Customer Reviews

Bosch 418A ICON Wiper Blade - 18"

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

For more than 30 years, I've searched high and low for the perfect wiper blade. Being a little tiny bit obsessive about my car, one of the things I can NOT tolerate is a chattering, noisy, smeary, streaky wiper blade. Driving in the rain is hard enough without feeling like you're trying to look through a wax-paper windshield.

In the past, I'd put new wiper blades on my car two or three times a year and sometimes more, just to make sure I never had to deal with wiper smear or worse, wiper chatter. That sound is like fingernails on a blackboard to me!!

I'd also clean the rubber edge several times between blade changes, to keep the leading edge clean and free from debris and gooey tree gunk and junk. Due to my desire to keep the finest quality blades on the car, I'd only buy authentic Toyota blades for my 2003 Camry and then one day...

An associate at the local Toyota dealer talked me into buying the rubber inserts for the blades, rather than the whole blade assembly. For 20 minutes, I waited and watched as she fiddled around trying desperately to get the inserts into the arm assembly. Two days later (and 10 minutes of use later), while driving in a light rain storm, the whole thing came apart in pieces, scratching my windshield in the process. It was a Sunday afternoon (dealer was closed), so I drove directly to the auto parts store and told them I wanted the most expensive wiper-blade they sold. They took me to the Bosch Icon and said, "these are the best, but they're pricey."

I couldn't be more pleased with the quality and performance of this product. The two blades I bought for Cammie cost less than $50 which isn't THAT much contrasted against the frustration of not being able to see clearly through the windshield when it rains.

April 2008 UPDATE: I am on my second pair of Bosch Icons and I'm saddened to say that I am no longer "raving" about these things. While they're just swell for the first 60 days, they deteriorate quickly after that and become streaky and smeary. When I was buying wiper blades for my daughter's car, I asked the auto parts guy about the Bosch Icon. He replied, "I'm not that impressed with them either. They don't last long."

I bought the Bosch ICON Wiper Blade and the Bosch Excel+ Wiper Blade for my front windshield. I couldn't decide which one to buy so I bought one of each to compare and use. The Excel+ has held up better and wipes longer without smearing. Overall, the Excel+ has been a MUCH better blade. The ICON relatively quickly started to give small lines smears. The Excel+ works great one year later - not sure why a company would need to develop a more expensive wiper that doesn't work as well.

Hey folks, I must say that I really loved these blades when I first got them in Sept 2008. They were VERY quite, NO streaks, and I was happy.

But ... here it is now: NOV 2009, and I'm in need of new wiper blades once again. I expected more than 13 months of life, considering that I drive this vehicle only 3,000 miles per year and it's kept in the carport or garage. (no sun exposure) I'm torn as to whether I'll buy them again.

Like me, you probably noticed the review ratings on blades doesn't leave a lot to choose from. Apparently, this market is designed for repeat purchases at a frequent rate. (profit and/or greed) So in summary, buy these if you want great wiper for a short time. Love 'em and leave 'em.

I read the reviews, bought the wiper, and have to agree with the positive reviews listed here. Super steady, does the job every time, easy install, lasts long. I am a satisfied customer.

The windscreen is very clear after every single wipe. But lines a visible too after every wipe which the product claims otherwise as compared to conventional blade.

I am simply replacing the existing set of the exact same blades. I purchased the first set for this truck nearly 3 years ago and only this winter have they started to leave streaks and chatter a bit. I live in Eastern Idaho where temperature extremes, ice, and my time in the mountains wiping off mud and gunk usually destroy a blade in less than a year. I've been extremely impressed with these blades. The design is also very helpful for keeping the blades in good contact at high speed. This is the first set of blades I've had that doesn't lift up in the middle while going 75+ because of all the stuff attached to the front of the vehicle creating such turbulent air.

I had to return this product. It was THAT bad. Maybe I got a defective piece, but ever since the first time I tried it, it left huge streaks. I bought two new wipers for my car (both Bosch ICON), so I know I installed them correctly as the other one works fine. I later ordered a much cheaper brand and it actually worked better. I live in Seattle, so I first thought it's a smart idea to invest in a really nice pair of windshield wiper because of the weather here. Now, I still think wiper blades are extremely important in Seattle weather, but I was wrong about Bosch ICON. I tried to be very careful with them, and I tried to clean them up every time I used them. Both wiper blades always leave black stain on my towel--not sure where the color comes from, but I don't think it's just dirt. Now, I'm keeping the longer one, cuz at the very least it worked. We'll see if the cheaper brand would continue performing better than Bosch ICON on my car.

I bought these to replace the cheap blades on my car. I wasn't sure what to expect and pretty much assumed that all blades were the same. These blades did a pretty good job during the rainy season and still work just as well for the random showers we've been having in my area. I have no idea on the life of these, but they've been on my car for a few months.

Had these wiper blades on my last car, and they are by far the best I have used. They contour to your windshield without pressure points like standard blades. Great at clearing the windshield of rain and good in ice and snow. Would highly recommend.

I bought the left and right wiper of these and they streak very easily even though it says its built to resist it. They are no better than the old used cheaper stock pair of wipers that came with my 2008 Impala when I bought the car at the dealership. Actually those performed better literally.