1. Attachments are working again! Check out this thread for more details and to report any other bugs.

How to get rid of speedometer reflection?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by NinnJinn, Jan 15, 2014.

  1. NinnJinn

    NinnJinn Member

    Joined:
    Aug 1, 2011
    276
    41
    0
    Location:
    Indiana
    Vehicle:
    2008 Prius
    Model:
    N/A
    [​IMG]




    when driving at night, the light from the speedometer reflects up onto the windshield like you see in the picture above. It is right in front of my view and is quite annoying.

    I have tried dimming the speedometer light, but to get it dim enough where I don't see the reflection on the windshield, then I have to strain to see the speedometer when I want to see it. It is NOT a H.U.D. (Heads Up Display) I don't need the speedometer as bright as it goes, I usually have it about 60% of the max NIGHT time brightness.

    Any tips or tricks? I had my micro fiber cloth up there once, but couldn't run with the windows down obviously plus if I met a vehicle with bright lights or street lights, I would see a bright orange square reflection on my windshield.
     
  2. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,039
    10,013
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    On my GenIII, slouching seems to make it go away. It is quite sensitive to the driver's eye height. The geometry is probably a bit different on the GenII.

    I've thought about putting some flat black fabric or paper on the dash where it is reflecting up the to windshield, but haven't yet progressed to actually trying it.
     
  3. pjc

    pjc Member

    Joined:
    Jan 25, 2012
    139
    46
    0
    Location:
    Bloomington, MN
    Vehicle:
    2009 Prius
    I have the same problem. I tried putting a black strip of weather stripping in front of the combo unit, but I think the real problem is that (at least in my case) there is too much dust and dirt on the projector window (not the one you see, the one in the dash). It's just a very awkward spot to get at....

    Honestly, I've just gotten used to it. Kind of like the ugly wallpaper in my bathroom -- drove me nuts at first but now I don't even notice it.
     
  4. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
    4,003
    944
    118
    Location:
    Los Angeles Foothills
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I used black electrical tape. Easy to work with, sticks well, just sits there and blocks the excess light!
     
  5. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

    Joined:
    Feb 26, 2009
    17,039
    10,013
    90
    Location:
    Western Washington
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Did the ordinary shiny stuff work well enough? I was thinking I'd need some dull flat non-shiny stuff.
     
  6. KK6PD

    KK6PD _ . _ . / _ _ . _

    Joined:
    Mar 24, 2008
    4,003
    944
    118
    Location:
    Los Angeles Foothills
    Vehicle:
    Other Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    Regular good quality, like 3M, works fine. Since the unit shoots into a mirror to see the display, I first cut some black paper into a small strip, moved it around over the top of the unit and found the spot for the tape. then cut and stick!