Windshields and reduced vision?

[chs825i]

Just took delivery of an 825i and already looking hard into adding a windshield. Has anyone experienced reduced field of vision with windshields that have a frame around them? The Fortress, Prosum and JD-Glass versions have frames around them. This may not be an issue, but thought I'd ask.

Also, anybody have an opinion on how "no-scratch" the JD polycarbonate windshield is? JD quotes it as - "Manufactured from super-premium, two-sided Makrolon? AR grade abrasion-resistant polycarbonate."

Here are pics of the full windshields I could find. Thanks!

11231124112511261127

[Marty]

A big factor to consider when buying a windshield. Is it removable should you trailer the vehicle much. If so how easy. Leaving it on for trailering distances you can count on losing 2 to 4 mpg depending on the tow vehicle. Needing 2 people and a hand full of tools to do it just makes it inconvenient to the point you'll just leave it on and pay at the pump.

[Kiwi06]

Personally, I like the more "minimalist" non-framed windshield. I have a poly JD. It definitely has drawbacks, but I do like that it feels more open than the framed shields. (Note that I don't have experience with the framed ones, and I'd bet I'd get over noticing the frames fairly quickly.) I chose the poly for light weight and lower cost. Had I known about the "no-scratch" option, I'd have probably been willing to pay the extra for that. Note that it is only more scratch resistant than the regular poly (as some have noted on this forum or the gatorforum.com!)!!! I am used to plexiglass windshields on airplanes, so I can live with the extra care the poly windshield takes. That said, it is a real pain trying to see when I get a light mist - just enough to make the dust "puddle" but not enough to clean the screen! Dust alone doesn't bother me so much, and so far, Colorado dry snow has not been a problem. I am very careful to hose the dust off before trying to wipe, but I can see some "wiping scratches" anyway.

While at this point, I think I'd be happy with the no-scratch poly, I do see a big advantage with a glass shield and a wiper. I think how you ultimately use the vehicle plays a large part in what is best for you. Unfortunately (:lol:), with the versatility the Gator affords, you'll soon be using it in ways you never imagined before you got it! :BG:

- Steve in CO

[apple]

I've had both and pefer the glass windshield. The poly windshield came in pre-scrached so I got a credit on it. I went with the jd glass and wiper combo. The poly also wanted to rattle and flex

[chs825i]

Thanks for the input. This will help with weighing cost & performance.

- Elias in SC

[ncbowhnter]

I have the JD glass. well worth the extra cost in my opinion. the frame around the glass looks wide but when riding in it, it is not much bigger than the roll cage bars. It doesn't block your field of view very much if any. you don't have to worry about it scratching and the wiper sure came in handy when it started misting the other day. The flip up section on the bottom is plastic (pretty sure its the no scratch) so, no blocking the field of view there either....it is also very nice when its hot out to have it flipped up..it allows a very nice breeze (depending on your speed of course):Ysnd:

[Cpleus]

Yes, you are right!

[Regulator]

I have the JD glass. well worth the extra cost in my opinion. the frame around the glass looks wide but when riding in it, it is not much bigger than the roll cage bars. It doesn't block your field of view very much if any. you don't have to worry about it scratching and the wiper sure came in handy when it started misting the other day. The flip up section on the bottom is plastic (pretty sure its the no scratch) so, no blocking the field of view there either....it is also very nice when its hot out to have it flipped up..it allows a very nice breeze (depending on your speed of course):Ysnd:

+1....Exacatacally what he said :Thmup:....Glass windshield with the wiper...there's no contest...if you had one, you'd understand what we mean...

Larry in MD :Jestr:

[IdleUp]

Hello I posted this on another thread also - Does JD make a glass windshield that fits the standard Rop's on the 825i?

Thanks

Mike

[Dane]

Yes, there is a glass one available. According to the "build & price" configurator on the JD website it costs $793.

[IdleUp]

Yes, there is a glass one available. According to the "build & price" configurator on the JD website it costs $793.

Thanks for the reply - is there a glass rear window available.

Thanks

Mike

[Nomoney]

Glad to hear that the glass w/ wiper is good. My dealer suggested it because I got the powertach blade to plow snow. He said the wiper would be a must have. Hasn't come in yet. Little more money, but sounds like it's worth it.

[Dane]

From what I'm experiencing with my poly no scratch I'd say you made the right choice with the glass. At night and I imagine on some cold winter day's keeping mine fog free is difficult enough not to mention rain and snow.

[MN.RSX850i]

Hi, New here and we just ordered the RSX 850i in Camo. We ordered the glass with wiper and our salesman first said it opens for air-flow and a couple days later he says no?? :hdscrh:Anyone have one? Thanks, P.S. this forum is Great!

[Dane]

I think the glass windshield does not open. Seeing how you are in MN I think you will be happy with the glass. If I had it to do over I would get the glass instead of the no scratch opening one I have. With the rear and sides open enough ventilation is not an issue and the benefits of glass with a wiper far outweigh any ventilation you loose.

[duling]

I will for sure be replacing my standard JD poly with a glass and wiper combo, (if i don't trade it on a 850 first), because i have scratched the crap out of it. i now use rainX frequently and it has helped a ton with the mist and wet snow issue.

