A good answer to the giant blind spot problem

[Bikerjulio]

Doug DeMuro just reviewed a Kia and guess what - the perfect answer to the giant blind spot on the right side caused by the buttress that will be similar in both body styles.

In this car when you hit the indicator, the display shows the lane on that side. Way better than the feeble little light on the mirror that my present car has.

Like this

[Sigmon]

It's looking very likely, that the C8 will, at least have available, GMs newer rear view mirror camera system, eliminating the C pillar blind spots that are usually so bad in mid engined sports cars.

[Bikerjulio]

It's looking very likely, that the C8 will, at least have available, GMs newer rear view mirror camera system, eliminating the C pillar blind spots that are usually so bad in mid engined sports cars.

This is different I believe. The location of the rear view camera on the roof, coupled with it's field of view (which has to be "normal" ie not wide angle), means that I think the rear view camera system will still have a large blind spot, in the usual location, just over your right shoulder.

I'm assuming that the cameras for this system are mounted on the side mirrors, but give a much better view.

[LightningBolt]

I take it then that it's legal to substitute a camera system for mirrors? It would be a shame if the law in some state specifically required "rear view mirrors" on motor vehicles and companies had to apply for wavers for a clearly superior technology.

[Bikerjulio]

I take it then that it's legal to substitute a camera system for mirrors? It would be a shame if the law in some state specifically required "rear view mirrors" on motor vehicles and companies had to apply for wavers for a clearly superior technology.

No, conventional mirrors are still required. This is just better. You have both.

[John]

Haven driven a FedEx tractor with two big van boxes, the rear view mirror was about as useful as XXXX on a XXXX.

[C8-wannabe]

I've seen GM commercials showing their SUV's with overhead cams that show a birds-eye view of the vehicle - how do those work? - can they show blind spots too while moving...

[meyerweb]

My wife's Honda has a camera on the passenger side mirror that shows an image on the center screen when you turn on the right turn signal. One on the left would be more valuable, in my opinion.

While it works well in the daytime, at night it doesn't show much but glare when there's any traffic behind you. The same could be a problem with the rear view camera on the roof of the C8.

[John]

Maybe it has build in anti-glare software and/or components.

[meyerweb]

I've seen GM commercials showing their SUV's with overhead cams that show a birds-eye view of the vehicle - how do those work? - can they show blind spots too while moving...

Software magic:

https://www.whichcar.com.au/car-advi...tors-explained

https://www.nissan-global.com/EN/TECHNOLOGY/OVERVIEW/avm.html

[Mobius]

My wife's Honda has a camera on the passenger side mirror that shows an image on the center screen when you turn on the right turn signal. One on the left would be more valuable, in my opinion.

I have this on my 2017 Civic as well. Since the Civic already has good side mirror visibility (and I've added physical blind spot mirrors) this feature really isn't that useful. It also interferes with whatever application is currently active on the infotainment screen (most annoying when using navigation in the city). I'd like to be able to disable this Honda feature.

On the C8, given the buttresses, this side view camera should be more useful.

[Meldoon]

Fonzi knew what mirrors were for.........

[Foreverfuelie]

My wife’s 2019 Traverse has the rear view camera option. The conventional inside mirror can “toggle” back and forth between the camera and basic mirror with a lever at the bottom of the mirror similar to the old “day/night” switch long used by the industry. I find myself not liking the camera view due to it’s compacting such a wide angle into a small screen, and distorted depth perception. Maybe the C8’s version will be superior or the image projected on the “infotainment” screen instead. I really like the example shown by Bikerjuiio that’s used on the Kia for the passenger side view however.

[Shepherd777]

I take it then that it's legal to substitute a camera system for mirrors? It would be a shame if the law in some state specifically required "rear view mirrors" on motor vehicles and companies had to apply for wavers for a clearly superior technology.

No, conventional mirrors are still required. This is just better. You have both.

Bikerjulio's statement above is correct when referring to automobiles in the USA. But certain very high quality rear view cameras with the appropriate in-cab monitors, in lieu of mirrors, are currently legal here on Class 8 tractor trailer rigs.

I drove from San Diego, CA to Jacksonville, FL last May with such a setup in my truck. We were the first SuperTruck to go coast-to-coast without any rear view mirrors. A waiver from the feds is carried in the cab to show that the federal mirror exemption overrides any state or local mirror laws, in case we run into an uninformed and/or overzealous LEO. A blanket waiver was issued by the feds this past December, so anyone with such a camera/monitor system is now able to lawfully operate a big rig without any mirrors, anywhere in the USA.

The camera stalks are very aerodynamic. Not only do their smaller footprint and coefficient of drag (Cd) save fuel, they are also designed to keep water droplets off of the camera lens face. In pouring rain, the monitors show NO water on the images, believe it or not. The night vision blows away regular mirrors as well. The software is tied into the trucks J1939 data link and the images will yaw with the rear of the trailer, as when backing up.

So the MY 2020 ME C8 may not have any mirrors at all, if they have already baked-in the dash area relief for the monitors. And future C8 model years certainly won't have any mirrors at all, hopefully.

Here is my beautiful girl Kayla and I ready to depart from San Diego on our C2C run. The Stoneridge MirrorEye camera stalk is shown at the bottom of the "A" pillar.

Mirrors? Mirrors? We don't need no stinkin' mirrors!


Here is my custom digital dash with the passenger side rear view monitor shown on the far right. The driver side monitor is at the bottom of the "A" pillar, and the top of that monitor is just poking out behind my noggin in this image.

[John]

What an exciting project you have been a part of! More than cool. I have been reading about it.