Anyone ever use Michelin Radius wipers?

[MinisterofDOOM]

I snagged a pair today and figured I'd try them out. Just wondering if anyone has any feedback on them (a little late, I know, but I'm still curious).

These are Rain-X-style springbar wipers, for those who aren't aware.

I've had terrible luck with traditional bracketed wipers on just about every car I've ever owned or driven regularly. After only a short period of use (weeks at most), the wipers develop dead spots or start chattering. I'm sick of wipers piling water and scum into my direct eyeline (almost ALWAYS where the dead spots develop) rather than getting it out of the way.

[tigersharkdude]

they are teh f-bomb!!I will never switch back to bracket type wipers

[notslow]

perhaps I need these. Every wiper I use squeaks on the windshield and does a super crappy job.

[tigersharkdude]

dude, they are so quite that you cant even here them when its NOT raining

[PoorManQ45]

Put rain-x on the windshield. That stuff is the shizzle

[StandardProspect]

i want a review on these as well

i picked up a pair for the s13 but garaged it for the winter.I guess ill try them out next year.

[NSR_s30]

The RAIN-X version is called "Latitudes" we sell them at work......They're great in my opinion compared to standard wiper blades. Although I've talked to a few people who don't like them but I've never had any problems with them.

[asoomal]

Anyone use the PIAA Super Silicones?

[MinisterofDOOM]

I figured I'd post up a review so-far.

I've been using these wipers for just under a month now.

The good:-They're VERY quiet, even when dry.-No large gaps in coverage.-They "clean" themselves well. If they build up debris (snow or ice) a quick cycle on high-speed will usually clean them off.-They look nice (especially on cars like the Q where the wipers hide mostly under the cowl when not running; the smooth black rubber spring arms of these wipers are much more attractive than normal wiper brackets).

The bad:-They still develop narrow streaks of non-coverage.-They tend to "carry" fluid from the bottom of the windshield back up. The up-swing sometimes redeposits a LOT of water, and this combines with the sporadic streaking to really reduce the wipers' overall effectiveness.

Keep in mind that my windshield is probably not the best testbed as it is very pitted due to it's age.

So far I'd say they were worth the money and the 5 minutes in the snow it took me to install them, and they're certainly superior to any brand of traditional bracketed wiper blades I've used. They're just not as good as I'd hoped. I'll probably stick with them in the future, unless I come upon another (non-RainX) brand of bracketless blades.

[Loki]

I just got some Anco Countours and it is AMAZING. The only problem I have seen is that the last inch or so on both wipers doesn't lay flat against the windshield until the wipers are halfway up the windshield, but this is probably because I am using 20" blades when the book says I use 19". Overall though, they are simply great, well worth the bigger price tag.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Actually, as I understand, the Michelins I'm using are just relabelled Anco Contours.

[yangs13]

just picked up some new contours from work, they work great. only real problem is the ice build up near the j-hook area- but wisconsin sucks anyways. wipe really nice, dont chatter at higher speeds, very pleased.wished the maxima didnt have the goofy 26" and 17" size blades

[skydragoness]

I rock Rain-X Latitudes on the S13 and Suby, and on the former they are from last year and definitely need replacing but with Rain-X on both of my windshields.. you don't even notice! I <3 Rain-X, it's like wax for glass! It gets rid of that nasty spotty film on windshields that can be very dangerous.

[dickie]

i never really had wiper issues besides normal wear and tear, but we dont have a lot of snow and ice that would rapidly deteriorate the rubber here. just hard sun.

my problems are on the other side of the glass/plastic. i have fogging issues and the rainx anti fog **** doesnt work. tried a few homebrew methods too but nothing seems to do it for me.

[bmike818]

I hope you guys remember to maintain your wiper blades. I usually grab an alcohol pad and run it through the edge of the wiper to clean them, you will be amazed on how dirty they get. This usually prolongs the life of my wiper blades as I have yet to encounter wiper problems. But then again my wipers are primarily used for rain only.

...and no I haven't tried the Michelin wipers.