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Inexpensive rear view mirror hack.

Sharkwood

Sharkwood

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I was looking for an inexpensive rear view mirror so I ordered these two items.

1. A cell phone holder that fits in a drink cup.

2. A mirror that has a swivel on the back and has a suction cup mount.

Both together was only $28. And they arrived this week.

My plan was to throw away the suction cup mount and take the mirror and clamp it in the cell phone holder as if it was a cell phone. As luck would have it, the mirror had an integrated swivel ball on the back that exactly fit the swivel mount for the cell phone holder.
Mounted it in the left drink holder on the dash.

Yes, I know there are much better (and expensive) ones out there. But for less than $30, the combo works great.
 

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Thanks for sharing. I might just try that out. Looks effective. Does it work out pretty well for you? How is it as a backup to spotters for water sports?
 
I did the same - it works great, but I do miss having that cupholder. I may get a PTM end-of-season. My write up/amazon links are in my sig below. Thanks for sharing!
 
Vikingstaff said:
Thanks for sharing. I might just try that out. Looks effective. Does it work out pretty well for you? How is it as a backup to spotters for water sports?
Click to expand...

I got it as a backup for towing/skiing etc. I've not used it for that reason yet, but from the captains chair I have a clear view of what's behind me. Now if a skier goes way out to the sides, I'm sure they would be outside the viewing range.
 
Sharkwood said:
I got it as a backup for towing/skiing etc. I've not used it for that reason yet, but from the captains chair I have a clear view of what's behind me. Now if a skier goes way out to the sides, I'm sure they would be outside the viewing range.
Click to expand...
Okay, with the mount 40% off right now, i just went ahead and bought both. Arrive this Wed. Looking forward to trying out this cost effective set up. I’ve had a sciatica issue this summer, so my wife has had to captain the boat all summer for the first time ever. I think she will like this, as well as me when I can get behind the helm again in the future.

Thank you CLDave as well. Nice to get your input with your experience over time too. Figured I cannot go wrong testing it out at this price range.
 
CLDave said:
I did the same - it works great, but I do miss having that cupholder. I may get a PTM end-of-season. My write up/amazon links are in my sig below. Thanks for sharing!
Click to expand...
Yes you did and it works fine . I ordered the parts right after your post about 4 years ago
 
Looks pretty well made for $30!!! Good find! Is your vision blocked by anybody or anything having it in that center cup holder? Curious.
 
Could kick myself!!! So, the utility of this mirror set up is helm style dependent. Seems obvious with thought, but D’oh!

Now that may seem obvious to most, but I didn’t even pay attention to that in Sharkwood’s (OP) helm picture above with his set up. His cup hold is on top of helm. So the lower profile support arms still raise the mirror up enough to be useful.

My helm cupholder is lower, in front of my throttle. Didn’t even consider this when I ordered as I was downstate at home, and obviously not thoughtful about this idea at the time.

Received items yesterday when back at the lake house. Actually pretty darn nice for the price. Was excited to try it out.

Went to boat to put it in and test it out and immediately had that “oh crap” thought. Due to my cup holder being lower and in front of throttle, this set up doesn’t get the mirror remotely high enough to see behind us. The mirror support arms would need to raise it up at least a foot or more to be useful.

I neglected to take a picture yesterday. I will try to update with a picture when I can (rain coming in at some point today)

So…only do this IF your cup holder is on the top of your helm dash like in the OP’s picture. If it is lower near throttle on your helm, this will not work for you.
 
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Well I took the bobber down and ordered Sharkwood's set up. I have the same drinkholder locations on our S21. It's perfect for what we need. We're not tubers or skiers but we have lots of boat traffic and I'm constantly turning around and looking back to see who's behind us. I hate taking my eyes off of whats ahead. This looks like a very simple, low cost solution. Very clever Sharky...
 
Follow up after reading Fritz reply….I will say I like it. It is a pretty decent and solid set up for under $30!!!! If my cup holder wasn’t so low, I’d be very very very pleased. It’s a low great idea/solution for the right helm and drink holder set ups!
 
Sharkwood said:
I was looking for an inexpensive rear view mirror so I ordered these two items.

1. A cell phone holder that fits in a drink cup.

2. A mirror that has a swivel on the back and has a suction cup mount.

Both together was only $28. And they arrived this week.

My plan was to throw away the suction cup mount and take the mirror and clamp it in the cell phone holder as if it was a cell phone. As luck would have it, the mirror had an integrated swivel ball on the back that exactly fit the swivel mount for the cell phone holder.
Mounted it in the left drink holder on the dash.

Yes, I know there are much better (and expensive) ones out there. But for less than $30, the combo works great.
Click to expand...
I have use the suction cup on the edge of console in the middle and it works great for a rear view mirror. Can see tubers perfectly
 
Cletus said:
I have use the suction cup on the edge of console in the middle and it works great for a rear view mirror. Can see tubers perfectly
Click to expand...
Oh…well the mirror comes with that suction cup. I had assumed it wouldn’t hold. Perhaps I’ll need to give that a trip and pop it right up on top. Thanks for nudging me on it.
 
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