Tall Roadster drivers

[Dragon]

Are you over 6 feet tall? Then please comment on this topic.
I would like to know how in your opinion the visibility is.

How tall are you?
Any problems in seeing road signs, semaphores?
Is the rear mirror in the way?
Does the steering wheel hinder the view at the speed indicator?

Thank you.

 

[SByer]

The steering wheel hinders the view of the speedo for nearly everybody. That's why there's the digital readout on the VDS ;-).

I'm only 5'10", but I did change out the rear view for the Sector 111 Micromirror and removed the sun visors (and covered the silver stalks with black shrink tubing). Much better.

Are you over 6 feet tall? Then please comment on this topic.
I would like to know how in your opinion the visibility is.

How tall are you?
Any problems in seeing road signs, semaphores?
Is the rear mirror in the way?
Does the steering wheel hinder the view at the speed indicator?

Thank you.

 

[dsm363]

I've test driven the Roadster 3 times and I'm 6'3" tall. SByer is right about not being able to see the top of the speedometer. For my last test drive, I took off the sun visors and that helped a lot. I didn't notice the rearview mirror being a problem but was so excited to be driving it I probably wasn't paying much attention. I can post more information once my car arrives next week.

 

[n8te]

6'3" and speedometer is blocked, I sometimes have trouble seeing stop lights when first in line at an intersection. The speed display on the JVC and touchscreen totally mitigate the first issue, but I have the stock mirror and visors. I've heard good things about the micromirror and will probably look into getting one. No other problems, though.

 

[jason.auch]

6'3" and no problems that have not already been mentioned. I actually didn't notice that the heater / ac had labels until I was leaning way down just the other day.

Losing the sun visors added a lot of visibility.

Getting in and out is a funny adventure no matter how big or small you are; I've seen children struggle.

Ps still lots of headroom even with the hardtop.

 

[Doug_G]

The steering wheel hinders the view of the speedo for nearly everybody. That's why there's the digital readout on the VDS ;-).

I'm only 5'10", but I did change out the rear view for the Sector 111 Micromirror and removed the sun visors (and covered the silver stalks with black shrink tubing). Much better.

Ditto on this, 100%. With the VDS, removed sun visor, and micromirror, I have no complaints about visibility.

 

[tdevince]

6'0". I can see the dash pretty well if scoot down in the seat somewhat. Stop lights are my biggest problem when first in line, but I haven't removed my sun visor. Mabye I'll go do that now.

 

[vfx]

This owner is six foot six inches. Here he is shown with his special roof strut mod. He says his head clears the softtop just fine but his fluffy (my word) hair touches (messes) it so he made the strut to clear his hair.

He had just bought the mesh top for summer driving. He also saw my micro mirror and ordered one the next day.

 

[dsm363]

Is that micro mirror easy to install?

 

[vfx]

Well it only goes on one way. Same with the mesh top.

 

[dsm363]

Well it only goes on one way. Same with the mesh top.

Thanks. Simple question I know just wasn't sure if it was simply a matter of sliding the old one off or if it was more involved. I'll definitely think about getting that after I've had a chance to drive with the factory mirror for a few days.

 

[vfx]

It's more of an Ikea assemblage but with only three parts (or is it two?)

 

[Doug_G]

Is that micro mirror easy to install?

Very easy. Comes with instructions, which are trivial to follow.

Tip: put some 40% window tint film on the mirror. That way cars following you at night won't cause glare. (Only 40% is needed because the light goes through twice.)

 

[tdevince]

I just pulled my visors off. It adds lots of visibiltiy.

How did you remove your visors? I justed pulled them off the rod that holds the visors. This leaves the mount and a rod (about 4" long) left on the car. Is there another way that removes the rod?

 

[dsm363]

I just pulled my visors off. It adds lots of visibiltiy.

How did you remove your visors? I justed pulled them off the rod that holds the visors. This leaves the mount and a rod (about 4" long) left on the car. Is there another way that removes the rod?

I did the same thing with the visors. Makes a huge difference for me as well. Not sure if there is another way to do it. I think some people put black electrical tape over the exposed silver rod to make it less visible.

 

[vfx]

I was looking for an existing carbon fiber tube to slide on to the rod to dress it up. I never found the exact size. (the rod is tapered)

 

[vfx]

The steering wheel hinders the view of the speedo for nearly everybody. That's why there's the digital readout on the VDS ;-).

You can't see when the "brights" indicator is on either.

They (all) design the speedo cluster to be seen when looking flat at the steering wheel. Great on the drawing board and in pictures but it ends up only working for people in the five foot range. I once suggested that they flip the gauges upside down. That way the needle sweeps the bottom of the circle instead of over across the top. Someone has probably done this. Probably considered "too weird".

Here is a suggestion for he Model S. Since it's all just a flat panel display why not have different height settings where the gauges move around based on the driver's eyeline. Each person's settings can be remembers like modern seat and steering wheel settings. Would be a cool techy thing that would set the car apart.

Of course a HUD would be even more cool.

 

[dsm363]

Why can't they design a little digital gauge that fits in that groove above the steering wheel close to the windshield (similar to where the Prius has it's digital speedometer)? That would be a cheap why to do it I would think. I like your ideal of an inverted gauge as well.

 

[Dragon]

You could remove the upmost part with a saw to get a steering wheel like in a airplane. Hmm, maybe not a really good idea...

 

[TEG]

You could remove the upmost part with a saw to get a steering wheel like in a airplane. Hmm, maybe not a really good idea...