[plateauman57]

I will for sure be replacing my standard JD poly with a glass and wiper combo, (if i don't trade it on a 850 first), because i have scratched the crap out of it. i now use rainX frequently and it has helped a ton with the mist and wet snow issue.


I agree. On my 825 I had the poly windshield. When I traded for the 850 it had the same but I upgraded to the glass w/wiper. If I remember right there's only about $200 difference between the poly no scratch and the glass and its worth every penny in my book. That being said, I do miss being able to flip the bottom of my poly up to get air flowing.....the glass is solid. But it comes off easy enough to take it off when the weather is nice.

[Bunky]

I agree. On my 825 I had the poly windshield. When I traded for the 850 it had the same but I upgraded to the glass w/wiper. If I remember right there's only about $200 difference between the poly no scratch and the glass and its worth every penny in my book. That being said, I do miss being able to flip the bottom of my poly up to get air flowing.....the glass is solid. But it comes off easy enough to take it off when the weather is nice.

The price difference was not significant so I opted for glass but my glass windshield has a pop up bottom. To remove, it looks like you have to remove two bolts at top (angle brackets securing it to OPS) and the over center style clamps on the side.

http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-PW48M7j/0/L/ANG_1852-2-L.jpg (http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/21491530_hZVwBD#!i=2717514000&k=PW48M7j&lb=1&s=A)

http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-V7rg4QR/0/L/ANG_1894-19-L.jpg (http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/21491530_hZVwBD#!i=2717517219&k=V7rg4QR&lb=1&s=A)

[plateauman57]

The price difference was not significant so I opted for glass but my glass windshield has a pop up bottom. To remove, it looks like you have to remove two bolts at top (angle brackets securing it to OPS) and the over center style clamps on the side.

http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-PW48M7j/0/L/ANG_1852-2-L.jpg (http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/21491530_hZVwBD#!i=2717514000&k=PW48M7j&lb=1&s=A)

http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/i-V7rg4QR/0/L/ANG_1894-19-L.jpg (http://angphoto.smugmug.com/Detailing/ANG-Gallery/21491530_hZVwBD#!i=2717517219&k=V7rg4QR&lb=1&s=A)


Nice. Is that windshield an aftermarket or from JD? Because when I got my 850 the dealer said the windshield available for it didn't have the flip up section. Maybe the flip up one is only available for the 825.

[Bunky]

Nice. Is that windshield an aftermarket or from JD? Because when I got my 850 the dealer said the windshield available for it didn't have the flip up section. Maybe the flip up one is only available for the 825.

John Deere factory install. I recall reading about it somewhere in the brochure so maybe new to 2013.

[Allygator]

So after everyone has had there windshield installed for a while, would you change it? Is the added dust worth the benefits.. I have had mine for almost a year and have only had it on for about a week when I first got it and hated the dust. So this week I have been playing with it because I have a deer hunt this coming week. So I took the lower section off my kohlpin windshield. This has helped with air flow but I still see more dust..Which really isn't that bad compared to what it was..Just curious if everyone thinks the benefits outway the dust factor..
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg194/jchavez_photo/Gator/photo3_zps0761f14c.jpg
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg194/jchavez_photo/Gator/photo2_zps41709cb0.jpg
http://i248.photobucket.com/albums/gg194/jchavez_photo/Gator/photo1_zpsad237cdd.jpg

[Dane]

With no windshield the wind wind hits you from the front. With only a windshield installed a lot of dust and chaff blows up and around from behind. Opening my vented windshield takes care of much of the dust from behind problem but if I close it I'd say you get more crud in the cab than going with no windshield. I have a rear window for winter use and fixed 1/4 doors that blocks anything from blowing in from behind.

[CentMO3088]

I agree with several others. I bought the poly no scratch and now wish I had went ahead with the glass. I'm reluctant to order one because I would like to find a glass that opens completely similar to the factory cab on a Polaris. They have gas shocks on each side and you can open it about 4" at the bottom or swing it fully open to where the glass is almost straight out in front of you for full ventilation. Sometimes Deere has really got their head up their you know whats in my opinion. I guess they want everyone to buy the full factory cab. I'll pass on that one again.

Mike

[missouri gator]

Allygator, Its really a toss up!! I have the no scratch with tip up on the bottom and the poly rear panal its nice if you get caught out in the rain or at night for the bugs, the dust is bad. I leave mine on summer and winter and eat the dust when its dry and stay dry when its raining.

[Allygator]

That's kind of what I was thinking. With the bottom off on mine dust isn't horrible so we'll see.

[duling]

I have the full poly cab and plastic windshield... with the doors off I cannot run the gator with the windshield bottom closed because it creates a vaccum inside the cab and sucks in dust from everywhere. If you have a rear panel you must run with the bottom of your windshield open or you will have terrible dust. It's similar to only opening the rear window of your pickup truck, all the crap from bed blows in the cab.

[Brucejande]

Hey guys...I just ordered the half windshield and was really torn about that decision too. Can't get the half in no-scratch so had to go with the poly. I have visited and heard from some guys that the full windshield causes a lot of dust to swirl in the cab and the half keeps enough air moving through to keep the dust out. What kind of experiences have you had with dust?