GPS & window tint [Archive]

the_saint

08-01-2005, 08:57 AM

I was wondering if anybody has had any experience with the performance of their GPS system with tinted windows...more specifically, metalized tint. I have heard that the metallic/metalized tint can adversely effect the performance of the GPS system.
Anybody know for a fact if this it true or not?

Thanks

preludejtstyle

08-01-2005, 08:59 AM

yes i work at a tint shop here in ohio. we have stats on tint and how it can affect your GPS and XM radios. The metallized tin makes a huge difference (assuming Llumar or Fomulaone tint). It blocks a lot of the reception. FormulaONE tint offers a ceramic tint that is similiar to a metallic tint, but doesnt block ANY radio waves/reception.

check out www.formulaone.com for more info.

preludejtstyle

08-01-2005, 09:01 AM

i lied. check out this link instead. lol

http://www.llumar.com/na-eng/Automotive/auto.html

click the specifications sheet.

the_saint

08-01-2005, 09:15 AM

Actually,I think you were right the first time.
ceramic tint (http://www.formulaone.com/pinnacle.htm)

preludejtstyle

08-01-2005, 09:17 AM

somewhere i know cause they showed me in training......they have specs as to exactly how much it blocks. Its a big difference.

Solo2Protege

08-01-2005, 08:46 PM

i thought the GPS antenna was roof mounted?

ZiO

08-01-2005, 08:58 PM

and i thought gps was digital signal?

preludejtstyle

08-01-2005, 09:07 PM

if its roof mounted, than it doesnt make a difference obviously. However for those that are built into the rear window and/or placed in/on rear deck, it makes a diff.

BrianG

08-01-2005, 09:32 PM

and i thought gps was digital signal?

Doesn't matter if the signal is digital or analog, they are both transmitted over a carrier frequency. Blockage is blockage (or shielding).

preludejtstyle

08-02-2005, 05:48 PM

Doesn't matter if the signal is digital or analog, they are both transmitted over a carrier frequency. Blockage is blockage (or shielding).

exactly (drinks)

gdkenoyer

08-12-2005, 03:25 PM

the_saint

08-12-2005, 05:08 PM

This string in the RX8 Forum (http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?t=42192&highlight=GPS) doesn't quite answer the question, but it does give a few more hints...

Has anyone confirmed the location of the M3 GPS antenna?
I can't quite answer your question, but I can give a hint (gossip)
The GPS antenna in the Mazda5 is in the dash. I think it might be halfway safe to assume it is the same with the 3.

gdkenoyer

08-30-2005, 03:38 PM

Just had my 3 tinted with Quantum (28%), GPS working fine!

the_saint

08-30-2005, 03:50 PM

Well, tomorrow's the day. I'm getting Sun-gard endurance line 30 something %.
It's a sputtered metallic film. From what I have been told my GPS will work fine since the antenna is in the dash.

Will find out tomorrow.

Solo2Protege

08-31-2005, 03:15 PM

the_saint

08-31-2005, 03:21 PM

^^OMG NOOOOOOOO!!!

Sun-gard is the most gawd awful crap out there...At my old shop, I used to use it cause it was inexpensive, but soon found out it was CHEAP. The adhesive would get cloudy pretty quick, within months in some cases. It was prone to delaminate and when installing it, if you heated even slightly too much, you get these colored rainbow effects in it....I had a file cabinet FULL of warranty work.
Too late now.
The stuff I got was actually "Diamond" which is sun guards premium line I guess. The stuff is supposed to have a bullet proof warranty (the film isn't bullet proof, the warranty is lol). If I have any problem whatsoever they will take care of it no questions asked. I checked around on tintdude and it got mixed reviews (as did all other films) but in the end it looked to be better than most. I guess we will see what it is like in a few months. (shrug)

apocman

08-31-2005, 10:48 PM

i may be having the same problem, just got GPS and my friend got some kind of limo tint all the way around excpet the front of course and I get such a shitty signal...

the_saint

09-01-2005, 12:20 AM

i may be having the same problem, just got GPS and my friend got some kind of limo tint all the way around excpet the front of course and I get such a shitty signal...
I ran my GPS today (after tintage) and it worked fine. What kind of GPS do you have? I've been told the antenna placement makes a difference. The antenna on my Mazda5 is in the dashboard, so apparently it works because the signal goes throught the windshield no problem.

I've read the RX8s have problems because the antenna is in the rear deck and the tint will block it.

