Editor’s Note: These may not be legal in all 50 states. Check your state’s driving laws before using these while moving.
By Kate Doherty
Up until 2019, we flew our four-passenger airplane some 250+ hours per year for business. Then we traded in those three wheels for six and slowed down. There’s nothing worse than flying east in the early morning or west facing the afternoon glaring sun for hours with little sunshade protection. It’s more prevalent if you’re short, since sun visors don’t always shield your line-of-sight vision – whether you’re in the seat of an airplane, vehicle, or motorhome. Movable sunshades are just the ticket.
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Reduce glare, not vision
The automatic shades in motorhomes are great for front-facing glare, but sometimes quartering slivers of bright sunlight affect vision comfort for both driver and passenger. We found these sunshades more effective, especially on the middle of our Jeep front windshield, to reduce glare without impeding vision as the sun visors don’t extend far enough. Because they are so flexible, they fit well in curved windshields.
Place movable sunshades on any glass window
We started using collapsible sunshades more than six years ago. We picked up our sunshades at the Sun ‘n Fun Airshow in Lakeland, Florida, and have used them religiously since. Sunshades come in several forms and sizes. Some clip onto the bottom of the vehicle’s built-in visors. But that doesn’t dim the glare coming directly through the middle of the front windshield or the quartering front (both windshield and passenger side window). I’m relatively short and the seat in our Jeep Wrangler doesn’t raise in height so I deal with unwanted glare from time to time despite wearing sunglasses and a visor. Reducing glare without reducing visual acuity makes these easy to use.
Movable sunshades are easily obtainable
There are many different kinds and styles available. So, when you venture out for that early morning hike or trail ride and you’re traveling directly into the sun, borrow that sunshade or two and better navigate the ride.
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On the front windshield, anywhere, and on the two front side windows it’s a ticket all day long. As a motorcycle officer this is a pet peeve. Anything that could block you from seeing a motorcycle is an instant ticket. Even Anything hanging from a mirror or a poorly placed dash camera.
On the front windshield while you’re driving, even on the passenger side, is an expensive ticket all day long. And in many states even on the front doors side windows.
We’ve had four of these for nearly 15 years. They’re great.
I haven’t seen these in years! I remember them around in the 1950s and maybe early 1960s. Like another reader said, they do block a portion of your vision and people blamed them for causing an accident – even if something else caused the accident – so they wouldn’t be at fault.
I don’t know where you live, but in PA those would be illegal on the windshield. The law says nothing that can obstruct vision. The edges and suction cups on those would be considered an obstruction. Especially since they are in your direct line of vision.
I would be surprised if those were legal in any state. We have them, but never put them on the windshield, not because of what the law says, but more because of what common sense says. I have some sunglasses that work quite well. If not, I would pull over and wait a short while. My time is not more important than safety.
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On my rear side windows to help block out the Summer heat. It’s 70 outside right now. Spring is gone, now Summertime.