Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Commuting
Reload this Page >

TAKE A LOOK MIRROR: Helmet or Glasses

Search
Notices
Commuting Bicycle commuting is easier than you think, before you know it, you'll be hooked. Learn the tips, hints, equipment, safety requirements for safely riding your bike to work.

TAKE A LOOK MIRROR: Helmet or Glasses

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-22-12, 05:08 PM
  #1  
chefisaac
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: cherry hill, nj
Posts: 6,144
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 32 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
TAKE A LOOK MIRROR: Helmet or Glasses

I have been playing around a lot with my Take a Look Mirror. I love it!

On my commuter mtn bike, I am still having a hard time with in on my helmet. I can only see cars when they are very close. I would like to be able to see them a little ways out but I have not found the sweet spot yet. I see my left shoulder (good looking shoulder) but still cant find that sweet spot.

So, I will try it on my glasses and see how that works.

Anyone else have this issue and thinking it would be better going from helmet to glasses?

And for the folks who put theirs on their glasses, do you keep them on your glasses or take them off after the ride and put them on the glasses before the ride?
chefisaac is offline  
Old 02-22-12, 05:28 PM
  #2  
shriekingmonkey
Senior Member
 
shriekingmonkey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Brandon, FL
Posts: 50

Bikes: Specialized Hardrock 29er, Felt Z6

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I definitely prefer having a mirror on my glasses vs on the helmet. YMMV
shriekingmonkey is offline  
Old 02-22-12, 05:51 PM
  #3  
Sirrus Rider
Velocommuter Commando
 
Sirrus Rider's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Houston, Texas
Posts: 2,683

Bikes: '88 Specialized Sirrus, '89 Alpine Monitor Pass, two '70 Raligh Twenties, '07 Schwinn Town & Country Trike, '07 Specialized Sirrus Hybrid

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 23 Post(s)
Liked 36 Times in 11 Posts
Originally Posted by shriekingmonkey
I definitely prefer having a mirror on my glasses vs on the helmet. YMMV
My experience with the take-a-look was less than positive. It was well made, but too heavy compared to a Third-eye. I kept the take-a-look as an emergency spare, but the Third eye is what I go to.
Sirrus Rider is offline  
Old 02-22-12, 06:09 PM
  #4  
Tractortom
recumbent bike advocate
 
Tractortom's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Okeechobee. Florida
Posts: 435

Bikes: Bacchetta Belladare, long wheelbase

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
+1....I wear one on my glasses, have for years and years....

Tractor Tom in Okeechobee, FL
Tractortom is offline  
Old 02-22-12, 06:13 PM
  #5  
chefisaac
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: cherry hill, nj
Posts: 6,144
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 32 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
trac and shriek: Have you tried it on your helmet? Why do you like the glasses more? Do you take the mirror off after the ride and put it on before the ride or do you just keep them on the glasses? Any issue afixing it to the glasses? I tried to mount it on my safety glasses but sides of the glasses (the arms?) are not round, they are more square like.
chefisaac is offline  
Old 02-22-12, 06:50 PM
  #6  
xtrajack
xtrajack
 
xtrajack's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Maine
Posts: 2,058

Bikes: Kona fire mountain/xtracycle,Univega landrover fs,Nishiki custom sport Ross professional super gran tour Schwinn Mesa (future Xtracycle donor bike)

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I have mine on my helmet. If I had it on my glasses I woud probably just leave it there. I can't put mine on my glasses, the side shields get in the way.
xtrajack is offline  
Old 02-22-12, 07:01 PM
  #7  
Mr. Cranky
No, not really.
 
Mr. Cranky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 231

Bikes: 2010 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 5, ~2006 Specialized Sequoia, 1999 Specialized Rockhopper

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I've tried the Take-A-Look mirror both ways. I started out using it on my glasses which gave me great visibility but like somebody else said they seemed heavy and I always felts like my glasses were tilting sideways a bit. On the helmet, it took me longer to get it positioned correctly but after that it worked great and the weight on the helmet wasn't perceptible. So for me, I prefer the helmet mount.
Mr. Cranky is offline  
Old 02-22-12, 07:39 PM
  #8  
chefisaac
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: cherry hill, nj
Posts: 6,144
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 32 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
mr. cranky: Can you explain more on the positioning on your helmet? Having a heck of a time trying to get it right on mine when using my mtn commuter.

p.s. I love Kirkland and used to live in Bellevue. Love that area.
chefisaac is offline  
Old 02-22-12, 08:12 PM
  #9  
AlmostGreenGuy
Intrepid Bicycle Commuter
 
