Tip for heat reflecting windows...

[Taz]

Just a little tip for seeing if your car has heat reflecting windows.....

Grab someone that wears reactalight glasses (the ones that darken in the sun)...Remove their glasses and place them 'looking out' of the window, If they darken, its not heat reflecting!

Simple but efective.

I did this test on my Fathers Picasso and found the windscreen was reflective, but the little front side windows are not so I installed his reciever there.



(Sorry, didn't know where to post this, please move if needs be)

[StevenGourlay]

Nice idea, but you can always call your dealer or check the cars specification on the web
_________________
Regards
Steven Gourlay
Bike Pics! Bike Chat! Visit-Ullapool

[northamsaint]

Someone I work with said that some cars with these heat reflecting windscreens have a small patch where the heat reflecting is left out.

This apparently is for Toll Devices for countries that have toll roads. I don't know how true this is?

[StevenGourlay]

Yeah the Ford Focus am sure has blank spots at the bottom left and right of the windscreen, you can get external or re radiating antennas.
_________________
Regards
Steven Gourlay
Bike Pics! Bike Chat! Visit-Ullapool

[northamsaint]

An External Or Re-Radiating is ok, and they are cheap enough. But it's another thing to plug in, and another set of leads.

I would expect the car's dealers to be able to tell you of any blank spots or even try asking a car window replacement company.

[Taz]

[northamsaint]

Taz


No it is a help. Any info is good.

I am thinking about buying a Picasso. I did wonder if the side windows would work. But, if I can find a blank spot in the front I would go for that.

Have you found it ok when picking up signals, or do you get any drop outs at certain angles?

[Darren]

Don't be , you'd be surprised how ignorant of such facts your average dealer can be!

And the point regards toll tags it true, most if not all cars have clear areas in the very bottom right and left corners as well as behind the rear view mirror specifically for these devices and placing a GPS in the same location normally resolves the issue.
_________________
Darren Griffin

[Taz]

The side windows are getting on average 8 'sats' locked the windscreen is far lower.

HTH

[Qhunter]

Whilst the Pic does have a heat reflecting windscreen there is an untreated area at the top of the windscreen in the centre. In that area there is a panel of small black dots and in the right lighting conditions you can see the untreated section which is slightly smaller that the "dotted area" My gps receiver rarely sees less that 10 sats through the windscreen and usually 12.

[StevenGourlay]

Sorry Taz, its always good to share knowledge. On some windscreens you can see the thin wire in the glass but in others you are correct it is hard to see if it is.
_________________
Regards
Steven Gourlay
Bike Pics! Bike Chat! Visit-Ullapool

[thedon]

Hmm - I thought wires in the windscreen were developed by Ford for quick demisting?.

The Picasso definately has a "hole" in the heat reflective shield behind the rear view mirror - and it's quite easy to perch your GPS receiver ontop of the mirror, run the wire through the trim around the edge of the screen - and should be long enough (just) to reach your cradle (mine is installed to the drivers right).

I've installed both a TT bluetooth receiver, and subsequently a TT wired receiver in our Picasso - so can definately confirm this. (I found the GPS reception to be quite poor through the side windows - especially after going around corners / roundabouts, or in built up areas).

[Darren]

That's correct the fine mesh of wires in some car windscreens is for the heate screen.
_________________
Darren Griffin

We see you’re using an ad-blocker. We’re fine with that and won’t stop you visiting the site.
Have you considered making a donation towards website running costs?.
Or you could disable your ad-blocker for this site. We think you’ll find our adverts are not overbearing!