Mercedes HGV Mirror Cameras
Discussion
Are they any good? Do the drivers like or even prefer them?
Took a long motorway journey the other day and found myself looking up at the numerous Mercedes lorries I saw that had cameras for mirrors. Could see through the window that the driver has a large portrait screen inside the cab each side. Certainly look cool from outside and I guess they help the aero a bit. As far as I could see, no other manufacturers have them yet.
Took a long motorway journey the other day and found myself looking up at the numerous Mercedes lorries I saw that had cameras for mirrors. Could see through the window that the driver has a large portrait screen inside the cab each side. Certainly look cool from outside and I guess they help the aero a bit. As far as I could see, no other manufacturers have them yet.
Most new trucks you can get them now. I read somewhere they can save up to 2% on fuel which could be an awful lot on a large fleet. Most seem to stick with standard mirrors not sure why, Iv never used the cameras so no idea how good/bad they are.
My only concern would be them going off in the middle of a town or something it would be a nightmare!
Assume a hefty bill also when someone knocks the camera off.
My only concern would be them going off in the middle of a town or something it would be a nightmare!
Assume a hefty bill also when someone knocks the camera off.
The numerous drivers that I have come across who've had the mirror can experience, well I'd say it's 50/50 on whether they love them or hate them.
One advantage I understand that you can do a blindside reverse in an artic and never lose sight of the trailer.
As for camera faults, certainly Mercedes dealers have access to emergency temporary bolt on get you home type mirrors.
One advantage I understand that you can do a blindside reverse in an artic and never lose sight of the trailer.
As for camera faults, certainly Mercedes dealers have access to emergency temporary bolt on get you home type mirrors.
There’s either an emergency mirror stored in the cab or Merc assistance will bring one out and fit it. As well as better aero you obviously get rid of the blind spots the full length mirror creates. The camera breaks down into parts so seperate parts are usually cheaper to replace than the complete full mirror which is circa £500 + vat. Advantages and disadvantages for everything and not everyone gets on with them.
Matt_E_Mulsion said:
The numerous drivers that I have come across who've had the mirror can experience, well I'd say it's 50/50 on whether they love them or hate them.
One advantage I understand that you can do a blindside reverse in an artic and never lose sight of the trailer.
As for camera faults, certainly Mercedes dealers have access to emergency temporary bolt on get you home type mirrors.
Never used them, my company tried them on a demo vehicle, condemned as useless by the drivers, company values their staff so real mirrors on anything new.One advantage I understand that you can do a blindside reverse in an artic and never lose sight of the trailer.
As for camera faults, certainly Mercedes dealers have access to emergency temporary bolt on get you home type mirrors.
For blind sides with real mirrors it's easy in most vehicles to simply adjust the main mirror angle via its electric motors to ''follow'' the trailer as the angle changes as you maneuver, more simplystill return to having a rear window fitted in the cab, look through and physically see where you are on a blind side, have a rear window on my vehicle which makes blind siding effortless easy and safe especially so in the dark, no brainer.
Almost every cab had rear windows at one time, Volvo in particular used to supply a thick pad that fitted the aperture to help keep heat in for vehicles the driver slept in, just another baby that was thrown out with the bathwater in the new world of one size fits all.
Smint said:
Matt_E_Mulsion said:
The numerous drivers that I have come across who've had the mirror can experience, well I'd say it's 50/50 on whether they love them or hate them.
One advantage I understand that you can do a blindside reverse in an artic and never lose sight of the trailer.
As for camera faults, certainly Mercedes dealers have access to emergency temporary bolt on get you home type mirrors.
Never used them, my company tried them on a demo vehicle, condemned as useless by the drivers, company values their staff so real mirrors on anything new.One advantage I understand that you can do a blindside reverse in an artic and never lose sight of the trailer.
As for camera faults, certainly Mercedes dealers have access to emergency temporary bolt on get you home type mirrors.
