
Later, the reflective "device" was also installed in the passenger compartment. Now imagine modern car It's quite difficult without mirrors.

Unless, of course, we take into account the "tricked-out" VIP technology with rear-view and even all-round cameras, as well as fully autonomous cars. Today's mirrors are not at all what women carry in their handbags - sometimes we are talking about rather complex devices.
About construction
The main part is a reflective element. It can be applied outside or inside. In the latter case, it will be protected by glass. But, on the other hand, the image will be slightly distorted, bifurcated. If the reflective coating is outside, the view in it will be more real, but there is no protection from the effects of the external environment. However, this disadvantage is actively being combated today: the production of a layer, for example, from titanium nitride has long been practiced. Such a coating is resistant to sand, dirt, it can be safely wiped with pressure. And the reflection will be clear.

The second element of the design is the body. It should be durable and, preferably, folding. If someone touches such a mirror or you do it yourself (for example, when entering a narrow garage, box), the product will simply fold, remaining intact. The mirror also includes an adjustment mechanism. On budget cars it is manual, more expensive ones - with an electric drive. Heating can be added to the options.

There are also other additional "features": for example, turn signal repeaters integrated into the body. Such an option can "come" from the factory or be built in independently. Someone has probably seen an LED on a reflective surface: it lights up (the sensor is triggered) if a car appears from behind, going on a parallel course to overtake. This allows you to "remove" the "blind" zone. However, let's turn to the main component of the design - the reflective surface, which comes in three types.
Flat mirrors
The classic version is a product similar in reflective properties to the one you look into every morning at home. Such a mirror shows the real situation behind the car.

You will be able to accurately estimate the distance to the object. But flat mirrors are "guilty" of a minimum viewing angle, which leads to the formation of significant "blind" zones.
The disadvantages of flat mirrors can be used by scammers – “car scammers”. When overtaking, they enter the “blind” zone and intentionally hit your car, then demanding compensation for repair costs.
When maneuvering in heavy traffic or changing lanes, with such a product you will have to turn your head frequently.
Spherical
Convex mirrors that make objects visible in them appear farther away. But they provide a wider viewing angle. If you have a similar product of foreign manufacture in your hands, most likely there will be an inscription on it (somewhere in a secluded place), which means in translation that "the object is further away than it actually is."

When driving a car with a flat mirror and then switching to a car with a spherical one, problems may arise: you will need to get used to the distant reflection. However, today more advanced products are appearing.
Aspherical
These mirrors can be called universal. In them, two thirds of the reflective surface (the one closer to the driver) is occupied by the spherical layer described above. But the outer part is very rounded, which allows to completely eliminate the "blind zone".

For ease of use, aspherical products are supplied with a vertical stripe showing where the division into viewing zones occurs.
Combination
Often, cars are equipped with a pair of side mirrors of different types. On the driver's side - a classic flat one, the passenger's - a spherical, panoramic one, with a vertical strip. However, there may be options: it all depends on the preferences of the manufacturer or the car owner. But, in accordance with GOST, in any case, it is not allowed to install a flat mirror on the right side.
Camcorders
Initially, they were installed in sports cars: the image was displayed on separate monitors or projected onto the windshield. By removing the mirrors, manufacturers improved the aerodynamic qualities of the car. However, it turned out that a delay in the signal through the wires could lead to a delay in the information received by the racer. And at high speeds, fractions of a second are important.

However, on more expensive cars, video cameras are almost mandatory. At least, there will definitely be a parking device. In premium cars, cameras are installed "in a circle": everything is visible not only from behind and from the sides, but sometimes from above (though, why is not very clear). The data is displayed on the multimedia display.
Heating
This option is worth mentioning separately: frozen and fogged mirrors have a negative impact on driving safety. And in Russia, in most regions, winter lasts 9 months a year. Therefore, many people prefer to install heated mirrors themselves. It is important to remember: current consumption is about 5-6 amperes. Therefore, connect through a separate relay and fuse. And the switch can be combined with rear window heating.
Interior mirrors
Previously, they had two main problems, which were subsequently solved by manufacturers. This is a small view and blinding by the light of a car driving behind. In the latter case, a mechanism was installed inside the mirror that allows you to change the angle of the reflective surface. As a result, by pressing the lever, you can make the darkening.

As for improving the view, if it is not satisfactory, you can buy a panoramic spherical mirror, fixing it directly to the standard one. As a rule, clamps are provided for such a case. However, the factory product can be completely replaced with the one you like.
"Multimedia" in the interior mirror
What about additional electronics? Opinions differ on safety here. For example, if there is a recorder inside the product, then there is nothing to worry about: the mirror works in normal mode as a regular one, there are no extraneous images on it. Therefore, safety will not be affected. Such a device is usually “examined” at a bus stop when it is necessary to view a recorded event.
Installing a mirror with a recorder and a rear view camera
The presence of the image transmitted by the rear view camera in the mirror when parking will not cause any harm either, since the picture appears only when reversing. But when they start to cram a bunch of electronics into this product, it is worth thinking before buying such a “toy”. It is also acceptable when the set of “options” is limited to a modest LED signaling a radar or a number indicating the battery voltage. But if applications are reflected, then this is too much.

Someone will say: what about the drivers? trucks and vans, where there is no interior mirror? It is not that it ceases to perform its direct functions: the pictures will distract from the road, which is fraught with the creation of an emergency situation. In this case, it will no longer matter: you can only use the side mirrors or you need an interior one. And for entertainment, it is better to buy multimedia.
- Sergey Mileshkin
- youtube.com, VK Video, market.yandex.ru
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