Applicable to: '90 - '97
Tinted Acrylic windstop
The hadware that comes with the product is garbage. The rubber expansion plugs do not stay in and if you try to tighten them they will break.
I had mine fly out of the car due to the crappy hardware. When I requested some new hardware from Chris he said he would mail me out some.I never received it and he stopped answering my emails. i would not recommend this product.
Difficult to remove without leaving damage
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter
Plexiglas windstop
I have been happy with the result of having a windblocker, but I am not real thrilled with the brackets and hardware to attach the windstop. I didn't feel that the windstop was being held very securely with the rubber expansion nuts provided. This proved to be correct when the windstop came off as I was driving. The remedy I found was to get a metal washer and two nuts and attach the bracket with these fasteners on top of the rubber gasket/nut provided. The only difficulty I have is trying to get the nuts on the bolt inside the seatbelt tower- however, the bracket seems to be on securely with just one bolt holding on.
The reviews I saw on this product prior to me getting it (and I did so on an auction on Ebay). There seemed to be mixed reviews as far as stability of the bracket and how to fix it, but I like the rest of the reviewers, seem to like the product in general and think it is a great value. The most important thing is that my wife now likes riding in the car!
Difficult to remove without leaving damage
Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter
A tinted windstop made of plexiglass that mounts behind the seats.
Although drilling is required for Chris' new brackets, it only took me five to ten minutes to make the additional holes with a 3/8" drill. The existing holes, which are 1/4" must also be enlarged, but minimum drill time is required.
Once the brackets were installed, I was able to resnap my Robbins heavy duty boot under them (and the vinyl is very thick, but it still fit). I slid the windstop into the brackets and away I went on a HIGH speed test drive. It didn't even waver on a VERY windy day. I'm ABSOLUTELY pleased with this windstop and it's replaced an Oris which I intend on selling!! Total installation time: 20 minutes.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
This windblocker is mad of Plexiglas and is very easy to install . Brackets are anchored to the seat belt towers using two existing holes. After securing the brackets to the towers, the windblocker is simply slid into the channel brackets & secured by 4 set screws.
I am not a windblocker type of person --my hair always looks lousy & I figure driving top down to work is a great excuse. The wife on the other hand always looks perfect & complains when we leave with the top down -- thus the blocker! It works -- she admits it makes a LOT of difference and thus is a keeper.
I do suggest 1 modification. I removed the 6-32 set screws and bought four 6-32 thumb screws -- which I think are a big improvement. First, there is no longer a need for a screwdriver when installing/removing the blocker. Second, I bet tightening the set screws with a driver could easily lead to stripping the threads in the channel. Tightening the screws only thumb tight should eliminate this possibility! On down side -- you will not be able to use the blocker with your Atlantic Design Deck Luggage! There is however a cheap/quick fix to this. If you're interested, E-Mail me & I will be glad to describe the fix & send you a photo!
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.8 liter
A Miata windstop that is snap to install , is easily removed , and really looks good .
Very easy to install . Brackets are anchored to the seat belt towers using two existing holes ,and two holes that must be drilled . The existing holes must be reamed out to 1/4 inch size ,and two new 1/4 inch holes drilled into the tower . The Plexiglas windstop then slides into the brackets , and you are off and running . I found no vibration , and a good suppression of wind and noise . You can raise and lower the top with it in place , or slip it out of the brackets, and sandwich it into your plastic window protector .
Mine is tinted , and it is a well made , good looking piece of gear . Chris was most helpful , and even E-Mailed me some installation photos
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.8 liter
Plexiglas Windstop
The windstop was a nice value for the money, I found installation was a breeze. I replaced the metal side washers with flat rubber ones. By doing this it eliminated any vibration, and I have it secured in such a manor that it has enough resistance to stay up or swing down easily without any adjustments. Thru experimentation I like having the Windstop at it's lowest setting so it cuts all the backflow from coming underneath. Chris was great to work with and he even (had) a few decals left that he would apply for a small additional fee. I would purchase this product again in a heartbeat. I have used it on about 6 or 8 occasions so far this winter, I was very comfortable even in 45 degree weather with the heater on. I think it made the people looking at me far more uncomfortable:) Also high speed cavitation was no problem either.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.8 liter
Miata windstop that is very easy to install and remove
The company's owner, Chris, is very concerned with the products he creates and takes a personal interest in each customer. The windstop reduces wind carryover and also makes the radio more audible.
