My what a firestorm I have ignited. I felt a bit more information about the issue was appropriate.

Let me start by explaining on how I choose that mirror from that distributor. Cost was not a consideration. My first place to look was the dreaded Amazon.com. Exclusively, what I found were the smaller 2x3 mirrors. I felt that a larger mirror would be a better choice and was specifically seeking the 3x5 mirrors.

After checking a few sources, (sporty's pilot shop was suggested) and simular, the only signal mirrors I found were the 2x3 mirrors. Finally after a google search, I found the mirrors on MidwayUSA.com. It honestly never occurred to me that such a company would sell obviously defective equipment. (Ok call me naive.)

After ordering, I started to wonder if the smaller size mirrors were actually less effective and did an internet search. That was how I came across Doug's review. In short order, the mirrors came in, and to my utter chagrin, they were exactly what Doug had described.

There has been a bit of discussion about the defective mirrors here. I want to briefly address that. As I mentioned, cost was not a consideration. I had not seen the posting about the defective mirrors until I did a search. As Heartig mentioned above, no they were not "advertised" as being mil spec" Granted, he stated he would not have purchased the mirrors, but I am not him, nor do I have his extensive knowledge base.

A consideration of where the mirrors were made, taiwan or china was not an issue as this information was not listed on the midway site.

Rafowell nails the issue with this observation:

"These mirrors come with a grid around the central hole that looks like retroreflective mesh to close inspection, has instructions on the back that are clearly copied from those on the back of retroreflective aimer signal mirrors, but doesn't deliver.

Doug Ritter's take (quote from the article below): "In my opinion, the only apparent function of the fake mesh is to fool people into thinking they are buying a mirror with a genuine retro-reflective one-handed aimer."

Yes, I had an expectation that as the pictured product on MidwayUSA site included retroreflective material, that it would be just that, not a clever fake. Given too, that the printed instructions would NOT work, when expected to, and no doubt when MOST NEEDED, would fail.

I would say, on my behalf, I did find Doug's posting about the issue AND i had the foresite to try to use them rather than just blindly sticking them in a kit.

Rafowell's follow up missive highlights the greatly increased efficiency of a working retroreflective matrix as opposed to anything else.

MY ISSUE WITH MIDWAY USA

Is that they sell a product (which someone's life could depend upon) AND which someone could very well purchase with the expectation that it functions as specified on the product itself, AND does not infact work AT ALL. I more liken it to selling pop bottle rockets advertised as aerial flares. Sure, it goes up in the air, and is sorta visible. But the expectation for survival gear would seem, on the face to be a bit different.

It sort of reminds me of some of the dismal findings people have made when deploying emergency liferafts. Not a good time to discover you have bought a faulty piece of equipment!

Wesley Horton