frogman

I am thinking of trying a helmet mirror. There is a bunch to select from. The EVT Safe Zone Mirror seems to be rated pretty high. What one would you recommend ?

thanks,
Bob

UniChris

I think more than anything, a helmet mirror requires practice. I got one several years back, tried it briefly on a rail trail leading to a road gap and decided it wasn't really worth the bother. But cycling in the time of Corona encouraged riding more on roads with lightened traffic rather than trails where others were, so I started using the mirror again and quickly came to love it, by which I mean develop the skill of getting useful information from it while still paying attention to where I'm going.

Earlier in all of this I was going to get a "better" one.

But the reality is that the one I had was basically fine, I just had to learn to use it.

I suspect it's nearly meaningless but my purchase history says what I have is a "PRO STAR Bicycle Helmet Mirror" - and the point is that it is something I wouldn't have recommended when I'd only used it briefly but now that I've used it a lot find it actually works.

In addition to traffic, it's useful for keeping track of the rest of a group, though I find I can't distinguish details very far out. I also find I have trouble telling a car that just passed me going the opposite way, from one approaching - mostly I figure that out by checking repeatedly if they are getting nearer. There's also a lot of cross-queuing from vehicle noise, eg hear a truck behind you but see that he's in the process of changing to the left lane to go past.

frogman

Thanks for the info. I am using a handlebar mounted mirror now and it sticks out from the side and I am constantly bumping it when rolling the bike back into the garage, etc. With the helmet mirror so close to your eyes I hope I don't get distracted when I am tring to keep my eyes on the road. I guess the only way I will find out is to try it. I am also riding more on local streets now with the Pandemic giving a lot less traffic.

gios

Attached to my glasses, take-a-look attaches quickly and I can track cars coming up on me and see where they'll pass and judge how close. When there is an extra lane (90 pct of the time on my route), I take control of the lane and make them pass.

canklecat

Take-A-Look. I have them on two of my three helmets (not on the aero helmet). Old and new neck and shoulder injuries make 'em a must. Occasionally I'll skip the mirrors when I use the aero helmet to chase PRs, but only when I'm willing to suffer.

It's a good mirror for the money. Tough, easy to adjust, 1:1 so I get a better sense of distance and overtake speed.

My Sprintech drop bar bar-end mirrors are good but not 1:1 so I don't notice distant vehicles or cyclists approaching, and it's harder to quickly guesstimate distance and overtake speed.

Some folks worry about the hard edges and sharp corners of the Take-A-Look. Valid concern, if improbable.

I like the easy adjustability, including flipping it up out of my eye line. On some stretches of road at night I want an uninterrupted view of the road sides to watch for critters. Presumably any vehicle approaching from behind will use headlights so the mirror is less essential -- and I still do have a Sprintech bar end mirror on both drop bar road bikes.

Mounting can be tricky. I use a homemade doodad cut from a store discount plastic card blank, and two or three zip ties, to secure the mirror to the helmet while allowing wiggle room for adjustments. On the other helmet, a POC, I'm using Scotch mounting putty, since the vent design doesn't quite lend itself to the plastic card and zip tie doodad on my Bell helmet.

I tried the Take-A-Looks on my glasses -- sunglasses, clear safety glasses. Works okay but I prefer 'em on my helmets.

flangehead

I use Take-a-Look mounted on the helmet visor. I tried Third Eye but it didn’t hold position as well for me.

I do unimproved trail riding at times and clear vegetation. I’ve learned the hard way that I have to remove the mirror whenever I do that, because it snags and I lose it.

Gundo

I've been using a Tiger Eye Helmet mount mirror for the past year and a half. Takes a little getting used to but stays in place and works for me.

Ogsarg

I have big dorky looking helmet mounted mirror that I use on my old beater mountain bike. For road biking, I use the Take a look. Despite the mirror being smaller, it actually works better.

