Window tint vs. cell phone
 

I've read that window tinting can interfere with radio reception and radar detectors. I'm wondering if it will cause any significant problems with cellphone reception? I'm 7x24 oncall on a rotational basis and when I'm "on", I can't afford to be unreachable.

I'd like V-Kool 70 all around except the windshield. I like the color, high IR rejection and high visible transmissivity. But it appears to be a metallic film.

Would impairment of cell reception be significant enough to make a ceramic tint a better option?

My cell phone/radar are unafected by my metallic tint. I dont think you have anything to worry about. Even my XM ran through the rear window fine.

Metallic film has been known to noticeably affect cell-phone reception. Due to the fact that most people now have digital phones, it's very hard to notice.

Other than the lower power requirements, the greatest thing about digital radio (whether cellphones, satellite radio, HDTV broadcasts, any possible future digital radio band that may replace FM one day, or whatever) is that the sound quality does not suffer until you get to the extreme edge of the radio's range. Unlike the days of analog cellphones (and currently with AM and FM radio), where minor differences in signal strength and quality can easily be heard, digital radios by nature isolate those telltale signs from the listener, so it's an all or nothing affair (other than some compression artifacts that some radios might exhibit at the extreme edge of reception).

So if you are in a metro area, phone reception will be affected, but due to digital radio's benefits, phone service will not. If you are in a more rural area, phone service range will be decreased by the metallic tint. So it depends on where you drive (or if you still need that extra range even if you venture into a rural area only once a month) as to whether metallic film will affect your cell service.

---jps

If it is a problem in your area (reception) check out Huper-Optiks tint -- it is ceramic not metallic. I love it and have not noticed any degradation of cell or radio reception (or detector sensitivity :D ). It costs a little more but it is the highest quality tint you can buy.