Gravity Front Windshield tint

[flarbear]

I don't see what the problem is crawling across the hood to adjust the license plate. Indiana Jones seemed to have no issues with this maneuver in Raiders of the Lost Ark. Kidding aside, I agree, I wish it was in a different spot (like right below the center camera/mirror assembly). I suspect they chose that site because it's mostly hidden from the driver's vantage point...which is why I didn't see the cutout when I first got delivery even when looking for it. You can best see it from the passenger's seat.

I agree that they are probably trying to avoid interruptions in the driver's view. I suppose I should direct most of my annoyance at Fastrak - the old version of the Fastrak Flex I believe had a slider switch so you could adjust it blindly. This version is a much smaller body, but with the adjustment dial sticking out like a giant ferris wheel in comparison. I like the small body, and the turning action of the wheel is one of the smoothest I've ever felt - it almost feels good to turn it - but the wheel makes it still take up a lot of real estate and the UI of not knowing what the value is by feel is just terrible design for something that is supposed to be stuck to the windshield out of sight.

Here is the best picture I found on the web for it:

https://www.reddit.com/r/bayarea/comments/18hac59/new_fastrak_tag_with_very_tactile_feedback

 

[HC_79]

I never had this much trouble with the Air so I’m assuming there’s a metallic coating in the windshield or if the Air has similar then it’s stronger in the Gravity.

The only place I could get the RFID tag to work was on the black plastic area of the bumper. Putting it on the passenger side windshield inside or outside it wouldn’t work. I was reluctant to put it on the plastic as they’re a nightmare to remove so as a last resort I decided to put it in the center where the gap is for the transponder and surprise, surprise, it worked.

So if anyone has RFID tags for gated communities etc. keep this in mind.

 

[TahoeMichael]

I never had this much trouble with the Air so I’m assuming there’s a metallic coating in the windshield or if the Air has similar then it’s stronger in the Gravity.

The only place I could get the RFID tag to work was on the black plastic area of the bumper. Putting it on the passenger side windshield inside or outside it wouldn’t work. I was reluctant to put it on the plastic as they’re a nightmare to remove so as a last resort I decided to put it in the center where the gap is for the transponder and surprise, surprise, it worked.

So if anyone has RFID tags for gated communities etc. keep this in mind.

Wait, it wouldn't even work when putting it on the outside of the windshield?!? That seems pretty surprising.

 

[FxnBonz]

So, it turns out there IS a tint cutout for toll road transponders on the Gravity windshield. It's sublle in the pics. I drew arrows around the border.

Now, if only I could fit the Tolltag AND radar detector there.

As for radar detection, I'm convinced that the tint blocks radar too as almost every time it goes off, the arrow on my detector is pointing backwards. View attachment 30715View attachment 30714

where is your sun visor?

 

[FxnBonz]

So, it turns out there IS a tint cutout for toll road transponders on the Gravity windshield. It's sublle in the pics. I drew arrows around the border.

Now, if only I could fit the Tolltag AND radar detector there.

As for radar detection, I'm convinced that the tint blocks radar too as almost every time it goes off, the arrow on my detector is pointing backwards. View attachment 30715View attachment 30714

can you "see" it? did you find this in any documentation?

 

[Ron_Burgundy]

I am in MD and tried to go without a front plate (though required by law) on my X and R1S. Got pulled over twice by state police in each and given a warning for not having it. Don’t get me started. So, I have a front plate and that’s where my EZpass will go using the frame. While I hate the look of the front plate, I don’t envy all of you having to find just the right spot for the transponder…

The other option in MD (and other East Coast states) is to just not use a transponder and pay something like $0.30 more per toll when they take a picture of the plate.

 

[Bunnylebowski]

So, it turns out there IS a tint cutout for toll road transponders on the Gravity windshield. It's sublle in the pics. I drew arrows around the border.

Now, if only I could fit the Tolltag AND radar detector there.

As for radar detection, I'm convinced that the tint blocks radar too as almost every time it goes off, the arrow on my detector is pointing backwards. View attachment 30715View attachment 30714

How did you figure that out? In my Air I put my Uniden R3 in the front left corner of the windshield and put my EZ Pass transponder under the glass cockpit back and both worked fine. I was gonna upgrade to the R8 though cuz I do think the tint on the Air had reduced the sensitivity of it, figured the R8 would be better but that’s gonna suck if literally the only place I can put the detector is also the only place I can put my EZ Pass.

 

[DrZorro]

How did you figure that out? In my Air I put my Uniden R3 in the front left corner of the windshield and put my EZ Pass transponder under the glass cockpit back and both worked fine. I was gonna upgrade to the R8 though cuz I do think the tint on the Air had reduced the sensitivity of it, figured the R8 would be better but that’s gonna suck if literally the only place I can put the detector is also the only place I can put my EZ Pass.

I was able to fit both into the space but it was a bit tricky. (I'll post a picture a bit later when I get a chance to take one). The detector is somewhat big and does impeded use of the passenger visor (it can only flipped down to a vertical position (not beyond or "flipped down onto the window") and that visor position covers up the display--which isn't a huge deal because I mostly count on it for sound and the visor is usually up. It was also tricky to find a spot where the tolltag works and doesn't block the antenna on the front of the detector. I actually had to keep it on the paper backing and tape it to the window. I originally tried mounting the tolltag in a vertical orientation within the tint cutout window but for some reason that was not registering when I went through the tollbooths. Go figure!

