25 minutes ago, mumphie said:

I'm all about extra information (where it doesn't "contribute" to safety), but at some point, most people will end up using it as the only source of information - even if it's just one time. Unfortunately, one time is all it takes to cause an accident...

There's an equally valid argument that having the extra information will fill a gap that still couldn't be seen with a look over the shoulder.

1 minute ago, SWBoy said:

There's an equally valid argument that having the extra information will fill a gap that still couldn't be seen with a look over the shoulder.

 

Fair point. But can you honestly, wholeheartedly say that it won't lead to laziness and a reliance on it as your sole source of information?

 

It's the same argument for/against driverless cars...

There is an ISO/EN Standard for Visibility, it defines a field of view that must be met.

Some manufacturers fit concave mirrors, some with angles edges and some with extra spherical bulges.

Skoda have met their responsibility by complying with the Standard with only using a flat single mirror.

Its not the accountants, its engineering and design and product development. Its not using the blind spot detection as some kind of mitigation either

The Mirrors comply with the Standard and if you don't use them or look behind you when pulling out then there's no comeback regardless of whether the mirror design has changed.

4 minutes ago, KevC_Derby said:

The Mirrors comply with the Standard

But is the Standard "fit for purpose"? - since every driver KNOWS that there is a blind spot which the mirrors do not cover, and the manufacturers exploit that by selling an electronic aid. Wouldn't it be better if the mirrors had better coverage in the first place?

 

5 hours ago, mumphie said:

Fair point. But can you honestly, wholeheartedly say that it won't lead to laziness and a reliance on it as your sole source of information?

 

It's the same argument for/against driverless cars...

Some people will always be lazy and/or rely on technology (look at the Apple software engineer who got killed recently because he believed the AutoPilot in his Tesla wouldn't drive into the central barrier.

 

I will NEVER trust a driverless car, no amount of software or artificial intelligence has the same ability to assess the complex visual and audible inputs that happen in the billions of situations we encounter in everyday driving, and then to choose what action to take based on moral judgement.

41 minutes ago, SWBoy said:

But is the Standard "fit for purpose"? - since every driver KNOWS that there is a blind spot which the mirrors do not cover, and the manufacturers exploit that by selling an electronic aid. Wouldn't it be better if the mirrors had better coverage in the first place?

 

Some people will always be lazy and/or rely on technology (look at the Apple software engineer who got killed recently because he believed the AutoPilot in his Tesla wouldn't drive into the central barrier.

 

I will NEVER trust a driverless car, no amount of software or artificial intelligence has the same ability to assess the complex visual and audible inputs that happen in the billions of situations we encounter in everyday driving, and then to choose what action to take based on moral judgement.

 

But contrast that to the driver who gets distracted by a phone call / changing the radio station / arguing with the kids in the back seat / eating & drinking etc - I know which "system" is paying more attention to all of the surroundings. So long as people are aware of the limitations of driverless technology and don't put an absolute reliance on it then I think it's well worth progressing with

4 hours ago, SWBoy said:

But is the Standard "fit for purpose"? - since every driver KNOWS that there is a blind spot which the mirrors do not cover, and the manufacturers exploit that by selling an electronic aid. Wouldn't it be better if the mirrors had better coverage in the first place?

 

I think the committee who develop the Standards are from a wide range of industry experts that should be given a lot more credit than they do.

i had huge mirrors on my Qashqai, with angled wide view but the visibility difference compared to the Octavia 3FL is non existent. 

14 hours ago, KevC_Derby said:

I think the committee who develop the Standards are from a wide range of industry experts that should be given a lot more credit than they do.

i had huge mirrors on my Qashqai, with angled wide view but the visibility difference compared to the Octavia 3FL is non existent. 

Having worked in a senior role at an automotive consultancy, all I will add is that they should talk to the average driver more.

 

Sounds like the Qashqai mirrors are an even worse design than those on the O3 

Righto

So just to join in. I have an O3. Base of the base models. Just needed to up my Fabia to a family car that fit even the simple things like a baby seat in the back but also sitting an adult infront comfortably. Simple but something the Fabia couldn't provide.

 

Moving on to topic.

I have done 1500 miles and only just noticed the blind spot curve was missing. I found this forum looking to see if any other models did so I could replace the glass. I'd never rely on it but it is a nice feature as a quick look to see if there is any need to look over your shoulder (effectively taking your eyes off the road ahead) and if there is already something visible eyes can continue with the hazard infront. 

 

You are all saying but the blind spot detection is there too. Not on mine, doesn't have it so there is nothing.

Ever since I first got in a car for lessons my instructor drilled in the importance of being aware of your surroundings at all times. Therefore you will always know what is where in case you need to make a move.

 

We all have different training as all instructors are different. But I do agree, why not keep the simple features which will cost near nothing to implement whilst also selling the extras, surely too much safety information is better whether used or not?

 

 

4 minutes ago, CollinPickering said:

You are all saying but the blind spot detection is there too. Not on mine, doesn't have it so there is nothing.

 

But I do agree, why not keep the simple features which will cost near nothing to implement whilst also selling the extras, surely too much safety information is better whether used or not?

Blind spot detection is definitely an extra cost option on most (all?) Octavias - it's not fitted to my 2015 Elegance.

 

Why not fit it as standard? Skodas are an economy brand, so they only fit things that are absolute 'must haves' to the marketplace and then charge for everything else.

Blind Spot Detection became optional with the facelift cars. Before that it was never available. Should you rely on it? Not a chance, you should always look and look again. Will I retrofit it into my car? You bet I will because I have a compulsive modding habit and Skoda parts are cheaper than therapy. Retrofits of this back in the day used Audi parts to light up the inside of the mirror but as you can now get the correct BLIS mirrors it’s a much tidier job

6 minutes ago, PetrolDave said:

Blind spot detection is definitely an extra cost option on most (all?) Octavias - it's not fitted to my 2015 Elegance.

 

Why not fit it as standard? Skodas are an economy brand, so they only fit things that are absolute 'must haves' to the marketplace and then charge for everything else.

Sorry mine was a long post, I meant to fit the mirrors as standard. I dont agree much with the blind spot detection as a light can quite easily be ignored over time, or misses or even break.

 

I know that Skoda are an economy brand, that's why I bought one 👍

If I'm on A road overtakes  and even dual carriageways I'll always look over my shoulder, I've had decades on bikes.

 

But I spend many hours every week on the motorway.  Do I look over my shoulder every lane change?  No and I doubt any regular motorway users do. I'd need a neck brace by Friday.

 

Some of the time I'm in a van so over the shoulder look is pointless just a small side window, mirrors are the only option.  

 

My jag has blindspot monitoring and electrochromatic auto dimming door mirrors. They are a godsend. 

 

All new models seem to be coming with lane assist and emergency braking etc but I'd choose blindspot monitoring and auto dimming door mirrors  as a safety system over any of those. 

On 30/08/2019 at 10:03, CollinPickering said:

I found this forum looking to see if any other models did so I could replace the glass.

 

I also miss this a lot, didn't even noticed it was missing when I bought the car, but when I did was hoping I could just replace the glass, even tried looking for another VAG compatible one, like from a Golf or Polo since they sometimes share some parts but couldn't find one, IMHO very stupid thing to save a few cents, don't remember the last car I had without this.