Clear Top options:
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Former Vendor
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 12,288
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From: League City Texas
Houston Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '11-'12, '14
I believe in the Beer Fairy
Clear Top options:
On another forum a Super Moderator has made done a full write up on testing of multiple options for the clear top one being the one we sell.
If you are interested in the one we have you can check it out here:
http://thedoubleaa.com/cart/index.ph...ull49ei8epn3k1
Below is a copy of all the info and testing that he did. Thank you very much JSVETTE !!!
Impact on panel: None of the 3 options required any modification to the panel. Nor did attaching and removing any of them impact the finish of the panel. The TheDoubleAA.com DSV unit did result in higher temperatures being recorded both on the inside of the panel (cabin side) and externally on the panel surface by about 20 degrees inside and 15 to 20 degrees outside (probably a result of the charcoal/black finish of the DSV unit as compared to the aluminum reflective coating of the HeatShield and the dot matrix surface of the film). However, that moderate increase in temperature did not appear to affect the integrity of the panel.
Fit and finish: The TheDoubleAA.com DSV Custom Transparent roof shade looks very much like it is part of the original interior. Very well manufactured and finished. When it is in place you would think it is OEM and an integral part of the roof panel. The Canvas Works HeatShield unit looks just like their reflector windshield unit, and fits well and is nicely finished, though I would recommend that the manufacturer ship the unit with the suction cups already affixed. Like their windshield unit, it is not designed to ‘blend in’ but more of a Bauhaus style functionality (it is made of the identical material as the windshield HeatShield unit). The same can be said for the CRL Dot Matrix film, simple and functional. My hand cut version is not as professional as it could be, however you can buy the same already cut to fit the Stingray.
From the outside looking at the Stingray you cannot really see the difference in any of the options until you are close up. Then the Dot Matrix in combination with the existing panel tint looks similar to carbon fiber. The HeatShield unit looks reflective to a degree (but nowhere as reflective as the windshield version since the panel is more heavily tinted from the factory) and the DSV unit cannot be seen at all except that you cannot see through the panel as you can with it off.
Results: The most ‘telling’ impact of using one of the options was in the temperature as measured at the consul. The TheDoubleAA.com DSV Custom Transparent roof shade and Canvas Works HeatShield options both had reduced the measured temperature by about 10 degrees at the one hour mark over either the CRL Dot Matrix or using no option. After two hours again the TheDoubleAA.com DSV Custom Transparent roof shade and Canvas Works HeatShield options both had still reduced the temperature by about 10 degrees over either the CRL Dot Matrix or using no option even though the actual temperature at the consul had increased about another 10 degrees for all options. The black TheDoubleAA.com DSV Custom Transparent roof shade appears to have trapped and heated the air between it and the panel more than the silver reflective HeatShield, resulting in resulting in about a 20 degree hotter measurement both inside at the panel and on the outside of the panel after the two hours. The HeatShield ended up having a lower measured temperature at the inside of the panel and the outside of the panel as compared to the remaining two options. But note that the temperature as measured at the consul was still basically the same for both the TheDoubleAA.com DSV Custom Transparent roof shade and Canvas Works HeatShield options in spite of the panel being hotter for the DSV.
Use/Application: The real value of any of these options is to a great degree driven by where you live and drive your Stingray. Here in the desert I never park any of my cars outside without putting up a windshield sun shield. The transparent panel presents different choices. I really like the view and ‘airy’ feeling of looking out of the roof panel and the light coming through it when I have it on. During most of the year (maybe 8 months) I don’t feel the need to block the heat coming through it when driving or when parked. The only option of the 3 that allows light to come through (but not an unobstructed view) is the Dot Matrix film and it also reduces the heat transmitted through the panel that hits the top of your head while driving.
If you want maximum heat block while parked then you would want to consider either the TheDoubleAA.com DSV Custom Transparent roof shade or Canvas Works HeatShield options. If you like the light and unobstructed view while driving, the Canvas Works HeatShield roof panel unit is probably your best option, though of course requiring you to put it up once you park. If seeing out the panel while driving is not a high priority during the ‘hot’ months and for you do not want to have to put up a sun shield every time you park, then you should consider putting on the TheDoubleAA.com DSV Custom Transparent roof shade unit at the start of the heat season and not removing it until the end of the season. Both the Dot Matrix film and the DVS shade are ones I do not think you would want to use if you plan on frequently (as in every time you drive and park your car) putting them on and taking them off.
