Aspheric Mirrors - Yes or No?

[mackguyver]

I recently purchased CPO 2003 Boxster and love everything about the car except for the huge blindspots. I've gotten used to them for the most part, but I recently saw the aspheric mirrors on Suncoast's website and a web page (Here) and another web page on how to install them and what they are (Here).

I've also done a search on this site/forum, but couldn't really find anything on them. From that one page, it sounds like they're a mixed blessing in that they eliminate the blind spots, but they make distance really difficult to judge.

I'm wondering if any of you have them or have driven a car with them and what you think about them. $140 isn't too bad, but I don't want to make things worse.

Thank you in advance for sharing your thoughts.

[Orient Express]

I put one of these mirrors on the drivers side of the car in January, and find that after you get used to the way the image looks, it is quite useful.

Is $140 for 2 mirrors? I don't really think that the passenger side mirror is necessary. I only paid $72 for this one at the local Porsche parts counter. The P/N for the Drivers side mirror is 996.731.035.02

[mackguyver]

Thanks for the reply. I just ordered one from my local dealer. For $75 it's worth a try. I'll let you know what I think when I pick it up on Monday (had to be special ordered).

[trygve]

I find the aspheric mirror useful. I think it does reduce the blind spot. For the first day or two with it, it was weird, almost like I couldn't focus correctly, but then my eyes got used to it and I have no problems with it at all.

[szentej]

Purchase one for each side on flea-bay for total $50 (shipped).

They work great after getting used to them. Initially depth perception is distractive.

[mackguyver]

Update: I picked up the mirror during lunch today and installed it but haven't driven with it, yet. It was the easiest install of any car part I've ever done. It makes changing out the amber sidemarkers with clear ones seem like a tough job. I'll let you know what I think of them later...

[ukchris]

I was planning on doing the same then while in Walmart came across a couple of small convex mirrors, I think they were 99 cents each. I stuck them on the outer edge of each mirror and haven't felt the need to replace them yet. As with any blind spot solution they take a little getting used to but for the price are well worth a try.

Here are a couple of pictures to give you an idea...

Chasing Boxsters while being chased by... Boxsters...

Porsches, Porsches everywhere...

Pre-run Boxster Meet

Chris.

[mackguyver]

they were 99 cents each.

Ok, that's a little less than the $75+tax I paid! Hopefully I'll like the aspheric one...Nice pictures - where was this meet?

[ukchris]

Ok, that's a little less than the $75+tax I paid! Hopefully I'll like the aspheric one...Nice pictures - where was this meet?

I think you'll be happy with them, I know lots of people who swear by them. these were intended to be atemporary measure at the end of last summer when I started driving with the roof up but as I got used to them I figured there were other places the money could go! :o)

The meet was in Connecticut in May, arranged through PPBB.

[mackguyver]

Well, I like them so far. They aren't great for backing the car up, but when I zipped up the on-ramp to the interstate, I could see all 6 lanes behind and beside me and there was no blindspot when I let some cars pass me as I was getting off the interstate. I think they'll take some getting used to, but so far so good. Of course, the mirror has to pass the wife-test and she already thinks it's dumb. If she like it, though, I'm putting one on my Bimmer as well (for a more affordable $40-50).

[mikefocke]

Both

I had them on my '99 via paste ons from www.multivexmirror.com for $40 each. They covered the entire surface and were arched to cover the blind spot.

When I got my '01, I was struck by how dangerous that blind spot was and got a pair of Porsche ones similar to the pictures here for a reasonable price used.

You have the same blind spot both sides so I like them on both sides.