vquestfilms.com

The is a lot of opinion in this statement and very little truth.

Strange that 3M still puts IR bulbs in there heat demo’s...You think they know about the whole 94% of the energy being only infrared? I’d think that they would be the first ones to blow the lid off of these slight of bandwidth tricks... huh

For a vehicle? It is much more complex equation than simply calculating the percentage of increase in TSER of one film over the next. Technically speaking, the most effective way for a consumer to determine the real world difference between two film’s TSER’s is for you the Dealer to ditch the infrared heat lamp demo and simulate real sunlight conditions. Place decent sized samples on single pane clear glass exposed to the sun and. “feel the difference” with your face and hands. No meters, no misleading French fry bulbs... just plain old real sunlight conditions.  

Lightly filed gap-less Huper Optik Ceramic 40

It is very simple... Huper Optik USA and Edge Technologies are sister companies. They utilize the same distribution network which is the largest in the country with over 15 locations throughout the USA and Canada. Autobahn is a program and label that allows Huper to be sold in conjunction with the films that Eastman would not allow to be sold under the Huper Optik label due to competing conflict with Llumar and SunTek products. Edge is a Film brand that serves the same purpose. Eastman does not own either of the these two brands which does not make them subject to Eastman control. The advantage being that they can spec their own films and have them made by the best manufacture rather than being tied to one factory. That allows for a more versatile lineup with more local points of distribution in North America than any other film brands.
 
If you did see their booths with the new materials and Films at the IWFC show, you may want to check out what is new because a lot has changed in the past year.
 
 
 
 
 
 

In my experience "Elite Networks" and "Special Training" is nothing but marketing fluff. An "Elite Network" is simply a group of dealers that have access to products that the rest of the dealer organization does not have access too. In this case Panorama dealers are Solar Gard dealers that have access to Panorama films made by the same MFG that the rest of the Solar Gard network does not have access to. Does that make them "Elite" or better than other window film dealers? No, they simply are given access to the Panorama line usually because they make some kind of special commitment to promoting that line of film.
 
"Special training" is usually done by the MFG which is not uncommon throughout the industry. My issue with training. A trained installer is not necessarily a "capable" installer. There is no MFG guarantee that you as a consumer will have a capable installer working on your home even though they market their dealer network as "trained." What if the trained installer gets fired or leaves on Friday and today you get a new hire working on your house? Can Panorama or any MFG control that? Nope. What if the MFG trainer lacks the experience or skill to properly train installers? I know some of these folks and I can tell you that they do not install film on a regular basis and yet they are the ones teaching others... mostly from a book or manual. I don't recommend buying into this fluff. Get references, go with that gut feeling you get when you have confidence in a company rather than compromising that feeling for a lower price. Remember Ben Franklin's quote: " The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten."
 
Ok, let's talk tech... Your desire to research is very commendable.
 
"Spectral Select" is a descriptive term with a qualifier. All films are filters that "select" or more accurately "allow" certain wavelengths of the solar spectrum to pass thru the film. The industry gives the term "spectrally select" to films of all compositions that have a Luminous Efficacy (LE) of 1.0 or >. Most films in that class are "Sputtered" and use rare metals like silver and gold. Is it possible for a non-metal film to be spectrally select? Yes, there are a few but they are expensive and many use IR absorbing dyes which have limited lifespans before their effectivety starts to diminish. "Sputtering" is a manufacturing process that is very precise way layering of coatings in 1 atom thick layers. It is expensive but it yields the best optical qualities. Huper Select and Ceramic, Panorama Hilite, Vista VS 60/70, 3M ceramic are all sputtered films.
 
If you "install" (don't tape them) samples to the window, you will see the differences in optical quality from one film to the next. Let the sun come through at angle and you will probably be able to pick out the Vista films because they tend to exhibit 'low angle haze.' Panorama CX is a new product for them so that is the risk you may be taking. Dual layer is a must have in toilet paper and worth the added expense. In film, dual layer is incorporated to reduce reflectivity . It does not enhance the durability. So in the case of a dye-free ceramic like Huper, they patented dual layer technology to reduce the reflectivity of their ceramics without the use of dyes, carbon or pigments. Again, pllace both product next to each other and you will see differences.
 