79pmooney

Those mirrors are really good. I struggle with both the looks and I get it snagged on hanging stuff in my garage wearing it. I love the Third Eye mirror with the screw clamp - except I find it doesn't bite the edges of the helmets I use well so like the poster above, I find it doesn't stay in position, Years ago I used my fiberglass skills to make a custom bracket that I mount on the helmet with two small screws. End of problem. Been using that system now for my last 5 helmets. What sucks its that I have to make another mount when I change helmet styles. (The mounts would outlive many helmets.)

Ben

kermie

I have Take-A-Look mirror on my sunglasses, and love them. I was hit from behind many years ago, and since then I will not ride without a mirror. I like the sun-glass mirror so I can use different helmets with no need to purchase multiple mirrors.

CadenceCrazy

I use a Clear View Micro Mirror Clearview Micro Mirror ? Cycling safety just became cool! It has a very small, short mirror that magnetically mounts to the helmet. It took me about 30 minutes to get comfortable with the size and location but is now my preferred mirror. I have no idea regarding the quality of online ordering since I bought it at a bike expo.

datlas 

Not to hijack, but I want to use a glasses mirror and tried the take-a-look. I used it twice. Both times I felt “carsick” from the images in the mirror even though I tried to only look at the mirror occasionally. It was quite unpleasant.

Is that something you get used to, like getting “sea legs??”

canklecat

Yup, you can get accustomed to the mirror. I hated the Take-A-Look the first week I used it. Very disorienting and distracting. By the second week I was less tempted to rip it off and toss it in the gutter. By the third week I figured, eh, okay.

Now after a couple of years I feel uncomfortable riding without it. Even when I'm walking I glance up to my left looking for my mirror.

bmcer

I've been using an EVT Safe Zone mirror for around 3 months now. Yes, it's about the ugliest helmet mounted mirror on the planet. BUT... It also gives the steadiest, widest, clearest view to the rear of any mirror I've tried in 30 years. It is a large mirror that needs to be off set to the left in order to keep it out of your forward field of view. I have it fixed to the helmet with nylon cable ties, and it stays in place solidly. 'Spose I could use a belt and suspenders combination of velcro dots and the ties, but I haven't found that to be necessary.

It can be a bit "fiddley" to get adjusted initially. I recommend doing that while riding in an empty parking lot or other low traffic area. But once you've found your "sweet spot", it's unlikely you'll need to repeat the process very often.

Yes, it looks dorky, but the view it offers is more than worth a couple sideways looks.

Now if I were maybe 30 years younger and worried about looking "cool", it might not be my first choice. But I'm 30 years more risk adverse, so I love it.

frogman

[QUOTE=bmcer;21547417]I've been using an EVT Safe Zone mirror for around 3 months now. Yes, it's about the ugliest helmet mounted mirror on the planet. BUT... It also gives the steadiest, widest, clearest view to the rear of any mirror I've tried in 30 years. It is a large mirror that needs to be off set to the left in order to keep it out of your forward field of view. I have it fixed to the helmet with nylon cable ties, and it stays in place solidly. 'Spose I could use a belt and suspenders combination of velcro dots and the ties, but I haven't found that to be necessary.

It can be a bit "fiddley" to get adjusted initially. I recommend doing that while riding in an empty parking lot or other low traffic area. But once you've found your "sweet spot", it's unlikely you'll need to repeat the process very often.

Yes, it looks dorky, but the view it offers is more than worth a couple sideways looks.

Now if I were maybe 30 years younger and worried about looking "cool", it might not be my first choice. But I'm 30 years more risk adverse, so I love it.[/QUOTE



I am also past the age of being concerned if I look dorky, haha. I bought one of the EVT mirrors and will take it on its maiden voyage today. I have been fiddling with it sitting in the living room and have it mounted where I think I have a good starting point. I see what you mean about off setting it to the left. Thanks for the feedback on the mirror !

bmcer

Glad I could provide some useful input!

NJgreyhead

I've used several, and settled on the Hubbub a few years ago. Mounts easily (and not permanently) to the helmet, sits closer to the face so it is less obtrusive, and the field of view is plenty large.
Highly recommended.
HTH.
-NJg.