As a lovely side bonus, I'll warn you that the electronics in the rear view mirror actually intermittently cause the detector to false on Ka band which is not ideal. It's fairly rare and mostly limited to the first 30 seconds of driving the car. It happens less often in the middle of a drive. Also, it happens on a very specific frequency so at least you can differentiate it from actual Ka threats.

 

[Bunnylebowski]

Thanks that’s helpful, in direct sunlight I was able to see where there’s a gap in the window tint but yeah sadly only that tiny spot like you had shown. So my EZPass can go there ok. I was gonna try my old Uniden in this location in the pic, but the thing is completely broken, I tried it in both Gravity USB jacks with the 12v adapter and confirmed power cuz it will charge my phone but the Uniden is dead so now I can’t test it. If it’s not too much trouble could you try your R8 in the position in my picture and see if it works? If so then I’ll get an R8, otherwise I guess just use Waze to alert me of the cops but that’s not very reliable in my experience.

 

[DrZorro]

Thanks that’s helpful, in direct sunlight I was able to see where there’s a gap in the window tint but yeah sadly only that tiny spot like you had shown. So my EZPass can go there ok. I was gonna try my old Uniden in this location in the pic, but the thing is completely broken, I tried it in both Gravity USB jacks with the 12v adapter and confirmed power cuz it will charge my phone but the Uniden is dead so now I can’t test it. If it’s not too much trouble could you try your R8 in the position in my picture and see if it works? If so then I’ll get an R8, otherwise I guess just use Waze to alert me of the cops but that’s not very reliable in my experience. View attachment 33339

So, to answer your question about putting the detector in that spot: Yes, it will work there... in fact, it will work anywhere in the front window. When I originally mounted it in the center of the windshield below the mirror, it was working adequately (albeit it was only showing me backwards arrows which is how I knew the front window was blocking radar). That being said, the detector is still able to pick up radar signals (presumably coming in through the side windows and/or roof). As the R8 is an excellent detector overall, it still provided decent detection range even with the front antenna blocked by the window--enough so to pick up radar signals with time to spare. Outside of the tint cutout, the range (and directionality function) are definitely reduced but THIS detector is still reasonably effective. I'm not sure I would trust the "works anywhere" mantra with any mid or low tier radar detectors, however as they will have less range even in ideal circumstances and may fall below threshold of being effective.

 

[DrZorro]

As promised, here is the delicate fit of both the detector and tolltag in the window: The only mount that works is the dual suction cup one provided with the detector. I had to tape the tolltag into that specific spot which did not block the radar sensor but did interfere slightly with the edge of the suction cup (so, the corner is off the window and on the back of the suction cup). Also, you can see the visor situation.

 

[Bunnylebowski]

So, to answer your question about putting the detector in that spot: Yes, it will work there... in fact, it will work anywhere in the front window. When I originally mounted it in the center of the windshield below the mirror, it was working adequately (albeit it was only showing me backwards arrows which is how I knew the front window was blocking radar). That being said, the detector is still able to pick up radar signals (presumably coming in through the side windows and/or roof). As the R8 is an excellent detector overall, it still provided decent detection range even with the front antenna blocked by the window--enough so to pick up radar signals with time to spare. Outside of the tint cutout, the range (and directionality function) are definitely reduced but THIS detector is still reasonably effective. I'm not sure I would trust the "works anywhere" mantra with any mid or low tier radar detectors, however as they will have less range even in ideal circumstances and may fall below threshold of being effective.

Thanks so much, definitely will get the R8! I’ll just put it in the left A pillar window since I should be able to reach to mute it. Are you using USB c plug for it or 12v to USB c adapter?

 

[DrZorro]

Thanks so much, definitely will get the R8! I’ll just put it in the left A pillar window since I should be able to reach to mute it. Are you using USB c plug for it or 12v to USB c adapter?

I definitely recommend the R8 (or R8w)! Please report back on the performance in that spot (including if you are able to see forward arrows).

I bought a USB-C cable from Amazon that I have plugged into a small power brick underneath the 2nd row screen on the back of the center console. The cable runs behind the screen and down between the passenger seat and center console. The wire is very unobtrusive and the detector reliable turns on and off appropriately when entering and exiting the vehicle (per the setting for the power plugs).

 

[Dank]

As promised, here is the delicate fit of both the detector and tolltag in the window: The only mount that works is the dual suction cup one provided with the detector. I had to tape the tolltag into that specific spot which did not block the radar sensor but did interfere slightly with the edge of the suction cup (so, the corner is off the window and on the back of the suction cup). Also, you can see the visor situation.View attachment 33349

I am lowering my r8 with a mirror tap. I took my gravity to the guys that make blendmount (I live ten minutes from them). None of their normal mounts work but they are manufacturing a new piece.

 

[Bunnylebowski]

I definitely recommend the R8 (or R8w)! Please report back on the performance in that spot (including if you are able to see forward arrows).

I bought a USB-C cable from Amazon that I have plugged into a small power brick underneath the 2nd row screen on the back of the center console. The cable runs behind the screen and down between the passenger seat and center console. The wire is very unobtrusive and the detector reliable turns on and off appropriately when entering and exiting the vehicle (per the setting for the power plugs).

Sorry have another question. I got the R8 but cannot get it to turn on for the life of me. I tried USBc to A adapter which plugs into the USB mini jack on the side of the R8. I also tried my USBc to 12V adapter I was using for the cigarette lighter plug for my Uniden R3, but now I’m suspecting that adapter is dead as the light for the Uniden cigarette plug doesn’t turn on when connected to the adapter. How exactly is yours connected? You have a plug into the second row AC jack that is USBC? How is the USBc connected to the R8?