Owner opinions wanted - Heatshield sun shades

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I have one and use it regularly. It's still hot when I get in the car, but its not a sauna like it is when I don't use it.
 
I always thought it was cheesy and unnecessary... then I moved to Colorado. They say in Boulder we get 300 days of sun per year and 5500+ ft the sun starts to get pretty damn potent. I don't have a "heat shield" brand but I do have a fitted one and I don't think I could live without it anymore. Tinted windows and the shade make a world of difference.
 
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Got one for my Tacoma, one for my wife's 4runner, and one for my 85 Supra. I love them. They fit the windshield good and work a lot better than the one's you buy at the local parts store. Worth the extra cost IMO.
 
Recently got one for the 4Runner, and one for the wife's car. I like them. They roll up pretty easy, fit the window pretty good, and keep the worst of the sun off of the interior surfaces. As stated, it won't eliminate all heat, but the difference is in how the seats, steering wheel, and console lid/armrest only get warm when using the sunshade (instead of searing hot without).

I have one of those el cheapo fold up ones in my truck. It is really crappy compared to the heatshield... I'll be getting a heatshield for the truck soon.

To be fair though, I don't know anything about their longevity. Only had mine 3 or 4 weeks so far. I say this because when you roll them out, the edges almost seem purposely stiff to fit the opening and keep it in place. Not sure how long, or if this stiffness will break down. If it does, I could see keeping it in place becoming more difficult, especially on the 4Runner's more upright windshield.
 
(OP) Thanks for all the inputs. I've used the cheapo/generic/springy shades for decades, and am primarily interested in opinions on the worth of the heat shield brand (more $$$, but vehicle-specific shape). I'll soon have three 5th gens, and was trying to decide if I should just order one to try it out, or order three with the $5 per shade discount. Thanks.
 
Had one when I had an A5 and used it all the time. If I had leather in my 4R, I would have bought another one.
 
Live in San Antonio (ie hot and sunny) and use mine all the time. It fits great and has shown no signs of wearing out after two years. Someone else said they look cheesy, but to me having a cracked dash and faded interior looks cheesier. If I didn't plan on keeping the vehicle till the wheels fall off maybe I wouldn't worry about it as much.
 
I'm in SW Florida, and use one every day (my work parking lot is outside). Combine a sunshade with tinted windows and it keeps the car considerably cooler. Another benefit is security.....it makes it harder to see inside with the tinted windows so any opportunistic thieves wont be able to see any items you may have left visible.
 
I've used a sun shade like the one in the link below for the last 15 years (in 6 different cars) and it makes a big difference, especially when combined with ceramic tint (Llumar) on windows. Not cheesy, just smart in protecting your interior and dash.

Intro Tech Automotive Ultimate Reflector Car Sun Shade - Intro Tech Custom Auto Shade for Cars

+1 on this sun shade. I got this for my 4Runner 2 years ago and it's fantastic. It's pricey, but what a great fit. It makes a huge difference here in sunny Colorado. The difference between this sun shade and some cheap one, like I have always used in my old Tundra, is huge.

If this one was somehow lost or badly damaged, I'd for sure buy another.

Edit: I just saw these features noted below there on the link. I never thought about it's reversible winter bonus... it certainly would work. I'll be trying that here before long as winter is approaching!

Reversible design cools interior by as much as 40 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer and reverses to absorb heat in the winter
When reversed for winter use, the Ultimate Reflector Car Sun Shade acts as a thermal blanket to absorb heat and keep your car's interior warm
 
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have an el cheapo from wallymart and it works great. Only use it while my rig is in the Florida sun at work for 10ish hours a day
 
Just wanted to add my $.02--I got one of these last week and already love it. I'd been looking for something not only to block the sun but to provide privacy when sleeping in the truck; since this is custom fitted to the shape of the windshield, it goes all the way to all the edges. The only place where it doesn't cover the windshield is up high around the mirror stem.

Because it's a little stiff, getting it around the mirror means kind of folding down the corners of the mirror cut out, but that's the only "difficult" thing about putting it up.

Glad to see from others' posts that it'll last a long time. Even if it only lasts a year, I feel like it's worth the money.

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I've used one for years, and bought one immediately for the 4r. It can't hurt the dash and interior. It only takes a couple seconds to add and remove.

I live in eastern Canada; not the hottest part of the continent. But I have hounds with me in my vehicle 50% of the time, and the few degrees difference is good enough for me.
 

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