SunTek UVLDS... Just place it up next to the others and let the sun shine through it. I've seen consumer complaints about the higher vlt's not rejecting enough heat. You can use your hand or face to determine if it meets your expectation. Stay away from BTU meters... those are misleading. 
 
Bottom line... You can pick the best film in the world but if the company that installs this film does not do a great job, then you are left with a great film that is poorly installed. Get references, go with who you are most comfortable doing business with. Look at the installed samples and choose what looks nice and balances out with everything mentioned in this thread. Window film is one of the most effective and least expensive energy saving upgrades that you can put on your home... that is a fact.  
If you want to PM me, I know a lot of the companies in your area. I'd be happy to give you additional input.

From your description of your glass this job sounds familiar... If you are working with Sun Tamers, your Film 2 glass exception verbal request was taken and approved by me verbally. I asked the Dealer to submit the request in writing so that you the consumer can have an approval in writing. I believe that is where the proverbial ball has been dropped because the Dealer has yet to return the form to me. Please contact them if you want C30, you will have full Standard MFG warranty or the No-Risk upgrade if you wish to purchase it. 
 
Other low reflective options are Huper Ceramic 35... It performs better than C40 and almost as well as C30. The C35 is less reflective than most 35% vlt dual reflectives. 
 
Dual reflective films are solid options but you but you have to mount a decent size sample to the glass next to the lower reflective products and ask yourself the critical questions; “Which Film looks the best on my home?” and “Whic Film meets my visual expectations?” I’m with Tom... I wouldn’t go much lower than 35% on a DR film for a residence. HOA approval is going to be a must if they have CC&R’s regarding reflective films. My experience in CA is that most associations approve 15% VLR to the exterior or lower. Anything higher meets with push back from the design review committees. 

It is very simple... Huper Optik USA and Edge Technologies are sister companies. They utilize the same distribution network which is the largest in the country with over 15 locations throughout the USA and Canada. Autobahn is a program and label that allows Huper to be sold in conjunction with the films that Eastman would not allow to be sold under the Huper Optik label due to competing conflict with Llumar and SunTek products. Edge is a Film brand that serves the same purpose. Eastman does not own either of the these two brands which does not make them subject to Eastman control. The advantage being that they can spec their own films and have them made by the best manufacture rather than being tied to one factory. That allows for a more versatile lineup with more local points of distribution in North America than any other film brands.
 
If you did see their booths with the new materials and Films at the IWFC show, you may want to check out what is new because a lot has changed in the past year.
 
 
 
 
 
 

In my experience "Elite Networks" and "Special Training" is nothing but marketing fluff. An "Elite Network" is simply a group of dealers that have access to products that the rest of the dealer organization does not have access too. In this case Panorama dealers are Solar Gard dealers that have access to Panorama films made by the same MFG that the rest of the Solar Gard network does not have access to. Does that make them "Elite" or better than other window film dealers? No, they simply are given access to the Panorama line usually because they make some kind of special commitment to promoting that line of film.
 
"Special training" is usually done by the MFG which is not uncommon throughout the industry. My issue with training. A trained installer is not necessarily a "capable" installer. There is no MFG guarantee that you as a consumer will have a capable installer working on your home even though they market their dealer network as "trained." What if the trained installer gets fired or leaves on Friday and today you get a new hire working on your house? Can Panorama or any MFG control that? Nope. What if the MFG trainer lacks the experience or skill to properly train installers? I know some of these folks and I can tell you that they do not install film on a regular basis and yet they are the ones teaching others... mostly from a book or manual. I don't recommend buying into this fluff. Get references, go with that gut feeling you get when you have confidence in a company rather than compromising that feeling for a lower price. Remember Ben Franklin's quote: " The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of low price is forgotten."
 
Ok, let's talk tech... Your desire to research is very commendable.
 
