Increasing range of keyless entry?

Discussion in 'Gen 3 Prius Accessories and Modifications' started by Rebound, Mar 16, 2016.

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  1. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    I often use my key to help locate my car in a crowded parking lot. Doesn't everybody? But the range of the keyfob isn't very far, and Prius beeps pretty quietly, compared to other cars I've owned.

    Where is the wireless receiver in the Prius? In the door? I'm wondering if there's a way to make it more RF-transparent and thus boost its range.
     
    #1 Rebound, Mar 16, 2016
  2. The Electric Me

    The Electric Me Go Speed Go!

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    Just remember where you parked.

    From a security standpoint, I'm not so sure boosting the range and making the receiver more RF-Transparent would be a good idea.
     
    #2 The Electric Me, Mar 16, 2016
  3. Manhal K Alrashdan

    Manhal K Alrashdan Junior Member

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    With a good battery, the key fob has a range of about 50 meters, which I find more than enough.
     
    #3 Manhal K Alrashdan, Mar 16, 2016
  4. fuzzy1

    fuzzy1 Senior Member

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    Beyond antenna improvements on the receiver end, which are limited on omnidirectional systems, range increases are best done on the transmitter end. The receiving end is constrained by physical limits that cannot be overcome by increased amplification.
     
    #4 fuzzy1, Mar 16, 2016
  5. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    IIRC I am thinking Gen2 with the bigger CR2032 battery had longer range

    Was just reading Jordan is 3rd largest Prius importer after US and Canada...nice!
     
    #5 wjtracy, Mar 16, 2016
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 21, 2016
  6. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i read that if you hold the fob next to your head, the range will increase. not sure about brain cancer.
     
    #6 bisco, Mar 16, 2016
  7. xliderider

    xliderider Senior Member

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    If you have a smartphone, there are a number of apps you can use to mark and locate your car. The app Car Locator has high ratings.
     
    #7 xliderider, Mar 16, 2016
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  8. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    Et tu, Brute?
     
    #8 Rebound, Mar 16, 2016
  9. mmmodem

    mmmodem Senior Taste Tester

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    Ditto. I used to stick the fob in my previous cars under my chin to get more range. Not sure why it works... Not sure I want to find out. <digging head in sand>:sleep:
     
    #9 mmmodem, Mar 17, 2016
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  10. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    well there you have it...another Prius problem solved on PC
     
    #10 wjtracy, Mar 17, 2016
  11. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    I'm thinking now that the problem may not be the radio range, but perhaps the very low volume of the beep which the car plays. Some cars toot their horns when you repeatedly tap the remote's lock button, but the Prius plays a very quiet beep.
     
    #11 Rebound, Mar 21, 2016
  12. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it's terrible in a noisy area, if you can't see the lights. especially if you're 61 and hard of hearing. what?
     
    #12 bisco, Mar 21, 2016
  13. WolfpackBill

    WolfpackBill Senior Member

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    Found this on YouTube. What do you guys think?

     
    #13 WolfpackBill, Mar 21, 2016
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  14. FinToy

    FinToy Active Member

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    I didn't even know about this feature. Thanks!
     
    #14 FinToy, Mar 22, 2016
  15. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    That is awesome!!! It still doesn't do anything about the quiet beep, but it will definitely help with range.
     
    #15 Rebound, Mar 22, 2016
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  16. WolfpackBill

    WolfpackBill Senior Member

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    Oh right. I forgot about the quiet beep. You can use Techstream or Carista with a OBD2 dongle to change the volume of the beep. Mine is set to "Max" and it's still not loud enough.
     
    #16 WolfpackBill, Mar 22, 2016
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  17. Montgomery

    Montgomery Senior Member

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    If you have a smart phone, take photos of where you park. There are also "find my car" apps that take you back to your car via gps.
     
    #17 Montgomery, Mar 22, 2016
  18. StarCaller

    StarCaller Senior Member

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    neone's going to try the receiver trick?

    BION
    StarCaller
     
    #18 StarCaller, Mar 22, 2016
  19. Rebound

    Rebound Senior Member

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    I do that at airports and ball games... Learned that the hard way!

    But I was thinking more of the casual routine when I've parked at the grocery store or shopping mall.
     
    #19 Rebound, Mar 23, 2016
  20. rrg

    rrg Active Member

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    BE CAREFUL about adding more distance to the key fob.

    Since last summer we have had car break-ins to locked cars, all over town.
    My street was hit with 15 cars opened in one night.
    The police rang my door to check my car interior for missing stuff and checked for finger prints on other cars.
    Lucky the neighbors dog scared them off at 4:30AM.

    The thief was somehow amplifying the car signal toward the house from the driveway and the car door would open when the signal reached the key fob in the house 50 or more feet away.

    Youtube has videos of peoples security cameras recording these break-ins in the driveways.
    They usually have a back pack with the small device inside.

    I have since purchased a Faraday cage to keep my keys in. LOL

    my2cents.
     
    #20 rrg, Mar 24, 2016
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2016
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