I have no idea how it would effect aftermarket GPS units...I'm guessing it all depends on antenna placement.

And the tint only makes a difference if it is metallized.

Solo2Protege

09-01-2005, 12:59 AM

GPS antennas are definetely sensitive to location and direction. Even moving it 90* can make a signifigant change in signal stregth.

yes, only metallized film will obscure signal, but it's becoming more and more common to see hybrid or full metal films nowadays. Which brings up another point. Some films are hybrid charcoal/metal and those can also have an effect, so be absolutely sure it's a charcoal only film (which will turn purple) if you go that route. (hybrids will also eventually turn purple, but take longer) read the warranty very carefully for hybrid films, as some of them DO NOT warranty against *turning colors*

Oh sure, Sun-Gard always honnored their warranty and they actually gave cash (well, checks) as some companies give credit towards more film. But it's the hassle to you (the customer) and for the shop too, sucks to have to peel that shit off. Although i have not had much experience with the Diamond line. Best of luck dude. I truely hope it stays looking good for a long time for you.

apocman

09-01-2005, 03:02 PM

its a Holux GM-210 and I have it attached to the front windsheild with sticky tape, my freind has the same setup in the same place and his works fine with titnt, but I have some type of super dark limo tint and I dont know what brand. It is suppose to be very absolute best tint availble. My friend got in put on my car so I don't have the brand name.

apocman

09-01-2005, 03:03 PM

I know that I can take it to any place that sells this brand and they will replace it for free for life.

the_saint

09-01-2005, 03:07 PM

I know that I can take it to any place that sells this brand and they will replace it for free for life.
Sounds like my tint. Diamond is the brand name, which is affiliated with Sun-Guard. And yes, it's metallic.

apocman

09-01-2005, 04:26 PM

my friend just called me he said he fogot the brand name, but said it was their best and most exspensive tint and that it was metallic :( dam I guess I will have to install it on the trunk like my Siruis antenna...

the_saint

09-01-2005, 04:41 PM

...I have it attached to the front windsheild with sticky tape...
Do you have the GPS unit or the antenna attached to the windshield? If you have the antenna attached to the windshield where is it located? Maybe mess around with different places on the windshield (top, bottom, ect.) or try sticking it as far forward on the dash as possible.
At any rate, I would think it sould work in the windshield.

Then again maybe not since the navigation on my 5 allegedly takes information from a gyro and the VSS in my car as well as the the GPS satellite signal.

Please keep in mind, I have no idea what I am talking about. It is all speculation. (stooges)

apocman

09-01-2005, 04:50 PM

the antenna is stcky taped to the front windshield on the passerger side corner, it is about three inches from the actually corner and I have no tint at all on my front windshield and it recieves a signal, but not enough to trianglate... I have a feeling I will have to move it to the trunk where the other antenna is.

See i was thinking the gyro effect as well since the side that is facing out is the magnetic bottom side of the antenna since it was designed to be roof mounted. Therfore the singal is just killed for the most part by the tint :(

Do you have the GPS unit or the antenna attached to the windshield? If you have the antenna attached to the windshield where is it located? Maybe mess around with different places on the windshield (top, bottom, ect.) or try sticking it as far forward on the dash as possible.
At any rate, I would think it sould work in the windshield.

Then again maybe not since the navigation on my 5 allegedly takes information from a gyro and the VSS in my car as well as the the GPS satellite signal.

Please keep in mind, I have no idea what I am talking about. It is all speculation. (stooges)

the_saint

09-01-2005, 04:58 PM

I'd try sticking the antenna where the dash and the windshield meet. (uhm)

Solo2Protege

09-01-2005, 10:58 PM

yes, better to be at the base of the windsheild. (still not ideal) The antenna is probably only seeing 45* of the sky...It needs to be fully exposed to get maximum signal. The roof line is blocking it's line of sight.

Also, DO NOT coil the excess cable...this will decrease signal strength as well. As much as you'd like to coil it to keep the install clean, don't. Run it however you can to keep it straight and elongated as much as posible.

apocman

09-05-2005, 01:43 PM

I did the dash where windshield meets and it works perfectly now!!!

Thanks to all who guided me through this process, I would have been screwed if I have not found this thread!!!!

the_saint

09-06-2005, 08:26 AM

I did the dash where windshield meets and it works perfectly now!!!

Thanks to all who guided me through this process, I would have been screwed if I have not found this thread!!!!
(2thumbs) Glad you got it working for ya.