Helmet mounted rear view mirror

A quick low cost solution for a horizontally wide angle view of what's coming up behind you. The total cost of parts not found around the home is $3.99 (for the mirror). Compare to an off the shelf rear view mirror starting at $14.99. Also, this mirror provides a wider horizontal view than the circular off the shelf mirrors!

Note that while specific materials are mentioned here, substitutes are readily applicable. For example, using Coat hanger wire instead of galvanized wire as well as using duct tape in instead of epoxy/SuperGlue. You don't even need to use the rectangular mirror. You can use the circular type or make a rectangular mirror from a circular one. in all cases, a convex mirror is most appropriate. Flat mirrors just don't have the coverage of a rectangular convex mirror.

Step 1 What you need

You will need the following:
1. Special Mirror (see image and description below). Typically found at auto parts stores like AutoZone
2. About a foot of 14 gauge galvanized wire (or similar substitute like copper wire). I find aluminum and copper wire is not stiff enough. It seems to always get bent out of shape. Galvanized wire holds its' position very well. Wire from a coat hanger would probably work just as well!
3. An alligator clip (or other suitable substitute). Alligator clips with teeth work the best but they will mar a surface. Other "toothless" clips seem to always slip out of alignment.
4. Epoxy (or other suitable adhesive). Five minute epoxy seems to work best as it provides a bit of time to assure correct placement as well as provide a large adhesion area. Superglue tends to pop loose when twisted.
5. About a 3 inch by 2inch bit of strong self adhesive tape.

You'll note that other than the specialty mirror, everything else can be found around the house. The mirror itself can be cut out of a circular mirror. Why rectangular? Well it allows for a wider, single glance horizontal view of what's behind you while eliminating a lot of vertical view that is not needed in a circular mirror.

Comments

[devonfletch]

Bicycle spokes are a great resource, perfect for applications like this. They come in various lengths, and materials, (all pretty hard steel/alloy), and they've got a handy 'head' on one end, and a rather long thread and nut on the other. I use Stainless spokes for applications that are on view.

[Phil B]

My experience with a longer wire mount such as you have is that the mirror tends to shake up and down when riding, and that makes an accurate fix on my traffic situation difficult to get. The aligator clip is a clever way to attach to the helmet.

[gmartin2000]

Hi Phil: Another reason for the stiffer galvanized wire. You are correct about the vibration. I got that in the earlier, more bendable aluminum and copper wire versions. The 14 gauge galvanized wire (from places like hardware stores and WalMart) vibrates a whole lot less. Thanks for pointing this out!