Side mirrors vs. side cameras, more advanced means better?

If you’ve noticed, there are several car models in the Malaysian market that are already equipped with the option of side cameras to replace the role of side mirrors.

At first glance, cars equipped with side camera units do indeed look advanced. It’s futuristic, as if they come from the future.

There are also imported models like the Honda e, which comes standard with the side camera feature.

According to the manufacturer, the use of side cameras provides several benefits, especially for electric vehicles.

These include better aerodynamics and the ability to achieve a longer range of motion.

Furthermore, it also helps reduce the impact of wind noise and avoids larger blind spots as found in conventional cars.

However, does being more advanced mean it’s much better than side mirrors?

The author previously had the opportunity to test a car equipped with side cameras.

There’s no better way to test the effectiveness of this advanced system than by entering a parking space in reverse.

In contrast to models equipped with side mirrors, the author took quite a long time to get used to the car with side cameras.

One reason is the position of the display screen on the door panel, where it directly changes our viewing habits from the original position of the side mirrors to a new line of sight within the car.

Imagine having to gauge distance on the side of the vehicle, we have to look at the display inside the car instead of outside the car.

The field of view displayed on the screen is not as wide as the use of side mirrors.

Insufficient lighting conditions can also affect the image displayed on the screen.

Now, imagine if you’re driving on the road, and the side camera becomes a target for the actions of irresponsible motorcyclists.

Like it or not, you may need to allocate a large budget to replace a malfunctioning side camera, compared to replacing a conventional side mirror.

Not all technological advancements make things easier, but it’s up to each individual’s budget to determine which one is best for personal use.