Summary: Depending on your objectives there are viable options available to reduce heat transfer through our transparent roof panels. The data while factual do not capture or reflect the subjective quality of the options. By that I mean it seemed to feel that the TheDoubleAA.com DSV Custom Transparent roof shade and Canvas Works HeatShield blocked more heat than they actually did, and the cabin seemed quieter with them in place although the Db data does not back that up. In the end of course, if you are parking your Stingray outside in extreme heat all day, ultimately the interior is going to get quite hot from the thermal energy absorbed and passed through the rest of the car regardless of what you do with the roof panel. The most significant heat block is a windshield sun shade, because of the total exposed area and lack of windshield tint comparable to the factory level in the transparent panel, and then combine that with either the TheDoubleAA.com DSV Custom Transparent roof shade or Canvas Works HeatShield. It is further possible that different results might have been produced it the windows were left open an inch or so. I leave that experiment to someone else.
Driving with any of the three options installed on the panel does reduce the heat coming through the panel. I found I could comfortably set my AC a degree or two warmer and still feel as cool as compared to having none of the options on the panel and allowing the thermal transfer to occur.
Finally, all three options significantly reduce the UV pass through, with the two solid ones totally blocking it passing through the panel to the interior of the cabin.
If you have questions, feel free to ask. If I thoroughly confused you, sorry
The data:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]9979[/ATTACH]
*Key to ambient temperature listing: ‘95/105’= shade/full sun readings
“a”= digital remote link dropped
ext= exterior
Digital temperature sensor placed on center consul, second one placed just below transparent roof panel or between roof panel and option, external temperature of panel measured by infrared Raytek MT6. All tests conducted starting at noon in full sun, all windows closed, continued for 2 hours without opening any door. All static tests conducted with Heat Shield windshield sun screen in place since my real interest was in the effectiveness of blocking solar heat pass through the panel. The 2 hours cycle was chosen because I was more interested in measuring the pass through heat from the panel and felt that after 2 hours internal readings reflected the fact that the entire car was passing heat through to the interior.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]9980[/ATTACH]
All Db testing was done with radio off, AC & fan off, the drive Mode set to Tour and the NPP set to be always on. Sound measurements were made once the car was on cruise control at the specified speed, and windows closed. The meter was mounted at head height between my head and the driver window. All measurements were taken on the same stretch of road/highway.[/QUOTE]
link to orig. post: http://www.stingrayforums.com/forum/...html#post63456
If you are interested in the one we have you can check it out here:
http://thedoubleaa.com/cart/index.ph...ull49ei8epn3k1
Below is a copy of all the info and testing that he did. Thank you very much JSVETTE !!!
Impact on panel: None of the 3 options required any modification to the panel. Nor did attaching and removing any of them impact the finish of the panel. The TheDoubleAA.com DSV unit did result in higher temperatures being recorded both on the inside of the panel (cabin side) and externally on the panel surface by about 20 degrees inside and 15 to 20 degrees outside (probably a result of the charcoal/black finish of the DSV unit as compared to the aluminum reflective coating of the HeatShield and the dot matrix surface of the film). However, that moderate increase in temperature did not appear to affect the integrity of the panel.
Fit and finish: The TheDoubleAA.com DSV Custom Transparent roof shade looks very much like it is part of the original interior. Very well manufactured and finished. When it is in place you would think it is OEM and an integral part of the roof panel. The Canvas Works HeatShield unit looks just like their reflector windshield unit, and fits well and is nicely finished, though I would recommend that the manufacturer ship the unit with the suction cups already affixed. Like their windshield unit, it is not designed to ‘blend in’ but more of a Bauhaus style functionality (it is made of the identical material as the windshield HeatShield unit). The same can be said for the CRL Dot Matrix film, simple and functional. My hand cut version is not as professional as it could be, however you can buy the same already cut to fit the Stingray.
From the outside looking at the Stingray you cannot really see the difference in any of the options until you are close up. Then the Dot Matrix in combination with the existing panel tint looks similar to carbon fiber. The HeatShield unit looks reflective to a degree (but nowhere as reflective as the windshield version since the panel is more heavily tinted from the factory) and the DSV unit cannot be seen at all except that you cannot see through the panel as you can with it off.
