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Back Up Confidently Without a Backup Camera (Giveaway)

October 8, 2012 by Michelle M

This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.

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I sometimes feel like I’m in the minority without a car that has a backup camera. I wasn’t willing to pay another couple thousand dollars for that option, plus a GPS and DVD system that I didn’t need, so I am simply careful with my Pilot as I navigate the suburbs where I live. Given that, testing Back Up Better lenses and mirrors was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up.

The Back Up Better safety products are designed to minimize blind spots and prevent accidents. They include both add-on blind spot mirrors and rearview lenses that attach to the back window of a van, SUV, or other vehicle with a vertical rear window, as well as back up alarms that activate when you put your car in reverse and help alert others to your presence.

I’ve seen the add-on mirrors before and know that there are some vehicles that come standard with them installed. The mirrors are sold in pairs and are designed to be applied to both exterior mirrors. The application process is easy – simply clean the mirror, peel the sticker’s coating, and press to the mirror for 30 seconds.

Because not all cars are the same, they come in a variety of sizes from small ($6.99 a pair with two shape options) to mid and large size vehicles ($12.99 a pair) to full size SUVs and trucks ($12.99 a pair). I applied the mid and large size vehicles mirrors to my car, and I was surprised at the difference the view made.

Without the add-on mirror, I thought I could see fairly well to the sides of my car. I was wrong about the size of my blind spot and honestly quite surprised by how much more there was to see once I placed the add-on mirror onto my side mirrors.

There was a lot that I was missing that I didn’t even realize I was missing – like an entire tree. Having the additional visibility makes me more confident as I’m driving, not just when I’m backing up but also when I’m changing lanes on the road. It’s a great confidence boost.

The Back Up Better rearview lens was one that threw me for a loop when I first took a look at it. It also comes in two sizes, an 8″x10″ size for small and mid size vehicles ($14.99) and an 11″x14″ size for large vehicles ($23.99). I chose the 8″x10″ version for my SUV, and it was a good size.

The plastic mat has a lenticular side and a smooth side. It applies with just water, which makes it easily movable when needed. This is a product I will definitely be taking with me whenever I need to rent a car with a vertical rear window.

There was a bit of a trick to get it fully applied without air bubbles but it wasn’t difficult to squeeze them out, and because you use water to apply them, it isn’t a big deal to pull it off and start over. While the lens doesn’t look that special when you have it in your hand, what you see once you apply it on your vehicle is eye opening.

My regular rear view mirror view:

My rear view mirror view with the Back Up Better review lens:

Again, looking through my rear view mirror without the lens, I don’t feel like I’m missing all that much. Yes, I know I can’t see things directly behind me that are closer to the ground, but I’ve figured out where the corners are on my car. Once I place the lens on my window, however, I was amazed to see the difference in what I was now able to see. Looking straight back behind me was even a bigger difference.

With the added lens, I can see so much more of the driveway behind me. I can see a lot more to the left and right, as well as above and below my window. The image itself is a little out of proportion, but I don’t mind that because I can tell that there is something there that I wasn’t able to see previously. I have noticed that depending on the angle of the light hitting my car, there is a circle on the lower half of the lens that is more opaque than the rest of it, but I still find this invaluable.

Both types of mirrors took a little getting used to, just as it does every time you get into a different car to drive. I am still using all my mirrors and turning to check manually, but my confidence is higher with the additional tools from Back Up Better. In fact, the exterior mirrors are something that I would love to give to my mother who drives a smaller car but could still definitely benefit from additional visibility.

My other friends who have the minivans and SUVs without backup cameras? I know what they’re getting for Christmas!

My only real quibble with the Back Up Better products was their packaging. There were many grammatical and spelling errors on them, which was a little offputting to me, as I wasn’t sure of the quality of the product if the quality of the packaging was lacking.  The directions for application of the product and what vehicles they were designed for also wasn’t very clear.  To be honest, until I visited the website, I was under the impression that the rearview lens was intended for school buses and other commercial vehicles rather than for my own car.  The website was far more helpful and clear, and there were directions included in my order that also made the process easier.  I wish that level of detail were included on the packaging of the products themselves, as well.

