I’ve recently been eating up the miles in several INEOS Grenadiers and, other than the fact that the car continues to impress, my attention has been drawn to one feature that is burdened with some negativity the safari windows.
As much as I applaud the benefits of safari windows, it is disappointing they are not factory-fitted with blinds. During the day, the roof windows make the interior brighter, enhancing the feeling of space, and they can be tilted to improve ventilation. However, when the sun is up high, there is nothing to prevent it beaming through the roof and onto the driver and front seat passenger.
Whilst talking to several owners about their first travelling experiences, Christoph, an otherwise very happy driver, shared his woes after sitting in a midday traffic jam for three hours with no way to escape the sun as it burned through the window and directly onto his head.
BLIDIMAX
We’ve already expressed the benefits of the BlidimaX window blinds for overlanders, but this time I want to specifically discuss the safari window blinds.
Removed from their bag, the blinds are installed within two minutes thanks to five highly efficient suction cups in each blind. The mats fit perfectly inside the frame and do exactly what they are meant to. Namely, block out the bright sun and reflect its hot rays.
This is the no. 1 accessory INEOS forgot to add when they developed the popular safari windows. As my own experience, and that of others, has proven, a set of window blinds belongs in every Grenadier with roof windows.
Each blind is handmade from eight layers of highly effective insulation material. The outward facing layers can either be ordered with a silver reflective surface or a patented black material which, quite remarkably, is almost as efficient as its shiny counterpart.
The blinds, available either from BlidimaX directly or through selected retailers, are supplied as a set of two packed in a smart pouch. The BlidimaXeasy brand means they are an off-the-shelf solution, available in a dappled grey colour which blends well with the grey roof lining.
FROM €175 | BLIDIMAX