iLounge

1

Check your state/country laws—it’s illegal in a lot of US states to hang anything on the rear view mirror.

Posted by jt on November 1, 2005 at 1:40 PM (PDT)

2

Wouldn’t that be seriously, seriously distracting and possibly illegal?

Posted by jaysee on November 1, 2005 at 1:42 PM (PDT)

3

I know hanging things from your mirror is illegal in New York.

Posted by Eric on November 1, 2005 at 3:25 PM (PDT)

4

It’s illegal and just plain distracting to the driver. Terrible product idea.

Posted by Kloan in Toronto, ON on November 1, 2005 at 4:00 PM (PDT)

5

This doesn’t seem to be too different from those oversized handicap rearview mirror hangers I’ve seen in a number of states.  Distracting?  Probably, but not much different as far as field of view is concerned.

Posted by mraarons on November 1, 2005 at 6:28 PM (PDT)

6

The product website provides every state’s laws on its website in PDF form.  Most laws look ok as long as it doesn’t obstruct your clear view of the road in front.

Because its made from clear plastic I think it shouldn’t be that distracting.  Not bad, I might get one for my nano.

Posted by wd on November 1, 2005 at 6:50 PM (PDT)

7

It appears that the company found a loophole in state’s laws.  Almost all laws only apply to “non-transparent” items.  Since the CarClip is made from transparent acrylic, it does not apply, and therefore is LEGAL!!

Posted by Vikram on November 1, 2005 at 7:30 PM (PDT)

8

I have tons of things hanging from my mirror, it doesn’t distract me, you don’t use that side of the window anyway, you look straight.

Posted by kristen on November 1, 2005 at 7:35 PM (PDT)

9

Kristen,
This is the same argument that people use when they don’t clean all the snow off their windshield.  If you only look straight ahead with tunnel vision, you are a danger on the road.

Also, this PRODUCT might be legal to buy, but NOT legal to USE.  I didn’t read the laws on the website yet, but certainly the IPOD is NOT a transparent object.

Chris

Posted by Chris on November 1, 2005 at 8:46 PM (PDT)

10

Doesn’t seem like a safe product to me.  I certainly wouldn’t use it.

Posted by ucfgrad93 on November 1, 2005 at 9:04 PM (PDT)

11

Personally, I am getting one.  I was looking for a way to hang my nano from the rear view mirror with some kind of lanyard accessory but now I realize that would swing too much.  The design of this product would be perfect!

I am already distracted by having to pickup my nano from my dash or center console to change between playlists and podcasts so this would be better.

Posted by CVuPlay100 on November 1, 2005 at 9:22 PM (PDT)

12

Interesting imagery…iPod Mini as automotive moth cake.

The hanger might be see-through, but that Mini is as opaque and solid as they come, which will be exactly the reason that the state trooper will cite as you’re being written up.

Posted by flatline response on November 1, 2005 at 11:23 PM (PDT)

13

...and if the State Trooper doesn’t get you then the smash and grab thief will certainly have a go.

IMO this not only rates as a useless accessory but also a dangerous one….

Posted by Bob Levens on November 2, 2005 at 3:24 AM (PDT)

14

I did some research and an officer cannot pull you over for having something hanging from your rear view mirror.  They must have just cause, but if it is illegal in your state they can issue a petty violation.

The website has in interesting article up about the carclip and mini inside being invisible: http://www.thecarclip.com/parallax.htm

Posted by wd on November 2, 2005 at 7:53 AM (PDT)

15

“I did some research and an officer cannot pull you over for having something hanging from your rear view mirror.”

Evidently, you’ve never been to Washington State. Technically here, that small parking pass I hang in my Porsche is a violation, but it’s not much bigger than the mirror itself.

Remember those ‘Baby On Board’ signs?  No? They may not have hung from a mirror, but stick that on the rear lite of a car, SUV or mommyobile (minivan)...INSTANT citable equipment violation in the Evergreen State. Side windows…ok…back or front…ticket magnet.

Some years ago, I know of a person who was ONLY pulled over for having a round-shaped crystal (about 3/4” in diameter) hanging from his rearview,, though he only got a warning and was forced to remove it and was spared the ticket for the equipment violation. But the cop was probably right in this case; when the sun or any other light source hit that thing, it WAS pretty obnoxious (and potentially blinding).  More recently, I know of others who’ve been pulled over for (obviously) having their radar dectectors visable (up on the visor and viewable from behind…like when being tailed by a traffic cop) and “in the way of forward viewing”. I don’t think that’s the REAL reason for being stopped (cops generally detest radar detectors and those who use ‘em, ESPECIALLY if they drive sports cars…ahem…speaking from experience), but it’s the “reason” they cited.

And courtesy of the CarClip (still looks like something that belongs in a coat closet to me), there’s conceivably MORE to worry about than where I conceal my Valentine One.

Even IF a traffic cop may not expressly pull you over for something “obstructing the outward view” from your car wherever you may reside, I betcha they’ll watch and wait until you do something else wrong, then pile the violation(s) on.

Posted by flatline response on November 2, 2005 at 9:32 AM (PDT)

16

I agree—Try to tell a Trooper what he/she can and cannot do.

“Really, it IS legal.”

Yeah, right.

Posted by Doctor Geek on November 2, 2005 at 9:46 AM (PDT)

17

Well that trooper can give you a ticket all he wants, but if you know that you are right you can challenge it and win.  Just because that are a force of the law doesn’t mean that whatever they say goes…

Posted by hWhat? on November 2, 2005 at 3:42 PM (PDT)

18

Well, for me, the guy with the gun, baton, mace and backup via radio does get my undivided attention.  Whatever he says, goes.

Posted by Turd Furguson on November 2, 2005 at 10:30 PM (PDT)

19

Can anyone tell me if this CarClip for nano fits a nano with the latest Griffin FM transmitter for nano on? It is a transmitter attached at the back of the nano and the thickness is like doubled. I wonder if it can fit into this CarClip.
Thanks.

Posted by Leo on February 16, 2006 at 7:18 AM (PDT)