Enter to Win

25 winners will receive a rearward view back window lens for an SUV, station wagon, minivan, crossover, or small van.  Just use the Rafflecopter form below to enter this giveaway. New to Rafflecopter? Watch this 45-second video on how to enter!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
In the interest of full disclosure, I was provided with product samples from Back Up Better for review purposes.  I was also compensated for this campaign, but all opinions remain my own.

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About Michelle M

Michelle is a stay at home mom of Mister Man (8) and Little Miss (6). When she's not out volunteering or running children to therapy or practices, you can find her in the kitchen or on her personal blog Honest & Truly where there's always a good story or new recipe or at her review blog Honest And Truly Reviews.

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83 Comments

  1. Skylo says

    May 2, 2014 at 6:36 pm

    That is a cheap alternative to rear view cameras although a budget back-up camera is only around $80.

    Reply
  2. Chad says

    February 22, 2014 at 11:54 pm

    I don’t know why all cars don’t have these convex mirrors on them. They are incredible!!

    Reply
  3. ron bartlett sr. says

    October 20, 2012 at 11:29 am

    thank you. I won

    Reply
  4. corrie says

    October 14, 2012 at 11:43 pm

    me I NEED IT LOL. i am not a good backer uper.

    Reply
  5. Solducky says

    October 14, 2012 at 11:42 pm

    me for sure!

    Reply
  6. Ola Jaggers says

    October 14, 2012 at 11:42 pm

    My oldest son is just getting his license, so I would love for him to have this!

    Thanks so much for the chance to win!!!

    ~Ola

    Reply
  7. Angie says

    October 14, 2012 at 11:23 pm

    I’d love to have this!

    Reply
  8. Wendy McBride says

    October 14, 2012 at 10:31 pm

    I really need this on my big truck.

    wendym at cableone dot net

    Reply
  9. joni says

    October 14, 2012 at 10:04 pm

    I can really use this.

    Reply
  10. Sue H. says

    October 14, 2012 at 10:00 pm

    I’d give this to someone I know drives a van or large SUV.These I’m sure have saved many lives.Thanks for the great giveaway! 🙂

    Reply
  11. bettye says

    October 14, 2012 at 9:58 pm

    Great addition for those are us who are peripherally challenged 🙂

    Reply
  12. bettye says

    October 14, 2012 at 9:57 pm

    Great addition for those of us who are peripherally challenged 🙂

    Reply
  13. Angela Kinder says

    October 14, 2012 at 9:39 pm

    I need this the most! It took me 5 minutes (or what felt like 5 minutes) to back up from a spot at the library because I couldn’t tell how close I was. Of course, I blamed my being sick the day before, but I felt so embarrassed that it took me so long and the people had to wait for me. 🙁

    Reply
  14. Julie says

    October 14, 2012 at 9:19 pm

    I need this the most!

    Reply
  15. Emily says

    October 14, 2012 at 8:16 pm

    My spouse does

    Reply
  16. Viva says

    October 14, 2012 at 8:05 pm

    I’m the one who needs this!

    Reply
  17. Carol Irwin says

    October 14, 2012 at 7:30 pm

    what an awesome extra safety device

    Reply
  18. pamela james says

    October 14, 2012 at 7:22 pm

    That would be me!

    Reply
  19. Fiona N says

    October 14, 2012 at 7:09 pm

    I would love to win it for myself because I usually get hard time to back up 🙁
    Thank You for the giveaway!

    Reply
  20. Brittney House says

    October 14, 2012 at 6:41 pm

    definately me. lol

    Reply
  21. Shannon Baas says

    October 14, 2012 at 6:11 pm

    Me as I will be driving in a lot of traffic.

    Reply
  22. cassandra says

    October 14, 2012 at 6:04 pm

    the gift of safety is a great one

    Reply
  23. Karen Gonyea says

    October 14, 2012 at 5:59 pm

    My 18 year old new driver could use this !!

    Reply
  24. Jennifer Peaslee says

    October 14, 2012 at 4:53 pm

    me, I hate backing up!

