Choosing the right type of convex mirror for your project

Choosing the right type of convex mirror seems like an overwhelming task for many people. Once you know what type of mirror you want, and where you plan to place it, the job becomes much easier. At Safe-T-View, we offer a wide variety of mirrors as safety, surveillance, and security solutions. Check out the tips below to see which ones will work best for you.

Convex describes shapes that curve outward. A convex mirror has a curved reflecting mirror surface that has a shape like part of a sphere. They are also known as blind spot, wide-angle or fisheye mirrors as they have a very wide field of view. The wider your field of view, the greater the distance you can see from it. This allows for an increase in depth perception. You see more of yourself and your surroundings than you could with an ordinary flat mirror.

The edge of a convex mirror bends away from you. The outer curved surface reflects light and spreads light out. The reflected image is the right way up but slightly reduced; you look smaller than you are - a virtual image. This makes it particularly useful for many security and safety applications.

Deciding Between an Indoor or Outdoor Mirror.

Convex mirrors have many uses and are used both indoors and outdoors. Indoors they are used in places such as hospitals, hotels, schools, and offices. Outdoors they can be placed along sidewalks, streets, driveways, alleyways, parking lots, etc. Other purposes include improving driver visibility, enhancing security, promoting safety, and even providing additional lighting.

Indoor

Convex indoor mirrors are economical, lightweight acrylic-face with simple fixing brackets. They have little protection against the weather and are best used in a dry environment.

A common use is shop theft prevention and as shop surveillance device. You can also find them in commercial applications such as:

• showrooms,
• reception areas,
• office corridors,
• hospitals,
• workshops,
• restaurants,
• hotels,
• libraries and other public buildings and institutions,
• They are also used in factories and warehouses where cost is a key consideration.

Safe-T-view indoor convex mirrors come in several sizes. You can mount them directly to the wall for easy and quick installation and are ideal as security and surveillance monitoring devices.

Domes

A dome-style mirror has a deeper convex curve. This allows for an extra wide angle of view. Though, the deep curve means the object reflected is smaller than a regular convex mirror. Objects appear farther away than they are.

They are mounted on to the ceiling or against a wall. An economical, lightweight option for general surveillance or central area monitoring.

Full domes are suspended on chains or fastened directly to the ceiling. They provide a 360-degree view. This makes them particularly suitable where a wider view is required.

Half domes provide a 180-degree view. It is especially useful when there is an intersection between corridors. In this case, it avoids the more expensive option of having two conventional convex mirrors covering the same area.

Corner Domes, often called quarter or corner dome mirrors, provide a 90-degree view. They are useful at corridor corners to provide a view of oncoming traffic.

Outdoor

Usually, convex outdoor mirrors are a stronger mirror fitted with extra safety and security features. They are weatherproofed so can be used outdoors, or indoors if required. Usually, outdoor versions are equipped with stronger bracket systems designed to keep them in position. And some mirrors are equipped with a sun visor that assists in preventing glare and highlights the mirror.

They are engineered for road and traffic safety applications and are widely accepted by councils, railways, mining companies and heavy industry.

Also known as blind spot mirrors, they are especially effective at intersections with poor visibility, sharp bends, steep gradients, obscured entry-exit locations, and manoeuvring areas. They are also widely used in and around factories, warehouses, where there are hidden entrances, apartment buildings and car parks.

Outdoor road safety mirrors can have a bright orange coloured visor that calls attention to potential danger. They are extremely durable, manufactured to last for years in all weather conditions. In a freestanding application they have specially designed, robust brackets for post mounting.