Heated Windscreen or Remote Controlled Webasto-style heater?

[CJW]

Your experience invited please:

Was toying with the idea of a heated windscreen retrofit, but seeing how long it takes to de-ice (there are Timelapse vids on YouTube of the T6), I wondered if a Webasto-style diesel heater with remote control might not be a better call? Can trigger it from indoors, and I get a warm cab thrown in too.

What does the T6 hive mind think?

 

[Sasquatch]

The webasto has dual utility as a heater for days out or camping.

 

[JOG]

I have a Webasto heater. I can trigger it from indoors and it runs for 30 mins. Biggest issue is remembering to fire it up on wintery mornings to defrost the windows.

I hope Santa brings me a heated windscreen!!!

 

[Dellmassive]

Heated windscreens are awesome

 

[Salty Spuds]

Your experience invited please:

Was toying with the idea of a heated windscreen retrofit, but seeing how long it takes to de-ice (there are Timelapse vids on YouTube of the T6), I wondered if a Webasto-style diesel heater with remote control might not be a better call? Can trigger it from indoors, and I get a warm cab thrown in too.

What does the T6 hive mind think?

the heated windscreen takes under a minute to clear

 

[Dellmassive]

I'd want both .... Lol.

Got heated screen on the van.

Neither on the bus, but looking to get a derv heater fitted for camping

 

[CJW]

the heated windscreen takes under a minute to clear

That’s what I’d have thought. Then I found this video and it made me question if I’d want to leave it running for 4 minutes annoying the neighbours. But you’re saying yours clears in a minute. Hmmm. A minute would be great and would probably swing the deal.

 

[TallPaul_S]

I had a heated windscreen on my previous car, a Skoda Superb.

On a frosty morning, open car, start engine, switch on heated screen etc, and by the time I'd cleared the side windows of any ice the windscreen would be clear. 1 to 2 minutes top.

And also need need to whack the AC on max windscreen setting if it starts to get a bit foggy, just turn on the heated screen.

It's the main thing I miss not having.

The diesel heater will defrost the windscreen but you'll need it on maximum heat for probably 30 minutes before you want to leave to allow the heat to melt any ice. It does work well though, all the glass will be nice and clear. It does also warn up the inside nicely too so no need for a heated wheel/wooly hat and coat when driving.

I'd have both, personally!

 

[Ali-G]

I had the heated screen in my van, it was okay but you still have to scrape the side windows so I'd say go for the diesel heater. As you say, you'd also get the bonus of a warm cab, no need to scrape the side windows, and as someone else said, a diesel heater for days out and camping

 

[oldiebut goodie]

My Webasto Evo 40 will clear my screen quickly and heat the interior to 30 degrees quickly - I made sure that I fitted one vent so that the air passed between the front seats and to the screen - other vent directed to the back and the shower room/toilet. I find that a heated windscreen fails to clear the other windows or heat the interior.

 

[Lubrown]

Not VW but I had a heated screen in my Sierra xr4x4 and it was super fast, even with thick frost/ice.
Being an early model you could see the wires running through the glass though.

Are all T6/6.1 heated screens the same version and what do they use as the element? I know when I ordered my Golf a while back they used a metalised foil layer in the glass (not individual wires) and I wonder if this is slower or faster than wires? Apparently being one continuous layer meant it blocked phone signal so if I’d have specced it on the golf I would have had to have the wireless phone charging pad that also boosted signal via the pad and an external antenna - might be something else to consider if choosing a heated screen (phone signal)?

Must admit I like the idea of the remote control of a Webasto heater so just had a Quick Look at their website.

They offer remote operation from your smartphone or tablet (using their app) or by shouting instructions at a smart speaker if you have one. Control it from anywhere and it also looks as though the thing would work as a tracker - shows your vehicle location on google maps and can even be set up to ping you if your van leaves an area you geofence!
£40 a year in 2025 for the subscription for the convenience of pre-heating might seem a little steep but with the addition of some ad-hoc security I’d be tempted. Not that I have a Webasto heater.

 

[ginkster]

Pour lukewarm water over the screen. Cleared in about 2 seconds and no misting on the inside.

Heated screens are good in my experience but you still have to clear the others.

I’ve tried the diesel heater (Autoterm 2d) but it needs to run for a long time to properly clear the windows, especially if you don’t have a vent pointing into the cab.

 

[CJW]

I made sure that I fitted one vent so that the air passed between the front seats and to the screen

That’s a nifty idea.

might be something else to consider if choosing a heated screen (phone signal)?

I know this is a big problem on Cross Country trains, not come across it as an issue on the T6 - definitely one to research.

