Window Tinting - Hitek vs Luminar

[BHopkins]

When I took my wife's new-to-us X5 in for an inspection, it was failed because of the window tint. The shop measured 17% light transmission, and Utah law states 35% minimum, with a 5% allowance for variation, for an absolute minimum of 30%. So I'm going to have to get the window tint removed and replaced.

I got a couple quotes from local shops. One installs Luminar and the other installs Hitek. I am familiar with Luminar, but have never heard of Hitek. Do any of you have experience with these two window film makers? Will I be happy with either?

 

[BMW Dom]

I assume you mean Llumar?

Llumar is a good choice - ceramic would be preferred for better heat rejection - like Pinnacle, Stratos, CTX, IRX, etc.

XPEL is another good brand, I would not use Hitek

 

[The Critic]

I believe Hitek is produced by Garware. Garware manufactures Global and Solar Control.

Llumar is the long-time leader in this area. Their IRX film is one that I would consider.

 

[shortyb]

Local higher end tint shop offers full range Llumar, 3M, Huper Optik, and Solar Gard. I did Llumar ceramic and the windshield/sunroof glass done with AIR Blue on our Tiguan. Phenomenal heat rejection even on a roasting hot summer day. Did another with 3M Crystalline ceramic. Almost same, but windshield isn't filmed. Both have been around forever and produce some pretty cutting edge films. Between the 2 you mentioned, I'd go Llumar. Whichever you get, go with ceramic and stay away from carbon.

 

[gasman556]

Llumar history here. Good stuff. I’d recommend and have used multiple times in the past with good results.

Hitek may be great. I don’t know. I’ve never heard of it. With that in mind and so many other good brands mentioned above, I’d steer clear.

 

[edyvw]

Have Llumar on BMW for 5yrs, ceramic stuff. Excellent choice!
I just put on the front passenger windows on Sequoia.
It is good stuff. Where you live might be bit lower in altitude here, but I bet you guys have same issues with skin cancer as we do. That is first thing I did on BMW and now on Sequoia. Driving Sequoia when sun is on my side, I could feel like something is crawling on my skin.

 

[BHopkins]

I assume you mean Llumar?

Llumar is a good choice - ceramic would be preferred for better heat rejection - like Pinnacle, Stratos, CTX, IRX, etc.

XPEL is another good brand, I would not use Hitek

Yes. Thank you.

 

[BMWTurboDzl]

Have Llumar on BMW for 5yrs, ceramic stuff. Excellent choice!
I just put on the front passenger windows on Sequoia.
It is good stuff. Where you live might be bit lower in altitude here, but I bet you guys have same issues with skin cancer as we do. That is first thing I did on BMW and now on Sequoia. Driving Sequoia when sun is on my side, I could feel like something is crawling on my skin.

Did your window gasket scratch the tint? I had Llumar ceramic my 335d and scratch marks.

 

[BMW Dom]

Have Llumar on BMW for 5yrs, ceramic stuff. Excellent choice!
I just put on the front passenger windows on Sequoia.
It is good stuff. Where you live might be bit lower in altitude here, but I bet you guys have same issues with skin cancer as we do. That is first thing I did on BMW and now on Sequoia. Driving Sequoia when sun is on my side, I could feel like something is crawling on my skin.

How dark did you go on the E90?

I am going to get mine tinted next week - just cannot decide on percentage ( thinking like 30% on sides, 70% maybe on windshield)

 

[thescreensavers]

Look up the PDS from each respective product.

 

[edyvw]

How dark did you go on the E90?

I am going to get mine tinted next week - just cannot decide on percentage ( thinking like 30% on sides, 70% maybe on windshield)

Not sure. Made sure it is legal and doesn’t make issues at night so I can see pedestrians. My Sienna had dark tint that previous owner put, and at night in neighborhood I would have hard time registering pedestrians when turning.

 

[IcarusLSC]

XPEL is shady, they don't back their customers or even their own dealers. I had issues with their tint (bad job: lifting + wrinkles, orange peel etc) and they didn't want to back their warranty at all even though it says it covers this stuff. The dealer also damaged my car (not XPELs fault) and they didn't care at all how their own dealer handled it. I had to threaten to sue to get them to even attempt to fix it, which they never did in the end but only offered a refund. The dealer scratched my side window up very badly and I had to use CarPro CeriGlass to fix it, and they dented the trim which I thankfully was able to fix myself. We had video of the car before they touched it even, and XPEL still didn't care about their paying customer or their own dealer, and I've heard this personally from a few of their dealers, they are hard to deal with if you have issues...

 

[iCurious]

I would say before paying for the tint job, I would look at the detail specs if it meets your criteria first.

 

[BMW Dom]

Not sure. Made sure it is legal and doesn’t make issues at night so I can see pedestrians. My Sienna had dark tint that previous owner put, and at night in neighborhood I would have hard time registering pedestrians when turning.
View attachment 267885

Thanks - that looks good, nice car.

 

[BHopkins]

How dark did you go on the E90?

I am going to get mine tinted next week - just cannot decide on percentage ( thinking like 30% on sides, 70% maybe on windshield)

I'm facing the same decision. The film that was taken off today, so I could pass inspection, was 20%. Now that the inspection is complete, I have to decide if I put 20% back on, knowing that it doesn't meet Utah law, or go with 35%, so I don't have to be concerned about getting unwanted attention from the LEO.

Based upon experience of customers, my installer is of the opinion that a flashy car, with a lot of modifications, draws the attention of the LEO much more than just window tint. She used the example of a guy that recently got pulled over in a heavily modified Ram, that is jacked up, aftermarket lights, 20% tint, and many other tricked out items. Before the Highway patrolman was done, he had issued the guy 9 tickets, with all but one related to the truck.

Question for those that have had 20% for a while. Do you have a difficult time seeing outside the windows at night, in a dark neighborhood? Are you confident that you could see a pedestrian on a residential street? This may be the factor that helps me decide if I should go 20% or 35% on the front side windows.

 

[The Critic]

I'm facing the same decision. The film that was taken off today, so I could pass inspection, was 20%. Now that the inspection is complete, I have to decide if I put 20% back on, knowing that it doesn't meet Utah law, or go with 35%, so I don't have to be concerned about getting unwanted attention from the LEO.

Based upon experience of customers, my installer is of the opinion that a flashy car, with a lot of modifications, draws the attention of the LEO much more than just window tint. She used the example of a guy that recently got pulled over in a heavily modified Ram, that is jacked up, aftermarket lights, 20% tint, and many other tricked out items. Before the Highway patrolman was done, he had issued the guy 9 ticket, with all but one related to the truck.

Question for those that have had 20% for a while. Do you have a difficult time seeing outside the windows at night, in a dark neighborhood? Are you confident that you could see a pedestrian on a residential street? This may be the factor that helps me decide if I should go 20% or 35% on the front side windows.

Factory rear privacy glass tends to have a VLT in the 20's. Ask yourself that question with regards to the rear windows -- is it too dark in a dark neighborhood, especially when the glass is dirty?