Sounds like someone didn`t have in-channels in stock, wanted to make a sale...
I have in-channel, if you`re flexing them enough to break them ,you`re doing something wrong. No problems so far , rain or shine. Really help in the rain and you don`t get a shower after the rain stops. I`m sure everyone has experienced the free shower, courtesy Chevy`s idea of no drip rails.

 

The Dodge Ram I traded in on my HHR had the in channel ones from Vent Shade (put them on a month after I bought it in 2000).

The shades were tougher than the truck itself. Never had a problem with them. No leaks, no cracks, no breaks. Nada.

The truck on the other hand... different story.

 

There is a big difference in quality between some brands. I have some cheaper ones on my HHR (don't remember if Lund or AutoVentShade). I also have really good ones on my Suburban from weathertech. Both are in-channel types. The ones on the HHR are much thinner and have some edges that are a little sharp and don't seem fully deburred. The ones on the Suburban are much thicker with smooth edges.

I suspect that the ones SoCalHHR is selling are the better kind. Had they been available when I bought mine, I would have paid the extra $ for them. You get what you pay for. I'm not saying the cheaper ones won't work, I'm saying that the better ones are of higher quality.

Steve

 

That brings up a good point!
What 'brand' is SoCal selling? His website only specifies "SoCal vent shades"... not the actual manufacturer. I agree, WeatherTech 'in channels' are very nice (from past experience), but feel Lund has nice products as well.
I'm interested in manufacturers that produce ventshades with a "Leg" that extends down by the mirror (personal opinion - just seems to *finish* off the look more cleanly).
I think WeatherTech has a set (they have clear, or light smoke, and dark smoke to choose from). Anyone know of another company... or who's manufacturing SoCal's?
Thx

 

i looked at the Lund and Weathertech website...
i looked at both of the pages for the Vents, and when i searched for the HHR, it didnt actually show pic of the HHR with the vents....

if you ordered from them, think theyd send you the right thing?
plus the ones from weathertech are sorta expensive, i think about the same price as SoCals ($90).

who would all of you rather buy from?

http://lundinternational.com/Product...=lund&vqid=595

http://www.weathertech.com/store/veh...pt_choice_id=0

vendor on the site : http://defrangeautocrafts.com/hhrvisors.html

and socals : http://www.socalhhrs.com/catalog/ite...56/3339492.htm

 

I will be buying from socals soon (christmas present). I picked socals becouse I like the fact they go all the way down by the mirror. As far as in channel vs stick on, I like the in channel for its smooth look. The only down side is they don't cover all of the back side windows, but I can live with that.

 

i read on socal's site that they reduce wind noise..........do they do anything for the air buffetting affect is typical with these cars???

 

Yes... buffetting should be reduced when your windows are cracked, although all vehicles produce buffet differently. Seeing that I don't have ventvisors on my HHR (yet)- I can't verify if buffetting would be totally eliminated, however, I rarely experience it- except when the sunroof is fully retracted and all windows are up (and I'm driving > 35mph). Vent visors will *not* help this, but cracking a window does the trick.
The vent visors allow a window or 2, 3, or 4 to be cracked WITHOUT substancial wind noise (and/or buffetting) occuring in the cabin... plus the 'smoked' version provides some sunshade when driving at various times of the day or evening.

 

I don't remember who made the SoCal ones. But they came in a red and white package and were made in Australia. They do go down to the mirror...

 

Flyboy
I feel your pain on In Channel or Reg Vent Shades. I have the same color vehicle as yours. I have the Stick on Vent Visors and I love them. The In Channel are Great also . The one thing that I like about the Stick on is that it covers the hole window and Door. The In Channel just covers the Windows that go up & down. They both are Great, you will have to make the right Pic.

Good Luck

The Best thing is your HHR will look good with either one.

Z