mbin.. i'd have to get on the wife's computer to test it out.. got a render going right now that i don't want to pause.  but i'll keep it in mind and test it out.  there's no reason why the mirror setting shouldn't work with the right settings.  that's my thing, i am still learning what adding various colors to various channels will do to the end product.  i've just, as of late, got a full handle on disp and nrm maps after being a bump-map only guy for quite a while.  hell... i've never even TRIED the top coat option on anything yet.  still a lot about render settings that i need to learn