Video Mirrors

[NeilBlanchard]

My current cameras are ~120-140 degrees, and the image is 4:3. On my 16:10 aspect ratio monitors, there is an option to stretch the image - and this "re-expands" the horizontal dimension so things are a bit more visible.

I've had video mirrors for about 5 years and counting.

I am hoping that Tesla can effect the change in the law about video mirrors. They want to use them on the Model X, and I'm sure the Model S's they built after that change will also have 'em. Which will lower both the frontal area and the Cd of the already excellent Model S.

[ecomodded]

As the car cameras have a mirror mode that reverses the image to replicate that of a mirror , they are a mirror ,of a type. Which will be my augment to the courts, if I ever get ticketed.

[NeilBlanchard]

What I have been told by the folks doing the annual safety inspection, is the mirrors have to be stock. But I wonder if I had mounted some sort of smaller optical mirrors, they would not have blinked, and just passed my car. And I have not been challenged by a police officer. My video mirrors work very well, with no blind spots, but not perfect in bright sun. Overall, video mirrors are much better than their optical counterparts.

[UltArc]

Not sure about MA, but in Ohio one needs

"4513.23 Rear view mirror.
(A) Every motor vehicle, motorcycle, and trackless trolley shall be equipped with a mirror so located as to reflect to the operator a view of the highway to the rear of such vehicle, motorcycle, or trackless trolley. Operators of vehicles, motorcycles, streetcars, and trackless trolleys shall have a clear and unobstructed view to the front and to both sides of their vehicles, motorcycles, streetcars, or trackless trolleys and shall have a clear view to the rear of their vehicles, motorcycles, streetcars, or trackless trolleys by mirror.

(B) Whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor.

Amended by 128th General AssemblyFile No.9, HB 1, §101.01, eff. 10/16/2009.

Effective Date: 01-01-2004"

http://codes.ohio.gov/orc/4513.23

At one point I thought I found something saying side mirrors were needed, but I am going to buy little mirror squares and put them up with the cameras. Unless I find some donut like mirrors to go around the lens.

[redneck]

·

Mirror laws by state.


Mirror Laws by State (U.S.) - EcoModder

Mirror Laws by Province (Canada) - EcoModder


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[NeilBlanchard]

It might come down to whether a video mirror functions equivalently to optical mirrors.

[sheepdog 44]

I was told by the MA inspection station that if a car had a stock passenger mirror, it needs to have it on. I don't think it matters if it's an oem mirror though.

[UltArc]

I'd ask to see the law.

[NeilBlanchard]

Way back when, the passengers mirror was optional. So, that means if the car came without it, it somehow "earns" the right to exist without - which makes no sense really. I'm fairly sure that individual safety inspectors are not going to interpret the law - they are going to go the CYA route.

The only way to really get video mirrors legal is to either rewrite the law to explicitly allow them, or to challenge the current law in court, to force an interpretation of the word "mirror" as used in the current law - to include both optical mirrors and video mirrors.

[aerohead]

Originally Posted by NeilBlanchard

Way back when, the passengers mirror was optional. So, that means if the car came without it, it somehow "earns" the right to exist without - which makes no sense really. I'm fairly sure that individual safety inspectors are not going to interpret the law - they are going to go the CYA route.

The only way to really get video mirrors legal is to either rewrite the law to explicitly allow them, or to challenge the current law in court, to force an interpretation of the word "mirror" as used in the current law - to include both optical mirrors and video mirrors.

I believe that rearview cameras were an outgrowth of RV outward vision issues,as well as child fatalities which occurred during vehicles backing.
The efficacy of synthetic vision as a 'safety' technology seems to be quite mature.
Daily,I see motorists driving with 'destroyed' optical side-view mirrors.(VERY DANGEROUS)
Close,hugging cameras might not be subject to such damage.If they're good enough for the CIA,NSA,and NRO,they're good enough for me.We bet our national security on them.
'suppose there'll be a test case some day.