For blind sides with real mirrors it's easy in most vehicles to simply adjust the main mirror angle via its electric motors to ''follow'' the trailer as the angle changes as you maneuver, more simplystill return to having a rear window fitted in the cab, look through and physically see where you are on a blind side, have a rear window on my vehicle which makes blind siding effortless easy and safe especially so in the dark, no brainer.
Almost every cab had rear windows at one time, Volvo in particular used to supply a thick pad that fitted the aperture to help keep heat in for vehicles the driver slept in, just another baby that was thrown out with the bathwater in the new world of one size fits all.
Smint said:
Matt_E_Mulsion said:
The numerous drivers that I have come across who've had the mirror can experience, well I'd say it's 50/50 on whether they love them or hate them.
One advantage I understand that you can do a blindside reverse in an artic and never lose sight of the trailer.
As for camera faults, certainly Mercedes dealers have access to emergency temporary bolt on get you home type mirrors.
Never used them, my company tried them on a demo vehicle, condemned as useless by the drivers, company values their staff so real mirrors on anything new.One advantage I understand that you can do a blindside reverse in an artic and never lose sight of the trailer.
As for camera faults, certainly Mercedes dealers have access to emergency temporary bolt on get you home type mirrors.
For blind sides with real mirrors it's easy in most vehicles to simply adjust the main mirror angle via its electric motors to ''follow'' the trailer as the angle changes as you maneuver, more simplystill return to having a rear window fitted in the cab, look through and physically see where you are on a blind side, have a rear window on my vehicle which makes blind siding effortless easy and safe especially so in the dark, no brainer.
Almost every cab had rear windows at one time, Volvo in particular used to supply a thick pad that fitted the aperture to help keep heat in for vehicles the driver slept in, just another baby that was thrown out with the bathwater in the new world of one size fits all.
The biggest advantage in my very limited experience of them, is that they remove the huge blind spots that the the mirror body itself creates, which is easily large enough to hide a transit size vehicle behind. The screen that the cameras display on, are attached to the already huge A pillar, so don’t reduce by much, if anything, the visibility in that area.
Don't know about buses/H/LGV etc., but after fitting the windscreen on an e-tron I thought I'd park it back into its bay. There was a wee bit of negotiating to do and I found it quite difficult to gauge as the beeps and gongs were going mad indicating I was too close; the reality was, I was well clear.
In the motor trade we get used to reversing with fag paper clearances. Can't see cameras helping with that.
In the motor trade we get used to reversing with fag paper clearances. Can't see cameras helping with that.
Largechris said:
Smint said:
Matt_E_Mulsion said:
The numerous drivers that I have come across who've had the mirror can experience, well I'd say it's 50/50 on whether they love them or hate them.
One advantage I understand that you can do a blindside reverse in an artic and never lose sight of the trailer.
As for camera faults, certainly Mercedes dealers have access to emergency temporary bolt on get you home type mirrors.
Never used them, my company tried them on a demo vehicle, condemned as useless by the drivers, company values their staff so real mirrors on anything new.One advantage I understand that you can do a blindside reverse in an artic and never lose sight of the trailer.
As for camera faults, certainly Mercedes dealers have access to emergency temporary bolt on get you home type mirrors.
For blind sides with real mirrors it's easy in most vehicles to simply adjust the main mirror angle via its electric motors to ''follow'' the trailer as the angle changes as you maneuver, more simplystill return to having a rear window fitted in the cab, look through and physically see where you are on a blind side, have a rear window on my vehicle which makes blind siding effortless easy and safe especially so in the dark, no brainer.
Almost every cab had rear windows at one time, Volvo in particular used to supply a thick pad that fitted the aperture to help keep heat in for vehicles the driver slept in, just another baby that was thrown out with the bathwater in the new world of one size fits all.
and31 said:
Largechris said:
Smint said:
Matt_E_Mulsion said:
The numerous drivers that I have come across who've had the mirror can experience, well I'd say it's 50/50 on whether they love them or hate them.
One advantage I understand that you can do a blindside reverse in an artic and never lose sight of the trailer.
