Tint interfering with radar detector

[STL Avus M3]

I am getting my windows tinted on Thursday and was going to get 20%. I was going to get this tint called “charkool” that has some sort of metallic filament in it to reduce heat entering the car. I am worried that this might affect the performance of my radar detector.

Do you guys have any experience with this?

If it does, I think I am just going to get regular tint for the back and the metallic stuff for the sides.

By the way, the tints look identical.

[kevin7909]

my ex M3 has semi metallic tint all around...never bothered my RD at all....
Kevin

[wickedride]

the metal in the film does not do anything for heat reduction, the put it the film to help the life span of the film(i.e. takes longer to turn purple) it should not interfere w radar, but might w/ am radio and alarm remotes(if they are aftermarket)

[Bimmerhead]

My 2001 740iL has the OEM tinted front window and I have to mount the V1 in one of two available places.
Around the rearview mirror is an area that is obviously untinted and there is a small cigarette pack size area left untinted in the center where the window meets the dash.

I asked the folks at Valentine Research about the window tint and was told that mounting the V1 behind the tint will reduce the unit's effectiveness.

It is simple physics...the tint is designed to interfere with incoming radiation...in this case visible light. The metallic tint therefore will interfere with incoming microwave radiation which as we all know is what the police equipment uses to calculate vehicle speed.

If you are having your glass tinted, select a spot for your detector and leave it untinted, or seek out a dual sensor radar detector system that uses chassis stealth mount front and rear, like the K40...very expensive but very effective and probably usable in VA too.

Good luck

[kevin7909]

ok guys, lets not go overboard here....if the police use instant on your toast no matter how good your RD is IF your in his sights...if he is not using instant on then the radiation of the gun will be detected long before the gun can be used to calculate your speed....leave tint off if you like, but not because of reduced RD effectiveness....
Kevin

[M3Cosmos]

Although typically not detected by the user, radar detection is somewhat reduced when tint is in the way. Also, if you're in VA and trying to use radar even if you have a stealth system, they will pull you and give you a ticket even if you just brake when you're clocked. Believe me, they will. Also, the latest "instant on" is called POP which is a K or Ka band which is switched on and off in about 1/15 second which is too little time for most detectors to catch it, but the Escort 8500 X50 can. The good thing is, is that the cop cannot give you a ticket on this POP reading alone by law, he can use it as an estimate or basis to chase after you and then get a solid reading with a normal K or Ka. Sorry to get off subject, but i hope you feel more enlightened.