Comfort glass windshield and radar detectors

X5 Meister · #1 02-17-2010, 10:53 PM

Does anyone know for certain that the comfort glass windshield is not compatible with a radar detector? I've read so many posts on this issue that it seems like flipping a coin at this point.

statdoc · #2 02-17-2010, 10:54 PM

I have the comfort glass, and a Valentine 1. No problems.

X5 Meister · #3 02-17-2010, 11:01 PM

Great info! Where do you have it mounted? Also, is there a cutout in the windshield for it to pass through (see attached photo of a E39 5 series comfort glass windshield)? Can you post a few photos of the windshield and the V1 mounted, etc?

BTW, here is the response I got from Valentine...

"This is a metallic film windshield and is bad news for all detectors. BMW does have one or two cut-outs in the glass for a detector. The trick would be to make sure that the V1's front antenna will fit inside the cut-out. The front-facing lens measures about 2 1/4 inches across and about .95 inches in height."

Quote:

Originally Posted by statdoc

I have the comfort glass, and a Valentine 1. No problems.

statdoc · #4 02-23-2010, 02:10 AM

Sorry, I never did take good pics. Here are some I snapped with my cell phone. You will note the line where the cut-out is. My Val1 is not placed to take advantage of this, yet seems to work just fine.

X5 Meister · #5 03-28-2010, 12:26 AM

Forgot to ask this before, but is it even possible to have the V1 take advantage of the cut-out? The area seems so small and narrow that it would be impossible. Correct me if I'm wrong?

Quote:

Originally Posted by statdoc

Sorry, I never did take good pics. Here are some I snapped with my cell phone. You will note the line where the cut-out is. My Val1 is not placed to take advantage of this, yet seems to work just fine.

X5 Meister · #6 02-23-2010, 02:26 AM

Thanks for the pics. Please tell me you didn't snap them while driving! Looking at the cutout from this angle it looks like it would be impossible to mount a detector in the cutout area even if you wanted to, is that a fair assessment? It just looks very narrow overall. BTW, was this a replacement windshield or did your X5 come with it from the factory?

statdoc · #7 02-23-2010, 11:00 AM

I was stopped at a traffic light.

It is a replacement, but factory glass.

X5Sport · #8 02-23-2010, 11:23 AM

There are three radio transparent 'windows' built in to the comfort glass screen. One either side of the rear view mirror and a third dead centre at the bottom of the screen about three inches by 2.5 inches. I have to use one of the upper 'windows' for my GPS receiver as the rest of the screen is opaque to those signals.

I am going to assume (might be a bit of an ask, but still....) that BMW thought about this when developing this screen as I can't see any other reason to place a radio-window at the bottom of the screen right where someone might want to put some form of dash mount radar detector device as well as either side of the rear view mirror.

Any use?

X5 Meister · #9 02-23-2010, 12:12 PM

Assuming that you have now had both types, is the Comfort glass worth it and would you do it again? Just curious, who manufacturers it Sekurit Saint-Gobain, PPG, Pilkington or someone else?

Quote:

Originally Posted by statdoc

I was stopped at a traffic light.

It is a replacement, but factory glass.

statdoc · #10 02-24-2010, 03:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by X5 Meister

Assuming that you have now had both types, is the Comfort glass worth it and would you do it again? Just curious, who manufacturers it Sekurit Saint-Gobain, PPG, Pilkington or someone else?

I think it is a little nicer than the plain glass. I believe mine is PPG.