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Yet Another Shark Fin Antenna Thread--My Experience and Review

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by mainemanx, Jun 21, 2011.

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  1. mainemanx

    mainemanx Member

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    Finally got around to installing a PriusChat Shop Shark Fin Antenna (made by Visual Garage). I was expecting worse reception, but so far, it actually seems better--on the stations I listen to, at least.

    e.g. Daytime, here in Portland, WBZ 1030 AM 100 miles away in Boston and WBACH 104.7 FM in Kennebunkport (much closer but much lower power) both seem to have less static, fade out, etc. YMMV.

    The Blizzard Pearl color match is 99%... about as good as you could hope for.

    The installation takes less time than reading the (overly cautious) instructions. Unscrew old mast, sight off front and rear to align (no laser beams, etc. needed), blue tape to mark the outline, connect the fin, clean the immediate area with alcohol, remove film covering the double-sided tape, carefully lower, press firmly for one minute. That's All Folks.

    Pointers:
    – I fashioned blue tape tabs/handles front and rear to facilitate calm, cool, steady lowering of the fin onto the roof surface, for precise alignment with the tape outline--you only get one shot. The fin itself is a bit cumbersome, slippery, unwieldy to handle... the temporary blue tape tabs helped a lot.
    – After attaching the lead, but before removing the film covering the double-sided tape, test fit to ensure there's no interference.
    – Don't go leaning too heavily on the roof. The metal is paper thin... it may even be paper! I don't think that Zagato dimple is there for style, rather it's to give a little stiffness to the span. In fact, the whole roof may actually be held up by the headliner!

    Bottom line: Dear wife says it's silly. I think it's cool; highly recommended!

    --------

    Edit: BTW, the reception comparison is with a Sony XNV-770BT head unit.
     
    #1 mainemanx, Jun 21, 2011
    6 people like this.
  2. susieagent99

    susieagent99 New Member

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    I'm thinking about buying a "shark fin" I too think it "looks" better than the "whip" that is up there. What I want to know is, how is the reception on a whole? I have "XM" that we listen to all the time.
     
    #2 susieagent99, Jan 24, 2012
  3. JMG

    JMG Junior Member

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    I believe the XM antenna is in your dash...not on the roof. Maybe I am thinking of the GPS antenna for the Nav. (Spotted this when the dealer gave me instructions for dash dismantling when I was wiring in a USB outlet for my TomTom holder for my iPhone.)

    In any case, I have not seen what I would determine a noticeable drop in any reception with the sf on any of my services and I am roughly split between XM, iPod and AM for usage. I suppose if I had lived further away from a metro area it might be more noticeable but I am only about 20 miles outside of Seattle as the crows fly.
     
    #3 JMG, Jan 24, 2012
  4. paui

    paui Junior Member

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    Do you think this will hold up in an automatic car wash?
     
    #4 paui, Jan 25, 2012
  5. LulzChicken

    LulzChicken Prius Enthusiast

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    I have a Shark Fin as well, and I can say the adhesive is extremely tough and you shouldn't have any problem with it coming detached from a car wash.:rockon:
     
    #5 LulzChicken, Jan 25, 2012
  6. Joe166

    Joe166 New Member

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    I never noticed any reception problems with the satellite radio. The problems with FM reception are greatly exaggerated too, in my opinion. The weak stations were just about the same, some better, some worse, but not by much. The stronger stations, I didn't notice any difference at all.
     
    #6 Joe166, Jan 26, 2012
    1 person likes this.
  7. mainemanx

    mainemanx Member

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    Yes, not to worry. If you (at least somewhat) followed the instructions, it's not going to fall off.

    In fact, I recommend installing it and forgetting about it. Don't even look at it again--at least not from a distance of less than 25 ft. Otherwise you'll find yourself staring at it, trying to decide, "Did I get that fin absolutely straight? Or is it slightly cocked over to the side?"

