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Athermic (HSEA) Windshied in Prius?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Main Forum' started by billyboy, Sep 22, 2006.

  1. billyboy

    billyboy Guest

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    I'm confused if or not the Prius has one of the newer windshieds that blocks solar energy but sadly also blocks non factory installed GPS navigation systems without a external antenna.

    Here's the deal, I know you can get a neat navigation system as a factory installed option in the 2007 (2006 too?) but it is very expensive and not portable. Navman among others have portable units that work as good or better and most don't need any external antenna so cthey an be taken in and out of the car easily, they just sit on the dash or get a sunction cup on the windshiled then used on a bike, etc.. A cool feature.

    So does anybody know if the Prius blocks these kind of units, and does anybody have one? I have a buddy that got one a short while a go but uses in in a older car without the windshield problem.

    Thanks in advance. :rolleyes:
     
  2. catmother

    catmother IEEE Life Member

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    Location:
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    I use a Garmin SP2720 with internal antenna, placed on the dash on the drivers side and notice no degraded reception at all. The 2720 is WAS enabled and I typically see a 13 ft location error. Very good performance.
     
  3. Syclone

    Syclone Member

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    Vehicle:
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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PAK @ Sep 22 2006, 11:59 AM) [snapback]323407[/snapback]</div>
    No problem with the Prius windshield. I've used an garmin IQue 3600 and a Garmin 2610 both with internal and external antennas with very little difference in performance. The Prius windshield is so big that the metal mass of the roof doesn't impact reception very much.
     
  4. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    The factory antenna is mounted under the dash looking up through the windshield, so you won't have any trouble using another non-factory unit.

    I have the 2006 with the built-in NAV - I really like it. Having it integrated into the MFD is very nice.

    Tom
     
  5. billyboy

    billyboy Guest

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    Cool! Thanks everyone. I'm a sucker for new gimicks and the Navman #750 has a feature where you can snap a picture with the build-in 1.5 Mpixel camera and then you can punch in those instead of a address. :D