HTC Rear View

[Driver_WT]

I have had my 2021 C8 HTC for about 6 weeks now. Love the car but the view out the back via the rear view camera is just about useless. I drive with top down 95% of the time, so camera in rear view mirror does not help (why did GM mount this camera on the roof, would have been better placed on the rear bumper in my opinion). So the bottom half of the rear view is blocked by the hump on the rear deck lid, then the top part of the rear window glass takes out another 1/4", then the high wing takes out about 1.5". Going down a hill, all I can see is sky LOL.

I have tried raising the seat to get a different angle on the view, but there is not much room to do that before you run out of mirror.

Oh, and I also made the mistake of pulling out of a parking lot at a 45 degree angle to the street - could not see a damn thing through the nacelle on passenger side. So, lesson learned - have to pull out at 90 degrees to the street.

Any suggestions on how to improve rear view?

 

[Murray20c8]

I don't use that camera mirror unless it's raining. I have no issues seeing out back otherwise. Just have to make sure you park where you don't have to back out and make sure your side mirrors are adjusted properly. (Not seeing the side of your car)

 

[Driver_WT]

Side mirrors are adjusted fine. I would just like to see something out of the rear view mirror High wing also eliminates a good portion of the rear view. But I love the look of the high wing.

 

[Murray20c8]

Side mirrors are adjusted fine. I would just like to see something out of the rear view mirror High wing also eliminates a good portion of the rear view. But I love the look of the high wing.

You only need to see where you are going and not where you've been!

 

[Driver_WT]

You only need to see where you are going and not where you've been!

Well, before I hit it, I like to see if there are any vehicles behind me with accessory roof lights LOL

 

[Rruuff Day]

Well, before I hit it, I like to see if there are any vehicles behind me with accessory roof lights LOL

Install a wireless cam under the back bumper or where ever you want. They make them super small (1 inch or less diameter) so could be 99% hidden I would imagine. Then find a place to put the screen. Under the sunvisor maybe?

 

[Murray20c8]

Well, before I hit it, I like to see if there are any vehicles behind me with accessory roof lights LOL

So you know how fast you have to go once you hit it?

 

[Rruuff Day]

You can outrun a car but you can't outrun a radio....

 

[Driver_WT]

Install a wireless cam under the back bumper or where ever you want. They make them super small (1 inch or less diameter) so could be 99% hidden I would imagine. Then find a place to put the screen. Under the sunvisor maybe?

Thanks. I will check that out. Not really looking to modify the interior in any way though.

 

[Rruuff Day]

Thanks. I will check that out. Not really looking to modify the interior in any way though.

No problem. Doesn't need to be mounted. Hell, put it the console cubby and just look at it when you want...

 

[Cabis]

I don't have a problem with the rear view but agree with the 45 degree comment. A couple of times when making a left turn onto a divided highway I pulled across the first lane to the median and sat at about 45 degrees and could see nothing of the oncoming traffic. Had to almost stand up in the car! Live and learn.

 

[gone]

I have had my 2021 C8 HTC for about 6 weeks now. Love the car but the view out the back via the rear view camera is just about useless. I drive with top down 95% of the time, so camera in rear view mirror does not help (why did GM mount this camera on the roof, would have been better placed on the rear bumper in my opinion). So the bottom half of the rear view is blocked by the hump on the rear deck lid, then the top part of the rear window glass takes out another 1/4", then the high wing takes out about 1.5". Going down a hill, all I can see is sky LOL.

I have tried raising the seat to get a different angle on the view, but there is not much room to do that before you run out of mirror.

Oh, and I also made the mistake of pulling out of a parking lot at a 45 degree angle to the street - could not see a damn thing through the nacelle on passenger side. So, lesson learned - have to pull out at 90 degrees to the street.

Any suggestions on how to improve rear view?

I've suggested elsewhere that GM consider swapping the rearview mirror location on the HTC with the row of buttons on top of that mirror (which row includes the 4-way flasher button), to raise up the mirror and allow a better view over the HTC rear hump. There may be reasons this redesign won't work...but that may improve the view. Like you Driver_WT, I'd prefer to see traffic behind me with the HTC roof down (and no camera). I especially like to check out cute blonde drivers behind me so that's a real sacrifice that Murray is overlooking with his comments; LOL.

And adding an after-market rear camera as proposed by Rruuff Day might be the solution but it's likely better mounted higher in the rear bumper itself otherwise it might get too dirty underneath...and the angle presented may not be the best view. However even there it'll likely get dirty and I'm not too keen on drilling a hole in the car body. I know; I'm just fussy and like to complain...

But if anyone tries that after-market camera solution, I'm keen to know how it works and see photos.

 

[Murray20c8]

I'd hazard a guess that the coupes visibility is just as poor as the HTC. The air ducts in the coupes rear hatch are just as "in the way" as the Nacelles are in the vert.
But again with the side mirrors adjusted properly rear vision is just not an issue. Except like Cabis mentioned in certain turning situations.
If you lean forward, outwards or inboard with the side mirrors adjusted for blind spots you can see what's behind you. All the way back from your side to the horizon.

 

[Thom]

I have no problems with any visibility with my HTC. Side mirrors are adjusted so I see the lanes beside me. When the top is down and I have to use the "regular" rear view mirror, I initially found that if I angled it to get as little view of the rear hatch as possible I could hardly see the car right behind me. I now tilt the mirror more down.. I see more of the hatch, but also see a lot more of the car and road behind. That is ideal for me now.

 

[Driver_WT]

Great comments from you all. Not sure how many people have the high wing on their HTC's - that is another significant block in the rear view mirror.

 

[Murray20c8]

Not sure how many people have the high wing on their HTC's - that is another significant block in the rear view mirror.

Ya, but it's great for drying socks!

 

[Cariboocreek]

Drive a new Camaro and then talk to me about visibility.....

 

[Driver_WT]

Drive a new Camaro and then talk to me about visibility.....

I have driven a Camaro and did not like the low outward visibilty LOL

 

[YFCvii]

Drive a new Camaro and then talk to me about visibility.....

... this is primarily why my Wife picked the C7 for herself.

 

[YFCvii]

Any suggestions on how to improve rear view?

Likely have to get used to the C8 ... without an aftermarket add-on / tack-on

Perhaps invest is the overall experience of the Corvette Owners School that is offerred for you
as a new C8 Owner. This will be one of the things they can easily go over for you and with you.
You will be amazed with everything you come away with from this experience. You will not regret it !
Not sure if the COS still does it but the C7 school instructed how to steer forward through cones without
being able to see out the front windshield (while blacked out with a sunshade).

But yes ... driving out in to the street off of a parking ramp is something all C-Gens pretty much do.
Driving off the driveway at our home may be by another thing though. It takes time to learn.