still waiting

 

I got an email from the company yesterday saying I'd finally have mine in a few days. I ordered in early February.

 

Pricing:

Mossmini has upped their price. The base price is still less than buying from multivex, but MossMINI's shipping price is absurd. Buy direct to avoid $14 of shipping on something that could be mailed for $2. After shipping charges, buying direct is now cheaper than MossMINI.

 

I've had my Multivex on the right side for several months now and it makes a huge difference in allowing you to see what used to be in the "blind spot."

 

Can someone please describe what it is that you "need to get used to" with Multivex? Are objects ***even*** "closer than they appear" in the Multivex than with stock mirrors? I need all the help I can get, especially changing lanes in heavy, but flowing traffice! thanks.

 

Because the multivex mirrors are curved, it takes a while to learn to estimate "depth" of objects in the mirror - the inner half of the mirror is relatively flat, so it operates much like your stock driver's side mirror, but the outer half of the mirror has a flat convex curve, so that half functions sort of like a birds-eye mirror, but not exactly, because it's only curved on one axis - so things don't appear really small near the edges, but they DO appear a little "compressed" side to side...

It's almost impossible to understand until you actually see one. The issue is that you can't judge how far back something is by just the *size* of the other car in the mirror... or where it appears relative to the side of your car (if you can see your car in your mirror), but by both the *location and size* of the other car in the mirror.... you just have to learn to interpret what you're seeing. But once you do, it's awesome. I have them on both sides and find it very difficult to drive a MINI without them now.

 

Yes. The difference isn't that dramatic on the passenger side since it's convex already. I doubt that would be an issue. The driver's side isn't convex, so the difference is huge.

People aren't used to having a non-linear mirror on the driver's side and this can take some getting used to, but it shouldn't be that much of a problem with Multivex. Multivex mirrors are linear for the first two thirds of the mirror then it rolls off. You can see two lanes across and there are a couple things to keep in mind.

Objects in the outer part of the mirror are closer than they appear. If your mirrors are adjusted properly that shouldn't be a problem. Also, staring at the mirror may cause your eye to start bouncing around trying to focus on weird image. Just use the mirror to detect threats, not read license plate numbers.

I've only run into one person, who posted earlier, driving a car with real blind spots that didn't like the mirrors. I think most take the minor negatives in favor of the huge advantage in visibility.

 

I agree. I'm on my second car with serious rear visibility issues and I can't imagine driving them without these mirrors now. I can see two lanes across on both sides and that's with the mirrors turned in more than the stock mirrors could be.

 

I will chime in that I have one only on the passenger side right now. I decided to buy one to start and the right rear was the largest problem. It has been a huge advantage.

Since the inside of the mirror is pretty much flat it works as you would expect and anyone can use the mirror quickly. The extra info you get from the "birds-eye" view on the outside makes all the difference though.

I think I might put one on my drivers side soon.

 

Installed both sides last weekend. Be careful. I cracked the pssgr side stock mirror trying to pop it off, but the multivex installed over it OK. Thinking about removing the drivers side multivex. It makes me dizzy. Will definitely keep the pssgr side. Sorry I waited so long about getting it.

 

How much more convex are the passenger side Multivex vs. stock? I'm wondering if the added display is worth it.

For the driver's side, which i understand from this thread is the more dramatic improvement, I don't feel like I have visibility issues - I am in the habit of turning around and looking. (Although I do have to admit that i bonk my head on the window a lot - so not cool. Oh well, at least I'm generally alone in the car.)

Maybe I will just order both sides - it is silly to debate safety (and potential $$$ repair cost) for $80 mirrors. I could try them out before doing the final install (bubble gum and duct tape temporary adhesive). From BlimeyCabrio's description, they sound a little like bi-focal glasses!

 

The passenger side mirror is WAY different/better than the stock one. You have to see it to fully understand it.

The benefit of the driver's side mirror is that, with both, I NEVER have to turn my head to check lanes. Ever. I can see everything behind and beside me for two lanes on either side in the mirrors. I can glance and go.... which also means I don't miss seeing that idiot in front of me lock up their brakes for no reason... or change lanes in front of me for no reason... eyes forward, always...

 

okay! thanks blimeycabrio, i'm convinced! I'll report back...

 

The viewing angle is significantly increased and it is worth it. When the top is up, all that cloth at the right rear corner blocks a lot of the view. With the stock mirror, lane changes to the right were always anxious moments; with Multivex all can be seen and I can do it with more safety and confidence.

