Key Fob not as well designed. Cheap

I just wanted to let you guys know that I simply opened up the key fob and compared it to the old one. There is absolutely no seal or gasket for the remote. It will probably be ok at keeping out dust, but not good at all if you leave it in your pocket and send it through the washing machine. (I washed the old ones many a time.)

The mechanics of it, and the circuit board looked cheaper and more sensitive.

Any photos? Conformal coating?

I would be especially interested in close-ups that show part numbers.

Thanks,
Bob Wilson

I will post tomorrow!

I noticed a weight difference between the two fobs. I still have my '07 for sale, and am driving both the Gen 2 and Gen 3. I am thinking there will be a lot I will miss when the Gen 2 is gone ... but that will be for a different discussion!

Lee

The components on the 2010 are sealed. It is sealed by the silicone rubber seal under the buttons that form the gasket for the inner case joint. More buttons and different design doesn't constitute a cheap build. I haven't stomped on it yet, but I did drop it.

My understanding was that Toyota wanted to offer the heavy fob to all but with the weight of this unit it could not be offered with the SR or AT package due to some still unexplained Engineering standard on overall weight of the vehicle. And since those folks were shelling out serious money for overpriced options could thus not have it (due to the weight of the fob and those options) it did not seem fair to give them the lighter weight (aka: cheaper) fob and give the tightwads who are buying the II's and III's the heavier (aka: better) fob. They should have realized though that with the right marketing campaign touting the new fob as a new lightweight design, us snobs in the loaded IV's and V's could have felt even a little more smug with their gas saving lightweight fob.

Not:rockon:

A big part of the weight is the battery size. The 05 fob has a cr2035 and the new one is a cr16??. Old fob has a screw on lid and the new fob has no separate lid.

Sounds like a perfect marketing opportunity for Toyota to offer a "Premium Fob" which:

1. Matches the color of your car,
2. More durable,
3. Lithium-Ion long life battery
4. Water-proof to 100 meters and dishwasher safe,
5. multi-colored flashing LED's,
6. Cherry flavored - for those of you that allow your small children to play with your keys.

Keith

I think mine is fobulous just the way it is.

I'd have to get the key from my mom to see, but I thought the old one had a seal around the outer edge to protect the circuit board from moisture coming in from the sides. I'm not worried about the buttons... none the less thanks for getting pics, when I have been slacking,

I think you are on to something here.... I still want LED headlights with my SR and lightweight Fob!

Lee

Hmm, a fob in your pocket counts against the weight of the vehicle? Or does it take more radio equipment in the car... just doesn't make sense. It's just a key fob.

my fob on the SPM and Zenn have been washed a few times... not good for battery, but they both still work.

one thing is weird though, on Zenn, i have this teeny weeny 12 volt battery about ¼ the size of a AAA battery, when i wash it, the battery dies usually within a week (have had car 20 months am on 3rd battery)

the SPM, still going strong...never use it for remote unlocks that much so dont know if range has been compromised, but can still operate locks from upstairs loft in my house, so range aint bad (distance only probably 40-50 feet linearly speaking)

:rockon:this is funny!.. but not just because of the clever play on words, but because i thought the key fob was just fine as well... haha.

i even thought it felt a little better than the older fob. i had no idea the fobs were waterproof... that's amazing! are they intended to be that way?

You missed the [humor][/humor] flags in the post.

Tom

ya know, i dont know they really are supposed to be. but i have dropped my fob in puddles deep enough to submerge the entire thing. once i dropped it and it landed under the car.

well, i did not want to get wet picking it up and it could not be easily reached, so i ended up using my coat (better it wet than me!!) either way, besides getting wet, it was soaked a good minute by the time i got it out...

either way, i would probably recommend that you treat it as if it were not waterproof.

I'd imagine they're more designed to keep out dust. I bought a little silicone jacket for my FOB on eBay. Pretty cool!!

Our salesman specifically told us that if you do put it through the wash, simply open it up, remove the battery, and hair-dryer it dry. Voila! (Of course, if this does not work, we're talking $450 for a new one.)

Hey, at least you guys don't have to dig in your pockets for your keys like a sucker