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

Desire for a miniature Smart Key....?

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Audio and Electronics' started by scoot, Feb 15, 2007.

  1. scoot

    scoot Member

    Joined:
    Jan 19, 2006
    125
    1
    0
    I was thinking about the Smart Key. I'm probably never going to press any of the buttons on it, I'm probably never going to use the metal key... If one were to design a smartkey without those could you make it the size of the battery plus a little larger? Is something like this of any interest to anyone besides me? A pendant-sized smartkey, or something that could be part of my watch band or cell phone (or epoxied to the back of my watch)... Just an idea. Not a replacement for the smartkey, just an additional tiny one with fewer capabilities that doesn't have to live in my pocket.

    My recollection is that the Mercedes version (keyless go) is more of a credit card shaped thing that goes in your wallet.
     
  2. ceric

    ceric New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 30, 2004
    1,114
    53
    0
    Location:
    Fremont, CA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(scoot @ Feb 15 2007, 12:42 PM) [snapback]390928[/snapback]</div>
    I was very interested in a "smart-key" watch, which is available in Japan for Lexus LS (under a different name in Japan, "Crown"?).
    Unfortuantely, they don't make one for Prius, and I was told that they are not compatible (by Sigmaauto.com)

    You can find it by searching "smart key watch" on google, or go to
    http://www.tokai-rika.co.jp (click on English on the top)
    ToKai-Rika made Toyota's smart-key system. There is also other applications such as in door entry, etc.
     
  3. Presto

    Presto Has his homepage set to PC

    Joined:
    Mar 27, 2005
    1,326
    24
    0
    Location:
    Vancouver, BC
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(scoot @ Feb 15 2007, 09:42 AM) [snapback]390928[/snapback]</div>
    A small smartkey is a cool idea. The less mass on my keychain, the better! I like the credit card idea since I'll never go anywhere without my wallet. I almost feel compelled now to dismantle my smart key to see if i can reconstitute the parts into a smaller package. :D
     
  4. ohgreys

    ohgreys New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 26, 2006
    123
    0
    0
    It sounds cool but I'm afraid that I would lose my smart key if I got a small one. I carry a purse and rarely get it out of there so I don't really handle it much.
     
  5. etyler88

    etyler88 etyler88

    Joined:
    Mar 9, 2005
    450
    2
    0
    Location:
    Dover, DE
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    I would want it small enough to implant it in my skin, just like my dog's ID thing. I am not joking. I am a football coach and often have to make a late night run to a fast food drive thru in the nude. That time I was joking but really I was not joking the first time.
     
  6. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
    Staff Member

    Joined:
    Oct 2, 2004
    45,020
    16,239
    41
    Location:
    Canada
    Vehicle:
    Other Non-Hybrid
    Model:
    N/A
    I wouldn't mind.
     
  7. Charles Suitt

    Charles Suitt Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2004
    1,637
    16
    0
    Location:
    Dallas TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
    <_< About a year ago... perhaps 1½... A PriusChat or PriusOnline forum member [don't recall which] had taken one of his fobs and milled it down to a somewhat smaller size. As I recall, his last post was that he was trying to get it even smaller. One issue he faced was to make an adaptor so that if the fob battery was discharged it could be plugged into the dash slot.

    I will try to SEARCH to see if I can find his posts. One problem, there have been a couple of hacks into PriusChat in which some back posts were lost so his work may not be in the archives.
     
  8. mykoleary

    mykoleary Junior Member

    Joined:
    Dec 28, 2006
    14
    0
    0
    I'd totally dig a credit card sized one and would likely buy one.
     
  9. Charles Suitt

    Charles Suitt Senior Member

    Joined:
    Oct 8, 2004
    1,637
    16
    0
    Location:
    Dallas TX
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Four
  10. Warwind

    Warwind New Member

    Joined:
    Oct 21, 2006
    137
    0
    0
    Location:
    Hedgesville, WV
    Vehicle:
    2007 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(etyler88 @ Feb 15 2007, 04:38 PM) [snapback]391104[/snapback]</div>
    [​IMG]
     
  11. tiger roach

    tiger roach New Member

    Joined:
    Jan 24, 2007
    75
    0
    0
    I would be down with that. I hate having tons of keys and stuff in my pocket.

    The current fob is an improvement for me though, compared to a fob+separate key.
     
  12. hill

    hill High Fiber Member

    Joined:
    Jun 23, 2005
    20,133
    8,334
    54
    Location:
    Montana & Nashville, TN
    Vehicle:
    2018 Chevy Volt
    Model:
    Premium
    I'd like mine in the cel phone, so I can't go anywhere that I'd be without the other.
     
  13. Marlin

    Marlin New Member

    Joined:
    Jun 20, 2005
    1,407
    10
    0
    Location:
    Bucks County, PA
    Vehicle:
    2005 Prius
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(scoot @ Feb 15 2007, 01:42 PM) [snapback]390928[/snapback]</div>
    Until one day you want to lock your wife's purse in the car and her purse has a smart key in it.

    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(scoot @ Feb 15 2007, 01:42 PM) [snapback]390928[/snapback]</div>
    Until one day your fob's battery or the car's battery dies.
     
  14. GadgetMan2

    GadgetMan2 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2007
    55
    0
    0
    Funny, on day two of owning my Prius, I mentioned to my son how cool it would be if someone came out with an ibutton size smart key for the prius. That way I could carry it in my wallet.
     
  15. Vagabond

    Vagabond Active Member

    Joined:
    Nov 21, 2005
    1,198
    1
    0
    Location:
    Southern California
    Vehicle:
    2012 Prius
    Model:
    Two
    Why not try and get the Toyota watch that has this built into it sold over here in the states?
     
  16. bredekamp

    bredekamp Member

    Joined:
    Feb 27, 2007
    569
    12
    10
    Location:
    Somerset West, South Africa
    Vehicle:
    2006 Prius
    Have you heard of the Citizen EcoDrive watch? It has a photovoltaic panel integrated into the watchs' face. How about someone bring out a mod for a keyfob that'll keep its' internal battery charged using a small PV panel integrated into the unit?
     
  17. GadgetMan2

    GadgetMan2 New Member

    Joined:
    Apr 30, 2007
    55
    0
    0
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(Albertus @ May 8 2007, 04:49 PM) [snapback]437752[/snapback]</div>
    I know it is pretty sunny down there, but it actually shines into your pocket? :)