[retrosmiths]

I have 3M Crystalline 70% installed all around, including windshield for $800. Yes, I paid that much, and yes, that's the going price for the best quality tint from 3M around the area (SoCal).

(Note: 70% is the amount of light that can pass through the tint -- the lower it is, the darker the tint color)

So how good is the tint? It's AWESOME. It blocks around 50% heat from the sun. I don't need to roll down the windows a bit when parking for long durations. On sunny days, I have the windows up instead of down to let the wind in, because it's much cooler that way. I don't even have to turn on the AC most of the times. And during periods that I turn it on, level 2 would be the highest I need it. You won't even feel the sun hitting your skin.

However, it still does not perform as well as the 30% version. I should have installed 30% in the back and rear windows instead and just 70% in the windshield and the front sides, but there are pros for not doing so...

First, I can be in reverse all day and not have to worry about not being able to see outside.

Second, in CA, no tint is allowed for the front windshield and the front side windows, except factory ones. But the 70% is really light. Having the same color all around the car, it looks very, very factory. I've been pulled over for speeding and the officer did not notice the tint at all.

Cystalline, I think comes in 30/50/70/90. The 90 sucks because there's very little heat rejection, while 50 is already a bit too dark to be noticeable in the windshield, so I went with 70.

Will I pay $800 for it again? No. I would get the Suntek CXP and save $500 at the cost of ~3% reduced performance.