AlmostGreenGuy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Upstate New York
Posts: 819

Bikes: 1976 Motobecane Grand Jubile, Austro Daimler 'Ultima', 2012 Salsa Vaya, 2009 Trek 4300, Fyxation Eastside, State Matte Black 6, '97 Trek 930 SHX, '93 Specialized Rockhopper, 1990 Trek 950

Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 76 Post(s)
Liked 94 Times in 34 Posts
I tried one, but it was too heavy for my glasses. I ended up using a helmet mounted Third Eye mirror. Problem solved. And when I'm done cycling, I don't have to look for a place to store the mirror. The Third Eye just swings out of the way.
AlmostGreenGuy is offline  
Old 02-22-12, 08:24 PM
  #10  
ks1g
Because I thought I could
 
ks1g's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Wash DC Metro
Posts: 969

Bikes: November, Trek OCLV, Bianchi Castro Valley commuter

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
One more - hubbub mirror, clips to helmet. Mine survived a 20mph crash. https://hubbubcustom.com/store/prodde...sp?prod=helmir Never liked on-glasses mirrors and other on-helmet mirrors weren't rugged or wouldn't stay put.
ks1g is offline  
Old 02-22-12, 08:31 PM
  #11  
Scooby214
Saving gas on my commute
 
Scooby214's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Oklahoma City
Posts: 511
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I guess I run counter to the majority here, but I tried a helmet mounted mirror first before going with a Take A Look mirror on my glasses. Since I wear prescription eyeglasses and identical sunglasses, it is easy for me to mount and dismount the mirror to either pair of glasses. The weight hasn't been an issue for me, and I like the view I have with the mirror on my glasses.

I take off the mirror when I get to work, and stow it in my trunk bag.
Scooby214 is offline  
Old 02-22-12, 08:36 PM
  #12  
Jawihan
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Georgian Bluffs,Ontario,Canada
Posts: 55

Bikes: too many to list mostly 3 speeds and road bikes

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10 Post(s)
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
I wear mine on a pair of over glasses with colored lens that fit perfectly over my regular glasses. These glasses are cheap night riding glasses (yellow lens $9 at a discount store) and are meant for wearing over your regular glasses. I leave my Take a Look on these all the time so I don't have to bother with taking the mirror off and on. Works great, been doing it this way for 2 yrs now.
Jawihan is offline  
Old 02-22-12, 10:12 PM
  #13  
EKW in DC
Senior Member
 
EKW in DC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Alexandria, VA
Posts: 2,053

Bikes: Trek 830 Mountain Track Drop bar conversion

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Haven't tried it on my helmet, but my Take a Look has been very effective on my glasses for going on two years now. I wear mint on my prescription eyeglasses. I just take it off when I get to my destination and tuck it in my helmet with my gloves. Works great.
EKW in DC is offline  
Old 02-23-12, 12:40 AM
  #14  
Mr. Cranky
No, not really.
 
Mr. Cranky's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Kirkland, WA
Posts: 231

Bikes: 2010 Cannondale Synapse Carbon 5, ~2006 Specialized Sequoia, 1999 Specialized Rockhopper

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Originally Posted by chefisaac
mr. cranky: Can you explain more on the positioning on your helmet? Having a heck of a time trying to get it right on mine when using my mtn commuter.

p.s. I love Kirkland and used to live in Bellevue. Love that area.
Here's my helmet mounted mirror. Optional zip tie makes it bombproof so I don't have to worry about it getting knocked off. It might be worth a few extra fred points too...

And yeah I can't complain about this area... Loving living here!

Mr. Cranky is offline  
Old 02-23-12, 09:30 AM
  #15  
shriekingmonkey
Senior Member
 
shriekingmonkey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Brandon, FL
Posts: 50

Bikes: Specialized Hardrock 29er, Felt Z6

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I actually tried a different helmet mirror before I got the take-a-look. I had a third-eye, I believe it was... just wasn't happy with the viewing angle and having something stuck on my helmet. I wear prescription glasses also and have no problem taking it on and off. Of course I can see how the type of frame you have can make a huge difference.

