Grill/mesh thing embedded in new screen

[daveenty]

Well, I finally got my new windscreen fitted this morning though have one minor question. The screen is original, signed Mercedes at the base, as was the old one, so I'm convinced that it's not some far Eastern rip off which has appeared, though does anyone know what this thing is for? It's a very fine mesh grill which is fixed in the glass on the drivers side high up and measures around 110 x 60 mm.

I'm not even sure that it's going to show up on a PC monitor for people to look/laugh at, as it was a nightmare trying to get it noticeable on the photos, hence the little red marks and arrows all over the pictures to emphasise it.

It's not in the line of vision so no issues there but I'm curious more than anything. It's not the end of the world if I never find out but I know it's going to bug me so I can sense a trip round a few dealers happening.

I never noticed it on the old screen though apparently, at least according to the screen company who also queried it, it was there though substantially fainter.

I've since spoken to them and they have asked the question to someone in Mercedes, getting the response that it may be something to do with night vision though, as the car doesn't have this feature, I'm not convinced. I did actually order night vision but was told it was no longer available on the 2020MY.







These images have been reduced in size to allow for posting here but there's no real difference in the quality to be honest, it's garbage on the originals too.

 

[Blobcat]

I can see it on my monitor, very strange and no idea what it would be used for

 

[John Laidlaw]

Hmmmm, I can see it too, trying to gage how far up the screen and wondering if it's some preparation for augmented reality HUD?

 

[Rotorhead500]

Something to assist DAB reception maybe?

Or an anti-Corona-5G device???

 

[V6Matty]

Place to stick the toll card? Strange place for it to be though now I say it.

 

[s5tuart]

Mine has an almost invisible wire running up, round and down the screen again which I assumed was some sort of DAB thing as mentioned above or something to boost the phone signal when on Apple Car Play

 

[Wighty]

Windscreen label that has been left on for ages and has discoloured

 

[mioba]

are you sure thats the correct windscreen for your car despite it having the star on.

 

[daveenty]

are you sure thats the correct windscreen for your car despite it having the star on.

Definitely the correct one. It was ordered in specifically from Germany using the VIN and it's not the star it has but the Mercedes signature as the old one had. Basically the word "Mercedes" in script signed at the bottom of the screen where they sometimes have "Carl Benz" or whatever.

It does have the relevant cut outs for the electronic stuff specific to the car as well.

 

[DeeEmm]

it does look like ghosting from an old label.

 

[Tony Dyson]

I would also guess for a reflective insert for a HUD as JL in Post #3. Shine a laser or LED pointer at it to see if the light penetrates the screen or it is reflected off?

 

[daveenty]

Windscreen label that has been left on for ages and has discoloured

it does look like ghosting from an old label.

Whilst appreciating the logic on this, it's not on the screen but actually in between the layers and is a symmetrical grill pattern. Definitely there by design.

I would also guess for a reflective insert for a HUD as JL in Post #3. Shine a laser or LED pointer at it to see if the light penetrates the screen or it is reflected off?

The car actually has HUD which is at the bottom of the screen and is working perfectly. It's nowhere near this mesh thing and is fired by a separate part on the dash sort of to the rear of the steering wheel. Incidentally, I did try a light test and it just goes through it as it should.

As said earlier, although it is relatively faint it's quite noticeable. I'll try to get to Mercedes with it sometime this week but it won't be today as other inconveniences are happening.

 

[alexanderfoti]

Its a cut out in the IR heat relecting film for Toll tags etc. W221 and W220's with IR glass have it as well, another on the base of the windscreen usually.

 

[alexanderfoti]

 

[Wighty]

Of all the peoples cars this could have happened to
I would never have noticed

 

[daveenty]

Its a cut out in the IR heat relecting film for Toll tags etc. W221 and W220's with IR glass have it as well, another on the base of the windscreen usually.

This makes sense Alex, thanks for the solution. Going by your picture it's the top one of the two and would be fine on a left hand drive car but a bit noticeable on mine. Something I'll get used to I suppose...

Place to stick the toll card? Strange place for it to be though now I say it.

Well done Matt, excellent guess.

 

[daveenty]

Of all the peoples cars this could have happened to
I would never have noticed

Oh you would... once seen as they say

 

[RhodieBill]

So Automatic Tolls can read your Sticker. Very common in the States and Europe - not so much here.

 

[flowrider]

Do they now make left or right hand drive windscreens?

 

[V6Matty]

This makes sense Alex, thanks for the solution. Going by your picture it's the top one of the two and would be fine on a left hand drive car but a bit noticeable on mine. Something I'll get used to I suppose...



Well done Matt, excellent guess.

Well I don’t like to blow my own trumpet but I do astound myself at time with how much I know. Completely useless information mind but lots of it rattling around up there