Will the car's tint band affect the radar detectors?
08-08-2001, 09:22 PM
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Non-metallic tint (including the 4" band at the top of the windshield) will not affect a radar detector's performance. However, the "dot-matrix" area of the front windshield on either side where the rear view mirror attaches will, as I believe the dots are metal.
08-09-2001, 12:58 AM
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If tint has no metallic content in it then it *will not* affect the sensitivity of a radar detector. There are certain composites that will refract or absorb microwave energy (read: stealth technology) but your tint will not do this. Lidar is a different animal. Most tint will not affect the range at which lidar is detected because lidar is such a concentrated signal that penetration is not an issue. By the time your detector is detecting lidar you are in the main path of the signal. Absorbtion is more of a problem with lidar than radar but for all practical purposes it will not *significantly* affect the sensitivity. Your hi-beam headlights are your best defense against a frontal lidar assault. 
08-09-2001, 01:26 AM
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Thanks Pianoman! BTW, what's a good radar detector brand to get now? A few years back it was Bel and Whistler, but not sure who took the top spot this year. Do you recommend Valentine(?)
brand?
brand?
08-09-2001, 01:37 AM
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Originally posted by patrick
Thanks Pianoman! BTW, what's a good radar detector brand to get now? A few years back it was Bel and Whistler, but not sure who took the top spot this year. Do you recommend Valentine(?)
brand?
Thanks Pianoman! BTW, what's a good radar detector brand to get now? A few years back it was Bel and Whistler, but not sure who took the top spot this year. Do you recommend Valentine(?)
brand?
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08-09-2001, 07:45 AM
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most people agree that its between the valentine1 and the escort 8500. i swear by the valentine cuz of the arrows. it has never failed me yet. oh, and as far as the tinting, i compared my v1 thats behind the 4" tint band on top of the windshield, with my friends v1 placed dead center in the windshield and its almost identical. i actually get the signal earlier (due to radar being higher up) while he holds the signals from the rear longer. but we are talking about maybe a 30' difference, so its not an issue.
08-09-2001, 12:57 PM
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Car and Driver did test of this and found that the tint band did't effect radar detection, but it had a significant effect on laser detection. Search their website, and you will find the article.
08-09-2001, 02:42 PM
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Thanks Pianoman! BTW, what's a good radar detector brand to get now? A few years back it was Bel and Whistler, but not sure who took the top spot this year. Do you recommend Valentine(?)
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