If you carry a boat, bicycle or pretty anything else on the roof of your car, you probably spend a lot of time wondering if it's still securely in place up there while you're driving. The problem is, there's no way of seeing it without stopping and getting out of the car ... unless you have a RoofScope, that is.
The RoofScope is simply a wide-angle mirror that you stick on the hood of your car using an attached vacuum mount cup. You subsequently angle it in such a way that it allows you to see your roof-top cargo from the driver's seat, then you lock it in place. There's no more need to sneak peeks at your car's shadow or reflection in windows, nor do you have to try angling one of the wing mirrors all the way up (which doesn't work, by the way).
The device reportedly stays securely attached and properly angled at highway speeds – there's no word on how it affects mileage. As a side benefit, its presence on the hood should help remind drivers that they're carrying a load on top, so they don't smash that load into things like garage doors or other overhead obstacles.
The RoofScope has been available online since January, although its UK-based designers have now turned to Kickstarter to fund larger-scale production and a new-and-improved model. A pledge of £30 (US$50) will get you one, when and if the funding goal is met.
You can see it in use, in the video below.
Sources: RoofScope, Kickstarter