Mirrors

[CBuff]

In the interest of being proactive regarding my 420R almost on a ship to the USA - I have turned my attentions to addressing the generally hated mirrors supplied on the 7. I have done some research but thought I would throw it out to the group to see if anyone had any first hand experience or feelings on the topic. 

 

I am leaning towards a windshield stanchion mounted option which does restrict the full opening of the door. I may explore the eccles mount (3d Printable) or alternates at a later date if the door restriction (or knocking of the mirrors proves to be a nuisance). I plan on running mostly with windscreen but do have a aero for track days etc. I was planning on swapping mirrors back and forth if need be but depending on how this process goes I might end up with extra mirrors and can dedicate ones to each. Car is a 420R Sv with leather seats and non lowered floors

 

Here are the options that seem to be the most recent contenders:

 

DPR - "Spa" Mirrors

https://parts.dpr-motorsport.com/contents/en-uk/p85

with this for windscreen

https://parts.dpr-motorsport.com/contents/en-uk/p103

and this for aero application

https://parts.dpr-motorsport.com/contents/en-uk/p107

(A bit pricey, some say they loosen especially when door is over opened - not sure if the 

 

Lifeline MSA Formula

https://www.demon-tweeks.com/us/lifeline-msa-formula-mirror-244324/

 

Race Tech F1

https://www.demon-tweeks.com/us/racetech-f1-side-mirror-247051/

 

Motamec

https://motamec.com/motamec-racing-02-formula-side-wing-mirror-x2-convex-glass-matt-black-f1-car.html

Or full on Carbon

https://motamec.com/motamec-racing-02-formula-side-wing-mirror-x2-convex-glass-real-carbon-fiber.html

(I beleive the DPR stanchion mount will work with the Motamec as well)

 

Some discussions on this

https://www.caterhamlotus7.club/forums/topic/262779-fitting-mirrors-on-the-stanchion/

 

Center Mirror

Since I will run with windscreen mostly, this is less time sensitive and I may hold off on this for a bit. I believe that Cateraham supplies the aero with a central mirror (but I could be wrong on this). I hear that some have issues with forward visibility being blocked by a long mirror stalk raising the mirror into your forward eye line. I have the FIA cross diagonal bar that some have said lands your rear visibility right into the cross bars. Possibly shortening this mirror post would solve both problems (putting the rear view under the cross diagonal).

 

https://www.demon-tweeks.com/us/spa-design-centre-post-sports-car-carbon-fibre-mirror-246449/

(Mirror stalk seems tall and may cause the above mentioned issue)

https://www.demon-tweeks.com/us/lifeline-centre-mount-sports-car-mirror-244317/

(this has the option for a 50MM stalk height)

 

Or some custom attachment that would put it even lower. Again, likely will wait on this till I actually have the car and can check the site lines. 

 

Any preferences or suggestions welcome. 

 

[fastg]

I use the Spa mirrors on my Locost. They look good and give a good vibration free image. The only thing I dislike is the adjustment at the mirror end, the base is good. You get them adjusted everything is good, but it you knock or move them, say getting into the car or putting the cover on, they turn into a wet noodle. There is no stiction on the adjustment, if you move them your getting the wrench out to reset them. 

 

Graham  

[panamericano]

Whatever you pick, I would just caution not to have a mirror at normal eye level.  That causes aa blind spot you don't want.  Checking a mirror is a fairly deliberate glance, so looking down slightly is not an inconvenience.  Others may disagree, but they are wrong.

[CBuff]

@panamericano I am not following you. I would have side mirrors mounted on the middle bolt of the stanchion (or on the aero screen). Windshield has the supplied central mirror. And the aero screen would have central mirror with just a shorter (50mm) stalk. From what I have read that would reduce any frontal blind spot caused by the mirror and lowers the rear view under the X of the roll cage. Would likely limit and boot bag or anything placed on top of the boot cover. But this would be only on the way to track with the aero screen on. If I did any long distance I would likely have the windshield on anyway. Was it the central mirror you are referring to?

 

@fastg So if the mirror gets knocked it loosens at the mirror body, not the at the mounting point. Interesting. 

[fastg]

CBuff, correct that top bolt loosens and the mirror just spins around. It also make it a two handed job to set them. 

 

Graham 

[panamericano]

CBuff, that position looks good, unless you are very vertically challenged.  It's just some people on some cars mount too high.  Any one you pick should work fine.

[JohnCh]

The Spa mirrors come in a few different sizes.  Based on price and the picture, it looks like DPR carries the slightly larger GT, which is a little less tiny than the version most people use on Caterhams (68mm x 148mm vs. 52mm x 113mm).  It's also the size I prefer.  I've used the GT with convex mirrors on the Westfield for years and opted to stick with them for the Caterham.  You can see the various versions on Merlin Motorpsort's site here and click on each to get the size info:  https://www.merlinmotorsport.co.uk/s/mirrors/spa-mirrors 

 

With the combination of lowered floors and carbon fiber seats, the stock mounting location placed the mirrors in my line of site.  Using the lower threaded ports rather than the ones in the middle as per stock, and printing spacers to work around the lower sidescreen hinges, lowered the mirrors nearly 4" which is fine for me. 

