MN Munky Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 Other than an occasion place to warm your hands on a cold morning, what is the general opinion of the Caterham heated windscreen?Worth it’s weight in gold? Always use it? Got one but not sure even where to switch it on? What’s a windscreen? Is it worth the extra sheckles if you don’t need to replace the existing windscreen?I had a quick look in search but couldn’t find any opinions after hunting through the first 8 pages... Thanks :)Kester Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony1956 Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 Got one, needed it, totally forgot Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 If you drive in anything but hot dry summer weather, it is invaluable. Clears internal misting surprisingly well, as it never feels warm to the touch ... so don't expect it to warm your hands. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stridey Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 I had one that needed replacing, replaced with plain, I think on balance I prefer clear, the greenish tint on heated got to me, and of course cost. Perhaps if I used full hood and misting was an issue I'd prefer heated. With a half hood misting has been minor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TomB Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 I replaced mine with a sheet of laminated glass a few years ago on a Blatchat group buy. My heated screen was heavily sandblasted and the laminated non-heated glass was significantly lower cost. Personally, as I don't tend to use my car much later than October and it gets SORN'ed, it not been an issue. However, in an ideal world I'd like it to keep the car as original possible, but for me its not worth retro-fitting at the moment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MattWoking Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 I'm surprised they aren't mandatory / law.I've driven with the roof on in the rain once, and it worked very well I thought. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Colin Cooper Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 Only worth it with full hood. Without or with half hood it clears in second on the move. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 Even with a half hood fitted, a biblical summer rainstorm can necessitate use of the heated screen. Been there many times. Also driving on a cold dry winter day, with no HH fitted, descending into a frost hollow, the screen has misted over completely. Heated screen sorts it quickly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ian B Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 I believe a heated screen is required under Construction & Use regulations as a "means of demisting the windscreen" is needed, and no air vents are present as in a tintop. Doubt that it's checked (or maybe not required) at MOT, but if stopped by VOSA it could be an issue (although very unlikely unless you've upset them!).I find it very useful for early morning autumn/winter blats when the screen initially mists up, even without a roof, and also when in heavy rain. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Blyth Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 Funny you should ask this as my heated screen has acquired a small U-shaped crack at the top, so it will need replacing at least before it's first MoT in about 18 x months. I looked on Caterham parts website and could not find a replacement heated glass, just the whole assembly with frame - a few bob short of £500! I don't need the frame, there's nothing wrong with it, so does anyone know if the heated glass on it's own is available elsewhere? I doubt it, but I'll ask anyway and maybe it might influence the OP's decision in going down that route...? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
StevehS3 Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 Sevens and Classics supply just the heated glass for £288 and there's a guy in Holland (I think) on Pistonheads that advertises them too for about the same price. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 Second the S&C route for sensible prices. If you have glass cover, you'll only have the excess to pay. With my splendid broker, the excess is waived if I fit it myself .... I wouldnt let a windscreen company near it, so everyone is happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Area Representative Golf Juliet Tango Posted October 8, 2019 Area Representative Share Posted October 8, 2019 I agree with Ian B, he is spot on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bricol Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 Annoyingly my replacement screen has quite a lot of elements that don't do much - I didn't notice for several months and the weather turned. The original, that worked all the way across, was rather good.So deliberately mist it and test it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roy Blyth Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 Ahah! Thanks for pointing out the S&C option, I might give that a go. I did phone Caterham and they confirmed that they don't sell the heated glass on it's own "probably because so many got damaged in transit".... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sooty Posted October 8, 2019 Share Posted October 8, 2019 17 years and I've only ever used my heated screen with the full hood on and in the cold rain. On the other hand I've not used the full hood for 15 years! Even with the half hood misting up is only an issue in torrential weather but using the heater only makes it worse- answer is - take the heater out as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MN Munky Posted October 9, 2019 Author Share Posted October 9, 2019 Thanks for all of the insight everyone. It might just be one of those creature comforts that makes life in the humid Midwest of the US worthwhile. I was thinking of asking Sevens and Classic to put one in my car while they had it. They have them for £468 fitted. https://www.sevensandclassics.com/used-parts/windscreen-glass-heated-for-s3-and-sv/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nigel Riches Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 ...and as far as I know, don't fit earlier cars, pre???, not my 1982 version.Nigel. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted October 9, 2019 Share Posted October 9, 2019 Imagine you only have to run a fused 12V supply and switch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JohnJo Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 "Also driving on a cold dry winter day, with no HH fitted, descending into a frost hollow, the screen has misted over completely. Heated screen sorts it quickly."This happened to me last year (my first as an owner) driving without a hood. I'd not experienced anything like it before so it took me completely by surprise. The road was entirely clear with excellent visibility but the fields either side were misty. My wing mirrors very suddenly went white, then the whole front screen in what seemed like a second. I don't know if it was a frost hollow as such (just looked it up) but it was an interesting experience. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SM25T Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 You tend to know the sort of days when it is going to happen and switch the heated screen on beforehand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jonathan Kay Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 I haven't found anything in the documentation for MoT inspections. And mine has never been checked.MOT inspection manual: cars and passenger vehiclesMOT inspection checklistCar parts checked at an MOTor the "Vision" section of the Construction and Use Regulations.JonathanPS: I'd fit one if I had a Seven without. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisC Posted October 16, 2019 Share Posted October 16, 2019 Its not in the MOT manual, but it is in the IVA manual and I had it checked during my IVA. Obviously IVA doesn't matter on a retrofit discussion. I have only used mine for late evening drives home from club nights, early morning drives to track days and one "summer" day in the black forest where the mist and clouds was hanging in the trees. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now