On the drivers side, I've never had an issue with blind spots on any car (I probably angle the mirror out more than most people). I did try a drivers side Multivex but decided to stay with the flat mirror for better judgment of distance. Also, at the time my wife was driving the MINI infrequently and it was difficult for her to readjust to the driver side Multivex each time.

I've taken off the exterior mirrors a few times for various reasons without a problem. You should angle the mirror inward and upward as far as you can, put your fingers in the gap and try pulling the mirror off near the center, not the sides. But for attaching the Multivex I don't think it's really necessary to remove the stock mirror. With the mirror off, you might be able to do a cleaner job of applying filler caulk around the edge, but taking the mirror off isn't an absolute requirement.

 

I did my caulking with the mirrors attached, with no problem. Installed both without removing the OEM mirrors.

The reason I like the drivers side (which I did, for a time, consider doing without) is that I CAN set the mirror in more than I normally would, so I can see much of what's behind me in it, as well as what's beside me. With the top up, being able to see more of the space behind the car in the side mirrors is useful, since the rearward visibility is so spotty.

 

Has anyone tried these $10 convex mirrors on ebay?BMW MINI COOPER 2001-06 REPLACEMENT CONVEX MIRROR GLASS



http://cgi.ebay.com/BMW-MINI-COOPER-...item4ced800c2e

 

Paul,
Can you tip me on these, I installed them Sunday, and so far, not loving them. Is there some sort of trick/tricks?

 

MuiltiVex mirrors are worth it if you read what they do and only use them for glances rather than looking thru them to check our a name on a billboard.
They are fantastic blind spot mirros but they do mess up your depth perception when you back up and try to decide if your far enought ahead to pull over_Wait til you see the other car in the rear view mirror to be safe.

Don't stare into them as they freak you out they are fast glance and gone type mirrors. Here's what the installation sheet says:

When using the MultiVex mirror, the operator will adapt most quickly by focuing on the nearest half of the mirror only. Peripheral Vision automatically sees the remaning outer mirror surface , including the farthest portion which reveals the former blind spots.

To assure eye comfort, you should not focus on the farthest half of the mirror for extended periods of time, which also robs critical forward viewing attention.
Lots of detail which boils down to take use the inner half of the mirror to view behind and your eye will catch the car/truck in the outer edge of the mirror naturally. These mirror are not good for checking out the spelling of signs, watching chicks, or close in backing up until you get used to them. Once your relaxed and know how to use them they're great.
The ones for the MINI are designed as RT & LT. I put them on reversed and they work but am going to use fishing line to tear the tape and reverse them this summer.

 

Love it on the passenger side. Hated it on the driver's side and removed it. Made me cross-eyed.

 

I am torn between the multivex mirrors and the OEM Convex mirrors. I had convex mirrors on my VW and Mercedes and I really like them. How do they compare to the multivex mirrors?

 

By OEM Convex mirrors, do you mean the Euro version not sold in the US, or simply using a US spec passenger side convex mirror on the drivers side? The Euro version is like the US spec passenger side convex mirror, but the outer 25% section has greater curvature for wider angle view. I have one and like it.

In terms of providing field of view, they rank like this (low to high):Multivex provides a HUGE wide angle view that completely eliminates blind spots. However the distortion is unusual. The amount of curvature changes across the front of mirror and requires practice to judge distances. In the end I took it off because my wife was having trouble adjusting to it, especially when switching between cars. It works great if you can get used to it. The viewing angle is so wide that you can just glance in the mirror to check for traffic -- there's no need twist your head around to look out the side window.

The Euro spec mirror is a nice compromise that doesn't provide as wide a view as the Multivex, but more than US spec mirrors. It is available from newministuff in the UK: http://www.newministuff.com/new/shop...uctshow&id=641. Note that in Europe, they use convex mirrors on both sides.

 

I find them indispensable and suggest leaving them on until you do get used to it. If you don't look at the outer half of the mirror it's not much different than using the passenger mirror and you don't get so cross-eyed.

Another trick is to keep your head straight ahead and just roll your eyes left. Your nose will block one eye and your brain should have a much easier time with things.

I do blink occasionally when looking at them, but I would rather be able to see the extra lane on each side.

 

Does the passenger side still say "Object in mirror..."? I'd like this on the right.

Objects in Mirror are Losing

What do you think?

///Rich

 

From my past experience, the Euro spec mirrors I had on my VW and Mercedes did not say "OBJECTS IN MIRROR ARE CLOSER THAN THEY APPEAR".

Regadring that decal, I just bought those for my mirrors.

 

No, mine doesn't have any markings.