Does Window Tint affect my radar detector? (answered)

[DUI Elite]

Yes, but in what ways you ask?

1) If you have metallic window tint --
Your radar detector is not going to be able to "see through" your metallic tint and detect the radar signals as well. Case in point, if you want to get window tint without losing radar performance, get ceramic window tint.

i) How do I know my car has metallic tint?
Go to a location where you KNOW you get false alerts, but go to the edge of the area (where the signal is weak). Now move your radar detector from below your tint, to above it and see if your signal strength (shown on the rd screen) is getting weaker. If it is - you likely have metallic window tint.

Ex: Me going 2 blocks from my local walgreens where I get a K band false from the door openers. I move my rd from below the tint to above it and notice the strength goes down. I have metallic tint!

2) If you have ceramic tint --
Testing and experienced users have demonstrated that ceramic window tint affects laser detection. Don't worry though, the chances of you getting a laser save are slim (though possible) already so you're not losing much. Use the same method in (i) to determine if you have ceramic tint, but this time, your radar signal strength will remain the same if you have ceramic tint. To be clear, Ceramic Tint does NOT affect Radar performance, it only affects Laser Performance.

Feel free to ask further questions, as some vehicles have a UV tint/shield that actually hinders all windshield mount RD performance. Companies such as Mercedes Benz and Porsche are a few I can think of off the top of my head. There are a few more though. I'll update this post as information is made apparent.

Maybe another member can confirm whether or not laser detection is affected on metallic tint as well. I would imagine so.

 

[UNCLE BILL]

BMW 750s have a film on the windshield that blocks radar

 

[The Stig]

Now we wont see this same question asked over and over.

 

[nhdriver]

Metallic tint & sensitivity will also vary from what I've experienced. The darker the metallic tint, the worse with signal deterioration.

Taken straight from EZPass NH site, these vehicles will also come with factory windshields that will affect how your radar detector performs. (Hence the requirement for the external transponders when getting an EZPass).

Buick Roadmaster (All years)
Cadillac Catera ('99-'01)
Chevrolet Lumina Van (Prior to '02)
Chevrolet Venture (Prior to '02)
Ford Crown Vic w/ heated windshield ('87-'04)
Ford Taurus w/ heated windshield (Prior to '05)
Oldsmobile Silhouette (Prior to '02)
Pontiac Montana (Prior to '02)
Pontiac Trans Sport (Prior to '02)
Subaru SVX (All)

 

[DUI Elite]

lol 2 years later..

I competely forgot I made this.

 

[nhdriver]

I might as well add this video.

My old Mazda that had 35% metallic tint on windshield running Redline. A straight line with LEO outside running C/O 35.5 Redline would've definitely picked up the radar but severe signal loss. Around a curve it was worse!

[video=youtube;JCMIrvKucl0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCMIrvKucl0[/video]

 

[GoDuke]

I might as well add this video.

My old Mazda that had 35% metallic tint on windshield running Redline. A straight line with LEO outside running C/O 35.5 Redline would've definitely picked up the radar but severe signal loss. Around a curve it was worse!

[video=youtube;JCMIrvKucl0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCMIrvKucl0[/video]

Really? Was that OEM tint?

 

[nhdriver]

Nope aftermarket tint. I ended up using a ceramic tint that came with a deck of samples from the company I buy tints from and replaced a small 4x6 section with it. Definitely improved the sensitivity after that.

 

[Coderedpl]

I recently ended up tinting the top of my windshield with formula one ceramic tint. Ran the valentine one underneath for a few weeks but I think I should move it up. It's rather visible from the outside.

This thread helps as if I get hit with laser the jammer will be going off anyway, i remember times where I was hit with laser and my v1 did not go off.

Thanks!

 

[Nazar]

Now we wont see this same question asked over and over.

lol 2 years later..

I competely forgot I made this.

considering how many times i have seen this question come up. i would make it a sticky - but it is not up to me (hint, hint)

 

[Akosikojak]

Another reference. https://www.bayareafastrak.org/static/forms/docs/Vehicles_with_Metal_Oxide_Windshields.pdf

 

[PointerCone]

BMW 750s have a film on the windshield that blocks radar

Correction: Its not on the windshield, on some of the higher end cars (MB BMW) its built into the lamination of the windshield.

The higher end 3M tints also are NOT metallized nor do the ceramics cause interference. http://solutions.3m.com/wps/portal/3M/en_US/Window_Film/Solutions/Markets-Products/Automotive/

 

[bhrodeoaz]

i have non metallic limo all around on my ram, has no effect on my v1. ran it againsy a stalker dsr 2

 

[tshrimp]

Probably a dumb question, but please forgive me as I am new here

Is the tint being referred to on this thread on windshield only (strip at top), or if I have metallic tint on my side windows and back window, will I see a reduction? I would assume it would be minimal unless it was radar bouncing and entering from the sides, etc?

BTW...I do have metallic tint on side and rear . I just didn't know any better. But the ix9500 still seems to do a good job from what I can tell.

Thanks, in advance.

 

[Nazar]

the metallic tint i am pretty sure was in reference to the top strip...

but the same goes for side and back tinting...... except for rear hits it shouldn't really be a problem, as front hits still get a 180degree vision from a windshield mount.

 

[nhdriver]

Probably a dumb question, but please forgive me as I am new here

Is the tint being referred to on this thread on windshield only (strip at top), or if I have metallic tint on my side windows and back window, will I see a reduction? I would assume it would be minimal unless it was radar bouncing and entering from the sides, etc?

BTW...I do have metallic tint on side and rear . I just didn't know any better. But the ix9500 still seems to do a good job from what I can tell.

Thanks, in advance.

Unless your windshield is tinted also with metallic tint it shouldn't in theory affect it too much. I have a very dark tint on the rear sides and windshield but have no problem picking up a source with second RX65 installed in the back.

 

[iflysmooth]

I can tell you for a fact that the tint on the buick 2005 Lacross affects weak sig and range.I put my V1 in the tint to try and hide it more and I did'nt get all the falses I would get all the time.Put it back under and they all came back.It's OM tint.I also tried it for range and it affected it alot.

 

[Steelrain01]

For clarification, If the unit sits just below a tint strip, with the antenna peaking through, will the metallic properties affect GPS in the 9500ix?

 

[Nazar]

For clarification, If the unit sits just below a tint strip, with the antenna peaking through, will the metallic properties affect GPS in the 9500ix?

Good question

sent via phone using kinetic energy.

 

[nhdriver]

For clarification, If the unit sits just below a tint strip, with the antenna peaking through, will the metallic properties affect GPS in the 9500ix?

Should be fine honestly as you're surrounded by all windows to begin with. I've never had an issue with GPS with my fully tinted vehicle with Garmin or any of the phones with GPS.