    Reply
  25. Valerie Taylor Mabrey says

    October 14, 2012 at 4:49 pm

    think my hubby does
    vmkids3 at msn dot com

    Reply
  26. Virginia Rowell says

    October 14, 2012 at 4:15 pm

    My daughter needs this the most!

    Reply
  27. Jennifer Clay says

    October 14, 2012 at 3:52 pm

    I want to win this for myself.

    Reply
  28. Chrissy Nestor says

    October 14, 2012 at 3:51 pm

    Probably me lol

    chrissylea1979 (at)gmail(dot) com

    Reply
  29. Diana Hatch says

    October 14, 2012 at 3:43 pm

    Would love for my son and daughter-in-law

    Reply
  30. Claire says

    October 14, 2012 at 2:17 pm

    I do need this! It’d be for me!

    Reply
  31. vikki Billings says

    October 14, 2012 at 2:10 pm

    My son could use this the most

    Reply
  32. Jemima P says

    October 14, 2012 at 1:51 pm

    I need it! It would just make me feel so much better.

    Reply
  33. Jamie says

    October 14, 2012 at 1:42 pm

    I need this the most!

    Reply
  34. Robert Pyszk says

    October 14, 2012 at 1:20 pm

    I need this the most

    Reply
  35. Cheryl Rahkonen says

    October 14, 2012 at 12:48 pm

    My husband could use this most. He has backed into our daughter’s car, our son-in-law’s car and almost ran over the dog. He really could use this.

    Reply
  36. dale bartlett says

    October 14, 2012 at 12:21 pm

    i really could use this.i suck at backing up straight.hard to see out the back some times

    Reply
  37. LT says

    October 14, 2012 at 12:10 pm

    I could use this the most!

    Reply
  38. Kristin Sawatzke says

    October 14, 2012 at 10:42 am

    I could use this for my tahoe!

    Reply
  39. Glenna F says

    October 14, 2012 at 10:34 am

    I need it the most.

    Reply
  40. Clenna says

    October 14, 2012 at 9:29 am

    I need it most. I keep turning around to check the back of my car so I don’t hit anything.

    Reply
  41. David says

    October 14, 2012 at 1:47 am

    Backing up isn’t generally a problem except for at the grocery store, but I do concur with the other comment regarding a trailer.

    Reply
  42. Tabathia B says

    October 13, 2012 at 9:26 pm

    my 18 year old daughter 🙂

    Reply
  43. Kristi L. says

    October 13, 2012 at 9:20 pm

    I need it the most for when we are hauling our pop up camper.

    Reply
  44. Tim says

    October 13, 2012 at 3:31 pm

    Neither of us have been involved in an accident, but it always helps to have that extra bit of security.

    Reply
  45. Emily Acker says

    October 13, 2012 at 2:28 pm

    My oldest sister – she can hardly see at all when backing up, because of the car seats in her van.

    Reply
  46. Kathleen Conner says

    October 13, 2012 at 12:31 pm

    This would be for me–I’d feel more comfortable.

    Reply
  47. Heather Poindexter says

    October 13, 2012 at 11:46 am

    lol, me! I have a SUV and its hard to see behind it!

    Reply
  48. Carolyn Ann Colley (Griffith, Smith) says

    October 12, 2012 at 11:06 pm

    well that would be me & my husband, my husband does most of the driving these days

    Reply
  49. Jackie Griebel says

    October 12, 2012 at 10:43 pm

    My husband, he backs into things all the time with his truck

    Reply
  50. Staci A says

    October 12, 2012 at 1:44 pm

    My hubby could definitely use it!

    Reply
  51. CHELSEA says

    October 11, 2012 at 11:14 pm

    I defiantly need this the most

    Reply
  52. Alison S. says

    October 11, 2012 at 12:45 pm

    Me! I’m paranoid about making sure I never hit a child, or anything else.

    Reply
  53. Christine says

    October 11, 2012 at 1:38 am

    I need this the most.
    Thanks for the chance!

    Reply
  54. HappyMomC says

    October 10, 2012 at 2:28 pm

    I need it the most, very bad while reversing the van.

    Reply
  55. Angie Vinez says

    October 10, 2012 at 11:30 am

    ME. Backing up has always been my least favorite part of driving. And, now that I have a 15 year that has her permit, I’m certain this would come in handy for her as well.