Must admit I like the idea of the remote control of a Webasto heater so just had a Quick Look at their website.

They offer remote operation from your smartphone or tablet (using their app) or by shouting instructions at a smart speaker if you have one. Control it from anywhere and it also looks as though the thing would work as a tracker - shows your vehicle location on google maps and can even be set up to ping you if your van leaves an area you geofence!
£40 a year in 2025 for the subscription for the convenience of pre-heating might seem a little steep but with the addition of some ad-hoc security I’d be tempted. Not that I have a Webasto heater.

Not looked at the site yet but I like the idea of scheduling.

Pour lukewarm water over the screen. Cleared in about 2 seconds and no misting on the inside.

I used to use this method on cars. Never once cracked one but have heard of it happening to others who claim it was body temp.

 

[ginkster]

I used to use this method on cars. Never once cracked one but have heard of it happening to others who claim it was body temp.

If it’s cracked the screen it was too warm. Water out of the cold tap, before the nice cold water comes through, is just fine.

 

[oldiebut goodie]

Pee on it!

 

[JOG]

I had a heated windscreen on my previous car, a Skoda Superb.

On a frosty morning, open car, start engine, switch on heated screen etc, and by the time I'd cleared the side windows of any ice the windscreen would be clear. 1 to 2 minutes top.

And also need need to whack the AC on max windscreen setting if it starts to get a bit foggy, just turn on the heated screen.

It's the main thing I miss not having.

The diesel heater will defrost the windscreen but you'll need it on maximum heat for probably 30 minutes before you want to leave to allow the heat to melt any ice. It does work well though, all the glass will be nice and clear. It does also warn up the inside nicely too so no need for a heated wheel/wooly hat and coat when driving.

I'd have both, personally!

I too would have both!

I know this is a big problem on Cross Country trains, not come across it as an issue on the T6 - definitely one to research.

Well, in fairness, Cross Country trains are the winners in the cancellation department!

Wonderful business model: no station to own; no train to own; no maintenance bill; no fuel bill either (if you promise to run the route!); no staff cost other than hours worked….hmmm, where can I get me this gig! Now please explain the “couldn’t be arsed to run the train” argument!!!!

 

[Lubrown]

Well, in fairness, Cross Country trains are the winners in the cancellation department!

Wonderful business model: no station to own; no train to own; no maintenance bill; no fuel bill either (if you promise to run the route!); no staff cost other than hours worked….hmmm, where can I get me this gig! Now please explain the “couldn’t be arsed to run the train” argument!!!!

Yeah, back in 2022 Avanti West Coast was the most complained about train operator (due to cancellations and late running) yet the government of the time gave them a bonus (not even paying just the fees… an actual bonus) of over £4m of taxpayer money!
Why? How?
Truly dodgy shenanigans.
Said government also declared, following a review, HS2 was definitely value for money and signed it off… and we still haven’t had an agreed cost estimate! Who starts any project without understanding what it will cost? Let alone declaring it provides value - how can you assess that if you don’t understand what you will pay?
Rail in the UK is just bizarre. Rewarding failure, writing blank cheques.

 

[Sasquatch]

I'm not sure HS2 is remotely value for money, resources or time.

To date £33 billion has been spent on HS2 and not a mile of working track exists.

In the same period of time China has built 12,000 miles of railway.

The UK government, regardless of stripe, couldn't find its own arse with a mirror on a stick.

Oh, and get the Webasto

 

[Simon Audi]

I have both in the T6.1... The screen would defrost in maybe 2 to 3 minutes on a frosty morning with the heated windscreen.

But the Autoterm Diesel heater has a timer - which is set to turn on daily at 1.30AM to warm the van enough so the dehumidifer starts and its all running to load the dogs at 2.15 for their walk

As I have cages - I have ducting that goes from the vent outlet - along the ground - to the middle of the seats then up to a Y outlet that directs to front and back.

So far only had 1 frosty morning since fitted and worked fine clearing whole van... but that was only a -1'C night... waiting a colder one to really test it.

This is all to defrost the screens and keep down the condensation from the dogs...

As FYI - the Autoterm on full heat up mode is not silent.... maybe not as loud as an idling engine... but not silent.

I would think the Autoterm is a cheaper better all round option

Mine was around £1000 fitted (I did ducting) - with Comfort Controller - you can add a modem type connection to use an App on your phone for around £150 extra... but I just use the timer.

The last photo was before I fitted the Autoterm - and tried a tube heater and a fan heater - but they were not enough to warm the van so the dehumidifer would run on a cold morning.

 

[Ali-G]

load the dogs at 2.15 for their walk