:welcome: Welcome to PriusChat, CYPRESS PRIUS! Do a little Search (third link from the right near the top of the page) and you'll find lots of discussion. They look good, if you like the style, but reception sensitivity is reduced, which may be a problem in some areas, but you can hide a micro-sat antenna under it too. If you're bent on buying one, look in the Prius Shop (second link from the left near the top of the page) and help support PriusChat.
I live in the LA area, and commute thru a couple of mountain passes. My sharkfin is certainly no worse than the original, at least on the stations that I mostly listen to. I think it looks cool, and I know that it definitely outperforms the standard whip antennas on my Subarus, at least on AM, in my neighborhood. Installation is a 10 minute job, if you take your time. I've never seen another on all the Prius I see in daily commuter traffic, except mine, and I wonder why not?
I have one--they are easy to install and I like the look. I don't care much about reception. I live in the Chicago area so I get most stations fairly well but I listen to my iPod through the DICE integrator the most.
I have a factory installed XM radio with the standard mounted antenna. I also have a Panasonic XM portable receiver. With my regular car antenna reception has been almost perfect driving in the City, suburbs and country. The same has not been true for my high-end portable receiver. My question: I was looking to install the shark fin antenna. I was told by one distributor that their antenna is really for regular AM/FM reception, not satellite reception. PLEASE don't refer me to Prius Shop. If there are specs on which antenna to buy I would rather look up another source to purchase it from. Terry
I'm in the LA area too so glad to hear your AM reception is no worse (personally I listen to John & Ken on 640 KFI AM). So here's my real question....do you think a woman could install the shark fin by herself?
No. Women are too weak and they lack the mental capacity to perform such a detailed job. You need a man to do such a difficult task that a woman simply couldn't do by herself. C'mon .... seriously ..... Of course a woman can do it!!!
I have been told the shark fin antenna is only good for AM/FM radio. What about Satellite radio? I undestand there may be some extra installation involved.
Before considering purchasing a shark fin antenna if you have satellite radio think twice. The shark fin for a satellite radio must be modified and it will have a different appearance (according to Visual Garage who is the main player in Shark fins) They are doing research for a shark fin that handles telestrial and satellite radio.
Thanks Orracle. It was the "electrical" aspect of the process which had me anxious. Would hate to ruin my band new car. :scared:
