Nerd Report: Wipers

[tower]

Okay, I ordered from Summit Racing:

2 x Bosch 417A (Icon)
1 x Bosch 40811 (Hindsight)

SR was the only vendor I could find that had both the Icon and Hindsight in stock (only wanted to pay shipping once). Total with Shipping to So Cal (no tax) was $58.80. Seems a little steep for 3 wiper blades, but WTF, I drive a Hummer, I'm used to that. I should have them in a couple/3 days. Shipping from Reno. I will report back. Hope it's still raining by then!

[tower]

Being thoroughly UNimpressed with the PIAA silicone blades, especially for the price. I decided to next try the new flat or beam type wiper blades (e.g.Valeo ultimate 9000, Michelin Optimum or Bosh Icon and Hindsight (rear blade). I have always had good luck with Bosch blades. I love their relays, too. I guess PIAA should stick with what they do best: NOT horns and NOT wipers.
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By the time I got out this morning, the rain had mostly subsided. Thats fine. In my experience wipers streak the worst in a light rain or mist. As expected, the Bosch Icons worked flawlessly. No streaking. Absolutely none! I have never had that from any other wiper blade, even when brand new. Of course the true test will be if they can maintain this level of performance over time. Others report favorably.

Unfortunately, the Hindsight is not the beam type of blade. I have yet to find an 11" beam type blade, but will report here if I do. Please do the same if you find one first.

*Bosch seems to have redubbed the Icon, now calling it the Aero-twin. Seems identical.

*In the 2003 owner's manual, the front blade size is listed as 22". I don't know if this has been corrected in subsequent owner's manual editions, but it is definitely wrong. The correct size is 17".

[finall]

Pacific NW where it rains every day for 6 months of the year.

Bought Bosch for our 06. Smeared like hell. So now I thought the arms were bad. Surely Bosch is good~!

Went to dealer, wanting new wiper arms... Dealer put on a set of OEM blades. Problem fixed. Charged me $70 for the "service". Bosch Sucks really bad, and cost me much grief and $$. Avoid them at all cost. If they were so much better thank OEM, GM would be buying these instead of Trico OEMs.

[tomp]

I have never found any aftermarket brand as good as the OEM ones.

[mikejr]

Originally Posted by tomp

I have never found any aftermarket brand as good as the OEM ones.

wow really? The OEM wipers suck in the winter time with the open frames. Once the open frames get snow/ice in them, then the wiper doesnt contact the glass and you cannot see anything. Used to use the Trico winter blades...really like the Bosch Ikons.

[tower]

Originally Posted by finall

Pacific NW where it rains every day for 6 months of the year.

Bought Bosch for our 06. Smeared like hell. So now I thought the arms were bad. Surely Bosch is good~!

Went to dealer, wanting new wiper arms... Dealer put on a set of OEM blades. Problem fixed. Charged me $70 for the "service". Bosch Sucks really bad, and cost me much grief and $$. Avoid them at all cost. If they were so much better thank OEM, GM would be buying these instead of Trico OEMs.

Did you use the frameless Bosch (Icon or Aero-Twin). Every Bosch I've owned has worked great. The OEMs have sucked for me, especially in snow. I guess everyone's experience differs. Because at this point, I wouldn't use anything but Bosch!

[mdoyle]

I picked up a pair of Bosch Icons this weekend at O'Reilly for $15.99 each.

The passenger side works fine but the driver's side one doesn't contact the glass very well on the upper 1 to 2 inches. At the top of the arc it doesn't touch at all so I returned it for another one.

The new one does the same damn thing, but the stock blade assemblies work fine. Since the arm itself can affect blade performance, I checked it and all is fine.

I think I'll return them for some winter blades.