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Night-tailgater blinder

 Flipup, rearward facing mirror built into rear of car
  (+2)
(+2) 		  [vote for,
against]

When being closely followed by someone with a desire to light the planet with their headlights, simply flick a switch to deploy the mirror from your rear bumper. In seconds, a smooth hydraulic action slids the mirror from its stowed location (within the underside of the car) to its fully vertical and rearward facing position.

Grin with demonic satisfaction as your friendly follower wraps themself around a passing tree.

Note: One-way mirror should be used to avoid occlusion of your view (and associated reduction in entertainment value)

—drainfood, Jul 17 2003

Baked by [monkeyking47]'s little brother http://www.halfbake...tailgating_20device
[angel, Oct 04 2004]

High beam attitude readjustment device http://www.halfbake...adjustment_20device
[phoenix, Oct 04 2004]

[link]






       No thank you. We went through this phase already.
—phoenix, Jul 17 2003
   

       I followed this guy one night. The finished product was called a Chrome Bumper.
—vendetta, Jul 17 2003
   

       You can do this with your rear view mirror. However you will be fined and possibly arrested if you are caught, as it is illegal and very dangerous, not to mention enormously stupid. However, that's about right for someone who takes pleasure in the misfortunes of others.
—waugsqueke, Jul 17 2003
   

       I don't know if this is an urban legend, but I heard of someone mounting aircraft landing lights to plywood that would rise up from the trunk into the rear window and blind the tailgating highbeaming offender.
—Zimmy, Jul 17 2003
   

       I'd like to meet the person who could calculate how to aim a rearview mirror to do any reflective battle at all.
—bristolz, Jul 17 2003
   

       'Tis easy. Straight back. Flash it around a few times and your bound to hit. Even easier for the passenger who can look back.   

       My brother is notorious for doing this.
—waugsqueke, Jul 17 2003
   

       I don't see how one could see where they were aiming, especially with the headlights of the offending vehicle blazing within the field of view. I have tried it as a passenger and thought it about impossible.   

       Perhaps your brother's notoriety comes from those that scoff at the claims ;-)   

       Sign me,
ms. skeptical.
—bristolz, Jul 18 2003
   

       I think quick detonating fireworks would work as well!
—Zimmy, Jul 18 2003
   

       Yeah, I suspect an array of powerful photographic strobes or several old-time large flashbulbs would do the job very well.
—bristolz, Jul 18 2003
   

       bris, the reflected light from the rear view produces a mighty large beam, at least as wide as the windshield on the car behind you. It's hard to miss, actually.
—waugsqueke, Jul 18 2003
   

       Well, I have tried to do it on several occasions, especially in my mis-spent youth (I guess I took pleasure in the misfortunes of others) and was never able to discern where I was aiming the reflection.   

       Maybe it was due the fact that many rearview mirrors have a significant ND coating or maybe I'm just blind. I guess I'll have to take it on faith.   

       "meaniness," heh.
—bristolz, Jul 18 2003
   

       Why not just launch a tree from your trunk and cut out the middleman? One could also take prozac before driving. I see the light, brother! Shine on me!
—LabRat, Jul 18 2003
   

       I've done it quite a few times, including zapping high-beamers with a hand-held mirror while watching the action through a rear-view mirror *and* driving.
—thumbwax, Jul 18 2003
   

       Does nobody here tap the brake pedal lightly so the brake lights come on? This tends to have a similar underpants-browning effect on the tail-gater.
—git, Jul 18 2003
   

       I always stick the fog lights on briefly. Only for a few seconds so the sod behind me doesn't register that it's only one red light. Works though.
—squeak, Jul 18 2003
   

       i've got you all beat. my eyes are quite sensitive to bright lights at night so i wanted to get even one way or another. I mounted two 12v 11,000 candlepower spotlamps in my rear windshield.. when someone is behind me with their high-beams on i just flash one of the lights to see if they get the idea.. if not i flip both switches and watch the results (this actually came in handy one night when a friend of mine was stranded on the side of the road.. we had enough light to work on her car and get it going again)
—tazmase2, Jul 21 2003
   

       11,000? Kind of weenie aren't they? Even the crappy ones they sell at Home Depot for $20 are rated at 1,000,000 candlepower.
—bristolz, Jul 21 2003
   

       sorry... 1,100,000.. my Maglite flashlight is at least 45,000cp
—tazmase2, Jul 21 2003
   

       I've used the fog-light trick too. It has the advantage that it also works during the day.
—sandfly, Jul 22 2003
   

       A couple of deck mounted rear facing red or red/blue strobes should do the trick without having to blind anyone. Legality may vary according to your location.
—oneoffdave, Jul 22 2003
   

       in my experience HID's work really well. both on offence and on defence
—killerb18c1, Jul 24 2003
   
      
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