heated windscreen questions

[ezrally]

Anyone have the heated screen and do you recommend it?Is the defroster ducts (blower intact?)Wish I could get in by it self w/o "visiability pack" option! Thanks

[ELISEBOY]

i wanted this but dealer said that its still not available!

[smiffy]

I did opt for the visibility pack but had to cancel it my order becuase it wont be available until June/July

[Rog G]

Had one once on an Escort Xr3i it was in additionto the normal demist vents and was really good, I think all cars should have one.

[Mickey Gem]

My husband had it on a Granada & said it was excellent.

I was going to have it on my MINI but after all the delays I decided to do without and get the car.

Might be worth trying to find out what the problem is and why it's launch keeps getting put back. May be more trouble than it's worth ?

[ezrally]

I guess being in the States and waiting until June for the S to be out(just saw about 3 S's at the Chicago auto show-I got to excited to count) I will be able to wait for my "proper" options!Did find it strange to see the S out number the Cooper and yet not many have actually driven it....

[Paul]

It will be available on June build cars forward I have been informed.

[jlivingood]

I read in the manual of my somewhat new Bel radar detector that it might not work behind a heated windscreen. Anyone else heard this? It is my only concern regarding the heated windscreen.

Jason

[ezrally]

Yes,it is true that w the heated screen the effectivness of the detector is decreased.I saw I think on this forum that some of Fords heated windscreens has a "portal" for it to see thru.
Valentine 1.com has good tech. info so you may want to check it out.Maybe a remote detector would/could solve the problem

[RedShift42]

Quite coincidently, this week I was deliberating over ordering the heated windshield so I contacted Valentine One about this issue...

The news is good.
Mike Valentine himself responded to my email, here's his response:


"We have had many reports from customers who have cars with the "ultra-thin" wire heating elements that report no problems with V1 radar reception. The admonition on our web site regarding the avoidance of embedded wires does refer to embedded antenna wires, as you correctly surmise.

A continuous field of very thin, vertical wires may not disrupt the antenna pattern as much as might a "strategically placed" antenna wire. I suggest not worrying about it unless there is a test vehicle available that proves problematic.

The only proven, 100%, problem windshields contain a metallic film. They're always bad news!"


Looks like I might be ordering that cold weather package after all.

And if I may just shamelessly plug Valentine, everytime I have had a question they have been exceptionally helpful. They seem genuinely passionate about what they do and it shows in their their product and their customer support.

[ELISEBOY]

how much is that costing you and where are you getting it from?

any piccis would be great too!!!

[jlivingood]

Quote:

Originally posted by RedShift42
The only proven, 100%, problem windshields contain a metallic film. They're always bad news!"

Great info! So, how is the MINI windscreen heated? Thin wires or metallic film in the glass?

Jason

[RedShift42]

Sorry, Jason-- I kinda assumed everybody reads as obsessively as I do...

According to the MINI website, the windshield uses "ultra-thin, virtually undetectable heating element wires that run vertically through the windshield glass."

So according to this and Mike Valentines authoritative response, the MINI's heated windshiled should pose minimal, if any, hinderance to radar detection.

[noahe]

Those virturally undetectable wires will need to be located. If you don't locate your detector between sets of wires, or accidentially locate it directly in front of the thin wires, you will reduce performance.

On a side note, most detectors these days are so damn sensitive, you won't notice.

For those on long, straight, flat hwys that are obsessed with maximum performance, and metal wires, films, tints or additives will decrease sensitivity.

I read up on this back when photo radar came to Ontario, Canada. Thankfully, it's gone now.

[minimum_wage]

Does any one know or have the knowledge to speculate about the effect that a heated windshield will have on automatic toll devices like easy pass/ speed pass/ fastlane?