ML-3 misgivings

I found the ML-3 on my D70 a total looser. It only works from the front of the camera. And even then only sporadically. So if you are taking a picture of yourself it works. But if you actually want to use it to take pictures of say birds so you are behind the camera....say 15 feet. it is useless. You can put a mirror on the camera in an attempt to bounce the IR signal around the camera from behind but I dont have the patience for that kind of cludge.