 

 

[jimmylukeii]

I run an aeroscreen 90% of the time.  The middle rearview mirror that Caterham supplies is at exactly the wrong spot for me.  I am 6'2" and have lowered floors.  On the road, it's ok.  On track, the mirror perfectly blocks my view of the corner on right handers.  I might prefer something higher.

 

I will measure the height when I get home and report back.

[jimmylukeii]

My Caterham-supplied rear mirror (for aero screen) is 3 inches (76mm) to the bottom of the mirror and 5 inches (127mm) to the very top.

 

For me, it should have significantly taller or shorter stalk. Josh Robbins (Rocky Mountain Caterham) had one fabricated for his car, I believe.  See the pic.

[wdb]

20 hours ago, fastg said:

CBuff, correct that top bolt loosens and the mirror just spins around. It also make it a two handed job to set them. 

 

Graham 

 

I have those mirrors and windshield frame mounts and do not have a problem with them coming loose. They get knocked out of whack easily but I just reach out and turn them back and they stay put. Until the next time they get bumped anyway!

[panamericano]

2 hours ago, wdb said:

 

I have those mirrors and windshield frame mounts and do not have a problem with them coming loose. They get knocked out of whack easily but I just reach out and turn them back and they stay put. Until the next time they get bumped anyway!

One of the beauties of such a small car.  No fuss, just reach all the way across the car to make an adjustment.  No remote required.  I could even reach over and roll down the passenger's window, except...

[kayentaskier]

Jimmy, Actually I had Josh's mirror extension made by a buddy; I had him make a second one as a gift to Josh. The length was made specifically for what worked best for me. I'm 6'3' and my SV has lowered floors. I look over the X in the roll bar and do not have a blind spot when looking for passenger side front tire

 

 

 

Edited December 13, 2023 by kayentaskier
picture placement

[fastg]

In a six point harness with a Hans Device, reaching the passenger side mirror is not going to happen:)

 

Graham 

[CBuff]

I have been talking with Derek at dpr (seems like everyone is named Derek).  They have a stalk mount that’s 59mm to bottom of central mirror that I think would keep things below the x.  But again likely wait and see all the variables first hand when the car arrives and I can site things. (from Derek)

 

I think I will go with the dpr spas. 

[fastg]

Or you can have a angled mount. 

 

Graham 

[jimmylukeii]

8 hours ago, kayentaskier said:

Jimmy, Actually I had Josh's mirror extension made by a buddy; I had him make a second one as a gift to Josh. The length was made specifically for what worked best for me. I'm 6'3' and my SV has lowered floors. I look over the X in the roll bar and do not have a blind spot when looking for passenger side front tire

 

 

 

Great solution!  And I really like the green inserts.  Where did you get those?

[kayentaskier]

Jimmy,

I found the standard tunnel cover, with the raised, rear  portion interfered with my right arm when shifting. I worked with Josh to design a completely flat tunnel cover. Josh built the prototype and covered it roughly for testing. Once I was satisfied that this flatter version worked better for me, I took the cover and had it covered, locally, to (nearly) match the paint.
 

Given this is my 3rd Caterham, and the first time I’ve encountered this issue, I’m left with the conclusion that the difference is the lowered floors. I’m 6’3”, so was surprised how much difference the lower floor made. With that said, I also use a foam in place seat more than half the time, so my seating position is even lower than the standard leather seats. 
 

There are other projects that Josh and I have worked together with to customize my car (the mirror and the 1.0 pound battery are two other examples). Since I’m a “driver not a fixer”, I count on Josh to execute these changes during his annual service of my car. 
Jim

Edited December 14, 2023 by kayentaskier

[wdb]

On 12/13/2023 at 12:45 PM, fastg said:

In a six point harness with a Hans Device, reaching the passenger side mirror is not going to happen:)

 

Graham 

 

Which is why I adjust my mirrors before I strap in -- when I remember! 

[slowdude]

Wierd, bumped one of my mirrors off a few weeks ago and going through the same exercise.

 

I have copies of the cad files for the Eccles mount and access to a 3D printer via a colleague. If I can get him to do a big run, I'll let you know.

 

Part of what I have seen on blat chat is that the windscreen mounted ones affect the door operation.

 

I'm also going to screw around with some left over motorcycle mirrors and see if they'll fit on the door stalks too.

[fastg]

1 hour ago, wdb said:

 

Which is why I adjust my mirrors before I strap in -- when I remember! 

 

But until you strap in how do you adjust them? I find it a 2 person job. With the belts really snugged down it's changes your view. 

 

Graham