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New device tryout

7K views 48 replies 18 participants last post by  Ryan Bennett 
#1 ·
I saw a new device on Facebook that clamps on the rear window latch hook (on the window) and extends it a few inches. I got one and am trying it out. It arrived today and I took a short drive to see how it worked.

with both windows open, airflow goes in the sides and out the back. doesn't blow past your head and out the other side so cuts down on wind noise.

You hear the motor and exhaust noise more, and with a cracked flex pipe, it is pretty loud.

Have not taken it above 40 MPH yet so we shall see how it affects side winds on the highway, and if it helps remove heat without the A/C .

Overall, it is a well built device, doesn't rattle or move, holds the window in location good. Only down side I could see is that it is made of steel and could scratch the car if it is dropped on a body panel (which my grandson did right away.)



available on Amazon
 

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#3 ·
I was thinking about the exhaust fumes and the shape of the back end. It might be possible for exhaust to be sucked in, but as you said, with the side windows open, probably not.

With the window open all the way I would be worried about road vibrations or bumps flexing it enough that it would break. But that is just me I guess.
 
#9 ·
It's a small piece of metal so I suspect it costs them about $3 to make. It's because they're the only ones making this and people want it so they charge that. It's the same principle as if you're selling water in the desert. You can charge $1000 for a glass of water and if someone needs or wants it bad enough they'll pay. It looks like a good device but I wouldn't pay $50 for it. Maybe $20 tops

Also directly from the owners manual

WARNING
Make sure the tailgate is closed when the engine is running and while driving. Among other dangers, deadly carbon mon- oxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness and death.
 
#12 ·
It’s really a 1 man show making these. He’s on one or 2 of the Facebook groups by the name of Mike Mattice. He makes them in his garage in Vegas. They are hand painted (though I feel powder coating would last better since paint already flaking at the wing nut) and hand assembled.

I haven’t tried it on my gas smart, but did on the electric. Works ok and really cuts down on wind noise but adds road noise from the tailgaters.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 
#8 ·
compared to the one in the picture made for Corvettes, it looks like the Corvette one would rattle when driving down the road. The smart one won't.

It all boils down to what you think is important. I'd rather have a quality made part than a cheap stamped imported knock-off made to keep the price down
 
#13 ·
Also directly from the owners manual

WARNING
Make sure the tailgate is closed when the engine is running and while driving. Among other dangers, deadly carbon mon- oxide (CO) gases may enter vehicle interior resulting in unconsciousness and death.


No one pays attention to what’s written in owners manuals. With both windows down, there’s plenty of air flow in the vehicle. I sit in stop and go traffic, in rush hour. That item not great idea, fumes from the exhaust. Entering the bottom, of the rear hatch.
 
#19 ·
I had a number of station wagons with rear windows that could be rolled down and didn't have any issues, but it is something to be aware of. The rear glass on a smart is curved at the lower corners which could direct some of the side air across the back.

They don't tell you not to drive with your arm out the window resting it on the top of the window opening. yet many people do it and some get hit by stones, or worse yet, stung by a bee that gets trapped in the airflow. or what about an open window and being passed by a gravel truck with stones spilling out the back. You could be hit in the head and knocked unconscious..
Hey, life is dangerous! most people don't get out alive!!
 
#20 ·
You're right life is dangerous and none of us will make it out alive. Driving a smart car isn't exactly the safest thing to do but we do it. Hanging your arm out the window can get you far worse than a bee sting. I've heard of cases where someone got their arm torn completely off. I've done it though. I would still use caution when using this device though. There's "life is dangerous so oh well" then there's Darwinism. I would call sitting in traffic with your back window open Darwinism. Someone has to test it though just to make sure it's safe or unsafe :D

On the topic of windows open, do they still make that device where you can park your car with the window cracked and it has a solar powered fan to keep the inside cool?
 
#23 ·
Agreed but driving a small car has a little more danger than driving a large SUV or pickup truck. Sure you can get killed in either one but in identical circumstances the driver of an F-150 is more likely to walk away than the driver of a smart. This being said I'm okay with this extra risk. I mean look at MC riders. That's a huge increase in risk.
 
#22 ·
If anyone wants one, I will 3d print one in a colour of you choice and post it for $15US or £10gbp


But you use it at your own discretion, I will not be liable for any injuries or death because you didn't use common sense <img src="https://smartcarofamerica.com/forums/images/SmartCarOfAmerica/smilies/tango_face_smile.png" border="0" alt="" title="Smile" smilieid="1" class="inlineimg" />
 
#25 ·
You know what's funny is I have a F150 and a few Smarts and the insurance is higher on the F150.


They are about the same value so I asked my insurance agent 'why is that'?


He replied it's because the F150 is more likely to generate a higher dollar claim than the Smart(s).


Yes, I too believe I in a F150 vs. Smart car crash the driver of the F150 would fare better and have a higher dollar insurance claim! :)
 
#27 ·
The smart will generally protect you from being crushed but the problem is when two objects collide the heavier one will decelerate slower. The rapid deceleration in a crash and your body moving inside the vehicle is one of the things that can injure or kill you. If all cars on the road weighed the same as the smart this would be a non issue but unfortunately they don't. This being said it doesn't mean in a specific crash that you will or won't get injured with either one. It just means the chance is higher. The F-150 is two and a half times the weight so it's going to generate a bigger claim when it hits something. Also if your insurance has collision (Coverage for the F-150) it's going to be more expensive to repair or replace than the smart.

Either way I love my smart so if that means my demise then oh well :laugh:
 
#31 ·
To be fair it's not going to stop anyone getting in if they are determined this is only plastic and the metal version would possibly be more secure as it's metal.
I have one and use it a lot, you do get a small amount of exhaust gas smell but it's rare and only if the wind happens to blow it in, I really can't say I notice it, perhaps maybe on startup when it's running a bit richer.
The holes are for saving filament, the amount the window opens is fixed.
It has a small nobble on the end that goes into the lock to cheat the system into thinking the window is closed.
The $15us I'm hoping will include post as it's really not that heavy.
 
#39 ·
maker has decided to pull them off the market. too much negative comments I guess. Quantity on Amazon is now 0. says the cost is higher than what he is charging. Too Bad , sorry to see a good idea going down the tubes, much like the wedgies which I wish I had a set of......
 
#40 ·
IMO, 3D printing would have been the better way to go (like the other person in this thread). The device was worth the $50, but that's still a big ask for a lot of people.

A 3D printed device would cost far less and designed correctly, would be strong enough.
 
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