I've been interested in finding a way to block the sun that hits the monitor (MDF) in my '06 prius and have found some options. I was wondering if anyone has any first hand experience with either or both? Option 1: Light Shield Now being sold through dealers parts department. $29 (if I remember correctly) + Tax. Curved corners. Textured plastic. Option 2: Prius Hoods Sun shade $24.99+$5 shipping. Square corners. Soft material on the underside. Smooth surface. From the pictures, they both look about the same size. The textured plastic of the Light Shied is just adding more of the same to car (Don't know if I need more) but the curved edges might fit the car more. I like the idea of the soft material under the Pruis Hoods version but don't know how the sharp edges would look in the car. Suggestions?
I have the Prius Hoods Sun Shade and am happy with it. Mine's the leather version. There's a third option, if you're planning to install a dash cover, DashToppers has made a custom version that actually extends their material over the MFD.
They look mighty similar. I just recieved a complimentary shade from Priushoods--they used to be a PC sponsor, but no longer are--decide for yourself if either of those things matter. Priushoods has shown long term dedication to making good products for the Prius, the other place is a bit of a 'come lately'. I don't think you'll go wrong with either.
Seems like with the Prius Hood- you can access the menu buttons easier than the other on. The other one seems to block the top buttons to the sides of the MFD.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(aaf709 @ May 24 2006, 03:50 PM) [snapback]260575[/snapback]</div> Leather? I don't think they offer that anymore. All they have now is ABS plastic, but leather would be nice. I'm leaning towards the Prius Hoods version. It seems to have more value for my $30. The other is just a single piece of plastic which for $29+tax just seams excessive.
Isn't it possible to make a hood yourself? There should be some material lying around in your house of you can buy cheaply from home depot that you can bend to form a hood. $30 is too much for a piece of plastic. If it was $9 more people would buy it.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(electricity_guzzler @ May 26 2006, 10:32 AM) [snapback]261296[/snapback]</div> Without profit, who would vend? Anyway. I haven't used my 1st-gen Priushood in a while, due to sag. I know what I want to do: weld together three thin strips of metal into a triangle, where the base of the triangle is exactly the right width of the front of the hood when installed, then glue the triangle to the hood and reinstall it. Seems like that would end the sag and not cost me another $30 to get. Laziness aside, seems doable...
I just got a Prius Hood Shade, and I think it's pretty good. Service/shipping was pretty instant. My only complaints (which are small) are: The material is close to the color and texture, but a bit shiny compared to the rest of the dash. Also, the edges of the plastic are a bit hard, but that is probably only an issue if removing or replacing the hood. Overall, it seems to do its job. I'm surprised Toyota has not fixed the issue of a hood shade. I just saw a review of another Toyota (not hybrid) which seems to have a similar MFD, and no hood. Other than the comments made already, the two other difference between the options are: 1) the Lisht Shield seems to be held in place just by the tension of the slight spread, and is perhaps better cut to match the curve of the dash at the bottom. The Hood Shade has velcro and requires a piece of velcro to be attached to the MFD. 2) The Hood Shade has velvet-ish material inside, so reduces reflection that way. (taking a page from camera manufacturers). From what i can tell, the Light Shield is 100% black ABS. Given that, it appears to me that the Hood Shade is somwhat better made, and somewhat less expensive.
My solution cost about $3. I went to the local craft store and bought a thin piece of black foam, 8 x 11 inches. That cost 99 cents. Then I bought some velcro, $2. A pair of scissors and 20 minutes, I'm done.
I am on my second PriusHood. The first was cloth and after a year it began to sag and I traded in on the plastic one with the velvet non glare inner coating. Both have done well for me.
I bought Option 2 from the same Ebay seller that's in your link. But it's the same textured material as featured in Option 1; it blends in with the textured dash of the 2006 Prius. I LOVE it! It sticks on with a few strips of velcro (included), thus it's removable when/if necessary.
I just put an order in for "Option 2" from Pruis Hoods. Seems like it is a better quality than what I saw at the dealership. BTW--Shipping has gone up to $6.00.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(electricity_guzzler @ May 26 2006, 09:32 AM) [snapback]261296[/snapback]</div> Perhaps someone can post a pdf template of a well-fitting hood? Then we could use it to cut and stick a variety of materials.
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(mdmikemd @ May 29 2006, 01:03 PM) [snapback]262375[/snapback]</div> Summer heat won't effect the foam?
I've had the leather ones on two different Prii. They get nasty-looking pretty quickly. A matter of a few months on the one in FL. rpm
<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(DeCleaner @ May 24 2006, 06:22 PM) [snapback]260563[/snapback]</div> I purchased Prius Hood prior to even taking delivery on my Prius based on the experiences of many on this forum. Delivery was very quick, Installation was instantaneously. (seriously...it took about 14 seconds to install it, if that). It works beautifully.