"Spectral Select" is a descriptive term with a qualifier. All films are filters that "select" or more accurately "allow" certain wavelengths of the solar spectrum to pass thru the film. The industry gives the term "spectrally select" to films of all compositions that have a Luminous Efficacy (LE) of 1.0 or >. Most films in that class are "Sputtered" and use rare metals like silver and gold. Is it possible for a non-metal film to be spectrally select? Yes, there are a few but they are expensive and many use IR absorbing dyes which have limited lifespans before their effectivety starts to diminish. "Sputtering" is a manufacturing process that is very precise way layering of coatings in 1 atom thick layers. It is expensive but it yields the best optical qualities. Huper Select and Ceramic, Panorama Hilite, Vista VS 60/70, 3M ceramic are all sputtered films.
 
If you "install" (don't tape them) samples to the window, you will see the differences in optical quality from one film to the next. Let the sun come through at angle and you will probably be able to pick out the Vista films because they tend to exhibit 'low angle haze.' Panorama CX is a new product for them so that is the risk you may be taking. Dual layer is a must have in toilet paper and worth the added expense. In film, dual layer is incorporated to reduce reflectivity . It does not enhance the durability. So in the case of a dye-free ceramic like Huper, they patented dual layer technology to reduce the reflectivity of their ceramics without the use of dyes, carbon or pigments. Again, pllace both product next to each other and you will see differences.
 
SunTek UVLDS... Just place it up next to the others and let the sun shine through it. I've seen consumer complaints about the higher vlt's not rejecting enough heat. You can use your hand or face to determine if it meets your expectation. Stay away from BTU meters... those are misleading. 
 
Bottom line... You can pick the best film in the world but if the company that installs this film does not do a great job, then you are left with a great film that is poorly installed. Get references, go with who you are most comfortable doing business with. Look at the installed samples and choose what looks nice and balances out with everything mentioned in this thread. Window film is one of the most effective and least expensive energy saving upgrades that you can put on your home... that is a fact.  
If you want to PM me, I know a lot of the companies in your area. I'd be happy to give you additional input.

A ceramic Film can be considered “spectrally select” if the LE is 1.0 or greater... but most spectral select films contain rare metals.

The higher the LE ratio the more you will most likely pay for the Film because high LE films are complex and more expensive to make.

The highest IR reducer (780-2500nm) with the lowest SHGC and VLR @ 35% VLT would be Huper Optik Drei at 98%IRR and a 0.30 SHGC and a 12% VLR. A very unique film...

Panorama Ceramic is actually a poorer performer than other available ceramics. Compare their SHGC’s and you will see where Panorama CX comes up short.

Same reason why Ralph didn't respond to Mark Carlson when Mark questioned some things said in one of Ralph's videos even though it was Ralph's personal FB page.  They know not to go down that road.

Nice opportunity at the IWFA show for Rick to discuss that topic with Darrel Smith, Mark Carlson, Lisa Winkler to name a few that were there... How come he does not bring this topic up in that circle of professionals?

A ceramic Film can be considered “spectrally select” if the LE is 1.0 or greater... but most spectral select films contain rare metals.

The higher the LE ratio the more you will most likely pay for the Film because high LE films are complex and more expensive to make.

The highest IR reducer (780-2500nm) with the lowest SHGC and VLR @ 35% VLT would be Huper Optik Drei at 98%IRR and a 0.30 SHGC and a 12% VLR. A very unique film...

Panorama Ceramic is actually a poorer performer than other available ceramics. Compare their SHGC’s and you will see where Panorama CX comes up short.

Sangbo 

The same could be said for any new film, Suntek have a new film out, how do we know that that will perform as you say in years to come (I am not bashing Suntek here as I love their film and to my mind at the moment is the best on the market). I have STEK on my car and it's doing a fine job. If you are not prepared to put film on you own cars whose cars do you test on? I use my car because it is used and abused on a daily basis, when it is washed it's taken through the local 'hand car wash' with all the associated chemicals and old wash mits and if the film stands up to this I am pretty confident to offer it to my customers. If you are not even willing to try these things we would still be putting helicopter tape on our cars.
 
Steve

Looking good!