window tinting

[joy]

I just got back from having my windows tinted at this little place in Tempe, and I think they did and awesome job and want to support thier business and let others know about where to get great work done. I've been reading about the Pinnacle Formula One tint by alot of people here who have used it and liked it so that's what I got and am greatful for the recomendation. There is only 3 places in Az who install it and this place was the closest (others Tucson ect..) It's a great tint, won't interfere with nav signals or cell phone (non-metalized). I got 35% all over and love it (not too gansta dark). He does do 15% too, which is alot darker. The place is called Perfect Symmetry #480-921-2381. Ryan did mine nice guy(I think he's the owner). The only thing is that it took 2 1/2 hours and I sat there and read a book (wasn't the most comfy waiting room) so i'd have someone drop you off, other than that, i'm so happy, and my Prius feels complete now.

[Jack Straw]

zzz

[joy]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jack Straw @ Jun 22 2006, 10:16 PM) [snapback]275619[/snapback]</div>

How much did he charge? My Prius should be here in July and I will need to get it tinted pronto.
[/b]

The dealer paid for it for me but I know it was a little pricey, I think around $400. I was going to actually come back and try to delete this post because I went out of town after the tint job and couldn't roll my windows down for 5 days while it dried, and when I finally did, I was not happy. He left the interior rubber seal tucked in in all of the windows which made a horrendous shuddering noise as the windows rolled up. Half of the rubber was out and half in and folded in spots which warped slightly. Needless to say I was pretty upset about this. He did it on my friends car as well. I called him and he said he accidently forgot to untuck them. It warped the rubber on one of my windows which he said he would replace after much discussion. The tint he used is great, and aside from his little mistake (which ended up big), he did a good job on the tint. If he was reminded to not forget to untuck the seal maybe, maybe, I would consider him, but at this point, I regret recomending him at all. Sorry for the long explaination, but wanted to give you the heads up on this. Wish I could just delete this post all together honestly. If there's a way, let me know.

[Jack Straw]

zzz

[HybridVigor]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Jack Straw @ Jun 22 2006, 08:16 PM) [snapback]275619[/snapback]</div>

How much did he charge? My Prius should be here in July and I will need to get it tinted pronto.
[/b]

In case you're looking for other places to compare, I got my Prius tinted using Huper Optik Drei (98% heat rejection, you should feel their demo) at Danny's in Scottsdale. It was a bit of a drive from Chandler, but worth it in the long run. Huper Optik apparently won some Popular Science award for the heat rejection characteristics of the "Drei" tinting. The other plus is that its close to optically clear. If you're after the limo effect, get something else. If you want to be able to make eye-contact through your windows, consider the Huper Optik. Cons: $450 to install, and they won't do the windshield, the coating does interfere with GPS signals, and in theory cell signals. In practice, I've been able to use a cell phone in the front and back of the car with no interference whatsoever. My GPS will not see the satellites when its in the back seat though.

[Dbacks17]

I too had my Prius tinted at Perfect Symmetry, and everything was awesome. I looked them up and talked to Ryan, and I think he is the owner also, and got a quote. I had heard about the $100 tint places so when I heard the price, I was a little surprised, but after doing some research, the Formula One Tint is by far the only tint that you should put on a Prius. My sales guy and a friend also agreed so I went ahead and got the tint done there. I have had no problems of any kind, and have refered 3 other people to them with no problems. To the previous post, it may have just been exactly that where they forgot, but I can say that I do and still would recommend anyone to Perfect Symmetry for their tint. Just had to let you know of my experience. Thanks everyone

[paco-shalom]

I recently moved to Phoenix, so I needed to get my windows tinted. A co-worker recommended a guy. It was a piece of cake. The guy took my appointment, came to the office, and finished the work in about two hours. He tinted all the windows with Sun Gard HP Charcoal tint (yes, it's metallic). 35% for the front-side windows and the lower rear window, 13% for the rest. It looks great and keeps the car much cooler.

I have not noticed any deterioration of the cell-phone or radio signals, and the navigation system works like a charm.

This tinting is backed by a limited lifetime warranty for the purchaser, transferrable within 5 years. The warranty covers film and labor up to the original price for any peeling, bubbling, cracking, etc.

So far, I'm happy. I plan to have this guy tint the front side windows of my minivan too.

[lloyd51]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(joy @ Jun 22 2006, 06:47 PM) [snapback]275605[/snapback]</div>

I just got back from having my windows tinted at this little place in Tempe, and I think they did and awesome job and want to support thier business and let others know about where to get great work done. I've been reading about the Pinnacle Formula One tint by alot of people here who have used it and liked it so that's what I got and am greatful for the recomendation. There is only 3 places in Az who install it and this place was the closest (others Tucson ect..) It's a great tint, won't interfere with nav signals or cell phone (non-metalized). I got 35% all over and love it (not too gansta dark). He does do 15% too, which is alot darker. The place is called Perfect Symmetry #480-921-2381. Ryan did mine nice guy(I think he's the owner). The only thing is that it took 2 1/2 hours and I sat there and read a book (wasn't the most comfy waiting room) so i'd have someone drop you off, other than that, i'm so happy, and my Prius feels complete now.
[/b]

I just bought a 2007 Prius, my question is why have your windows tinted beyond whats come with the car.
On another note can someone tell me how hard it is to get the electric motor to stay engaged. On a trip recently the battery graphic changed from blue to orange and showed a full charge. This was coming down the mountian grade into Globe. My car mainted 0 to 40 mph on the battery for a short time, it was great. Normally I have to treat the gas pedal like I have an egg under my foot to get good batteryuse.The service manger at the dealship where I bought the car says I have to wait for a 5000 mile break it before they can check the computer.I love the car but would like to know more about the electric motor and how it should work.

[paco-shalom]

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(high mileage @ Nov 8 2006, 02:31 AM) [snapback]345321[/snapback]</div>

I just bought a 2007 Prius, my question is why have your windows tinted beyond whats come with the car.
[/b]

Did the car come with dark tinting? My car came with the factory tinting, so the only window tinted dark enough to notice with the naked eye was the lower rear window. I know that not everyone in the desert tints their windows, but it is very common for these reasons (and maybe more):
1. Reduces heat build-up when parked or driving in the sun. That should result in less A/C usage and help protect the interior finishes from fading/warping due to the extreme heat.
2. For anyone in the car not wearing sunglasses it protects their eyes. The desert sun can cause serious damage.

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(high mileage @ Nov 8 2006, 02:31 AM) [snapback]345321[/snapback]</div>

On another note can someone tell me how hard it is to get the electric motor to stay engaged. On a trip recently the battery graphic changed from blue to orange and showed a full charge. This was coming down the mountian grade into Globe. My car mainted 0 to 40 mph on the battery for a short time, it was great. Normally I have to treat the gas pedal like I have an egg under my foot to get good batteryuse.The service manger at the dealship where I bought the car says I have to wait for a 5000 mile break it before they can check the computer.I love the car but would like to know more about the electric motor and how it should work.
[/b]

My experience is that you just need to let the car's computers worry about it. You should drive as light-footed as you can, but unless you modify the car to force it to use electric power until the battery runs down, there is no other way to really keep the engine off.

I try to maximize MPG with a light foot. Frequently at speeds under 40 MPH, if I briefly take your foot off the accelerator, it will "trick" the engine into shutting off for a while.

Good luck, and enjoy the new car!

[jstack]

In AZ the biggest issue is blocking the IR, Infared heat. Many films only block a little and heat cost money in airconditioning and mpg in any vehicle.
Some new films block less light and more IR. I'm trying to locate a local company sells it for cars.
Southwall Technologies: Automotive