uberwgn

When they say 35% is legal, it's the sum of the glass's value and the value of the tint itself. If the car has darker glass from the factory, this can lead to problems with the police.

helix139

I wouldn't do your windshield very dark. Like I said, I'm going to have 80% on mine and I already have 15% on everything else, which I find dark but not too dark. It's all about preference, but keep in mind if your windshield is dark and you're ever in an accident it could make you automatically liable.

For radar detectors, what is best for you really depends. The top 3 are the Escort Redline (best sensitivity and range, very good response, significant falses, invisible to RDDs), Valentine 1 (Very good range & sensitivity, best response for Instant On or Quick Trigger, significant falses), or the 9500ix (Good range & sensitivity, good response, GPS filtering to virtually eliminate falses and warn of speed traps and redlight/speed cams).

If you're the type that would ignore a noisy detector that falses a lot and does a lot of city driving, then the 9500ix would likely be the best choice for you. If cops in your area do a lot of quick trigger and instant on, you'll probably want the Valentine 1. If you want the absolute best range, and don't mind extra noise and a fair amount of falses in town, go with the Redline. All of them have 30 day guarantees so if I were you I'd try them all out and see what you like best (just not in the car at the same time).

I personally run the 9500ix as there are a metric crap ton of automatic door openers, mobile speed signs, etc. in the areas I regularly drive and the cops rarely use anything but constant-on Ka Band.

If you don't mind spending the cash and going with a remote install, then definitely go with the STI-R Plus. It's got a ridiculously good antenna and the ability to turn on only the individual KA-band segments that are used where you drive greatly increases the response time to the point it is considered equal or superior to the V1 in that regard, and takes all the best features of the Redline (range) and 9500ix (GPS) and rolls them into one.

zulujams

If you go darker and get pulled over, roll down your windows immediately even if it is pouring rain. It won't hide the tint on the rear doors since the windows don't go down fully and the back window is still there of course, but at least they can see in and maybe they will cut you a break ;-)

helix139

That's what I do. My back and rear passenger windows are legal, but my front windows are not, and I've had it that way in my last 2 cars. Whenever I'm pulled I roll down my driver and passenger side window, which cops prefer as a courtesy anyways.

zulujams

Interesting idea putting a darker tint on the front windows, didn't think of that. Depending on how much, it may look very different from a distance. Up to the individual. And yes, rolling down the windows is a good courtesy...maybe you weren't really speeding much and they just want to check out your car.

helix139

My front windows aren't darker than my rear. They are identical (both 15%). The legal limit is simply lower for the rear (15%) than the front (29%) in Florida