Customer Reviews

Car Mate PL114A Black Metallic Finish Wide Angle Rear View Mirror - Pack of 1

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

FIRST, you'd better do some measuring before you buy to ensure it will fit your mirror and clear your visor. The packaging states this mirror is 270mm wide (10.63 inches) x 64mm tall. [That's in conflict with the manufacturer's website that states 290mm wide.]


---<<< COMPATIBILITY >>>---

So take the difference in the two mirrors' lengths, then divide by two and figure on needing that much more visor clearance. You can, of course, squiggle the mirror around to some extent to clear your visor as needed.

The package also states the mirror is NOT compatible with mirror less than 55m (2.165 inches) tall or more than 85mm (3.35 inches) tall (That's the range of the adjustable clip-ons.)

Also NOT compatible with mirrors less than 180mm (7.09 inches) wide (That's roughly the distance between the left and right set of adjustable clip-ons.)

Also NOT compatible where the mirror has less than 5mm (0.20 inches) of clearance when your mirror is tilted to its upper-most position.

Also NOT compatible where the bottom 'tongue' of your mirror (where your HomeLink or OnStar buttons, day/night adjust flip, etc. are located) is more than 170mm (6.69 inches), else this mirror's tongue will not be able to disguise/cover the tongue on your mirror. Sorry, but you're not going to have access to those items when this gizmo's installed.

Now that THAT'S all settled ...


---<<< BUILD QUALITY >>>---

This is a high quality product. It's attractive and it looks to be very well made. It's a true glass mirror and the image viewed is solid and sharp. There's no day/night function. Piano gloss black frame. There's a teeny-weeny "CarMate" logo at center top in the mirror in frosted white. Barely noticeable and actually assists in installation since it denotes the true center of of the mirror. On the passengers side, it has a small plastic slot on the back where you can stash your driver's license and insurance/registration cards. Clever.


---<<< INSTALLATION >>>---

The packaging/information states that the mirror is 5mm (0.20 inches) taller than the top clip-ons, so it will fully disguise/hide the top edge of your mirror. Well, that quarter-inch or so doesn't really do much toward that; the top of edge of the frame of my mirror (though not my mirror itself) and the clip-ons holding the top of my mirror are plainly visible. Since all that is black, including this mirror, no biggie.

It's easy to clip-on. The top clip-ons slide up-and-down and are well-tensioned by springs. Just put the top clips in place, then pull down and let the bottom clip-ons catch. The internal springs are plenty strong.


---<<< RANGE/QUALITY OF VIEW >>>---

The packaging describes this mirror as part of the manufacturer's new "3000R" product line of "moderately convex" mirrors. It is moderate - the images barely seem distorted at all (as they are in typical convex mirrors)... and yet there is indeed an improved viewing area.

It's just not all you might hope. With the mirror properly centered, what I see out the back of my large sedan is my full rear window - and both of my C-pillars. Lovely. I do get a bigger view of the rear seating area, basically it would be the head and shoulders of any passengers. I can also see a good bit of my own fat head. If I lean/arch the least bit forward, I can basically see rear passengers almost down to their knees AND I can see partially out the rear right window. If I tilt my head toward the center of the car, I can see partially out the left rear window.

So, so far, great for monitoring your kids ... but not much help with your blind spots.

I tinkered with it and what I did was scoot the mirror over so the left edge was flush with the original mirror. The result is (1) my fat head is gone from view (2) I still see 95% of the entire rear window (the driver's side is slightly cut-off) (3) I have full view out the rear right window (no more neck-crane to see that blind spot) and (4) I still have the head-and-shoulders view of most of the rear seat (view cuts off on driver's side between the headrest and the door).

This positioning, however, is going to make it a pain for the front passenger to work the visor. And it contributes 0% improvement toward the driver's side blind spot.


---<<< CONCLUSION >>>---

This IS a high-quality product, but if you are looking for a truly panoramic view to rid yourself of both blind spots, this is not your product of first choice.

Instead you'll need a much more convex - and/or much wider - product. CarMate has those as well. It's carmate-usa website lists:

PL-111A: Moderately convex, 270mm, black frame, with a detachable 50mm (2 inches) extension on EACH side. They appear to be hinged, to customize the angle of view out the sides - and to allow visor clearance. If I had it to do over, I'd order that one. And I may still yet.

RG21: Fully convex, 270mm, black frame (with a tacky looking "RAZO" logo in the upper-left corner)

RG23: Fully convex, 300mm (11.8 inches), black frame (also with the RAZO logo)

Keep in mind that with fully-convex mirrors, you are going to have to deal with a view containing teeny-weeny-oddly-shaped vehicles, difficulty using the mirror to parallel park, etc.

This mirror works very well on my car. Everyone is like stunned by it for their first time sit in my car.

Some friend reminded me that objects look larger in this mirror than the default one. But I think it won't be a problem. if they look larger, it means that you think they are closer and pay more caution.

The quality is good too, very polished lining. I would recommand this product for those who want a easier catch of back sight for merging and parking.

I found this product at least 10 years ago. It broke recently when the clips snapped off -- I think the guy at the garage broke it but who knows. I was delighted to see it's still available and slightly improved. It makes driving easier and safer. I recommend this for anybody. I would not drive without it. It's perfect as far as I am concerned.

I have always used broadway mirror on my car for the past 10 years, and always used to having it. My wife recently got a 2008 Acura TL, and the mirror is extra "high" because of the 'Auto Dim' button and sensor. The traditional broadway mirror is not high enough to mount on it. After searched for a while on the internet, somebody with the same car had the same problem, and solved the issue using this particular model of mirror. Which is why I choosed this mirror.

The mirror is well built, glossy plastic frame feels durable, mirror in good quality with no uneven curving like some cheap one does. Spring loaded mounting bracket feels smooth when pulled, sign of a good quality. Hope it will last long too.

I was able to mount it on the TL without much problem. It covers most of the 'Auto Dim" part of the factory mirror, but a very small part is still visible, but not very noticeable. i am able to see the 2/3 of the right side rear door window using this mirror, just the way I like it.

Overall, no complains.

I got the mirror so I can see my 16 mo old toddler in his forward facing car seat. It's not quite big enough for me to just glance at the mirror and check on him, I still have to crank my neck for a good view. Once he gets taller though, that won't be a problem. If I had a longer vehicle like maybe a minivan, I'm sure the view would be better since the car seat would be further away from the mirror. My car is a sedan. The mirror itself is great. VERY easy to install. Just two clicks over the regular mirror and you're set. It doesn't shake or anything. It looks pretty slick, and it's not cumbersome. I can still use both visors without bumping into the mirror. It hasn't really helped me with blind spots etc. but it does give a much bigger view of my back seat (which is why I got it...kids etc.)

Bought this mirror for my car, due to the OEM mirror being too small. With the grandaughter in the carseat, this mirror lets me see her as well as the outside traffic. Easy to attach, with a bright and sharp image.

When i recieved the rearview mirror i was suprised how big it was. Very very easy to install and it feels really sturdy.

This is an easy to install bigger than standard rear view mirrors on a Honda Accord. It gives better sight out the rear window and side window on the passenger side.This does not fit a Geo Metro. It is too big in width and height.

This product greatly enlarges my rear vision and is very easy to put it on.