Just wanted to provide a little bit of feedback from us at Premier. Crystalline is a great product. It reduces IR by 97%. However, educating the public is what we need to do. The solar spectrum consists of UV, Visible Light, and Infrared (IR). The IR range runs from 780-2500nm. Unfortunately, many manufacturers post their highest IR rejecting numbers , but unfortunately these numbers are in the range of 900-1000nm.....the lower range of the scale. In addition, the performance of the film drops drastically in the higher IR range.

Below is a test we conducted with a spectrum analyzer. This is made by EDTM and utilizes patented optics to reproduce the solar spectrum. It also measures with NFRC300 (2010) standards, so this is the most accurate portable system available on the market. Below are the test results between Spectra PhotoSync and Crystalline.

This machine is capable of reproducing the solar spectrum and can calculate a solar product performance with respect to 3 important global standards:

1. EN410 (2011)
2. ISO9050 (2003)
3. NFRC 300 (2010) - this is the most important one for us window tinters because it is a USA standard
*this equipment is patented and a very accurate measuring tool we use.

Many films on the market boast high IR rejection numbers, but they usually take their highest performing numbers. Typically, the easiest performance numbers to gain is in the short IR between 900-1000nm. This represents a very small portion of the IR spectrum, which ranges from 780-2500. In general, these other window tints perform not as well in the higher ranges. BTU meters typically run in the range from 900-1000, so it is not representative of its true performance. On the IR scale, the range between 1100-1600 is the spot that is critical to heat transmission. With this unit, it can do what other units cannot - measuring two different values:

900-1000
780-1700+

We just installed window film to this Tesla Model S with 55 on the front two and 35 on all of the back windows. As you can see SPH55 blocks out 98% of IR (allowing 2% to transmit through) on the 900-1000 scale. With the higher spectral range 780-1700, it comes through with 97% IR rejection (allowing 3% to transmit through). Simplified results:

SPH55
900-1000nm 98% IR Rejection
780-1700nm 97% IR Rejection

SPH35
900-1000nm 98% IR Rejection
780-1700nm 97% IR Rejection

**quite consistent results and only 1% variance in the higher nanometer range

Crystalline 40
900-1000nm 98% IR Rejection
780-1700nm 85% IR Rejection

**as you can see the performance drops when you are looking at the higher IR range.

Before actually conducting our own test, we were a little perplexed as to why the TSER is so different between PhotoSync and Crystalline even though their IR numbers are close. Now it is clear. It is because on Crystalline, their performance drops when you reach the higher nm of the IR Spectrum whereas PhotoSync is highly consistent with high IRR (infrared rejection)

 

Thanks for some very good information. I take it that you install both? Does Photosync have a CR 90 equivalent ?

 

No, we actually exclusively use PhotoSync because of how Crystalline's IR rejection drops off significantly in the far IR spectrum. As for shade, Spectra PhotoSync's lightest film is 75. Factory glass from Porsche rates in approximately 76% VLT, so Spectra PhotoSync is very close to this number on percentage of light going in.

 

I'm not sure if 90 is available but with the 75 I had installed, you cannot tell windshield is tinted at all. I believe the standard windshield is a 78 without tint.

 

So with either you really don't block more visible light unless you go for a darker shade of either product but in both cases you block IR and Photosync has better coverage across the spectrum. Got it!

I need to find a reputable installer locally so if you know one in the sunshine state west coast area.....Tampa, Sarasota or Naples let me know. Dealer has one and I will find out what they use as well.

I am looking for a no tint look!

 

I want the whole car done in the 90 or 75. With the existing factory tint I think the 75 would be too dark . Dxb posted his and it's all done in 90 I think.

 

vtran@prestige-films.com helped me with locating installer. Like you, I wanted a no-low tint look. I love the way it looks. 75 front, 45 all others is what I did.

 

I also have 75 on the windscreen and 65 on the side windows. Can't tell in the night time and feel a big difference in the day time. I highly recommend the photosync tint.

 

Just had Spectra PhotoSync installed on Saturday on my wife's '13 C4S by Absolute Perfection in Sykesville, MD - I have no associatation with them; chose them because they were the closest installer to my home. I went with the 75% VLT on the windshield, and 45% VLT everywhere else. On Agate Grey Metallic it looks just right - not too dark, not too light. Amazing difference in the amount of heat getting into the car. AP did a great job - no complaints at all. Give Becky a call at 410-549-4285 if you live in the DC/VA/MD area.

 

Any pictures of cars with the tinted version of this film? Does this film have any sort of silver or reflective look to it? Thanks

 

Very interesting thread and thanks so much for the tech explanation. One of the OP stated the heat transfer is the same if the car sits in the sun for more than 1 hr even with the front windshield tinted - is that true?

 

That is untrue. Different quality films will certainly impact the amount of heat transfer into the car. However, with the top end films it is drastically reduced. We have conducted a test recently with two different Teslas (one with PhotoSync and the other without) and left them both outdoors in 93 degrees from 12-3.

The vehicle with PhotoSync reached 104 degrees while the Tesla with no tint reached 162 degrees. If you get into car at 104 degrees, it is still pretty warm, but it's far from the 160 degrees we measured which is unbearable if you were wearing shorts

 

We have many photos on our facebook page as we update it everyday:

https://www.facebook.com/premierprotectivefilms

 

I had this tint on my previous car. It's the best tint by a large margin. I love the 75. It has a very slight blue hue so it looks like AMG glass.

Only reason I don't have it on my current car is because I haven't had time to get it done. May do it later this year during the holidays.

 

I consulted with Prestige Film and found a local installer so I am going to go with the Photosync.