    And whatever you do, don't demonstrate any doubts to your spouse. Trust me. You don't want to hear, "Hey! You know you may be right. It does seem a little off to the ...."
     
    #7 mainemanx, Jan 26, 2012
    1 person likes this.
  8. LulzChicken

    LulzChicken Prius Enthusiast

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    I'm with this guy ^
    I didn't even use tape to align it, I just did it by eye and it all turned out fine. The most important thing, like he mentioned, is to clean the surface that it's going to stick to VERY WELL. So, if you do follow the instructions you won't have any issues.
     
    #8 LulzChicken, Jan 26, 2012
  9. drew935

    drew935 Member

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    Hmm, I was wondering about radio reception and it sounds like it's all good. Thanks for the info!
     
    #9 drew935, Feb 1, 2012
  10. Joe166

    Joe166 New Member

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    Well, I wouldn't say it was all good, but it isn't any worse.
     
    #10 Joe166, Feb 2, 2012
  11. davefin

    davefin Junior Member

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    Also thinking about this install. Would someone tell me if this Shark Fin Antenna has a fitting inside for screwing into the antenna outlet before placing the antenna cover on the roof.
     
    #11 davefin, Mar 7, 2012
  12. ChipL

    ChipL Active Member

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    Yet another mod to put on my list :D

    Don't listen much to the radio with the way the USB port works with my iPod Nano, and the seamless BT integration with my iPhone 4.
     
    #12 ChipL, May 15, 2012
  13. ucsmfu

    ucsmfu Senior Member

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    everything fits on the outside on top of the roof

    15-20 min job

    I went with the beat sonic shark fin antenna
     
    #13 ucsmfu, May 15, 2012
  14. Fore

    Fore Don't look back!

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    ________________________________

    Do you have a link to that please?
     
    #14 Fore, May 15, 2012
  15. ucsmfu

    ucsmfu Senior Member

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    #15 ucsmfu, May 15, 2012
  16. ucsmfu

    ucsmfu Senior Member

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    SHARK FIN ANTENNA IS DESIGNED FROM Beat-Sonic Japan.




    Beat-Sonic USA proudly presents Shark Fin Antenna (named Dolphin antenna in Japan), which we sell more than 4,000 units in every month in Japan.




    High Sensitivity Compact Helical coil antenna.

    [​IMG]




    Replace it with your stubby antennas.

    [​IMG]

    Unscrew your factory stubby antenna.



    (Tighten the screw) Screw new helical coil antenna onto the original antenna base.

    [​IMG]


    Simply cover the antenna base with the Shark Fin antenna by using pre-inserted 3M adhesive.

    [​IMG]


    SPECIFICATION
    Reception Frequency--- FM(76.0MHz-90.0MHz) AM(530KHz-1710KHz)
    Antenna Type--- Helical coil type
    Connection--- Direct connection to antenna base
    Fixation--- Double-sided 3M adhesive tape
    Attachment screw--- M5 size


    Included in the package:
    1 x Shark Fin antenna Base with helical antenna
    1 x M4, M5, and M6 screw for attachment of antenna to base
    1 x Alcohol wipe
    Sand Paper



    Hope this helps !!
     
    #16 ucsmfu, May 15, 2012
    1 person likes this.
  17. danielizzle

    danielizzle Eco Swag

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    Anyone know if either the VG or Beatsonic interfere with the solar roof?
     
    #17 danielizzle, May 15, 2012
  18. jjPrius

    jjPrius Junior Member

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    #18 jjPrius, May 15, 2012
  19. danielizzle

    danielizzle Eco Swag

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    #19 danielizzle, May 15, 2012
  20. jsfabb

    jsfabb Active Member

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    I was just wondering if anyone has ever put on a contrasting shark fin antenna on their car. So, for instance, if you have a black car, putting a red one on. It would be like a fashion accessory for the top of your car!
     
    #20 jsfabb, May 15, 2012
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