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 Post subject: Driving at Night
PostPosted: April 18, 2014, 12:48 am 
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Joined: July 4, 2006, 5:40 pm
Posts: 1994
Location: Novato, CA
I drove the Locost to work today. After work I met my brother for dinner, and then drove home. 96 miles to work, 92 to dinner, 47 home. The drive to work was really fun, the drive to dinner not so fun because it was 90 degress out and there was a huge accident on the freeway and it took 20 minutes to go one mile. Finally got past the accident but I was pretty fried by then. The car wasn't doing much better but it cooled down a lot faster than I did.

The worst part was driving home after dark. Tons of traffic and every oncoming car's headlights were aimed right at my eyes. Cars in back were lighting up all three mirrors. Not much you can do about it, you're right down there at headlight level. I've been home two hours and I can still feel the glare. I think I'm going to avoid night driving altogether.


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 Post subject: Re: Driving at Night
PostPosted: April 18, 2014, 8:25 am 
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Joined: December 22, 2006, 2:05 pm
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Since I don't jockey for position like a lot of drivers do, frequently changing lanes, I use 2" convex mirrors that swivel instead of side mirrors, but the transition to automatically checking them takes time. You still see what is coming but there is no glare.

I have a couple rear view cameras and two 7" monitors for my build, but I may only use one as a rear view/center mirror with a couple a convex mirrors in the corners of the dash. My dash area is pretty small being shoulder width.

You could also use glasses lightly tinted yellow. It doesn't actually improve night driving and may make it slightly worse, but would reduce squinting.

As quickly as you finished your build, I assumed you were retired! Your commute is about twice as far as mine.

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 Post subject: Re: Driving at Night
PostPosted: April 18, 2014, 8:43 am 
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Joined: July 17, 2008, 9:11 am
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Location: West Chicago,IL
A day/night rear virew mirror will help a bit. then you can adjust the outside mirrors just a bit "off" so that they do not reflect directly into your eyes. Tilt your heal left and you can see out the left mirror. Tilt right and, well, you get the idea. It is not perfect but should help. I run the day/night mirror atttached to the windshield. It helps a lot at stop lights, when the other car/truck comes right up to your bumper, I mean your back! :BH:

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 Post subject: Re: Driving at Night
PostPosted: April 18, 2014, 10:11 am 
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Joined: April 23, 2006, 8:26 pm
Posts: 6421
Location: SoCal
I use only a multi-panel Wink mirror, centrally mounted. At night I tilt it up so my eyes miss the direct headlight beams, while still being able to see traffic in general. Obviously side mirrors are going to make it tough, though if I had them I'd use the convex type. At least that way the light isn't so intense.

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 Post subject: Re: Driving at Night
PostPosted: April 18, 2014, 12:53 pm 
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Joined: November 12, 2008, 6:29 am
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nick47 wrote:
Cars in back were lighting up all three mirrors. Not much you can do about it,


Sure is, 30% window tint on all your mirrors.


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 Post subject: Re: Driving at Night
PostPosted: April 18, 2014, 1:44 pm 
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Joined: January 10, 2008, 4:47 pm
Posts: 7652
Location: Massachusetts
Wear sunglasses, you built your own car - are you cool or what?

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 Post subject: Re: Driving at Night
PostPosted: April 18, 2014, 3:09 pm 
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Joined: April 26, 2008, 6:06 pm
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Location: Under the weather. (Seattle)
rx7locost wrote:
then you can adjust the outside mirrors just a bit "off" so that they do not reflect directly into your eyes. Tilt your heal left and you can see out the left mirror. Tilt right and, well, you get the idea.

This is how I prefer to adjust the mirrors in any/every car I drive. Done correctly, it can also eliminate blind spots at the minor expense of losing redundant fields of view...But it does require having faith that the rear of the vehicle is still attached to the front of the vehicle.


Or there is always the Italian method:
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 Post subject: Re: Driving at Night
PostPosted: April 18, 2014, 4:10 pm 
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Joined: July 4, 2006, 5:40 pm
Posts: 1994
Location: Novato, CA
I'm sure something can be done about the mirrors, but really, the worst was oncoming traffic. Like everyone had their brights on x2.

Here I am at my office in Roseville. It's a long drive but I work from home 3 days a week.
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 Post subject: Re: Driving at Night
PostPosted: April 18, 2014, 4:41 pm 
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The voice of reason
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Joined: January 10, 2008, 4:47 pm
Posts: 7652
Location: Massachusetts
Nick, you have the classiest car in the lot and that says extra when it's half the size!
:cheers:

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Car9 Roadster information - models, drawings, resources etc.


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