Topic was sort of touched on in other threads, but this is more targeted to electronics in general.
I'm in desperate need of tint as the AZ sun is frying the left side of my body every day to and from work.

I need good heat/UV rejection, but also do not want to interfere with personal electronics (i.e. iPhone, Garmin nav, radar detector (needs front and rear window visibility, etc.). I'm not concerned with factory options seeing as I don't really have any other than Bluetooth (no factory nav or comfort access).

I have two local options:
1) metallic tint, can be done at my home, great price
2) non metallic (dyed), have to take my car to the shop, slightly more than twice the price

Option 1 is very appealing because of cost and convenience of install as well as film longevity and heat rejection properties. Are the myths about metallic films and electronics true? I figure most things can function just fine since my windshield will be untinted, but I'm mostly concerned about the use of my V1 which need both the front and back windows obstruction free.

Anyone with personal experience with metallic films and nonfunctioning electronics?

 

V1 + metallic tint = bad for the V1, in the 95% reduced sensitivity bad department. It's more pricey but you'll want the ceramic not the dyed (I think the ceramic is an additive witht he dye is my speculation) tint so it wont fade.

 

95%? Yikes. Okay, guess that's out.
More specifics on the non metallic: they use 3M exclusively. Didn't ask which non-metallic they use. I don't see any ceramic options, but they offer something called Crystalline Film which sounds high tech and all. Just not sure it's worth the premium (around $150-200 more than the dyed version).

http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3...beT4DCJBL6BVgl

 

Here's what Mike Valentine himself warns...
Naturally your Laser sensitivity goes down by whatever % tint you get regardless of type.

Hopefully I can get you some better info later tonight, the website that's my big resource for radar and laser information is down with server issues right now.

 

Never thought about laser sensitivity and %tint but I guess you're right. I suppose all the more reason not to go the metallic route as I plan on getting a fairly dark film.

 

It's sort of irrelevant but it negates the laser scatter save possibility so any warning beyond a ticket notifier means you'll be crossing into jammer territory. And with the low power K band speed cameras in AZ I'd be all over a GPS notifier in addition to not doing anything that could reduce the sensitivity of the radar reception.

Here's a link worth your read, and I'll keep an eye out for some more info for you. http://www.radardetector.net/forums/valentine-one/45689-window-tint-v1-question.html

 

I had Huper Optik ceramic window tint done about a year-and-a-half ago and can't say enough about it. The heat rejection is amazing. The install place I used did a quick demo with a heat lamp on untinted and ceramic-tinted glass and the difference was amazing.

I chose the Huber40, which is the lightest shade they offer since I was interested in heat rejection and not hiding out. I wish they offered a clear tint (is it tint if it's clear?) as I'd do the front window too.

The only downsides that there are in my opinion is the cost and the scarcity of installers. I paid about $405 for the four side windows, the back window, and both sun roofs and had to drive about 55 miles each way to get it done. For me, it was well worth it.

Check out their website:
http://www.huperoptikusa.com/consumer_auto.cfm

My installer, which did a great job was Salvador at Perfect Window Tint in Santa Ana, CA.

Also, I'm in no way connected to either of these companies. Just a happy customer.

 

Metalic tint is great, I find it's much better than wearing all that tin foil on my head.......

 

I agree, my MCS is the second car I've gotten done with Huper (huper 30). I actually made the mistake of being cheap in between and getting my other car done with 3M (audi allroad, also 30%) and the quality comparison is a joke, between the heat reduction, the look, the electronic interference, and the actual quality of the product, Huper is worth every penny, even at twice the price. I will never make the mistake of going with Metallic tint again.

 

I just couldn't risk the chance of interference with the V1, so I went and got the 3M Color Stable tint today. Pricey as all heck for a non-ceramic. Huper would have been my first choice (very popular amongst the M5 crowd), but I was too lazy to find an installer and I needed the tint yesterday
Thanks for your input all (particularly Motor On)

World of difference appearance and comfort-wise. Now, I just have to hunker down and hardwire the detector.....