News:

SMF - Just Installed!

Main Menu

Mirrors

Started by harleywolf, Aug 23, 2007, 04:18 PM

Previous topic - Next topic

zamboni

Quote from: harleywolfAfter doing some more shopping around I am starting to lean towards the McKesh

Mike Up

My Tow-N-See Mirrors came in today and I've learned a lot.
 
First, because of the car design of my Pathfinder's mirrors, I'm limited on the length that all 3 mirror models can extend out, that being the Cipa Universal Mirrors, Cipa Strap On Mirrors, and the Tow-N-See.
 
All 3 mirrors extend out the same. All 3 mirrors have small surface area with the Strap on Mirrors the largest, the Universal Mirrors smaller, and the Tow-N-See Mirrors the smallest.
 
However the Strap On Mirrors and Universal Mirrors are flat and have limited viewing. I complained about this on other reviews with the Universal mirrors. However they were fine when used in conjunction with the vehicles mirror.
The Strap On Mirrors are the largest, but are the hardest to see because they vibrate and wobble so much. The view is always a blur, BUT you can see where objects are and that's what's needed to drive safely.
 
The Tow-N-See mirrors haven't been road tested yet, but I'll drive around with them on to see how they vibrate or lack of vibrating. I have the convex mirrors, I wouldn't recommend the flat mirrors at all for reasons I'll get into. I believe Tow-n-See seen the problems of the original flat mirrors and redesigned them with the convex mirror.
 
The Tow-n-See Convex Mirrors offer the largest and best view out of all. They cover so much area to the sides and vertically, that the vehicle's mirror is not needed at all. Now that's a good thing, because the vehicle's mirror can't be used at all. I had to adjust my mirrors very far in, pointing at the side of the truck with nearly no vision anywhere but the side of the truck. The reason is that the Tow-n-See mirror extension shaft must clear the vehicle's mirror's "BODY". To do this, the mirror has to be adjusted so that the mirror surface is flat and aligned with the body edges. Actually a bit above the body edges is recommended so that the Tow-n-See shaft doesn't rest on the mirrors body or lip. This isn't a problem with power adjustable mirrors, as the Tow-n-See mirror has a very large view, much larger than the 2 lanes you need to see. Having manual mirrors will be a bit frustrating when adjusting for the use of the Tow-n-See mirrors, then re-adjusting for the use of only the vehicle's mirror. The down side to this large view, is that it's set back as magnification is in reverse. The old saying is very true, "Vehicles are closer than they appear"! This demagnification on the mirror's glass is needed to get such a large view in such a small surface area. However, you see everything you need and this to me, makes this mirror much better than either Cipa Mirror mentioned.
 
The best design would be to have the Tow-n-See internal mirror glass moveable within the body, but it isn't and relies strictly on adjusting your vehicle's mirror glass. The reason may be that if more internals were added to the Tow-n-See mirror, it's weight would be greater, pulling more on the suction seal, either causing to fall more frequent or even causing a greater vibration effect.
 
With this this mirror, I can see all the way to the end of the camper, seeing it's last tail light. This wasn't true of the strap on mirror and I'd can't say with the Universal mirror since it's hooks were to small to accept the Pathfinder's mirror lip without paint damage. I made my review on the Cipa Universal mirror based on my experience towing with it on my previous 2004 Nissan Titan Crew Cab. Since it mounts to the back of the mirror and the Tow-n-See mounts to the front of the mirror, I was able to hold it on and compare it's extension with the Tow-n-See. That being equal extension as I previously stated.
 
I've had problems previously with the Cipa Universal Mirrors. Their foot cushions kept coming off. I finally had to Super Glue them on. I found out through the web this was a common problem. Many have used other industrial strength glues.
 
The Cipa Strap On Mirrors also are very unreliable. They have plastic clips that allow the straps to be adjusted. These crack easily, making the mirror useless. This happened within the first year. The straps also deteriate quickly, dry rotting at the edges where they crack and rip. These mirrors simply don't hold up, costing you a lot more in the end than more expensive tow mirrors.
 
For me, the clear winner is the Tow-n-See when using with a 7'1" wide Pop Up and my 2005 Pathfinder. This precludes the road test for vibration which I'm very hopeful after readings dozens of happy trailer travelers.
 
While I don't know for certain, the extension seems it would be also good for an 8' wide travel trailer but I'll have to cross that road, when or "IF" it ever happens.
 
For now, the Tow-n-See seems to be the perfect Pop Up Towing mirror.
Have a good one.

Mike Up

Forgot to mention, Cipa didn't update their Universal Mirrors. Their box picture actually has the mirrors pictured with a hook on the vehicles mirror lip that the universal mirrors DO NOT COME WITH! I only realized this when pulling the Universal Mirrors out of storage to compare with the Tow-n-See Mirrors.
 
Besides, I wrote Cipa an email over a week ago and not even a reply. This did not amuse me and I doubt I'll ever buy any of their products again.
 
Have a good one.

Mike Up

I just got done doing a driving test with the Tow-n-See mirrors up to 60 mph. I drove over rough and smooth roads. The mirrors behaved the same regardless of the road type.
 
The mirrors were very stable, absolutely no vibration that blurred the mirrors!! The mirrors do shake a little, probably less than the Cipa Universal mirrors. However everything is crystal clear. This by far is the best mirror I've used!
 
Doing the drive with the mirrors as extended as possible, worked much better than using my vehicle's mirrors. The mirror let me see the side of the Pathfinder yet going beyound the 2nd lane into the grass area! The vertical orientation allowed me to see the bottom of the Pathfinder's tire and allowed me to see the very top of the Pathfinder! Oh yeah, one side benefit, ABSOLUTELY NO BLIND SPOT! This is remarkable!
 
This mirror is very stable with a huge viewing area. I wish I would had bought them long ago. This mirror is fantastic!
 
Have a good one.