New Type Wiper Blade

[Kent]

I have noticed a new type wiper blade on the market classified as a Beam Blade or Bracket Less Wiper. It seems they came out in Europe and are now in the U.S. market.

When I saw this type of wiper on a new Audi I went to investigate if they where available as a replacement. I thought I would post this because they are the first wiper blades that have worked on my car and performed better than anything I have tried before. They work equally as well when traveling down the highway at 75 mph, not with Casita in tow of course.

I found the Trico brand called “Innovision” at local auto parts store. They are considered all weather because there is no bracket that ice can get caught in which causes the normal wiper blade to not function as well.

Looking on the Internet I see that Bosch has one under the “Icon” name and Valeo under the “Ultimate Wiper” name. When I was at Wal-Mart the other day I saw that they carry the Valeo brand which seems to be better quality than Trico.

I thought they performed so well I would mention it here in case others have not seen or heard of this type of wiper blade and might be looking for a better replacement.

I have included a link to the Trico web site which will have more information on this type of blade. Hope someone finds this useful!

Trico Beam Blade Web Site

[Donna D.]

Oh man Kent...why couldn't you have posted this information 48 hours SOONER

Just yesterday, I spent $23+ on new Trico wiperblades (the standard kind) and may have purchased these instead...drat.

Sigh...next time.

[Kurt & Ann K.]

Kent,
Thanks for the heads-up! Hopefully there is one available to fit my wife's old Camry.
Kurt & Ann K.

[Christi V.]

I will be looking for these the next time I need to replace my wiper blade.. thanks!!

[Kent]

Oh man Kent...why couldn't you have posted this information 48 hours SOONER

Just yesterday, I spent $23+ on new Trico wiperblades (the standard kind) and may have purchased these instead...drat.

Sigh...next time.

Sorry I didn't post sooner Donna. I wanted to test them thru different weather conditions before posting on forums. I have always had heck of time with my wipers on my Explorer. Nothing seem to work well until I tried these.

[MKohlman]

Actually I've had the Innovisions on my Ford Escape for about 9 months now. They can still get ice trapped in the mounting point to the arm (which will keep the blade from tensioning properly on the windshield) but in every respect work better year-round that any other Blade I've used.

The Bosch design seems like it is a little better but I've not seen any available locally yet.

- Michael

[Pete Dumbleton]

Donna, if you haven't actually installed the blades, or have the original packaging, you can return the ones you have and buy these.

[Donna D.]

Donna, if you haven't actually installed the blades, or have the original packaging, you can return the ones you have and buy these.

Too late Pete. The nice guy at Schucks Auto even put them on for me. Like my elderly Mom says... " having gray hair is helpful sometimes." SCORE!

But, I'll definitely check into the Innovisions next time. Because of all the rain the PNW gets, I make it a habit of buying myself a set every Christmas.

[jack maloney]

Thanks for this tip - hope it helps us all see safely through the windshield on our way to a bright and joyful New Year!

[Will M.]

I have not yet tried these new wipers.

However, I did buy and install a gadget called a Wiper Shaker. I have had it for two years now and think it is great. It is a small 12 volt motor that mounts on the wiper arm. Push a button inside the car and it shakes (vibrates) the ice and snow off the wiper. It sure beats rolling down the window and reaching for the wiper arm.



Wiper Shaker Website

[Roger H]

Ok guys... based on your recommendations, I went to Advance Auto Parts and bought a set of Bosch Icon wiper blades for the Tundra. They have a really trick hood that covers the mounting to the wiper arm. Interestingly they have an "A" blade (driver's side) and a "B" blade (passenger's side) and they're allegedly not interchangeable... I'll be durned if I can see the difference between them though... They are also THE most expensive wiper blades I've ever bought at $39 and change for the pair. Standard Trico winter blades were about $14 for the set, but I went ahead and splurged. They DID come with a $15 rebate which eased the pain a little, I guess!

It's foggy this morning, and I have a trip to make across the state today and back, so I'll report on how they do upon my return!

FWIW, we JUST bought a new Honda Civic EX sedan and they have a similar wiper from the factory. THOSE, however are about 18' long on each side. I'll probably have to take out a second mortgage to replace those when they need it... I'm thinking that a little silicone on the blades every so often may actually be worthwhile on those puppies!

Roger

[Joe MacDonald]

I always thought my wipers were big at 24 inches, but I guess Roger's 18 footers take the cake.

"we JUST bought a new Honda Civic EX sedan and they have a similar wiper from the factory. THOSE, however are about 18' long on each side."

[Craig Nold]

Kent,
Your timing was great. I was in Atlanta last week and it rained red Georgia clay. My old wipers were not up to the task. I got a set of Innovision wipers today from O'Reilly Auto Parts for $10.99 each.

[Roger H]

Joe... just got home... went out and measured 'em... they're actually twenty feet long... I underestimated them!

Roger