There has been a lot of talk on the forum about the affects of metallic based tint and the Nav’s signal strength. Some of the posts say metallic tint is ok, some say it’s not.

I was doing to a little research and found that 3rd party navigation system vendors recommend that you not use metallic based tint. While the nav will work with metallic based tint it weakens the signal. Here is a quote:

“The GPS signals will travel through glass, plastic, cardboard and fabrics but will be reduced if the window has a metallic coating applied. Standard plastic film tint is ok.”

http://www.77investigators.com/TrackingSystem.html

Anyway just passing on what I found.

 

I believe the antenna is not in the cabin, its in the trunk I think (don't have a NAV). So tint will not affect it at ALL.

*edit* the unit tiself is in the trunk, not the antenna, oops

 

The GPS antenna in the TSX is below the back panel which is below the back window. My friend had metallic tint on his TSX which screwed up his gps location. He now has metallic on the side windows and regular tint on the back window. I also have the same setup and now the gps works fine. In our experiences, metallic tint on the back window does mess up the gps.

 

is this like reflective tints or any tints containing metal, meaning, any tint that's not just died plastic? Will most high performance tints work? This kind of makes me iffy on whether I will get tints or not, now... was planning on doing it this weekend.

 

I have metalic tint and do not have any problems. I have heard the same thing from many different sources. So I have checked it against a non-tinted TSX and the signal and it was the same. I am not claiming that it is as good as a non-metallic tinted window because the GPS in our cars only tells us if their is more than 3 satellites. So I may be getting signals from 3-4 satallites while your TSX may get more.

Every where I go the Navi is pretty accurate. I have never noticed it to be inaccurate.

 

you can get tint just stay away from the metallic based tint.

 

no need to stay away from metallic tint. I have it and have zero problems.

 

I guess it boils down to your experience verses what is documented by the people who make the GPS receivers.

As was said above, metallic tint will not "break" the GPS but it will weaken the signal.

 

a lot of car manuals will say not to get metallic tint because it will mess with the radio signal but I've never heard of a problem there.
Maybe see if the tint place will give you a sample piece big enough to cover the nav. Put it in the trunk over it and see if it affects anything.

 

What kind of tint tony4311? I've been searching around at different shops around town, seems like the same guy does the tinting at at least 3 local shops. I have a feeling this could turn into the same incredibly time intensive decision making that I've been doing for the last 2 months when picking out my wheels (decided on SSR GT1's, they should get here later this week.)

 

luminar 18% mettalic

 

The problem usually persists in really close knit areas such as New York City. Problems usually pertains to being off by a couple of blocks especially where every street is cramp close together. Also if you try to drive along an expressway and you're near water, if your car has tint then sometimes you be located in water. I'd had to reposition my GPS a couple of times now.

Ben
2004 TSX 6 spd, navi, carbon gray/quartz gray int
20% tint
all season floormats
soon to be comptech short shifter