Anyone use Rain-X Latitude wiper blades?

[krimsonviper]

Got a pair myself, but I bought them about 2 weeks ago so I can't return them. I decided to hold onto my old ones instead of throwing them away. I stored them in my car just in case these blow Godzilla on his bad day.

So, what am I in for?

[PEZi]

no...

[krimsonviper]

Updated my O.P.

[Dattebayo]

Are those the ones that bend in the middle and have no rib supports?

[PEZi]

you're in for a set of wipers :P

[krimsonviper]

Are those the ones that bend in the middle and have no rib supports?

I believe so. I pulled them out of the package tonight before my drive home and I was like .

[krimsonviper]

you're in for a set of wipers :P

Good wipers? Bad wipers? Your post didn't help foo!

[Dattebayo]

I had a friend try them, they work like they say. But they're just more useless when they wear out compared to regular wipers.

Edit: And really expensive!

[krimsonviper]

Do they wear out faster than regulars then? I'm afraid that they'll just flop around next year.

I'll probably just keep the old ones on the car during the summer to help save the life of them.

[Urabus GodofTraction]

They're solid.

I usually just buy the cheapest frameless ones for the Subaru, and replace them about every 6 months or so. It's the only sure-fire way to get the performance I'm looking for. I think there are Latitudes on there right now. I prefer Valeo 900s, but not enough to seek them out if I can't find them.

The Cruiser, having very flat glass, get's Valeo 600s most of the time. VERY good wiper. Oh but it's winter, so Anco winter wipers are on there now.

Edit: Wait what? G-L-A-S-S get's censored because it has the word a** in it? Greeeeeeeg!

[krimsonviper]

They solid.

Yeah?
Just messing with ya' Charlie.

Valeo? I read a review on a the Latitude after I posted my thread, and people were saying that the Latitude was just a copy of it. Are the Valeos higher priced than the Latitudes? I didn't realize the price of these things until I did my oil change and the receipt was in the same bag. Mo' fuggin' $22 a piece!

[Dattebayo]

Do they wear out faster than regulars then?

Nah, it's a little bit longer, IMO. But You have less snow then we do (or none, whatever...), so it might be alot longer?

[Urabus GodofTraction]

They solid.

Yeah?
Just messing with ya' Charlie.

Valeo? I read a review on a the Latitude after I posted my thread, and people were saying that the Latitude was just a copy of it. Are the Valeos higher priced than the Latitudes? I didn't realize the price of these things until I did my oil change and the receipt was in the same bag. Mo' fuggin' $22 a piece!

I think I normally buy in at $15 or less.

[Dattebayo]

I think I normally buy in at $15 or less.

That must be the inserts only, right?

[PEZi]

you're in for a set of wipers :P

Good wipers? Bad wipers? Your post didn't help foo!

they're ok... i prefer bosch icon

[Urabus GodofTraction]

I think I normally buy in at $15 or less.

That must be the inserts only, right?

No, full unit. Size is something like 22" and 18" in the front, 16" in the rear.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Never used the Rain-X brand, but I've been running Michelin Radius (made by Pylon) on my Q and LS for years now. They're EXCELLENT. Every aspect of them is superior to stupid framed wipers, even with the best blade inserts.

They're absolutely silent, don't leave "dead spots," work fantastically in sub-freezing temps, don't get chewed up by ice, stay cleaner, and they're easier to clean and clean around (Scraping ice off the windshield). They also last much longer than any stock-replacement blade I've ever used.

My dad's 6th gen max had one of each (springbar and framed) for a while. The blade lengths on that car are really mismatched (26'' driver, 17'' passenger) and he didn't trust the 26'' springbar blade to maintain good coverage at the edges. But my LS's left blade is nearly as huge (24')' and hasn't given me any trouble so far.

The ones I'm really curious about are the new Michelin "hybrid" blades (again made by Pylon) that supposedly combine a frame and a springbar setup in one replacement blade. None of the advertising or websites show any real details on exactly how this construction works, which is disappointing.

I think I normally buy in at $15 or less.

That must be the inserts only, right?

Nope. The Michelin's I run are $15 per full blade. And there are no inserts for springbar style anyway. You replace the whole unit when they wear out. Blade life is VASTLY superior to stock inserts though. I've never had a stock-replacement blade insert last a whole year in Utah weather. The Radiuses I have on the Q, however, have only gained a slight squeak after a year of use, and still clean the glass perfectly.

[Dattebayo]

Huh, because the full sets here are about $22 like KV said...

Maybe you guys get 'em some special way?

[MinisterofDOOM]

I just buy mine at Walmart.

[Dattebayo]

Walmart.

Oh, see, we don't have those here. That explains it.

[dasoupdude]

I have the latitudes on my car,

they are awesome.


And flacid

[hitbychance]

put them on my car last month, loving them so far.

[Rev_D21]

Most expensive wipers are a huge scam. I use Acrafit wipers I buy from Peterbilt. $3.99 each, even if I replace them 4 times a year I am still paying less than one set of scam-style wipers.

[MinisterofDOOM]

Most expensive wipers are a huge scam. I use Acrafit wipers I buy from Peterbilt. $3.99 each, even if I replace them 4 times a year I am still paying less than one set of scam-style wipers.

My outlook on wipers is exactly opposite of yours. Even expensive wipers are cheap purchases. I want one thing from my wipers: to work well every time I turn them on. What I absolutely don't want to have to do is replace them often. 4 times a year is ridiculous. Having to replace wipers 4 times a year means being let down by your wipers 4 times a year. I'm not interested in having that happen.
Like I said before, my Michelin wipers last over a year easily. I've never gotten even 6 months out of a set of regular, non-silicone wiper blades, ever. All regular blades ever do is disappoint.

And I also disagree that these types of wipers are a scam. These are not just high-priced replacement blade inserts. You replace the whole wiper frame assembly. There are plenty of clear, legitimate benefits over stock wipers, like a lack of frame hinges to ice up. Silicone blades, whether inserts or assemblies, are also legitimately beneficial, due to their resistance to oxidation, hardening in the cold, and tearing over debris. Especially in areas that see 4 distinct seasons, these wipers are absolutely genuinely beneficial.

And, anyway, you can't compare non-store-brand high-volume prices with consumer prices. If those Acrafits were sold at Autozone they'd be priced just like every other brand.

[Jesda]

I've been buying Michelin Radius. Lasts forever, looks great, wipes quietly. I put them on the Saab, the Volvo, and the Cadillac. Its a bit cheaper than Rain X with the same functionality and they handle ice and snow admirably.

[AppleBonker]

I don't believe in windshield wipers

[Rev_D21]

MOD, the Acrafit blades I sell to the general public and fleets are $4.99ea everyday. Combined with a loyalty card coupon of $2 off a pair the price can't be beat. I get 6 months a set in reality but even if I do replace them 4 times a year it's still a steal.

[PEZi]

I don't believe in windshield wipers

this is where i fit 99% of the time.... my truck has none... but i only get the best for my parents cars for them

[AppleBonker]

I still buy nicer wipers. I remove them during the winter as the thermal cycling tends to have a negative effect. But I could probably get about 2-3 calendar years out of my wipers (again, this is only using them during the summer months). Crappy wipers seem sufficient during the winter.

[Razi]

I luz my Michelin wipers.