Thread: Chopped top and stoplights (no fun)

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Driving my chopped coupe can be a real pita when I'm the first one at an intersection and can't see the traffic lights without hanging my neck over the steering wheel

I'm at the point where I have to stay 5 car lengths behind the line to even catch a glimpse of the green (yeah, way to make friends with other drivers)

I remember seeing some kinda dash mounted glass reflector that allows you to see the lights up close, but I don't know what it's called

that would be a traffic light viewer. there are several on ebay.

Here's what I use - not perfect but functional.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Windsh...rism,2327.html
Like ChoppedChevy said, there are a bunch on ebay under traffic light viewer, too.

Originally Posted by rspears

Here's what I use - not perfect but functional.
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Windsh...rism,2327.html

Ah, yes

Does it work well in the sunlight?

Is it clear enough to distinguish a green arrow from an actual green?

I'm one of those fools that tends to goose it every chance I get and the last thing I wanna do it gun it on a green turn arrow

Originally Posted by 98 SNAKE EATER

Ah, yes

Does it work well in the sunlight?

Is it clear enough to distinguish a green arrow from an actual green?

I'm one of those fools that tends to goose it every chance I get and the last thing I wanna do it gun it on a green turn arrow

Sunlight is not really a problem - it gives you a small, somewhat distorted view of the signal and once you have the signal picked up seeing it change from red to green is obvious (provided you have the right signal )

You can distinguish the green arrow, but you're looking at a much smaller image in the prism than you see looking at it directly.

I don't pull into an active intersection without first glancing at the actual light (after seeing it change in the prism) or seeing that adjacent cars are moving away from the light, too. With a prism you may be picking up other light sources that catch your eye, too, especially at night, and goosing it away from a red light is a good way to get broadsided, even if you have the green light. Trusting the prism alone would be like driving with a periscope - you may be able to do it, but why add to the risks that are already there?? Maybe adapt a rear view video camera/mirror display?? (Just kidding, just kidding.....)

I just got back from a mid-day drive and made a point of looking at the prism at a couple of lights that I encountered. I have mine just off right center of the steering wheel, and it gave me a crystal clear view of the two traffic lights, one above each lane. The details of the lights are very easy to discern, including turn arrows. I think you will be pleased with either a Speedway windshield mount or dash mount prism ala GM's from the 50's. I think they actually give more detail in the bright sun than they do at night, but both night & day views are an added value compared to hunkering down to peek through the windshield.

Just one more reason for me to hate chopped tops.

Originally Posted by techinspector1

Just one more reason for me to hate chopped tops.

But even I can look at least a little bit cool idling down the drag with an elbow on the door frame Told my wife the other day I needed to stop by the convenience store to pick up a pack of Marlboro's in the crush proof box to roll into my t-shirt She said, "I picked up an empty box on my walk today and it's in the trash. You can put some bubble gum in it for your sleeve."

Originally Posted by rspears

But even I can look at least a little bit cool idling down the drag with an elbow on the door frame Told my wife the other day I needed to stop by the convenience store to pick up a pack of Marlboro's in the crush proof box to roll into my t-shirt She said, "I picked up an empty box on my walk today and it's in the trash. You can put some bubble gum in it for your sleeve."

Thats a hoot,whats your name again??Roger MILNER?? Good stuff...

snake eater I just look at the reflection on the hood, I can't get my big head out the window

Originally Posted by rspears

She said, "I picked up an empty box on my walk today and it's in the trash. You can put some bubble gum in it for your sleeve."

Cooler heads prevail.....

With the availabilty of very very tiny cameras these days I would think it would be very easy and inexpensive to use a camera and a very small monitor for this , you could also add a rear veiw camera.