Anyone using both? If so, any missed radars or problems?

 

Good question. Can anyone confirm if metallic tint affects the radar's reception? I know for a fact that the metallic tint has affected my alarm's proximity sensor.

"Use the Forced Induction Luke!"
-Jedi
2003 G35C, 6MT, Navi, Black Obsidian/Graphite

 

It not only depends on whether the film has metal inserts vs. non-metallized film. It also depends on the degree of darkness the tint you have. (e.g. tint at say 55% metallized does not contain as much metal than the 25% or 35%) The darker the film, the worse the reception.

 

Well the question is, if I get 35% tints all round should I even bother with the V1? Will the reception be so bad that it'll detect the radar when the cop is walking up to my car?

 

Car and Driver magazine did an article about this a while back.

They even used Mr. Valentine to help them do the test.

I don't remember exactly what the results were, but I do remember that they said tint will affect the radar detectors performance. The article also tested several different windshields from various vehicles to see if they reduced performance. And it turned out that quite a few of them did.

 

I have metal tint and a V1. No problems at all.

 

What brand? What %?

"Use the Forced Induction Luke!"
-Jedi
2003 G35C, 6MT, Navi, Black Obsidian/Graphite

 

probably 35% all round, not sure about brand..

 

Johnson Silhouette Vision Plus - With lifetime warranty
30%-%35 in the rear passenger window and back. lighter in front side windows but I don't remember.

http://www.johnsonwindowfilms.com/cfm/VisionPlus.cfm

 

Assuming you're not tinting your entire front windshield (because that's illegal), why would it be a waste of money? By far the most likely place to get shot with radar is the front. You don't need side detection, by the time you pull alongside a radar gun it's way the hell too late anyway. The Valentine only has the side arrows to help you determine when you're past the threat, it's the front detector that gives you a chance to slow down. As for rear detection, that's no more than 10% as useful as front detection. I've only been caught speeding once by a cop behind me, and he wasn't even using radar. He was going 80, saw that I was getting further away from him between two exits, and gave me a ticket for "at least 80." The main thing rear detection helps you with is cops pulling on to the freeway behind you at night with their radars left on. But if they haven't just pulled on within seconds of your passing the exit, they'll need to be going pretty damn fast to pull within radar distance of you. After all, you're speeding. If you're going 80+mph, they'd need to be doing 90 to 100 mph, and chances are they're in too big a hurry to get somewhere to waste time pulling you over.

So I'd say you're getting 90% of the usefulness of a radar detector, even if your tint screws up the sides and back.

-Jack
Obsidian '03 G35 Sports Coupe
Titanium '03 MX-5 Shinsen #532