    Reply
  56. Megan Raines says

    October 10, 2012 at 10:10 am

    i totally do!! I am horrible at backing up!

    Reply
  57. Daiva says

    October 10, 2012 at 6:05 am

    I do! I am not very good at backing up!

    Reply
  58. Norleans Louisiana says

    October 9, 2012 at 9:22 pm

    OH definitely my dad. The guy thinks he’s so safe and really he’s not–it’s a bad combo of poor skill and overly confident. Thanks for the post and chance to win!

    Reply
  59. Jen V. says

    October 9, 2012 at 4:25 pm

    I am the one who needs it. We have lots of kids who play on the street in my neighborhood. I am always paranoid I won’t see one of them.

    Reply
  60. Cindy B says

    October 9, 2012 at 3:24 pm

    that would be me when I’m driving our SUV!

    Reply
  61. Idaho Jill says

    October 9, 2012 at 1:18 pm

    We would put it on the family car, so we would both use it

    Reply
  62. Bud L says

    October 9, 2012 at 1:13 pm

    My husband…

    Bud Lisa
    RC form name

    Reply
  63. Wehaf says

    October 9, 2012 at 11:17 am

    I need it most, as I’m a new driver.

    Reply
  64. Rebecca says

    October 9, 2012 at 9:22 am

    Me! I could use it!

    Reply
  65. Crissy D. says

    October 9, 2012 at 5:33 am

    I need it, Im not a very good driver

    Reply
  66. Susan P. says

    October 9, 2012 at 1:50 am

    I have a minivan which has good visibility but is still highher up than our sedans, so I would use it.

    Reply
  67. Lacey J says

    October 9, 2012 at 1:21 am

    Probably myself! We drive a hybrid and its ridiculously hard to see out the back window

    Reply
  68. Jill G says

    October 9, 2012 at 1:18 am

    I need this. I am the one leaving the driveway during the day when the kiddos are out.

    Reply
  69. Patricia Wojnar Crowley says

    October 8, 2012 at 10:56 pm

    My mom needs this!

    Reply
  70. Karen Medlin says

    October 8, 2012 at 10:32 pm

    I think the teen and myself

    Reply
  71. mrsshukra says

    October 8, 2012 at 9:31 pm

    We all do!!!

    Reply
  72. Kelly D says

    October 8, 2012 at 9:10 pm

    I need this the most.

    Reply
  73. angie says

    October 8, 2012 at 8:55 pm

    my youngest son could use this

    Reply
  74. Natalie S says

    October 8, 2012 at 8:42 pm

    most likely me since i drive a big car

    Reply
  75. Rhonda Clemens says

    October 8, 2012 at 7:26 pm

    I would say both hubby and I, a parent can never say they are the safest or the best driver, there is always room for improvement!!

    [email protected]

    Reply
  76. Melissa Belle says

    October 8, 2012 at 5:15 pm

    Sadly I’m the driver who needs this the most, we just moved and the place we live in now the driveway is weird and not easy to back out of, I’m always so close to hitting the lights or trees!!

    sweetmelbelle31 at yahoo dot com

    Reply
  77. Ashley S says

    October 8, 2012 at 4:58 pm

    I would give it to my husband! lol but I’m sure he would say I need it!

    Reply
  78. Anitha Kuppuswamy says

    October 8, 2012 at 1:13 pm

    For my husband

    Reply
  79. Daniel M says

    October 8, 2012 at 12:59 pm

    probably my sis, after she hurt her neck she has trouble looking around

    Reply
  80. WinItMama says

    October 8, 2012 at 12:53 pm

    I definitely need this! LOL

    Reply
  81. Jenny says

    October 8, 2012 at 12:35 pm

    This would probably be for me.

    Reply
  82. Stacie Fontinell says

    October 8, 2012 at 12:29 pm

    Me! I have to back out of our driveway and we have lots of kids in our neighborhood that play in the street! I would love this!

    Reply
  83. Sandra K321 says

    October 8, 2012 at 11:46 am

    I could use it. I drive a Jeep and it is hard to see behind it.

    Reply

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