Sharkfin Antenna

smcracraft · 10-13-2006, 11:19 AM

Hi - I have a nightmare that I run my factory-installed
regular Prius antenna on top of the car through an
automatic car wash and damage it.

I am not comfortable with the factory antennta.

I am thinking of getting the sharkfin antenna
recently advertised here.

Anyone know if it

a) stays on

scratches the roof
c) has as good a reception

Thanks,

Stuart

eagle33199 · 10-13-2006, 11:39 AM

The verdict is out on reception (for many, including me, there haven't been any problems, some report noticably lowered performance). It probably depends on signal strength in your area. It's attached to the roof using 3M tape, and as such won't scratch. the tape is also extremely tough, and i don't know of anyone having problems with it coming off.

IMO, it's a worthwhile product. It just makes the car look a lot better, if nothing else.

tumbleweed · 10-13-2006, 11:50 AM

I think where you live should be close enough to the stations that the smaller antenna will perform just fine. I always take my antenna off before I go through the car wash, except once I forgot it. Fortunately no damage.

rhodson · 10-13-2006, 11:55 AM

Another option is a stubby antenna. I got one on ebay for around $10 with shipping. IMHO, it is also a cosmetic improvement over the whip antenna, and should do fine through a car wash. I have noticed no difference in fm reception in my area.

Inthewind · 10-13-2006, 01:07 PM

You guys go thru a car wash???

Oh...wait, I forgot...I'm in the south and it's never cold enough here to have to use a car wash...

Cheap! · 10-13-2006, 01:45 PM

If you do opt for a Shark fin you may want to put in a inexpensive satellite antenna under the shark fin at the same time even if you don't have satellite radio right now. There are other ways to do it, but this seems like a great way to go.

subarutoo · 10-13-2006, 03:21 PM

I'm very happy with my sharkfin. Rather than lose reception, it has better AM than our other two cars, which have conventional full size whips. FM seems OK too. Installation took me maybe 5 minutes, I just cleaned the roof with alcohol, visually lined it up, and stuck it on. I re-waxed the surrounding roof area, as well as the fin. Its been thru carwash a few times, no problems. In my 500 miles a week commute, I see lots of Prius, but never see another sharkfin, except on beemers.

bobh3501 · 10-13-2006, 03:47 PM

I am also in orange county and while the sharkfin looks 100% better than stock, the reception is definitely worse. I can no longer even get KCRW from Santa Monica...

catsbox · 10-13-2006, 03:54 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(smcracraft @ Oct 13 2006, 11:19 AM) [snapback]332259[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

Hi - I have a nightmare that I run my factory-installed
regular Prius antenna on top of the car through an
automatic car wash and damage it.

I am not comfortable with the factory antennta.

I am thinking of getting the sharkfin antenna
recently advertised here.

Anyone know if it

a) stays on

scratches the roof
c) has as good a reception

Thanks,

Stuart
[/b]

I installed the sharkfin antenna. It was an easy install, no scratching of the car. Be aware though that it does attach with adhesive than can be a challenge to get off if you put the thing on backwards and have to re-do it! I have not appreciated any significant difference in reception with the sharkfin vs. the standard antenna. And besides, I think the sharkfin just looks better!

Bohous · 10-13-2006, 08:07 PM

You do know that the factory antenna can be unscrewed and removed in about 2 seconds, right? If you are only concerned about car wash damage just taking it off seems like a much more cost effective option. Or you could just admit that you want the sharkfin because it looks wicked cool.

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10-13-2006, 11:19 AM	#1
smcracraft Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 21 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Hi - I have a nightmare that I run my factory-installed regular Prius antenna on top of the car through an automatic car wash and damage it. I am not comfortable with the factory antennta. I am thinking of getting the sharkfin antenna recently advertised here. Anyone know if it a) stays on scratches the roof c) has as good a reception Thanks, Stuart

10-13-2006, 11:39 AM	#2
eagle33199 Platinum Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 3,624 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #7 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	The verdict is out on reception (for many, including me, there haven't been any problems, some report noticably lowered performance). It probably depends on signal strength in your area. It's attached to the roof using 3M tape, and as such won't scratch. the tape is also extremely tough, and i don't know of anyone having problems with it coming off. IMO, it's a worthwhile product. It just makes the car look a lot better, if nothing else.

10-13-2006, 11:50 AM	#3
tumbleweed Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Eastern Oregon Posts: 1,006 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I think where you live should be close enough to the stations that the smaller antenna will perform just fine. I always take my antenna off before I go through the car wash, except once I forgot it. Fortunately no damage.

10-13-2006, 11:55 AM	#4
rhodson Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 18 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	Another option is a stubby antenna. I got one on ebay for around $10 with shipping. IMHO, it is also a cosmetic improvement over the whip antenna, and should do fine through a car wash. I have noticed no difference in fm reception in my area.

10-13-2006, 01:07 PM	#5
Inthewind Join Date: Sep 2006 Posts: 141 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	You guys go thru a car wash??? Oh...wait, I forgot...I'm in the south and it's never cold enough here to have to use a car wash...

10-13-2006, 01:45 PM	#6
Cheap! Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 1,157 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 4	If you do opt for a Shark fin you may want to put in a inexpensive satellite antenna under the shark fin at the same time even if you don't have satellite radio right now. There are other ways to do it, but this seems like a great way to go.

10-13-2006, 03:21 PM	#7
subarutoo Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Chatsworth, CA Posts: 1,063 My Car: 2006 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I'm very happy with my sharkfin. Rather than lose reception, it has better AM than our other two cars, which have conventional full size whips. FM seems OK too. Installation took me maybe 5 minutes, I just cleaned the roof with alcohol, visually lined it up, and stuck it on. I re-waxed the surrounding roof area, as well as the fin. Its been thru carwash a few times, no problems. In my 500 miles a week commute, I see lots of Prius, but never see another sharkfin, except on beemers.

10-13-2006, 03:47 PM	#8
bobh3501 Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 20 My Car: Package: Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	I am also in orange county and while the sharkfin looks 100% better than stock, the reception is definitely worse. I can no longer even get KCRW from Santa Monica...

10-13-2006, 08:07 PM	#10
Bohous Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Boston-ish Posts: 296 My Car: 2004 Prius Package: #6 Nominated 0 Times in 0 Posts TOTM Awards: 0 Friends: 0	You do know that the factory antenna can be unscrewed and removed in about 2 seconds, right? If you are only concerned about car wash damage just taking it off seems like a much more cost effective option. Or you could just admit that you want the sharkfin because it looks wicked cool.