THe Valeos look exactly like Canadian Tire Reflex but the price quoted is a lot higher . I bought 21 inch for about $21 Cdn . The reflex cured a "flat spot problem with three year old arms (weak spring?
Wiper blades
- Thread starter DR
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Bosch has now a very similar type bracketless blade like Valeo has had for while. It's called Bosch Icon and costs about 30% less than the Valeo Ultimate blade. I saw the Bosch Icon at AutoZone, the Valeo Ultimate Blade is so far available only online, I think.
More than 1 truck driver has told me the best thing for cleaning windshields is (coke cola).It works great.
I just buy the $2.50-$3.50 plylon wipers(Made in USA). last me usually 6 months Summer/Winter. Best deal I think. I might upgrade to their Lexor or Michelin line of blades soon though.
http://www.pylonhq.com/products.htm
http://www.pylonhq.com/products.htm
My Advance also now has a little display for Bosch Icons. They look to function in a similar fashion to the Trico Innovisions (aka Reflex for Canadian Tire), but they're even more expensive than the Inno. When my Innovisions are worn, I'll try a set. Although if you don't have a curvy windshield, Trico Teflons are a great alternative to the windshield-hugging Icons and Innovisions, etc. One nice thing about the regular jointed blades is the availability of refills, but given how rarely I need to replace good blades, it's not a big concern for me.
JBM: Yes, as I said Tricos come with alcohol wipes. I don't see why you couldn't just use a paper towel and rubbing alcohol if you didn't have wipes lying around, or washer fluid.
JBM: Yes, as I said Tricos come with alcohol wipes. I don't see why you couldn't just use a paper towel and rubbing alcohol if you didn't have wipes lying around, or washer fluid.
I'd say worst are the "colored" blades that some places have. My friend has some on and they barely clean the window but it's "iced out dawg!!"
I have a set of icons on my dakota and they work great. esspecially at higher speeds. sitting still I have a lil streaking but prob from them being dirty after they salted the roads. will have to clean them. but no chatter what so over.
I saw a bosch wiper blade for a benz. it was $80 I was nearly floored. never thought a wiper blade could cost that much.
I saw a bosch wiper blade for a benz. it was $80 I was nearly floored. never thought a wiper blade could cost that much.
PIAA "Super Silicone".....10 months old...25k miles driven...still goin' strong
When this thread was a little younger I decided I had to try the Innovisions since they're so much cheaper than the Valeo. Found 'em at Pep Boys, just over $30 for a 20" pair, and put 'em on. Not bad, but they still didn't follow the curve of the windshield all the way to the parked position on the passenger side extreme edge, and the driver's blade streaked consistently at the last two inches of the blade. I don't know if the Valeo or Bosch bracketless blades are better, but at least in my app the Inno's didn't have enough tension to clean perfectly. I put my regular winter blades back on - they're not perfect either but at a third the price the're good enough.
I'm going to try the Bosch next, if I can find them locally.
- Glenn
I'm going to try the Bosch next, if I can find them locally.
- Glenn
try getting some alcohol (spell check) pads and clean your blades. did this to my icons on one side and did much better. took all the streaks away. same on my dakota the passenger side the tip doesnt curve to the windshild in park. I used a 20" blade when it calls for a 21" so just imagin if I would of got the 21.
I actually used the pad supplied with the blades and cleaned them when I put 'em on.
I actually like the blades, just not quite enough pressure from the spring strip IMO. The BMWs seem to have heavy tension on the blades, but with this design the tension of the wiper arm spring only affects the middle of the blade, with the tension along the rest of the blade determined by the spring of the blade itself. In the traditional blade the mechanism evens out the tension supplied by the wiper arm across the whole wiper (ideally). So it is a little different, and in this case it wasn't quite right for the car.
- Glenn
I actually like the blades, just not quite enough pressure from the spring strip IMO. The BMWs seem to have heavy tension on the blades, but with this design the tension of the wiper arm spring only affects the middle of the blade, with the tension along the rest of the blade determined by the spring of the blade itself. In the traditional blade the mechanism evens out the tension supplied by the wiper arm across the whole wiper (ideally). So it is a little different, and in this case it wasn't quite right for the car.
- Glenn
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For most vehicles the left and right wipers are not identical in terms of curvature. Bosch and Valeo have vehicle-specific left and right wipers for many vehicles. At AutoZone they have the Bosch brochure that lists what wipers you need.
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Hmm, I keep my cars a lot longer than 5 years. I think I might need another set.
The attraction of the new-style blades to me is that besides the quality of the wipe, they solve two major problems of traditional blades: lift at speed and icing of the articulating mechanism in nasty weather. No matter how good the quality or performance, a traditional blade will probably always have those problems - silicone or teflon or quad-edges or whatever.
- Glenn
- Glenn
I have always used Anco blades mainly because they're inexpensive and they work weel for a while, but lately I'm considering the Triple Edge blades, or something similar. I really don't like having to replace my blades once a year (or sooner), but my main gripe is the incomplete wipes I experience while traveling at highway speeds. I spend a lot of time on the road and I'm wondering if something like the Triple Edge blades wipe more effectively at highway speeds.
In reply to the highway speed wiping. I remember Lexor had a wiper blade (few Yrs Ago) that Advertised Better Wipes at higher speeds because of Air channels Built into the blade are. The more air through it the better it would press onto the winshield. Dont know if they still have those same wipers around.
Bosch ICON's are the best wipper blades on the market right now! IF you buy two right now at AutoZone you can get a $15 gift card via mail in rebate.
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