Rearview camera view available while driving

[janstubbs]

I believe some manufacturers, including Land Rover, offer an “electronic rear view mirror” where the thing that looks like a conventional rear view mirror in the cabin is actually a display screen, showing an image from a camera external to the vehicle.

Yes, new Corvettes have this feature. It is impressive.

Sponsored

 

[astrorob]

Yes, new Corvettes have this feature. It is impressive.

the only problem with these is if you are old and have presbyopia you can't really see what's in the rearview mirror clearly. if it's an actual mirror the objects in the mirror are essentially at infinity distance but if it's a display you have to focus on the display.

the bolt had this and i just couldn't use it for that reason.

 

[Mach-Lee]

the only problem with these is if you are old and have presbyopia you can't really see what's in the rearview mirror clearly. if it's an actual mirror the objects in the mirror are essentially at infinity distance but if it's a display you have to focus on the display.

That’s a great argument against the digital rear mirror. You have to focus near instead of far when using it, which is more difficult. The other one I hear is not seeing police lights flashing behind you because the dynamic range of the display is not as great as real life.

 

[Jeff-NoVA]

I recall the digital rearview mirror when I test drove a Bolt. I did not like it - maybe it's the ever so slight delay but there was an uncanny valley thing going on. It would be handy if you frequently carry cargo that blocks your view or drive a box truck but for a regular car I prefer the normal mirror.

 

[Synkrox]

The slight delay, the refocusing your eyes, and the lack of any kind of 3D depth when looking at them make them worse in my opinion.

 

[Jimrpa]

Good to know all the drawbacks to the digital rear view mirror! I wonder if those drawbacks also apply to digital side view mirrors? Everyone seems to like it when the displays in vehicles change to a side view when the turn signal is on.

 

[pikepilot]

Have the digital rearview mirror in my Kia. Forgot I had it for months...first time I used it gave me a massive headache due to the aforementioned quick refocus your eyes have to do. I tried it again a few weeks later when on a road trip and bags packed to the ceiling (couldn't see out regular/normal rearview mirror mode), surprisingly didn't bother me and was very helpful. I think the first time I used it I treated it as a novelty and spent too much time looking at it. Once I used it as intended with quick glances here and there I had no issues.

 

[phil]

That’s a great argument against the digital rear mirror. You have to focus near instead of far when using it, which is more difficult. The other one I hear is not seeing police lights flashing behind you because the dynamic range of the display is not as great as real life.

The Bolt lets you flip between camera view and regular mirror view with a simple switch. I think there's no argument against that approach.

I loved that feature in the Bolt. It did take me about 10 minutes to get used to it - it is a little weird to focus so closely. But the unobstructed wide-angle rear view was great for safety. Would be one of the first items on my wishlist for Mach-E feature additions.

 

[sean7512]

Evidently there is a federal law that prohibits this. Yes, Tesla does it, but I'll just say that Ford cares about complying with the law that Tesla evidently does.

Our 24 Lightning allows you to view ANY of the cameras while driving (even on the highway). Front, back, bed, and side/blind spot. So this has nothing to do with Ford following any laws; otherwise the Lightning is breaking the laws.

 

[JohnFoxeSheets]

Our 24 Lightning allows you to view ANY of the cameras while driving (even on the highway). Front, back, bed, and side/blind spot. So this has nothing to do with Ford following any laws; otherwise the Lightning is breaking the laws.

Guess I shouldn't reference what a Ford employee told me then! ?

 

[jmcbrew]

That’s a great argument against the digital rear mirror. You have to focus near instead of far when using it, which is more difficult. The other one I hear is not seeing police lights flashing behind you because the dynamic range of the display is not as great as real life.

Yes. My Bolt had the digital rear view mirror and I loved it. It was a much wider view than an actual mirror could possibly give… plus, it was as clear as ever even when you have two or three people in the back seat or a trunk stacked with luggage.

The police/emergency vehicle thing is real. Any lights were only as bright as the display would allow. But this was advantageous at night, since bright headlights behind you wouldn’t be blinding.

 

[Monke]

Yes. The law is up to 10 MPH, but Ford chooses to limit it only 5 MPH.

Ram 2017 has the useable rear view camera at any speed. It was a convenient way to check the tailgate. F-150 can turn on side cameras at any speed. It is a good feature for city driving!!!! What can't Ford has at least this feature on MME?

 

[ChasingCoral]

Our 24 Lightning allows you to view ANY of the cameras while driving (even on the highway). Front, back, bed, and side/blind spot. So this has nothing to do with Ford following any laws; otherwise the Lightning is breaking the laws.

Ditto on my 2022 Lightning. In fact, it has multiple camera views that operate at any speed.

@Mach-Lee : Why is this legal on a truck and not a car?

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

I have this in my 22' Ram and I always leave it flipped off and use it as a conventional mirror, it hurts my eyes for some reason. I do like how in a Tesla when you hit the blinker, the side camera for that side pops up on the display. It's a nice double check and I do wish the Mach E did something similar.

The focal range on a real mirror is the distance from your eye to the mirror then to the object in the mirror. The focal range on a camera based mirror is the distance between your eyes and the mirror. Thus, if your vision isn’t perfect and you use, need or might need reading glasses, the camera based mirror will not be quite right.

 

[Kamuelaflyer]

Guess I shouldn't reference what a Ford employee told me then! ?

Passenger cars and trucks are subject to different safety rules and laws. I have no idea though whether this one of those differences, and I’m unwilling to research it.

Sponsored