Blind and Visually Impaired Community
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Blind in left eye. Looking to buy SUV with blind spot monitoring. (self.Blind)
submitted by mochaloca24
I'm looking to buy a mid-size SUV. The key features I am looking for are: all wheel drive, adaptive cruise control, blind spot monitors, and lane assist technology. My budget is flexible. Would prefer around 25K, but could go as high as 35K.
Since I am blind in my left eye, I specifically would like the blind spot monitor light to be inside the car or on the inner most part of the driver's side mirror. For example, I know Nissans have it on the inside of the car, so it's in my normal field of view. As far as I know, Toyotas and Fords have the little LED built into the left most corner of the mirror so it is harder for me to see.
This is a long shot, but has anyone ever heard of having an additional camera on the left side? I know in some cars that they have the camera on the right side blind spot and it displays on the center console screen. My dream feature would be to have that for my left side.
It's been a little tricky searching online for the location of the blind spot monitors in different makes and models. Does anyone know of mid-size SUVs with these features to help me with my search? Any other features that you find helpful with monocular vision?
Edited to add: I have driven a Toyota Prius and a Ford Fusion on long car rides. Both of these cars had the bind spot chime light on the left corner of the mirror. Both were enjoyable to drive, but I do want explore my options for cars that have the light to in my FOV and not just rely on the sound. Thanks for your suggestions and advice!
Since I am blind in my left eye, I specifically would like the blind spot monitor light to be inside the car or on the inner most part of the driver's side mirror. For example, I know Nissans have it on the inside of the car, so it's in my normal field of view. As far as I know, Toyotas and Fords have the little LED built into the left most corner of the mirror so it is harder for me to see.
This is a long shot, but has anyone ever heard of having an additional camera on the left side? I know in some cars that they have the camera on the right side blind spot and it displays on the center console screen. My dream feature would be to have that for my left side.
It's been a little tricky searching online for the location of the blind spot monitors in different makes and models. Does anyone know of mid-size SUVs with these features to help me with my search? Any other features that you find helpful with monocular vision?
Edited to add: I have driven a Toyota Prius and a Ford Fusion on long car rides. Both of these cars had the bind spot chime light on the left corner of the mirror. Both were enjoyable to drive, but I do want explore my options for cars that have the light to in my FOV and not just rely on the sound. Thanks for your suggestions and advice!
DrLuobo 4 points 3y ago
I don't/can't drive but my SO and I recently bought a RAV4 (2019 model) and you are correct about the light built in to the mirror. There is an audible and frankly quite loud beep that also plays if memory serves. (We haven't been out for a drive in 2 months I think...and only had the car for a couple months before lockdown anyway...) Regarding the camera you may be able to rig up something yourself, using a backup camera and a small screen on the dash. If I could drive that would be my approach (also totally blind in left, but my right is not good enough for driving now). Hope someone else has better ideas. Good luck with the search!
MakihikiMalahini-who 2 points 3y ago
Our poor Toyotas, also bought a Corolla iM a couple weeks before shelter in place. :)
DrLuobo 2 points 3y ago
Owwww two weeks, that's rough! We were replacing a Camry with 200k miles, tho, and I don't think it would have survived the lockdown. I wonder if the financing is better now. I dare not check, for fear of the car buying ads I'll get for the next six months!
mochaloca24 [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Thanks for your reply! I haven't ruled out RAV4s yet because they have such great reputations. I'll look into rigging up a camera on the left side. That's a great idea and would be a fun project.
Hellsacomin94 3 points 3y ago
We have a VW that has the light on the mirror, audible chime, and flashes on the center gauge cluster. I really don’t think you need to worry much about the warning light, just go from the sound.
mochaloca24 [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Thanks for your reply! I have driven a Toyota Prius and a Ford Fusion on long car rides. Both of these cars had the bind spot chime light on the left corner of the mirror. Both were enjoyable to drive, but I do want explore my options for cars that have the light in my FOV and not just rely on the sound.
_unorthadox_ 2 points 3y ago
Not blind, but a car person. There is a newish feature in some higher end cars that is a 360 view. They have multiple cameras situated around the corners, front, and back that basically project on the screen as if you were looking from above. This is a feature that you may want to look into! Some of the cars with it are: Nissan Murano SL, infinity QX30 sport, Hyundai Santa Fe Sport, Nissan Maxima Platinum, Genesis G90, and Volvo XC60. There are more, I just can’t remember them off of the top of my head.
Do remember that these are systems used to help the driver, but you shouldn’t choose one with just the one system. Make sure you have backup options. Blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and 360 cameras are all your friend!
Do remember that these are systems used to help the driver, but you shouldn’t choose one with just the one system. Make sure you have backup options. Blind spot monitoring, lane keep assist, and 360 cameras are all your friend!
mochaloca24 [OP] 1 points 3y ago
Yes the 360 cameras would really help with parking! I feel like I always struggle with it due to my lack of depth perception. Thanks!
hidude398 1 points 3y ago
I drive a Honda Pilot from 2007, before blind spot monitoring became a feature in vehicles. I highly recommend getting a set of blind spot mirrors from your local auto store. They’re quite robust, have held up to numerous car washes and abuse, and provide excellent vision down the body of the car. I am also blind in my left eye and use them daily in order to monitor the lane beside me better and to aid backing up, as they provide visibility behind the car which is blocked by the D-column when my head is completely turned around. I know this isn’t exactly what you’re looking for but they’re not intrusive, don’t significantly reduce the visibility of your side mirrors, and create a vision zone that covers the entirety of the back of your car with the exception of your left directly perpendicular to your shoulder. It’s not the same as having lidar but it has saved my bacon numerous times and serves as an augmentation to my lane-change shoulder checks.
mochaloca24 [OP] 1 points 3y ago
I'll look into that, thanks!
scaram0uche 1 points 3y ago
My dad (blind in right eye) really liked Subaru's system. They cars hold their value so it may be tricky to find a cheap one but they have everything you ask for except the left-side camera and the warning light of the 2017 model is on the mirror. An Outback or Forrester might be a good size for you.
robsmyser 1 points 3y ago
I'm a one eye guy since the early 1970s. I had a Prius and crashed it because of blind spot issues; now I have the Crosstrek with all the safety things and it is working *very well* for me.
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