Electronic rear view mirror?

[cirrus18]

Having a rearview mirror when cycling is, as far as I'm concerned, an absolute must. Having an electronic mirror is a complicated and expensive solution to a problem which has already been solved much more cheaply and simply.

I too have tried various types of mirrors and none of them have worked properly, vibration making them virtually useless for showing anything clearly behind.
About three years ago I read about these mirrors which had very good reviews.

Bicycle Rear View Mirrors from Harris Cyclery, Newton, Massachusetts
Take A Look Compact Bicycle Mirror on eBay (end time 01-Aug-11 19:26:08 BST)



I've purchased both types of mirrors one mounted on my sunglasses and one on my helmet. The helmet one did vibrate somewhat but not as bad as a handlebar mounted mirror and was really good. The glasses mounted one worked perfectly. I could see clearly behind without any vibration obscuring the view for the first time ever.

The mirror can be mounted for either left or right viewing and I found that using a couple of small cable ties to securely hold the glasses onto the glasses frame worked very nicely.
They do take a bit of getting used to but once you have I'm sure that like me, you wouldn't cycle without one again

 

[rooel]

The vibration problem has in my experience been completely solved by the Mirricyle (Mirrycle "Mountain Mirrycle" Bicycle Bar End Mirror: Amazon.co.uk: Sports & Leisure) quite simply by having the mirror on a tridirectional rather than unidirectional stalk. The only time vibration is experienced is when the road surface is so rough that the whole bicycle vibrates.

As I have never worn a helmet I have no experience of helmet-attached mirrors, but they all look rather small compared with the Mirrycle.

As for the glasses-attached mirror, I doubt if that would be convenient for those, like myself, who wear two pairs of glasses alternately, low power for observing the road ahead (and the Mirrycle) and higher power for reading the map etc when stopped. Stuffing glasses and attached mirror in a pocket could be a problem.

 

[flecc]

I've never had the slightest vibration problem with either of the Cateye handlebar-end mirror models, BM300G or BM500G, and the many who vouch for the similarly mounted Mirrycle indicates that this is where mirrors should be mounted.

It seems to be the mirrors mounted on long stems that clamp to the handlebar tubing that cause the vibration problems, quivering with any road variations.

 

[cirrus18]

There isn't any vibration at all with the glasses mounted mirror because any movement/vibration causes one's eyes and the mirror to move together.

Some reviews here: Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Bike Peddler Take A Look Cycling Eyeglass Mirror

 

[lemmy]

Genius idea Morphix!

I need a mirror but also realise its not going to be brilliant. I detest those 'flagpole' mirrors - I'd prefer a handlebar mirror but with a dutch-style handlebar (curved around) all I'm going to see a rearview of is, well, my rear! LOL!

Take a look at the Mirrycle. I have a bike with Dutch style bars and it gives a great view (without any vibration too).

A lot less complicated than any screen/ camera combination though maybe less fun!

 

[kitchenman]

Take a look at the Mirrycle. I have a bike with Dutch style bars and it gives a great view (without any vibration too).

A lot less complicated than any screen/ camera combination though maybe less fun!

Yeah. It also makes the "cockpit" look like something ...

018 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

[kitchenman]

These guys are getting closer to actually producing something! .... I emailed them a few months ago and showed them some photos of my PSP mounted in my tribar so I was pleased to see they are providing a tribar mounting option. Also, a camera extension for use with recumbents ...

Cerevellum

 

[morphix]

Update... I'm not sure if I mentioned but I actually did purchase a device for my electronic rear view mirror..a 4.5" nokia n810 internet tablet which has built-in Sat Nav and a USB port (cost £45). The screen is fantastic works in bright sunlight perfectly and it looks ideal for the job, only thing is I haven't been able to mount it onto my bike yet as my handlebar bag is at the wrong angle. I need to order a GPS mounter/holder from the States for it. Once I have that I need to find a suitable camera! It's taking much longer than expected but hopefully I'll be able to get it finished eventually and then post some pics and video of it working.

 

[kitchenman]

Update... I'm not sure if I mentioned but I actually did purchase a device for my electronic rear view mirror..a 4.5" nokia n810 internet tablet which has built-in Sat Nav and a USB port (cost £45). The screen is fantastic works in bright sunlight perfectly and it looks ideal for the job,

Hi Morphix, long time no see! ... that does sound good (and alot cheaper than the HINDSIGHT!) .. look forward to the pics... .. my PSP has been out of action for a while. Sent it off to totalconsolerepair and had a new motherboard fitted (about £60) ... Have it mounted on my Spirit like this:

 

[morphix]

Hi Alan, your PSP looks about the same shape and size as my n810. Is that mounting something you made yourself, is it secure?

Here's a sneak preview of my n810...

