Weather Tech In channel vs. AVS Low Profile
Here is my assessment after owning both. At first I had Weather Tech, then recently bought some AVS Low Profiles due to some things that bugged me about the Weather Tech (Wind noise, noise when rolling up the window and concerns about the rears staying put). Spoiler….there is not a winner
Material: Winner Weather Tech (WT)
The WT material is superior in quality, clarity, and color, both from the outside and from the inside. It looks and feels like a higher quality product.
AVS looks black from the outside but when viewed from the inside is cloudy with a blue tint. No biggie for this application, but cheaper looking and feeling for sure.
Installation: Winner Weather Tech
Honestly either one is no biggie to install, but the WT front just snap in with no adhesive (doesn’t need any) and the rears just have a strip of tape. In the instructions there is no need to clean or prep anything (more on this later)
The AVS does require you to prep by removing all dirt, oils, waxes, etc. Then since both front and back tape on with very aggressive tape you need to take your time and line everything up and make sure the fronts and backs don’t touch. No biggie, just a few more brain cells and maybe 10 mins more.
Wind Noise: Winner AVS
I think there are several things reducing the wind noise with the AVS. They are Low Profile, sticking out no further than the roof line (if the roof line was lower it would line up..some cons with this). They have a more rounded profile and no sharp edges.
The WT sticks out a lot further and absolutely has more interference with the aerodynamics of the 4R. I also think the sharp edges contribute. The other issue (on mine at least) is they creak on the highway (super irritating)
Retention: Winner AVS
Yes, I have only had these a short time, but based on what I experienced putting them on and the I have a 2002 Avalanche with AVS that have never come off I feel pretty good about these staying put. Honestly my biggest concern is getting them off!
The WT fronts I have zero concerns about as well. It really is the rears that have an issue, people seem to lose them. When I pulled mine out the passenger side had some adhesive still attached in the middle but still pulled out with no effort. The drivers side had zero adhesive retention left and just slipped out, no idea how it was holding on.
Coverage/Venting: Winner Weather Tech
With the windows cracked the WT covers completely front and back, no gaps. The WT drops down 35mm from the window frame which is greater than the AVS. Plus since they protrude away from the window by 30mm they provide better wind and rain protection by dripping less inside the car with the windows open (while parked or driving slow) The WT drop down 35mm from the door frame as well, providing better coverage and protection.
The AVS have a coverage issue in front, there is a small gap when the windows are cracked about the side mirror. Not ideal for concealing that your windows are cracked in the summer, or even a possibility that with a stick you could unlock the doors. The AVS only protrude 15mm from the window so not as good of drip protection while parked, but they have a channel that directs water back while driving with better drip protection. The AVS only drop down 23mm from the frame, which is very noticeable from the inside, while from the outside they are larger since they tape on.
All that adds up too much better venting for the WTs
Rolling up Windows: Winner AVS
Pretty obvious, nothing touching the window so no scraping sound. Which is nice
Cleaning: Winner Weather Tech
Yeah this is one I didn’t think about until I cleaned the 4R. The WT have a nice gap between the visor and window, allowing you to easily clean and dry the window and the underside of the visor.
The AVS is so tight you can’t clean under it or even dry under it, forcing you to roll down the windows to do both. Then or course you have to roll them back up and wipe the lower part of the window again.
Looks: Weather Tech
Yeah this is subjective, but I think the clean install, better finish, better material, better coverage with less bulk just looks better on the WTs
AVS is a super clean look for stick on versions, how the blend together looks so much better than other versions of stick on, the sculped look with the rain channel look great, and they conform to the body really well. The material is just not as nice, and they have a minor molding issue of the surface being a little wavy (either bad cooling on the mold base, or cycling to fast)
Confused yet? Me too!! I am taking the AVS on a week long trip to see how I feel. Really it is about choosing the lesser of two evils based on your preference. There is not a visor on the market that fixes both brands issues.
Here is the deal though. I think the WTs issues can be addressed in whole or in part. While the AVS issues cannot.
WT:
1. Wet sand the edges that go into channel (tape off the exposed plastic are so you don’t scratch it), eliminate all the sharp edges. WTs look like they have secondary machining, leaving very sharp edges and not a super smooth surface. This will help with creaking while driving.
2. Use very thin Teflon tape on the inner edges touching the glass. This will eliminate the scratching sound when you roll up the windows and tighten things up a little. Might address creaking noise while driving as well.
3. On the rears clean the channel with rubbing alcohol to remove all dirt, oils, wax, Rain X, whatever from the area that the tape needs to adhere. The instructions do not call for this.
4. Use a thin industrial grade double-sided tape on the rear. The stock tape is not providing compete coverage and there is no tape on the trailing edge at all. Plus, it is just not that aggressive. Cover the entire matte (machined) area. Install on a hot day or warm the tape up with a heat gun (low) or a hair drier to activate the adhesive.
5. This is only an idea, but a thin low profile (5mm high, 1mm thick) U channel edging on the entire outer edge might reduce wind noise and direct water while moving
