I have been looking for a sunshade for our new Prius v of the collapsible ring type (silver cloth face). Has anyone found one that is good quality and works well? I have searched through pages and pages on Amazon, as well as here, and the only sunshade I can find specifically identified for the v is the Heatshield which I don't want since it doesn't fold away as easily. So ... any suggestions? I did buy one that I thought would be fine, but even though the dimensions seemed good, it sagged enough so that it didn't work well.
I used one which I think originally was purchased at a "Brookstone" store, on my 1993 Corolla, I seem to remember replacing it several times over the 21 years (292,000 miles) I drove the car. I think today, I'd look for one on eBay or amazon.com. For my current vehicle (2009 Gen II Prius (the ChuggyPig)) I have a set of custom screens (from the PriusChat Shoppe (thanks Danny!)) They don't fold like the collapsible ring, they roll - if you check my photo albums, you'll see some pics (of the front screen, at least). There are also other references to screens & shades in threads passim. Good luck - hope this helps - Wil Edit: C'mon folks, it's not bloody rocket science, you know!!!
The Heatshield shade works much better than the thin collapsible type you are asking about for keeping the interior cooler. If you are mainly looking for a privacy screen, then get the collapsible one. But for actual heat rejection, get the insulated material shades, of which Heatshield is one of the best, especially if it's the custom fit one. We roll it up and either throw it in the rear footwell, in the rear hatch area, or rest it on the hatch retractable cover.
I have used a 31"x38" fold-up, 2 piece window shade in our Prius v for over 2 years. I purchased it at Walmart for $11-$13. I think it is the Super size - not always in stock due to the increasing number of large windshields. It sags slightly; but, not enough to let any serious sunlight in, IMHO. When collapsed, it fits between console and seat or in the back pocket of the seat. Used long ways vertical, it secures under sunvisor even without turning them down, although turning them down secures the overlap they have in front of the mirror.
Do they still make those, they are so 80's! Why would you not want the heat shield shade? They work great and will protect the dash and reduce heat much better then the thin shade you are looking for. They also roll up very easly and you just place it on the back floor or seat when rolled up.
I bought the heat shield from the PriusChat Store... does a great job but more work to set up, take down and store. The collapsible ring shade I got at Costco is easier to setup, takedown and store. Might not repell heat as well but I like it a lot. Joel
Simple physics. Once the thermal heat passes through the glass it is in the car regardless of how much insulation value you think you are getting from the 'insulated' shield. The only purpose is to keep the diredt sun off the interior components of the car - dash, steering wheel, seats, etc. My simple Walmart solution is no hassle, complete windshield coverage, compact when folded up, out of the way (in the pocket on the rear of the front seat or between the seat and the console, and takes about 5 seconds to setup and take down. Go ahead and spend your money on the pricey stuff ...
I have been using sunshades for 20 plus years and the heat shields do a much better job on cutting down on heat within the car.
Well, the people sitting in the back seat probably wouldn't be so understanding when I take up their legroom or place it on their laps...
I am sure you can find a place to store it when needed, its always in my cabin, and I have people in my car all the time.
Partially true. As you say, insulating the shield doesn't keep heat out of the car, but it would to some extent confine it to the windshield area, instead of reradiating it off the back into the rest of the car as a thin cloth shield does. Also, a shiny (aluminized) shield will reflect part of the sun's radiated heat back out through the windshield, unlike the cloth type. That said, I use the convenient wire-rimmed foldable cloth kind so far. I bought a "Jumbo" reflective insulated one, but it turned out to be much much too wide, yet not nearly tall enough.
Buy a custom one for your car, you will love it! And it does reduce the heat, I should know, I was in Desert Palms last weekend and it was 118F.....ugh!
