Does anyone else find the new side camera views distracting and useless?

[Singletracker]

I guess I’m just old school. I like and trust properly adjusted, crystal clear mirrors and have rarely had blind spot issues, that weren’t a result of my own negligence. I agree the image quality is so poor under anything but perfect lighting conditions, that it makes even trying to get used to and depend on them a challenge. I get that some will love ‘em, just not me. For now, I don’t even notice them.

I was just thinking, they may be useful when backing up near an obstruction. if said abstruction is on the right side, one could turn on the right blinker to bring up another view. Haven’t done that, but will have to check that out.

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[ads75]

I thought I might get used to them over time. But I haven't yet. I find looking at the screen takes too much time and effort over what I used to, Not sure I will turn them off, but I prefer the way I have been checking for blind spots for 30 years, turning my head. Or more recently, the blind spot indicators on the mirrors. As others have said, maybe Gen 2 is better, somehow I will cope.

 

[dleepnw]

useless? no
not very useful? yes, because the camera quality is trash. even in full daylight its dim and grainy. at night it might actually be more useful since i can see headlights more clearly.

 

[SASSquatch]

So turn them off. They were never going to be super great on the Gen1 because the cameras are potatoes. For some of us they will be useful for towing.

No need to besmirch the good name of potatoes. They were just as delicious in the 90's when the R1 camera resolution was first introduced.

Hey Rivian. 1993 called. It's keeping its potatoes but it wants its video resolution back....

 

[ThirteenElectrics]

What I don’t like about this feature is that it has preempted the implementation of “side mirrors which point down in reverse”, which is, in my view, much more useful and sorely needed.

 

[Zoidz]

I don’t find them distracting. Sometimes useful, but I doubt I will ever rely on them instead of mirrors.

 

[Whale Blubber]

Another vote for useful even without reasonable quality.

 

[Joules Burn]

I use it on occasion when I'm concerned about something close to the vehicle. I have the same feature on my Kia EV6 GT-L that I've had for two-and-half years so it is second nature. I ignore it when I don't need it.

 

[CrazyOne]

I don't, but I also don't depend on blind spot monitor. I also drive a car without blind spot monitoring and another with it, in addition to R1.

 

[Ohm Boy]

I find the new side camera views which show up when a turn signal is activated distracting and pretty much useless. In order to see anything smaller than a car (e.g. someone walking or a cyclist) one has to pay way to much attention to the image. Can someone tell me why they are supposed to be useful? I would find it much more helpful if the light on the mirrors were more obvious when someone is in the blind spot, similar to what a 2019 Subaru Forester does.

I use them every time the town signals go on. I find them very helpful.

 

[tculpepp]

I wasn't personally a fan. I left them on for 1k mile road trip then turned them off for the return trip. Havent missed them. My wife loves them though so to each their own.

 

[rkalbiar]

Yeah, quality sucks but still appreciate them and wish they were bigger.

 

[beatle]

I guess I’m just old school. I like and trust properly adjusted, crystal clear mirrors and have rarely had blind spot issues, that weren’t a result of my own negligence.

I'm also a fan of well-adjusted mirrors. When done right, your blind spots basically disappear. That said, approaching cars can still sneak up you occasionally, especially with the rear headrests blocking part of the view. I've also noticed on certain curves in the road I've gone to merge with nobody in my mirrors and still been surprised to find a car there. I turned the blind spot cameras off at first, but I'm using them now as a double check after I've already seen a clear view in my mirrors.

What I don’t like about this feature is that it has preempted the implementation of “side mirrors which point down in reverse”, which is, in my view, much more useful and sorely needed.

Here here! The side mirrors on my Model S tilted when in reverse and it allowed perfect placement when backing into a parking spot. And with the truck, I back into almost every spot. The 360 degree view is nice, but it's a bit distorted - not as sharp and accurate as the mirrors. I hope this feature is on deck.

 

[ThirteenElectrics]

Here here! The side mirrors on my Model S tilted when in reverse and it allowed perfect placement when backing into a parking spot. And with the truck, I back into almost every spot. The 360 degree view is nice, but it's a bit distorted - not as sharp and accurate as the mirrors. I hope this feature is on deck.

I don't know why they would delay this feature, which is simple, other than perhaps they're afraid that the increased usage of the mirror motors is going to increase failures and thus warranty costs. I hope they didn't cheap out and chose a motor with decent longevity.

 

[Bongorivian]

I don't know why they would delay this feature, which is simple, other than perhaps they're afraid that the increased usage of the mirror motors is going to increase failures and thus warranty costs. I hope they didn't cheap out and chose a motor with decent longevity.

Useless? Not at all. I think they are great.

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