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.
<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.
<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.
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.
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.
<_< 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.
Using "Saarch" I found this short thread regarding cutting down the fob size: http://priuschat.com/index.php?showtopic=11047&hl=
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.
<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.
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.
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?
<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?
