Heated windscreens

Gryzor

I'm assuming most manufacturers except Ford think these are a bad idea, just curious, why??
I wouldn't have minded having one over the last few months, woulda saved all that manual defrosting every morning...

EPM

Ford own the patent and don't wanna give it up.

I think some Volvos had them from their time under Ford ownership but open to correction

Gryzor

ah right, never though of patents....

Stevie Dakota

I have one and I like it so much I would almost ensure my next car has it too. It is a brilliant invention. No more messing around with warm water, scrapers, de-icer or the worst, sitting in a freezing car with the demist on full tilt!

vectra

LOL
I had one in my mondeo and the damn thing wouldnt work until the car got warm :rolleyes::D

Zubeneschamali

Stevie Dakota wrote: »

I have one and I like it so much I would almost ensure my next car has it too.

The matrix of filaments is sometimes visible heading into low sun, and it causes a slightly odd effect on other cars lights at night, but you get used to it. Definitely worth having this winter.

cadaliac

I think its a great idea, but why as the OP asked, do the other manufacturers not have it, or am I wrong?

bazz26

cadaliac wrote: »

I think its a great idea, but why as the OP asked, do the other manufacturers not have it, or am I wrong?

Because Ford have the offical license or patent to the technology currently being used. I'm sure other manufacturers could buy the technology from Ford but they probably don't want to or feel the need.

I had it in my last Focus, great feature that I currently miss in my S40 despite Volvo been under Ford ownership until recently.

Do BMW have a similar system?

Shadow Dancer

Those heated windscreens on the focus can be most annoying during the day. The whole maze of the heater right in front of you as drive. Can be quite distracting!:eek:

Stevie Dakota

Shadow Dancer wrote: »

Those heated windscreens on the focus can be most annoying during the day. The whole maze of the heater right in front of you as drive. Can be quite distracting!:eek:

I don't find that. But I can imagine that they are not more common as if you see the elements in the showroom they are more like to be a deal breaker than the heated screen being a deal closer. Pity as they really are incredibly useful in our climate.

bazz26

I don't know I had it for two years and it never bothered me.

Only downside I see is if you have to replace the windscreen, they cost alot more than a standard windscreen so make sure you have windscreen cover on your insurance.

Stevie Dakota

bazz26 wrote: »

Only downside I see is if you have to replace the windscreen, they cost alot more than a standard windscreen so make sure you have windscreen cover on your insurance.

Just had mine done through my insurance, €450. Not sure how that compares with standard screens.

Alun

bazz26 wrote: »

I don't know I had it for two years and it never bothered me.

Me neither .. had it on a Mondeo once and didn't really notice it at all. I think the advantages far outweighed any disadvantages to be honest.

Gumbo

there an option in the newer Mini's.
My friend has on in his 04 Cooper S and its great!

Tea 1000

I'm another fan of them, they're ideal for this country. I have seen a few other cars (rarely) advertising heated windscreens besides Ford, but I've never actually been in a car with one besides a Ford. Do BMW have the same system or is it done a different way?

Gumbo

Tea 1000 wrote: »

I'm another fan of them, they're ideal for this country. I have seen a few other cars (rarely) advertising heated windscreens besides Ford, but I've never actually been in a car with one besides a Ford. Do BMW have the same system or is it done a different way?

Although BMW produced the Mini, im not sure i ever seen it as an option or indeed in a BMW car other than the Mini.

Owen

Got it in my MINI. Great option. It's an option AFAIR on the 5 series too, but they don't recommend it if you're also using a universal remote control, it acts like a half assed farraday cage and screws up the remote signals.

Mr.David

They're on Jags and LRs as well (from the days of Ford ownership) and they really are great. Sit into the ol Range Rover on a snowy winters morning, pop on the heated seats and steering wheel and let the car defrost the windscreen whilst you watch the news on the tv.

Boom!:D

Guy:Incognito

I had it on my Safrane.

You could notice the small wavey lines if you looked close when you knew they were there. Never noticed otherwise.

Dont think I ever used it though. I was always afraid I'd have to get the windscreen replaced after damage, figured it would cost a fortune.

guil

i have it and its dead handy, windscreen cracked before, got a quote off ford for 800
got it off aaa windscreens for 300 in the end

Drummerboy08

The heated front screen is in my opinion the single most important invention after the wheel.

I dont think I could live without it. Its very handy on those cold mornings. As Mr David pointed out, Jags, LR's and Volvos come with them too.

mickdw

I dont buy this about ford holding the patent & nobody else being able to use it.
IF the other manufacturers really wanted to use a windscreen clearing system, they would find a way of doing it without paying ford a penny.

Guy:Incognito

Drummerboy08 wrote: »

, LR's and Volvos come with them too.

And as with my Safrane, Renault, plus BMW who dont have Ford connections.

slimjimmc

mickdw wrote: »

I dont buy this about ford holding the patent & nobody else being able to use it.
IF the other manufacturers really wanted to use a windscreen clearing system, they would find a way of doing it without paying ford a penny.

True, plus most patents are valid only for 20 years. After that expires it's free for all.
Considering that the MKI Ford Scorpio had heated windscreens back in the mid 80's and that patents are usually in place years before going to market it looks like any patents on the original technology have long expired.

L1011

These using the *exact same technology* have been on aeroplane cockpits since the 1940s or so - its impossible for Ford to have a patent to cover it due to prior art.

OldGuysRule

Have had a heated windscreen in my last two LR discos, 97 and 01. Worked a treat and cleared the window in seconds rather than minutes. As noted before, the heated seats are also great, although have always had them on my saabs as well!

bonzodog2

I can't see it being significantly different technology to the rear screen heaters; its just finer conductors spaced closer.