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distance you can see objects in a convex mirror depends on the amount
of curve in the convex lens. The most common acrylic
and glass mirrors are good for seeing objects up to 300
feet. After 300 feet the object is very small compared to the area
your viewing so we basically do not consider anything beyond 300 feet
as visible. (Note: Dome mirrors are good for viewing very close
distances of around 15 feet. More
info on dome mirrors.) Even though vehicles beyond 300 feet may be
seen in the mirror, the image is very small.
When using the
mirrors to see traffic you should always consider the average speed of
the traffic and how far down the road you want to be able to see the
traffic. When the average speed is 30 MPH or less, or 300 feet is all
you really need to see, then you can use the Acrylic Round or Roundtangular (rectangle shape) mirrors. When you are
using the acrylic Round or Roundtangular mirrors for driveway traffic
just remember, "If you can see a car through the mirror, ... it's
too close to pull out". A car moving at 30 MPH will travel 300
feet is just a few seconds. Even though glass mirrors have the best
reflection we recommend the Acrylic or Steel mirrors for safety
reasons. Glass is easily broken and convex mirrors along the road
seem to be targets for vandalism. The Acrylic mirror is flexible and
will withstand more abuse than a glass mirror. If broken, they do
not shatter. Acrylic is typically not sharp so the chance of a child
being cut by broken acrylic is far less than with glass. The
stainless steel mirror can not be broken however it can be bent. The
stainless steel mirror should hold up to vandalism a little
better then the Acrylic or glass but there are no vandal proof mirrors
available at this time. The best deterrent we have found is to mount
the mirror more than 10 feet high. This is above the normal persons
reach and not an ideal target location for persons throwing bottles
from cars. If possible, avoid mounting the mirror close to the
street and at the 4 to 5 foot height. The chance of being vandalized
is greatest at this location. Mounting the mirror high (10 feet or
higher) also provides a better view of the road and any vehicle on
the road.
(WE NEVER
RECOMMEND PULLING INTO TRAFFIC WITHOUT LOOKING AGAIN AS YOU PULL
FORWARD. THE MIRROR IS ONLY A VIEWING AID AND SHOULD NEVER BE
CONSIDERED AN ABSOLUTE SOLUTION TO SEEING TRAFFIC. For example;
Motorcycles are more difficult to see in convex mirrors so you should
always look without using the mirror as you pull
forward..)
For a Parking
Garage, the round convex acrylic mirrors work fine. Traffic
is slow and you normally only need to see around 50 to 100 feet in a
parking garage.
For most
applications around warehouses, office buildings, homes and parking
lots, the acrylic or glass mirrors both work great.
SIZE:
How large should
the mirror be? All of the mirrors that are the same model and
shape will closely reflect the exact same image. For example: If you
held a wallet size photo of yourself up close, you could see the
picture rather well. However, if you were to hang that photo on the
wall and step back, it would be difficult to see the picture.. Convex
mirrors work the same way. The larger the mirror, the larger the
picture. With the above example in mind, as the mirror gets
larger you can see the mirrors reflected image (picture) from
farther away. In an experiment we ran at Reflection Products, we
found that for the convex mirrors, the distance you can stand from the
mirror seemed to be " 1 inch of mirror diameter equals 1 foot
from the mirror". Even though there is a gray area depending
on each individual's eyesight, the relationship is close enough to
be used as a guideline to determine what size you need. An example is
if you purchase one of the small 3" round convex stick-on mirrors
for your side view mirror, it works very well to see the blind
spots beside your car while driving on a multi lane highway. On the
other hand, if you were to mount that same 3" mirror on a post at
the side of your driveway to see traffic coming from around a curve,
you would quickly realize the mirror was useless. You would not be
able to see anything using such a small mirror. The image (picture)
the mirror is reflecting did not change. You are just too far away
from the mirror for its recommended size. By placing a 18" or
26" mirror in the same location, you would find that you would
see the traffic by looking at the mirror. Bottom line.... 1 inch of
mirror diameter for every foot your standing from the
mirror.
Hard Back, Steel
Back and No back ???? Which one do you need. Below is a list of
recommended uses to help you decide which is best for you:
1. Inside use -
Hard Back or No Back
2. Outside in a
protected area - Hardback
3. Outside in
harsh weather conditions - Steel Back
4. Inside but
where persons may bump the mirror or it can be a safety issue -
Hardback (The hard back and steel back mirrors have a protective
rubber rim around the lens.
5. Where you
will need the maximum angle of the swivel mount - Hard Back or Steel
Back. (The Hard Back and Steel Back mirrors will adjust (tilt) a
little farther than the mirror with no back ..before the edge reaches
the wall it's mounted to.)
6. Windy areas -
Steel Back
7. Possibility
of ice build-up on the mirror - Steel Back
GLASS ,ACRYLIC
or STEEL?
Generally there
is very little difference in the reflective quality of class acrylic
or steel. The Class is the best. There are always debates over which
is next, Steel or Acrylic. The amount of light reflected by steel is a
little less but the less convex curvature makes up for that
difference. Basically you need to decide if there is a high risk of
the mirror being broken and someone being injured. If the risk is
high, get a steel mirror. If the risk is moderate and/or cost is a
concern, get the acrylic. If the risk is low and you need the best
possible reflection, get the glass. (Never use Glass Convex Mirrors in
a General Public Areas)
If you think of
anything else we should add the this area, please send us an email or
call us. (Contact Us)
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