Have to admit I am intrigued by Mr. Cranky's approach. Never thought of clipping it to my helmet visor; may have to give that a try!
shriekingmonkey is offline  
Old 02-23-12, 10:16 AM
  #16  
jyl
Senior Member
 
jyl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 7,639

Bikes: 61 Bianchi Specialissima 71 Peugeot G50 7? P'geot PX10 74 Raleigh GranSport 75 P'geot UO8 78? Raleigh Team Pro 82 P'geot PSV 86 P'geot PX 91 Bridgestone MB0 92 B'stone XO1 97 Rans VRex 92 Cannondale R1000 94 B'stone MB5 97 Vitus 997

Mentioned: 146 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 392 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 49 Times in 31 Posts
I used a "Third Eye" type mirror attached to my helmet visor (plastic, swiveling convex mirror) for years, until it fell off and was lost. It was a bit flimsy but worked great.

Recently, I bought a "Take A Look" mirror for the seemingly higher-quality construction. It requires a lot of bending to get the mirror positioned at the right angle and location, and even then I wish the mirror were convex. The design should really be reversed, so that the mirror sits outboard of the hinge.

Attaching a mirror to my glasses has never appealed to me. I'd surely forget about it and walk around all day looking like a werdo.
jyl is offline  
Old 02-23-12, 01:41 PM
  #17  
DerekMcC
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Southeast Alabama
Posts: 62
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
It is really a personal preference thing. I use mine on my glasses, but they work fine on my helmet also.
DerekMcC is offline  
Old 02-23-12, 04:10 PM
  #18  
chefisaac
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: cherry hill, nj
Posts: 6,144
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 32 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
UPDATE: Last week I ordered another Take a Look Mirror and today I got to try it on my road bike. I put them on my glasses and LOVED THEM. I can really see behind me which was great for cars and looking at my buddies that were behind me (and a sneaky one sucking on my wheel). I will have to try to mount them to my glasses on my mtn bike commuter. I tried to mount them last night but no go because of the shape of the glasses but I think tape will work.
chefisaac is offline  
Old 02-23-12, 04:15 PM
  #19  
Clem von Jones
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 660
Mentioned: 2 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 151 Post(s)
Liked 23 Times in 16 Posts
Works much better on the helmet like pictured above, positioned about one inch in front of the visor corner with the top edge of the mirror level to the brim.

Touring lady demonstrates: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Op5lJp5gOo

Last edited by Clem von Jones; 02-23-12 at 04:27 PM.
Clem von Jones is offline  
Old 02-23-12, 06:01 PM
  #20  
chefisaac
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: cherry hill, nj
Posts: 6,144
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 32 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
clem: it all depends on the position of the rider. Couldnt make it work with the helmet on my mtn bike commuter.
chefisaac is offline  
Old 02-27-12, 09:57 AM
  #21  
shriekingmonkey
Senior Member
 
shriekingmonkey's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Brandon, FL
Posts: 50

Bikes: Specialized Hardrock 29er, Felt Z6

Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Yeah, I tried it on my visor and it's back on my glasses now
shriekingmonkey is offline  
Old 02-27-12, 04:37 PM
  #22  
jyl
Senior Member
 
jyl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Portland OR
Posts: 7,639

Bikes: 61 Bianchi Specialissima 71 Peugeot G50 7? P'geot PX10 74 Raleigh GranSport 75 P'geot UO8 78? Raleigh Team Pro 82 P'geot PSV 86 P'geot PX 91 Bridgestone MB0 92 B'stone XO1 97 Rans VRex 92 Cannondale R1000 94 B'stone MB5 97 Vitus 997

Mentioned: 146 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 392 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 49 Times in 31 Posts
To mount it on the visor, you have to bend the arm quite a bit. Because the visor edge is angled versus the temples of your glasses.
jyl is offline  
Old 02-27-12, 05:11 PM
  #23  
chefisaac
Senior Member
Thread Starter
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: cherry hill, nj
Posts: 6,144
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 32 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time in 1 Post
jyl: you got a pic of your set up?
chefisaac is offline  
Old 02-27-12, 06:31 PM
  #24  
Scheherezade 
12mph+ commuter
 
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: Oak Park, IL
Posts: 863
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I don't wear a helmet or glasses, but I find the Take-A-Look an essential part of my bike riding. So, I currently ride with a pair of reading frames with the lenses punched out.
Scheherezade is offline  
Old 02-28-12, 07:42 AM
  #25  
filDim
Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2011
Posts: 33
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times in 0 Posts
I take my visor off sometimes and I don't like to wear the mirror in my sunglasses. It's a pain to set them up properly every time, so I decided to attach them to the edge of my helmet with a velcro tie-wrap. The stay there all the time, don't bother at all, no need to set up every time (just some minor adjustments). It works superbly for me.




Last edited by filDim; 02-28-12 at 07:50 AM.
filDim is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.