Chipped windshield with night vision reflector

[tech_dog]

I've got a chip in my night vision equipped windshield, and an deciding what to do about it.

The small chip is just at the top of the reflective night vision rectangle. If it were anywhere else, I'd just have it filled and forget about it.

Has anyone done a windshield repair within the night vision reflective rectangle? Did it cause any problems with the reflection?

And if anyone knows... what would it cost to do a full OEM Dealer windshield replacement?

Thanks,

T.

 

[Jim_Chow]

[snip]
And if anyone knows... what would it cost to do a full OEM Dealer windshield replacement?

Thanks,

T.

The non-night vision OEM lexus windshield is ~$600 (with labor and the OEM parts [rivets, trim, etc.], $1K...I had mine replaced back in October). Someone on Club Lexus said the night vision windshield is ~$3K (glass alone). Since you're probably the only 100 owner on this board w/ the night vision, it doesn't cost anything to call your dealer and ask how much and let us know. My insurance company required the crack to be of a certain length [mine was like 18" long] before covering the replacement. Luckily, I qualified, or I'd be out a grand.

 

[tech_dog]

I finally got around to doing this.

The chip was repaired, and looks as good as any repair. Total cost was $50. I'm going to leave it as is, as I seem to chip windshields on a regular basis.

I got a quote on a new dealer installed windshield. They said a standard windshield was $1,300 installed, and a nightvision windshield is $1,600 installed. Apparently the night vision patch is just a sticker that is applied to a normal windshield.

The service tech didn't seem like much of an expert, but that's the info he gave me.

T.

 

[Snook]

Can you disabled the night vision if you don't need it?

Is it only showing IR outlines along with your speed and rpm?

Regards,

 

[tech_dog]

You need to turn it on manually if you want to use it. You hit a button in conditions when you think it would be useful, and you can adjust its brightness.

It shows a military-style green image of what's ahead. It does not include a heads up display for any gauges.

 

[Jim_Chow]

Can you use the night vision w/o any headlights and DRL's disabled? (stealth mode) Theoretically, you should be able to since it's IR, but I bet it's only operable w/ the headlights for "safety".

 

[tech_dog]

I have a vague memory that they won't come on unless the headlilghts are on. I think I figured that out when I was playing around with it.

I'll validate next time I drive at night.

 

[Snook]

Where did the IR coming from? Thru the grill?

Same IR len for sending out and recieving?

Sound like it's same princple as video camera with IR len underneath the len for night shooting?

I wonder since I used video camera alot, can my camera be able to record Land Cruiser's IR thru the night driving?

Cheers,

 

[tech_dog]

There are two IR emitters not to far from the headlights. They look like 4" marbles cut in half, with the round side pointing out.

I checked tonight, and you can't play rambo and drive in the dark. The headlights have to be on or the system is disabled. I wonder why they wired it that way.