Here is the camera view. It has a tiny camera built in but it's somewhat grainy and not very good, it's intended for video (skype) calls.

Here you can see the Sat Nav running

Here is my bag which holds the controller and battery, you can see how it's hanging forwards and not upright! It's because of my handlebar type and the weight in the bag, pity as the n810 could sit nicely in the top else. I could change my handlebar I suppose but it's probably cheaper and less hassle just to buy a sat nav mounting thingy like this:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/320583789618?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_3010wt_1398

 

[kitchenman]

Yes. Looks very similar size.. Secure? ... Yes! ... of course! ... I'm using my amazing spider grip gadget and a couple of velcro straps ... anyhow, its between my legs so if it does work loose I'll be able to catch it with my knees! ...

 

[morphix]

Yes. Looks very similar size.. Secure? ... Yes! ... of course! ... I'm using my amazing spider grip gadget and a couple of velcro straps ... anyhow, its between my legs so if it does work loose I'll be able to catch it with my knees! ...

Excellent

I should get more organised and get mine finished so I can make a video. I still haven't even got round to buying one of those keyring cams been meaning to for a while after the good results we saw before. I will order one later on after work.

 

[kitchenman]

I've got some holiday footage which I hope to utube later. Its a short tunnel ride through the white cliffs of dover to a place called Samphire Hoe. Its so good to have the PSP back ...

 

[kitchenman]

and here it is:

CX700/PSP REAR MOUNT - SAMPHIRE HOE - YouTube

CX700/PSP REAR MOUNT - SAMPHIRE HOE

Going down into the unknown was quite scary. I forgot I had my sun glasses on and could hardly see where I was going. Cyclist are supposed to dismount but that would have been no fun at all! ...

 

[morphix]

and here it is:

CX700/PSP REAR MOUNT - SAMPHIRE HOE - YouTube

CX700/PSP REAR MOUNT - SAMPHIRE HOE

Going down into the unknown was quite scary. I forgot I had my sun glasses on and could hardly see where I was going. Cyclist are supposed to dismount but that would have been no fun at all! ...

I enjoyed that Looks like your bike was loaded up there..that tunnel looked quite scary! Your camera gives a lovely rock steady picture doesn't it even the bumpy off road track didn't phase it.

 

[kitchenman]

Thanks. Yes. Its a great little camera.

 

[kitchenman]

Yes. Looks very similar size.. Secure? ... Yes! ... of course! ... I'm using my amazing spider grip gadget and a couple of velcro straps ... anyhow, its between my legs so if it does work loose I'll be able to catch it with my knees! ...

like this:

SPIRIT/PSP REAR VIEW MOUNT - YouTube

 

[kitchenman]

Another good thing about using cameras is you can offer to record other cyclists. Here is Matt(fatboytrig) leaving work with me today ...

SPIRIT/PSP REAR VIEW - ALAN and MATT leaving work for the day - YouTube

Tomorrow I'll give him some hints and tips to help improve his riding style. I'll concentrate on posture, cadence and coolness. I know I can do something about posture and cadence ..but coolness .. umm .. not sure I can do much about that! ..

 

[Scottyf]

Might try get a video from my phone tomorrow.

Noticed I my back pack has a holder for phones. So might be able to get some decent shots of the run to work.

 

[Haku]

Just having a look through past threads and spotted this one, thought I'd chime in about the Archos AV500 stuff.

I've owned an AV500 for years, along with the camera attachment.
Here's a couple of videos I took years ago with the AV500+camera attached to the forks of my Urban Mover:
Archos Bullet Cam Day - YouTube
Archos Bullet Cam Night - YouTube

The digital mini-cam is actually a Sony HAD 420 line CCD 1/4" sensor, the Archos records video at 640x480 max resolution, at 25fps (PAL) or 29.97fps (NTSC). The lens on the camera can be replaced so you can have a wide angle picture (1.8mm = 180 degrees, 2.5mm = 120 degrees, 3.6mm is the standard that comes with most cameras).
The AV500 is a very nice device, if a little old now, one major downside is that the harddrive is locked in, it is possible to physically replace it with the right tools but the firmware refuses to use another drive, so don't buy one with a borked drive in the hopes of simply putting a new drive in and make sure you never drop it.


One aspect almost everyone overlooks when buying a mini DVR with internal/external camera setup is the type of camera pickup being used, if it's CCD then you're looking at a global shutter (good) but CMOS and you're more likely looking at a rolling shutter (bad). Don't know the difference? Have a look at this:
CCD/CMOS-
And when you're recording from a vehicle with a rolling shutter CMOS camera you may end up with footage looking like it was shot through a jelly:
CMOS Vs CCD Rolling Shutter Effect + Jello Effect Kawasaki ZX-11 - YouTube