Which 2-way mirror is the best?

MadScientist

Hi Tom,

thanks a lot for the tip with Brigla. Haven’t found them before although I was searching the web for a long time already. I have placed an order for the Mirropane Chrome Spy with a transmission of 8%. It is less than 50€ incl. shipping. Pretty amazing price! Almost a third of what I would have paid at Glas-star.de! At least I didn’t burn too much money if that’s not the right mirror. Anyhow, I’d still like to get feedback from other users about their choices. That’s also why I reply in English :-)

lavolp3

@__Tom__

Thanks Tom for the Tip. I think I will also order from this site, since the local glazier wants to have more than 100€ for a quite small mirror.
The question now is, which one is better for which lighting?

Mirastar:
Thickness: 4mm or 6mm
Reflection: >58%
Transmission: 3%

Mirropane:
Thickness: 6mm
Transmission: 8%

I would assume with lower lighting you’d need a lower transmission value?

Shouldn’t the Mirastar transmission be dependent on the thickness?

MadScientist

I don’t think the thickness of the glass influences the transmission as glass itself is very light-transmissive and the reflective layer is just a very thin coating on the glass.

I also think that in a darker room the Mirastar should be better but this is the first time I am dealing with 2-way mirrors…

__Tom__

Hi,

I have the MiraStar with 3% transmission (4mm).
If the sun is right on it then you need a bright and high-contrast monitor.
It seems that this mirror shines more silver in a “dark” room than my 2nd mirror (see below).

My other mirror has a transmission of 8% (8mm).
With the result: the mirror looks darker but you can read everything on it.

This are my impressions.

Kindly Tom

lavolp3

@MadScientist I have now ordered the Mirastar from Brigla for a really great price of 40 €. Had to cut one side by 0.5 cm to get the lower freight fee :-)
I chose this one with lower transmission because the mirror will be in a room without windows, only one LED ceiling light.
Let’s make a comparison when we have them.

MadScientist

I am currently fighting with the software and I still have to build the frame but I’ll post pictures once everything is done.
I already got my mirror and it is indeed dark. Though, that should be ok as it is a tiny room with a window (our guest toilet).

Edit: I would like to mention the very nice service of Brigla. First, it arrived only 24 hours after I placed the order but the mirror had a minor defect (one tiny spot without refective coating). So I wrote them an email about it yesterday. This morning they replied they would ship another mirror and I don’t have to return the old one. Effectively giving me two for the price of one…
Fun fact: They are only 70km from where I live.

__Tom__

@MadScientist

Dann könnstest Du Dir auch die Versandkosten sparen und so vorbei fahren ;)

MadScientist

@__Tom__
It’s one hour per direction. Not worth for 12.50€ but I would probably do for bigger mirrors as the shipping costs can get quite expensive.

lavolp3

Update: I have received my MiraCast from Brigla about a week after order. Positively surprised by the reflection so far, but it’s not installed yet.
Unfortunately I have some defects in the mirroring plane. Two lines of small spots that don’t reflect. Could only be seen by looking closely, but of course, still a defect.

I have claimed the defects and will get a new mirror soon without any costs!
I can keep the old one :-)

MadScientist

I finally received my replacement mirror and it has no defects. So basically I got two mirrors for 48€ incl. shipping. The first has only a tiny defect which makes it still usable for a second mirror.

My frame is also almost done. I just painted it a second time and I am now waiting for the paint to dry. Next week I should be able to put everything together.