Results: The most ‘telling’ impact of using one of the options was in the temperature as measured at the consul. The TheDoubleAA.com DSV Custom Transparent roof shade and Canvas Works HeatShield options both had reduced the measured temperature by about 10 degrees at the one hour mark over either the CRL Dot Matrix or using no option. After two hours again the TheDoubleAA.com DSV Custom Transparent roof shade and Canvas Works HeatShield options both had still reduced the temperature by about 10 degrees over either the CRL Dot Matrix or using no option even though the actual temperature at the consul had increased about another 10 degrees for all options. The black TheDoubleAA.com DSV Custom Transparent roof shade appears to have trapped and heated the air between it and the panel more than the silver reflective HeatShield, resulting in resulting in about a 20 degree hotter measurement both inside at the panel and on the outside of the panel after the two hours. The HeatShield ended up having a lower measured temperature at the inside of the panel and the outside of the panel as compared to the remaining two options. But note that the temperature as measured at the consul was still basically the same for both the TheDoubleAA.com DSV Custom Transparent roof shade and Canvas Works HeatShield options in spite of the panel being hotter for the DSV.
Use/Application: The real value of any of these options is to a great degree driven by where you live and drive your Stingray. Here in the desert I never park any of my cars outside without putting up a windshield sun shield. The transparent panel presents different choices. I really like the view and ‘airy’ feeling of looking out of the roof panel and the light coming through it when I have it on. During most of the year (maybe 8 months) I don’t feel the need to block the heat coming through it when driving or when parked. The only option of the 3 that allows light to come through (but not an unobstructed view) is the Dot Matrix film and it also reduces the heat transmitted through the panel that hits the top of your head while driving.
If you want maximum heat block while parked then you would want to consider either the TheDoubleAA.com DSV Custom Transparent roof shade or Canvas Works HeatShield options. If you like the light and unobstructed view while driving, the Canvas Works HeatShield roof panel unit is probably your best option, though of course requiring you to put it up once you park. If seeing out the panel while driving is not a high priority during the ‘hot’ months and for you do not want to have to put up a sun shield every time you park, then you should consider putting on the TheDoubleAA.com DSV Custom Transparent roof shade unit at the start of the heat season and not removing it until the end of the season. Both the Dot Matrix film and the DVS shade are ones I do not think you would want to use if you plan on frequently (as in every time you drive and park your car) putting them on and taking them off.
Summary: Depending on your objectives there are viable options available to reduce heat transfer through our transparent roof panels. The data while factual do not capture or reflect the subjective quality of the options. By that I mean it seemed to feel that the TheDoubleAA.com DSV Custom Transparent roof shade and Canvas Works HeatShield blocked more heat than they actually did, and the cabin seemed quieter with them in place although the Db data does not back that up. In the end of course, if you are parking your Stingray outside in extreme heat all day, ultimately the interior is going to get quite hot from the thermal energy absorbed and passed through the rest of the car regardless of what you do with the roof panel. The most significant heat block is a windshield sun shade, because of the total exposed area and lack of windshield tint comparable to the factory level in the transparent panel, and then combine that with either the TheDoubleAA.com DSV Custom Transparent roof shade or Canvas Works HeatShield. It is further possible that different results might have been produced it the windows were left open an inch or so. I leave that experiment to someone else.
Driving with any of the three options installed on the panel does reduce the heat coming through the panel. I found I could comfortably set my AC a degree or two warmer and still feel as cool as compared to having none of the options on the panel and allowing the thermal transfer to occur.
Finally, all three options significantly reduce the UV pass through, with the two solid ones totally blocking it passing through the panel to the interior of the cabin.
If you have questions, feel free to ask. If I thoroughly confused you, sorry
The data:
[ATTACH=CONFIG]9979[/ATTACH]
*Key to ambient temperature listing: ‘95/105’= shade/full sun readings
“a”= digital remote link dropped
ext= exterior
Digital temperature sensor placed on center consul, second one placed just below transparent roof panel or between roof panel and option, external temperature of panel measured by infrared Raytek MT6. All tests conducted starting at noon in full sun, all windows closed, continued for 2 hours without opening any door. All static tests conducted with Heat Shield windshield sun screen in place since my real interest was in the effectiveness of blocking solar heat pass through the panel. The 2 hours cycle was chosen because I was more interested in measuring the pass through heat from the panel and felt that after 2 hours internal readings reflected the fact that the entire car was passing heat through to the interior.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]9980[/ATTACH]
All Db testing was done with radio off, AC & fan off, the drive Mode set to Tour and the NPP set to be always on. Sound measurements were made once the car was on cruise control at the specified speed, and windows closed. The meter was mounted at head height between my head and the driver window. All measurements were taken on the same stretch of road/highway.[/QUOTE]
link to orig. post: http://www.stingrayforums.com/forum/...html#post63456