As for camera faults, certainly Mercedes dealers have access to emergency temporary bolt on get you home type mirrors.
Never used them, my company tried them on a demo vehicle, condemned as useless by the drivers, company values their staff so real mirrors on anything new.One advantage I understand that you can do a blindside reverse in an artic and never lose sight of the trailer.
As for camera faults, certainly Mercedes dealers have access to emergency temporary bolt on get you home type mirrors.
For blind sides with real mirrors it's easy in most vehicles to simply adjust the main mirror angle via its electric motors to ''follow'' the trailer as the angle changes as you maneuver, more simplystill return to having a rear window fitted in the cab, look through and physically see where you are on a blind side, have a rear window on my vehicle which makes blind siding effortless easy and safe especially so in the dark, no brainer.
Almost every cab had rear windows at one time, Volvo in particular used to supply a thick pad that fitted the aperture to help keep heat in for vehicles the driver slept in, just another baby that was thrown out with the bathwater in the new world of one size fits all.
Largechris said:
and31 said:
Largechris said:
Smint said:
Matt_E_Mulsion said:
The numerous drivers that I have come across who've had the mirror can experience, well I'd say it's 50/50 on whether they love them or hate them.
One advantage I understand that you can do a blindside reverse in an artic and never lose sight of the trailer.
As for camera faults, certainly Mercedes dealers have access to emergency temporary bolt on get you home type mirrors.
Never used them, my company tried them on a demo vehicle, condemned as useless by the drivers, company values their staff so real mirrors on anything new.One advantage I understand that you can do a blindside reverse in an artic and never lose sight of the trailer.
As for camera faults, certainly Mercedes dealers have access to emergency temporary bolt on get you home type mirrors.
For blind sides with real mirrors it's easy in most vehicles to simply adjust the main mirror angle via its electric motors to ''follow'' the trailer as the angle changes as you maneuver, more simplystill return to having a rear window fitted in the cab, look through and physically see where you are on a blind side, have a rear window on my vehicle which makes blind siding effortless easy and safe especially so in the dark, no brainer.
Almost every cab had rear windows at one time, Volvo in particular used to supply a thick pad that fitted the aperture to help keep heat in for vehicles the driver slept in, just another baby that was thrown out with the bathwater in the new world of one size fits all.
Like I said,personally I find it a hindrance,and if it wasn’t for the fact that we need it for direct vision standard in London it wouldn’t be in there.
I hate them whilst reversing as they go wide angle and makes the bay seem like miles away. I think there is a way to disable it but haven't had the chance to try yet. They are great for blind side reversing however!
Definitely the future when they iron out all the bugs like poor refresh rate making led's flash or getting water on the lens that blocks your entire mirror.
Definitely the future when they iron out all the bugs like poor refresh rate making led's flash or getting water on the lens that blocks your entire mirror.
I have driven a Mercedes’ MP5 for two months now. When they came out I was the first to curse and moan how bad they are, but as with anything you can get used to them.
In some cases cameras are better than the conventional mirrors (ie reversing blind side). I got used to it by now so I don’t mind them as much as others. Yes it can break down , but then you can knock your conventional mirrors off as well
In some cases cameras are better than the conventional mirrors (ie reversing blind side). I got used to it by now so I don’t mind them as much as others. Yes it can break down , but then you can knock your conventional mirrors off as well
BricktopST205 said:
I hate them whilst reversing as they go wide angle and makes the bay seem like miles away. I think there is a way to disable it but haven't had the chance to try yet. They are great for blind side reversing however!
Definitely the future when they iron out all the bugs like poor refresh rate making led's flash or getting water on the lens that blocks your entire mirror.
You can cancel the wide angle bit underneath the adjuster arrows there are two buttons, one for heating, the other one to cancel wide angle. With the water blocking the mirror, I just extend my hand to wipe it off Definitely the future when they iron out all the bugs like poor refresh rate making led's flash or getting water on the lens that blocks your entire mirror.
Gassing Station | Commercial Break | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff