Lane Watch camera. Pretty much useless at night.

sircoffee

sircoffee

Well-Known Member
184
73
California
Vehicle Model
Civic EX
Body Style
Sedan
I have a 2014 Civic EX sedan and the Lane Watch comes standard with EX and EX-L for 2014. I've been driving it around at night and it seems pretty much useless. The headlights from cars behind you basically burns through everything. The camera's sensor is adjusting for darkness (by letting more light come in) and headlights just burns it.
Although, the Civic's outward visibility (in the Sedan) is among the best in class, Lane Watch adds a nice touch to the car but its not needed.

Anyone have similar experiences?
 
That sucks, could be worse though. Maybe you cant see very well through the camera but its still fulfilling its purpose, you can see the headlights of the car in your blindspot burning through your camera and know not to merge
 
I never noticed any issue beyond what I would expect of it. I can see headlights. In the end I always look over my shoulder anyway.
 
gisseresseye said:
I never noticed any issue beyond what I would expect of it. I can see headlights. In the end I always look over my shoulder anyway.
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You really don't need to do that, you have 3 mirrors that show you what's behind and to the side of you.
 
Since when do you not need to check your blind spot when changing lanes? That's foolish if you ask me.
 
I still shoulder check even with mirrors. Even with the backup camera and mirrors I still check to see what's around me.

The lane watch camera is a great addition for blind spots even if it's only useful for the day. I'm guessing the engineers figured the headlights in the mirror at night is the indication a driver needs that there's something there.
 
Just to throw some perspective into this......... I'm retired from driving semi's and other big trucks..... Mirrors are the "only" way to know if it's clear to change lanes, which makes adjusting them a priority to find static reference points every time I get in, and before I drive off.
One advantage big trucks have are the size of the convex mirrors, so if you can't see enough you have to get mirrors that will allow this.

If you're in a car and there are ppl/things in it at the time that block your view, what then?

I trust my mirrors........ That's not to say I don't check things like off ramps out of my side window as I pass by.... Basically we have to think ahead of any situation and use the mirrors as a finishing touch.
 
My finishing touch is the shoulder check. That is the absolute last thing I do before I change lanes and of course I am always mindful of the mirrors as well before changing lanes. The shoulder check is an instinctual habit for me at this point, and a good one! I don't care what truck drivers do, their driving habits aren't something I aspire to to be honest! :)
 
gisseresseye said:
My finishing touch is the shoulder check. That is the absolute last thing I do before I change lanes and of course I am always mindful of the mirrors as well before changing lanes. The shoulder check is an instinctual habit for me at this point, and a good one! I don't care what truck drivers do, their driving habits aren't something I aspire to to be honest! :)
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I'd have to agree about the quality of some of the so-called professional truck drivers that are on the road, Like anyone there are good and bad.
 
gisseresseye said:
The shoulder check is an instinctual habit for me at this point, and a good one! I don't care what truck drivers do, their driving habits aren't something I aspire to to be honest! :)
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No problem with me. Just remind me not to be ahead of you and have to stop for something in the road while you're looking over your shoulder and not at the road.
 
No problem, just remind me not be next to you when you're passing.

Everyone should look over their shoulder to cover all blind spots. It takes a split second to look, and I don't tailgate people so I'm sure I will have time to react to any car stopping abruptly.
 
Thank you for your sharing your thoughts on the lane watch system. I'll be sure to keep that in mind on my next car purchase, assuming vehicles in the near future still have actual physical side mirrors :popcorn:

As for the discussion regarding shoulder check, I try to adjust the mirror's as per link below to cover the blind spots. But when I change lanes I still do a quick shoulder check.

http://www.caranddriver.com/features/how-to-adjust-your-mirrors-to-avoid-blind-spots
 
kgf3076 said:
No problem with me. Just remind me not to be ahead of you and have to stop for something in the road while you're looking over your shoulder and not at the road.
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LOL how long do you think a shoulder check takes? And you think I do it when traffic ahead of me is unsafely close? Come on man, you can't be that dumb!!

But yes, I will remind you so long as you remind me not to be in your blind spot when making a lane change.
Check your blind spots don't be so f'n lazy people!
 
sirthanh said:
No problem, just remind me not be next to you when you're passing.

Everyone should look over their shoulder to cover all blind spots. It takes a split second to look, and I don't tailgate people so I'm sure I will have time to react to any car stopping abruptly.
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Please do that in DC traffic. It'll be fun to watch the pieces fly.
 
sirthanh said:
No problem, just remind me not be next to you when you're passing.

Everyone should look over their shoulder to cover all blind spots. It takes a split second to look, and I don't tailgate people so I'm sure I will have time to react to any car stopping abruptly.
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Only if you're 16 years old and don't know how to use mirrors.
 
hyvasedu.jpg
 
kgf3076 said:
Only if you're 16 years old and don't know how to use mirrors.
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Actually a 16 years old wouldn't care to signal let alone look over his shoulder. A responsible person would make sure all blind spots are checked before passing.

From the Mass. RMV page:

http://www.massrmv.com/rmv/jol/drivingTips.htm

Changing lanes:
  • Use appropriate signals.
  • Check your mirrors and check over your shoulder to view blind spot.
  • Maintain your speed.

I ALWAYS check my shoulders when passing and not once have I gotten into a car accident. Driven in NYC numerous times and got out safe every single time.
 
I only check to make sure I still have shoulders. No wonder Mass drivers are so lousy! :)
 
squiggy said:
Wow. Some of you sound like a bunch of bickering children. Please keep it civil act like adults.
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I was going to respond with most people don't set their side mirrors properly and that I've noticed that the mirrors in the '14 civics are more convex than the previous civics, hence they seem to cover a larger viewing area but I'm going to just sit back and watch all the bickering between all of the driving experts. :box:
 
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