Mirror cameras: The pros and cons

15 April 2022
Do mirror cameras increase range? Are they better than regular mirrors?

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  • mental image

Regulators should require any effective digital mirror to provide an always-on large display,- a minimum of double the width and height of a comparable physical mirror. A driver unconsciously shifts their head to see a wider field of view and the mind continuously pieces together a mental image of the activity perceived around the vehicle. Regarding always-on, regulators need to give attention to the fact that it is wrong to require one to first signal a turn, or shift into reverse, just to see. A driver should already know, and not have to ask. Regulators should outright ban legal waivers, click-to-agree, and nags.

After a month of driving with the cameras I never want to go back to mirrors again. Among the advantages are that the view is equally good on both sides (with mirrors the passenger side always has a worse view), distortion is less, and the images are combined with the front and rear cameras to give a 360 view when parking. The adjustment works the same as for mirrors. Blind spot is smaller, and the display warns you not only of things in the blind spot but vehicles coming up behind you.

  • Anonymous

“ The key advantage of mirror cameras is well known thanks to extensive marketing. They offer better aerodynamics and less wind noise since cameras are more compact than a regular mirror. That means better efficiency and an increase in the vehicle’s range. Honda claims that driving with mirror cameras provides a 3.8% improvement in efficiency and, in turn, range.”

I believe “marketing” is the key word here. So is it actual studies, if at all reliable, or just marketing?
And we’re talking about electric and hybrid vehicles here. What’s needed to power those side cameras, as well as the internal rearview camera?

  • Anonymous

CyberDude, 22 Apr 2023I use aftermarket cameras anyway. You can place them temporarily, drive a bit, adjust, drive s... moreWhich brand

HOW difficult was installing ?

  • Anonymous

xavi2, 30 Aug 2022If your IQ is more than 90 you should know that humans and most animals evolved with at least ... moreGood thing I'm nearsighted in one eye anyway :p

  • Richard H London

I tested a digital rear view mirror in a short test drive of the Subaru Solterra at Fully Charged Live in April. I wear varifocal glasses and immediately discovered that the mirror (screen) was out of focus for me unless I moved my head. I can see a huge benefit if this technology, but I would need a much longer test drive to see if it would work for me. If I buy a Polestar 4 there will be no option. Is there a digital solution possible to put the image out of focus jn some way?

  • CyberDude

Howie, 30 Jan 2023Another really big issue is for drivers who tow!!! Even the frame less mirrors, don't all... moreI use aftermarket cameras anyway. You can place them temporarily, drive a bit, adjust, drive some more, and then make it permanent. Wireless video is available.

  • N

3.8% efficiency saving because of the smaller camera mirrors ? I call this BS.

The rest of the article was very theoretical.

  • More cameras

My husband wants to trade in our 2015 Honda Odyssey. But none of the new Hondas come with a camera. No thank you! When Honda brings back the cameras I will buy a new Honda. If I haven’t switched brands before then.

  • Howie

Another really big issue is for drivers who tow!!! Even the frame less mirrors, don't allow us to use towing mirrors!!! Car manufacturers need to talk with manufacturers of Caravans, add they are going 8ft wide!!!

  • Aas

If you save 3.8% of energy on average with cameras,
let me count the savings say for lifetime of the vehicle:
So it's Honda-e's average consumption 17.2kWh/100km
Liftime would be, say, 200 000 km. And saving 3.8%.
17.2 * 0.038 * 200000 = 1307.2 wow! 1,3 MWh saved. I'm in.

Anonymous, 11 Jan 2023I’m all for advancement of tech, but camera mirrors are utterly useless. The screen is placed ... moreDid you really not pay attention to the efficiency difference.

  • Anonymous

I’m all for advancement of tech, but camera mirrors are utterly useless. The screen is placed RIGHT NEXT TO where the normal mirrors would be. You are saving a millisecond of time to look a few centimetres less away from your steering wheel. The only functional benefits I can see are that it gives you ability to move the camera and take photographs or videos. In which case, just keep the mirrors and add a 360 or 180 view camera onto the top or back of the car???? Sounds pretty simple to me.

  • Anonymous

Anonymous, 24 Dec 2022if here in my country they already steal and the break the mirrors, now with camera will be a ... moreof course its a easy money and costly to install or replace it.

  • Anonymous

camera mirror display inside the car can cause the driver and can't focus on front roadside. a car without wing mirror is not cool like bird without wings. some old ways and model can't change or takes more years to come up with it.

  • iro ciki katsina

Anonymous, 03 Jan 2023Disastrous idea.Thanks

  • Anonymous

Disastrous idea.

  • Anon13

Bifocals don't work for presbyopes when driving, the instrument display is too far for the near segment for those typically 55 and above. Varifocal/progressive power lenses especially those specific for driving are a better fit, although they don't suffer the rear view mirror issue.
However you've missed a key disadvantage, depth perception, this is absent as you are seeing a 2D image. Take for example the Kia EV6/Hyundai Ioniq5 this is much bigger than it looks on a screen.

  • Anonymous

if here in my country they already steal and the break the mirrors, now with camera will be a nightmare

  • American

I'm 456lbs American and I drive everywhere so this is helpful.

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