What a great invention! The owner, Chris, is great. He takes great interest in his customers and follows up with every detail. The windstop looks great and is highly functional.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Plexi glass windstop that is reasonably priced, high quality and looks good.
Was easy to install, about 15 minutes total time. Keeps the back draft of air off your neck and allows me to have the top down more frequently. A must have if you don't want all that wind. Is easily removed with loosening 4 Phillips screws, about 2 minutes and stores in trunk easily.
Great product at about 1/2 the price of national brands like the Oris windstop. Does not look cheap and works very well.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
14" tall, 1/4" thick Plexiglas sheet. Mounts with a triangular bracket to the fancy-shaped bolt that holds the top boot. Another bolt is provided but one has to drill a hole in the plastic cover of the seat belt tower. I didn't do that since closing the first one tight seems to be enough to keep the bracket in place. The Plexiglas is held to the bracket by 4 wing nuts that can be easily removed. Mine cannot be lowered without removing the nuts, although a newer version that uses a different bracket and can be lowered seems to be available from Chris. Lowering the top from inside the car is made more difficult, but still possible. One has to be outside the car to rise the it instead. Despite what claimed by Chris on his web site, the top boot cannot be used anymore: the bracket is too close to the bolt so that there is not enough room to snap it on, and there is not enough room right next to the bracket to slide it under the Plexiglas.
The finishing of the product could be improved. When I received the windstop, the holes for the bolts were drilled far too much to the outside. I had to drill new holes. The cut on the upper edge is well made and smooth, but the ones for the brace and on the lower edge were not. After cutting my hands a couple of times when removing the windstop, I sandpapered them to make them smoother (and less dangerous). Mine did not have the black weather-strip that is seen on the website. The four bolts that hold the Plexiglas with wing nuts are far too low. The highest one is placed lower than at half height. That results in a lot of shaking and bending at high speed. The first time I used it I was afraid it would brake on the highway. Now I've got used to that. It squeaks also a lot. I replaced all the washers with rubber ones (the kind for plumbing). Now it's better, but it still squeaks because of the bolts rubbing against the Plexiglas inside the holes.
It does what it's made for though. I could drive at 80mph top down, windows up, with 42F outside. I could feel wind only at the level of my ears. Some wind was coming also from the space left between the windstop and the window on my side. Inside the cockpit it was warm. I am 6' 3", I guess shorter people would benefit more. Overall, it could see some improvements: I would be much happier if it didn't squeak. However it's effective at a reasonable price, especially if compared to other products available on the market.
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter
Plexiglas wind blocker
Installed in less than 15 minutes, very easy. Allows top to be lowered/raised while still upright. Also allows boot to be installed by sliding under wind blocker. Most important, worked to stop cockpit turbulence and resulting cold air in marginal top-down weather.
All in all, an excellent value for dollars spent.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 +
Plexiglas windstop
Installation of this windstop was a snap. The windstop mounts to the existing bolts on the seatbelt towers, is height adjustable, and folds down when not in use. It does a great job at reducing turbulence and wind noise in the cockpit.
I would highly recommend this product to anyone who has been looking for an effective windstop but who doesn't have a lot of cash. The product is simple to install and remove in less than 5 minutes. All in all, a great value for the money. The website used to be www.miatalovers.com but has been changed to www.windstops.com
Under 5 minutes to remove
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Plexiglass windstop. It bolts to the funny looking little bolts on your seatbelt tower. There is no drilling necessary. It uses a triangular bracket to hold the plexiglass in place. The plexiglass can be removed easily by removing 4 wing nuts.
This is a pretty good peice of gear for the money. Installation is very easy. You just unscrew two seatbelt tower bolts and bolt in the triangular bracket. Then you bolt the plexiglass to the bracket with 4 wing nuts. It stays in place very well even at highway speeds. You can still raise and lower the top with the windstop in place. You will have to do this from outside the car though. There is enough room underneath the windstop to use the tonneau cover (let Chris know that you want to use a tonneau cover when you order). It significantly eliminates wind and noise. You still get some wind flow from the ears up though (I am about 5'10" so if you are shorter you would not feel as much wind flow).
Overall, I would highly recommend the product. I don't think there is a better deal out there for the money. You can see pictures of the product at: http://www.windstops.com
Under 5 minutes to remove
| Back to Product Reviews | 16 May, 2001 |