Huper Optik vs. Crystaline

[Bluehorseshoe]

From what I gather Huper Optik is the superior film if heat protection is priority.
Problem is that I can't find an installer in Fairfield County CT area.

So I'm settling for Crystaline 70. Installer recommends against doing the windshield due to curvature.
Has anyone used Crystaline on their windshield? How did it turn out? And how does the HUD appear?

[PhilT3]

i'd like to know the same...

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by Bluehorseshoe

From what I gather Huper Optik is the superior film if heat protection is priority.
Problem is that I can't find an installer in Fairfield County CT area.

So I'm settling for Crystaline 70. Installer recommends against doing the windshield due to curvature.
Has anyone used Crystaline on their windshield? How did it turn out? And how does the HUD appear?

An even better film than both of these is Prestige Photosync 75 or Photosync 65. I've applied it to Windshield before and with great success.

Not sure if there is an installer in your area.

[DrewM5]

The Art of tint in NYC does the HO and is a top rate shop.

[GladiatorOwner]

Ray's tint shop in Middletown NY does Huper. That is if he's still in business. He installed it on my E60 M5 and it came out perfect.

[Bluehorseshoe]

Thanks for the replies.

Stealth, how do you think the bluish Photosync would look with Black Sapphire Metallic?

[stealth.pilot]

Originally Posted by Bluehorseshoe

Thanks for the replies.

Stealth, how do you think the bluish Photosync would look with Black Sapphire Metallic?

It will look great. Someone did this on a carbon black car a while back looked superb. It doesn't look very blue, it just looks like glass. I find the smoke tints look fake to me.

[mwlmd]

Originally Posted by Bluehorseshoe

From what I gather Huper Optik is the superior film if heat protection is priority.
Problem is that I can't find an installer in Fairfield County CT area.

So I'm settling for Crystaline 70. Installer recommends against doing the windshield due to curvature.
Has anyone used Crystaline on their windshield? How did it turn out? And how does the HUD appear?

I have crystalline 70 on my windshield. Looks perfect and HUD functions normal. The only thing I have noticed is there is a slight increase in reflection off the B&O dash speaker. But its not a big deal.

I have Crystalline 50 on the rest of the car.

[DrewM5]

Honestly, I would never consider tint on the windshield for safety reasons. You will have a good size group of people tell you they can see just fine, but the fact of the matter is tint will reduce your visibility and, even if you can see just fine, you will see even better without tint. You cover 100 feet at 60mph in about a secod and a half. Now factor in 80-90mph which I assume is not unusual. The ability to see more clearly further down the horizon and to have better peripheral vision is not something you should discount easily.

[Bluehorseshoe]

Ok just made appointment with Tom from Art of Tint in Brooklyn. Going with Photosync 55 (thanks Stealth) and Llumar 80 for windshield.

[Bluehorseshoe]

Although Drew is really making me second guess myself regarding the windshield... Makes good sense.

[DrewM5]

I guess you have to ask yourself: "Would I buy tires that looked cooler but need 10% more distance in an emergency stop?" At the end of the day, you are sacrificing safety for looks. How much safety you give up may be something folks can argue about, but you can't argue that it is greater than zero.

Either way, you should come out to V12's meet at Floyd Ebbot Field on Saturday so we can see the car.

[mwlmd]

Originally Posted by Bluehorseshoe

Although Drew is really making me second guess myself regarding the windshield... Makes good sense.

BS. 70% VLT tint is nothing. 90% is literally nothing. You will not sacrifice any safety. People over-state this stuff without personal experience. And it's not just about looks. Tinting the windshield keeps the cabin noticebly cooler with good film.

[crs2pepper]

Originally Posted by mwlmd

I have crystalline 70 on my windshield. Looks perfect and HUD functions normal. The only thing I have noticed is there is a slight increase in reflection off the B&O dash speaker. But its not a big deal.

I have Crystalline 50 on the rest of the car.

have the same exact set-up on mine, 70% windshield and 50% rest of the car. 4th car I've ran this combo on

Most think of tint as being dark which can reduce visibility, but with the right shade on the windshield it actually reduces glare and improves visibility during daytime. All newer cars have a very light tint to the windshield

[DrewM5]

Originally Posted by mwlmd

BS. 70% VLT tint is nothing. 90% is literally nothing. You will not sacrifice any safety. People over-state this stuff without personal experience. And it's not just about looks. Tinting the windshield keeps the cabin noticebly cooler with good film.

Really? 70 VLT is not "nothing". 70 VLT lets 70% of the light through - that is what VLT ("Visible Light Transmission") means. What it also means is that it filters out 30% of the visible light. Your personal experience may lead you to think that it does not affect your sight at all - even at night - but science says otherwise.

I certainly acknowledged that there will be debate on this and you are free to tint you car the way you want to (well, subject to the possible repercussions of violating the laws that prohibit this). For me, it simply isn't worth the reduced visibility - particularly at night. For the same reason, I would not tint my headlights. But that may have to do with me being in my 40s and not quite havig the night vision I used to have.

[mwlmd]

Originally Posted by DrewM5

Really? 70 VLT is not "nothing". 70 VLT lets 70% of the light through - that is what VLT ("Visible Light Transmission") means. What it also means is that it filters out 30% of the visible light. Your personal experience may lead you to think that it does not affect your sight at all - even at night - but science says otherwise.

I certainly acknowledged that there will be debate on this and you are free to tint you car the way you want to (well, subject to the possible repercussions of violating the laws that prohibit this). For me, it simply isn't worth the reduced visibility - particularly at night. For the same reason, I would not tint my headlights. But that may have to do with me being in my 40s and not quite havig the night vision I used to have.

I am aware of the definitions of VLT. I have this tint on my windshield and while the spec sheet does indicate less light transmission, real world experience with it (which I have) is that there is no change in visibility.

The dark tint I see on this forum on all windows except the windshield is much more dangerous IMO.

I agree 100% about not tinting headlights.

Anyway, the CR90 film literally is not detectable if this is a concern. Even though it blocks 10% of VLT.

[DrewM5]

Fair enough, but don't expect me to weigh your "real word experience" more heavily that the science and testing that makes up the VLT ratings. At night, what is the difference between tinting your lights and tinting the windshield? Vision is based on light - lessen the light and you reduce the quality of vision.