Originally Posted by
Mandeville
Speaking just for myself I don't think that they fail to serve a function. They obviously do. But for me the benefits don't outweigh the negatives.
The consensus benefit set forth revolves around being able to see behind you as you ride. Some of the stated reasons for the need to look behind while riding are:
1. To be aware of approaching vehicular traffic and what that traffic is doing--you know is someone drifting into your path, etc.
2. Overall situational awareness.
Speaking just for myself one isn't a sell because first off you are unlikely to see someone about to run you down so to speak unless you are constantly looking in the mirror which distracts from you side and most importantly forward looking situational awareness and two even if you are "lucky" enough to be looking when that car starts to swerve in to you or toward you in most cases you don't have time or space to do much about it IMO. Situations are of course varied.
For number two I think the mirror overall on a minute to minute basis if you make active effective use of it tends as stated above to decrease your total prioritized situational awareness and road path focus.
Lastly, I'm 69 and so a helmet mirror would like be
out of focus to me. It would be awkward to have to put on
reading glasses to look in my mirror.
Well, yeah, I don't look in my mirror unless I have a reason to do so. I'm not going to catch those texting drivers unless I'm extremely lucky. The mirror is somewhat less for safety and more for easily dealing with drivers and cyclists behind me.
A
mirror won't be out of focus. It just bounces the light, and your eye focuses on the distant view as usual, not the mirror. I'm looking at the rear view through the top of my prescription lens, the same as looking forward.