[edk-austin]

Regarding Jeff Cobb's review of the Bolt. (thanks for the review, Jeff!)

"The Bolt has a camera in back that lets the mirror double as a rear-view monitor that can stay on while driving. It takes an adjustment in focal length, and some people with glasses may find it difficult to adjust vision to it."

Just realized that means ME!

I've been really looking forward to this mirror feature, I've sat in a Bolt at a show (car off), and also in a CT6 plug-in where the mirror was operating, but didn't consider the focus issue.

I have progressive lenses in my glasses that allows me to see distance looking straight ahead or upwards, and nearby objects looking downward. Anyone over 40 has various degrees of this reduction in focus range as our eyes age. This is a natural condition called "presbyopia".

Progressive lenses work very nicely with most cars, looking down slightly, the dash is in focus, looking straight ahead, out the windshield, everything is in focus.

Can someone with progressive lenses chime in on their Bolt experience?

 

[Tomt]

I wear progressives and found the Bolt mirror (LCD screen) to be problematic to focus on when I test drove it...

 

[jegund]

I've had my Bolt 2 weeks now and yes with progressive lenses I have to tilt my head up a bit to see it in focus. Thus have not used it much at all. But I can see its benefit when backing up with 2 adults in the rear seat.

 

[Steverino]

Progressive lenses work very nicely with most cars, looking down slightly, the dash is in focus, looking straight ahead, out the windshield, everything is in focus.

Can someone with progressive lenses chime in on their Bolt experience?

I had no issue during my test drive. I recommend you take a test drive and see for yourself.

 

[edk-austin]

I had no issue during my test drive. I recommend you take a test drive and see for yourself.

Agree, once that's possible in Austin TX. Won't be long now

 

[DonC]

I had trouble adjusting to it on a twenty minute test drive but I don't think progressive lenses had anything to do with that. Just seemed that there is a trick about focusing which you need to learn. From the back seat it was awesome!

 

[Fyodor]

I had trouble adjusting to it on a twenty minute test drive but I don't think progressive lenses had anything to do with that. Just seemed that there is a trick about focusing which you need to learn. From the back seat it was awesome!

I don't think there is a trick to it, just optics. When you think about it, looking into a mirror you are focusing on the reflection, which in this case is more or less at infinity. When you look at the mirror/screen you are focusing on something only a foot or two away. If you've been looking out the windshield that's quite an adjustment.

 

[hellsop]

I don't think there is a trick to it, just optics. When you think about it, looking into a mirror you are focusing on the reflection, which in this case is more or less at infinity. When you look at the mirror/screen you are focusing on something only a foot or two away. If you've been looking out the windshield that's quite an adjustment.

Exactly: with a mirror, your focus distance is distance-to-mirror + distance-mirror-to-object which is pretty far (30+ feet most of the time). With the Bolt rear view display, your focus distance is distance-to-mirror and that's all, or about two feet. That's well within the range of "I need my reading glasses" for many people.

 

[Qinsp]

Our Cadillac has it, and it takes awhile to adapt to it. It's most useful when there are people in the back seats blocking the view.

It helps to aim the mirror right at you, like if you were putting on make-up.

One of the problems is the different levels of magnification throw off your range evaluations.

All of these have different magnifications:

Video RVM
Optical RVM
Backup Camera
Side Mirrors
Turning your head and looking

I have a hunch it will be luxury feature that you will use some of the time, then use the optical setting other times.
With the Cadillac, it has a power rear window sunshade, and manual back door sunshades, so with the shades up, or tall passengers, it's a great feature to have.

 

[Voltastic]

The video portion of the mirror can be turned off such that it behaves like a normal mirror so what is the big deal? Turn it off if it isn't to your liking. Am I missing something?

 

[Steverino]

With the Bolt rear view display, your focus distance is distance-to-mirror and that's all, or about two feet. That's well within the range of "I need my reading glasses" for many people.

Or, like looking at the dash controls.

 

[jackal92]

Exactly: with a mirror, your focus distance is distance-to-mirror + distance-mirror-to-object which is pretty far (30+ feet most of the time). With the Bolt rear view display, your focus distance is distance-to-mirror and that's all, or about two feet. That's well within the range of "I need my reading glasses" for many people.

+1 on not able to practically use it for this reason, so I leave it in "normal mirror" mode all the time.

 

[flyingsherpa]

+1 on not able to practically use it for this reason, so I leave it in "normal mirror" mode all the time.

Honest question: how is it any different than looking at the other displays in the car for speed, reverse cam, infotainment, etc?

 

[caskConditionedAle]

Your eyes and brain can determine range by quickly altering the focal length. In a mirror, that mechanism still works. That is why when you look in a mirror you can still determine range. With a video display, you can't do that. You are at the mercy of what ever focal length is configured in the optics. I suspect they go for a large depth of field to keep most things looking ok (but not perfect).

This is why I prefer using mirrors over cameras. Range perception.

 

[Steverino]

Honest question: how is it any different than looking at the other displays in the car for speed, reverse cam, infotainment, etc?

Answer: It's the same. The difference is you are used to a rear view mirror.

Think about it. When displayed on the dash it's OK, but if displayed in the rear view, suddenly it's an issue? Both are a screen showing an image. Both are about as far away from your eyes.

 

[caskConditionedAle]

It's not the same. Stand in front of a mirror. You can choose the focus point. Your nose can be in focus or the wall behind you can be focus. It is all determined by your eyes. Video displays have a fixed focus point.

Essentially, a mirror is invisible.

 

[bro1999]

I have a Bolt with the rear view mirror cam. I don't wear glasses. I glance back forth between the road and the mirror with 0 issues.

 

[Steverino]

It's not the same. Stand in front of a mirror. You can choose the focus point. Your nose can be in focus or the wall behind you can be focus. It is all determined by your eyes. Video displays have a fixed focus point.

Sit in front of the car. Look at the center dash video display. Now look at the center video display attached to the windshield. Both are video displays. If I start calling the dash mounted one a "rear view mirror" are your eyes now no longer able to focus?

 

[Fyodor]

Sit in front of the car. Look at the center dash video display. Now look at the center video display attached to the windshield. Both are video displays. If I start calling the dash mounted one a "rear view mirror" are your eyes now no longer able to focus?

I think you are missing the point. When you look out the windshield your eyes are focused at infinity. When you look into a mirror and out the back of the car your eyes still focus at infinity. When you look at a screen like the video rear display, or your instrument panel, or the reverse camera display, your eyes have to refocus to a foot or two. If your eyes are old enough, or if you have to do it often enough, it becomes an issue.

 

[Sean Nelson]

I think you are missing the point. When you look out the windshield your eyes are focused at infinity. When you look into a mirror and out the back of the car your eyes still focus at infinity. When you look at a screen like the video rear display, or your instrument panel, or the reverse camera display, your eyes have to refocus to a foot or two.

You haven't answered the question: why is looking at an LCD "mirror" any worse than looking at your instrument display if they're both about the same distance from your eyes?