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New to the forums and new to Mazda.

dmention7

Hater
You get used to it. But if you do a lot of driving where there aren't a lot of street lights, seeing out your side and back windows can be a little sketchy at night.
 

Picklz

SUDO Make me a SAMCH
I love 20%, it's perfect IMO. I have limo tint on the vette and honestly it sucks at night - I can't see shit, but 20% never bothered me. That said I'm pretty happy with 35%, it cuts down on sun/heat/idiots who cant aim their headlights correctly but is a bit easier to see out of at night. If they do like a 30% that might be a sweet compromise - Either way I think you'd probably be happy.
 

million

Member
Thanks for the insight guys! I think I may go with 30% all around. Final decision will be tomorrow when I drop the car off.
 

mndsm

I'M OFFENDED!
Really? That seems really, really dark. Would you do it on all windows then? I want to be able to see out the back window when backing up at night. :)
I've got a script as well, and I have 20% on two of my cars. I have yet to have a visibility issue.
 

million

Member
Settled on 20% all around with the addition of a 5% visor. 20% didn't seem as dark as I thought it would. Car will be done later today. I'll post pics up as soon as I can.

Thanks again for all the input!

By the way, those of you that have been pulled over for tint... I heard that EP cops enforce it the most of any place in the metro. Anyone else hear that???
 

million

Member
EP will rape you on tint every chance they get.
Firsthand experience???

That's what I'm a little worried about since I live in Chaska and have to drive Hwy 5 all the time. I always watch my speed so hopefully they don't find another reason to try and pull me over, since I am pretty sure they can't just pull you over for tint. Hopefully the script for the tint won't be questioned.
 
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dmention7

Hater
since I am pretty sure they can't just pull you over for tint. .
Yep they can, just like they can pull you over for a tail light out, since it's considered "illegal equipment" or something similar depending on local laws.

I've been hit for tint in Minnetonka, Minneapolis, Northfield, and Bloomington. That's a LOT of donuts.
 

million

Member
Yep they can, just like they can pull you over for a tail light out, since it's considered "illegal equipment" or something similar depending on local laws.

I've been hit for tint in Minnetonka, Minneapolis, Northfield, and Bloomington. That's a LOT of donuts.
Damn, well now I'm thinking I should have gone lighter than 20% just in case they meter it and say 'it's not 20%'... Now I'm slightly paranoid.

Legal is +/- 3% though isn't it so with a script it SHOULD be the same? I suppose cops can do pretty much whatever they want though.
 

escort1991

New Member
I know when I went to get the gf's windows tinted, they said it would equal to 50% with the factory window tint. So, it was actually like 53% alone then add the 3% factory window tint and you have roughly 50%.
 

million

Member
I know when I went to get the gf's windows tinted, they said it would equal to 50% with the factory window tint. So, it was actually like 53% alone then add the 3% factory window tint and you have roughly 50%.
I guess I meant that a certain percentage of tint is not always that exact percentage so supposedly there is a +/- 3% given when it is tested by the police. Maybe I understood that wrong when I was told that though.

By the way, how much does a window tint ticket cost usually???
 

million

Member
Well, that's $130-$140 more than I can really afford but I guess I'll just see how it goes. Script says up to 20% so I should be ok. I might just have to deal with the occasional 'pull-over' I guess.
 

mndsm

I'M OFFENDED!
Nah, they won't. And really, I've been pulled over ONCE specifically for my tint. Generally troopers won't mess with you if you're driving along normal. City cop in Eden Prairie pulled me over.
 
D

DrWebster

Guest
Well, that's $130-$140 more than I can really afford but I guess I'll just see how it goes. Script says up to 20% so I should be ok. I might just have to deal with the occasional 'pull-over' I guess.
Depends on how they write the ticket too. Sometimes it's just a "pay your money and be on your way" kinda deal, other times it's a fix-it ticket where you have to show them that you had the tint removed.

I've been perfectly happy with the 35% on both of our cars and with a tint script written for that I'm not too worried. IMHO 20% puts you closer to cop-noticing-you territory.
 

1Kris06

MAD LIGHTS YO
I lived in EP for a year and have worked there for 1.5 years, only gotten 1 tint ticket from the locals.
 

Picklz

SUDO Make me a SAMCH
Yeah, it's pretty random - I just got pulled over for Tint (and exhaust, and tail lights) the other day in Eagan, every time I've been bothered (5-6 tickets or more) it's been by the state patrol, so they WILL just pull you over for Tint (all but 2 of mine were for nothing but tint). If you have a script for 20 and it reads 18 or 19 I kind of doubt if they'll give you any grief for that. Mine read 33% and the cop said that's probably 35% due to variance in their meter and if the window is a little dirty, etc.
 
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