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Annoying Speedometer Reflection

Discussion in 'Gen 2 Prius Accessories & Modifications' started by PriusLove, Jul 3, 2006.

  1. PriusLove

    PriusLove New Member

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    We love our recently bought 2004 Prius. If it weren't for that annoying reflection that the speedometer casts on the windshield when driving at night it would be a totally perfect car. Are we the only people bothered by this? Has anyone found a way to block it?
     
  2. theorist

    theorist Member

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    I've also noticed this. It's more of an issue for my 5'2" wife than it is for me, at 6'1", since the reflection is more in her line of site.

    Try the dimmer switch to dim the display and the reflection. Armor All or other products that create a high gloss shine will make the problem much worse. I don't know if you can find something less reflective than the dash if it really bothers you. Perhaps a very flat pitch black piece of felt or construction paper placed on the dash in front of the display might help?
     
  3. aaf709

    aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(theorist @ Jul 3 2006, 08:40 AM) [snapback]280516[/snapback]</div>
    That's what I did and the reflection went away.

    BTW, this phenomenon is known as Pepper's Ghost. An excellent example is at the ballroom scene at Disney's Haunted Mansion.
     
  4. berylrb

    berylrb Member

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    i use the dimmer
     
  5. qbee42

    qbee42 My other car is a boat

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    Other posts have stated this same issue. I never could see the problem, then one night I realized that at 5' 7" I'm right in the sweet spot. Taller people see a reflection on the plastic of the dash, shorter people see the reflection from the dash off of the windshield. A piece of matte material on the dash seems to be the best solution.

    Tom
     
  6. Pollenfax

    Pollenfax New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(berylrb @ Jul 3 2006, 10:31 AM) [snapback]280527[/snapback]</div>
    Same here. Works great.
     
  7. wstander

    wstander New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(qbee42 @ Jul 3 2006, 09:48 AM) [snapback]280535[/snapback]</div>
    I too could never duplicate this issue either; even moved my head up and down...

    "Course I too am 'normal' height at 5'7" :)
     
  8. BrianG

    BrianG Junior Member

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    I have almost 24,000 on my '05 and never noticed the reflection until last weekend. I ran 1234 miles in two days and the green reflection in the windshield drove me crazy during the many hours of night driving. I stand 5'- 9" and the reflection appeared on the windshield as a green bar. I plan on finding some sort of matte material to put on the dash, maybe anti-skid material like tool box liner will do the trick and stay in place as well. It's on my to-do list.
     
  9. jtullos

    jtullos New Member

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    I'm 5'9" and I see the reflection on the windshield whenever it's dark out. Driving through a city poses no problems, but in less lighted areas, it's annoying. The dimmer doesn't help enough, because I can see the reflection all the way down. The felt idea sounds like something to try, though in reality I don't drive all that much in the dark except in winter. The sun stays up until sometime between 8:00 and 9:00 during the summer, so I'm almost always home by then.
     
  10. Sane_N_Ohio

    Sane_N_Ohio New Member

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    I never noticed the reflection until after I had my dash worked on to eliminate an annoying rattle noise. I thought they fixed the noise, but gave me the reflection instead. At 6 feet tall, it is in my direct line of vision. Come to find out the vibrating rattle is back, worse than ever, and the strip of green reflection from the speedometer and the passenger airbag light is there too. It is so distracting.

    I've tried the felt idea for both problems. I can't seem to get it to work to block the reflection. As for the rattle, it sounds like it is the dash piece vibrating against the shiny plasic reflective piece, but no matter where I put the felt, nothing works.

    I have found that the dimmer has lessened the intensity of the reflection, but even all the way down, I can still notice the reflection.

    I love my car, but this (dash issues) has been the only problem I have had since I got it in April of '06. These two problems drive me to the brink sometimes!
     
  11. catgic

    catgic Mastr & Commandr Hybrid Guru

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  12. patsparks

    patsparks An Aussie perspective

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    I dim my display to the lowest setting at night. I have always liked a dim instrument cluster at night, there are more important things to see outside the car.
    I notice the reflection on the windscreen at night until I turn it down if I have turned the display brightness up when I've had the lights on in the daylight.
    There is a person making shades for the MFD, I wonder if they can make a shade for the speedo too?
    If you place anything over the speedo to stop the reflection be careful not to block the demister vents.

    Australian seat is height adjustable, even though I'm just 5'6" I have the seat low.
     
  13. NYPrius1

    NYPrius1 Active Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusLove @ Jul 3 2006, 11:18 AM) [snapback]280502[/snapback]</div>
    Saw this item on Amazon : It's called DashMat
    Product Features

    * Custom made to fit each dashboard
    * Cuts hazardous windshield glare & haze
    * Protects the dash from sun damage, stops cracking and warping
    * Made of durable, color-fast non-shrinking needle punch carpet
    * Limited lifetime warranty
    Here is the link:
    http://www.amazon.com/Dashmat-1673-00-25-D...e&carId=001


    I have not tried it myself as I don't have this problem BUT see a few who have complained about it.
    Hope This Helps
     
  14. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    Would a dashmat solve this problem?
     
  15. didjyman

    didjyman New Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(zenMachine @ Aug 17 2007, 11:40 AM) [snapback]497835[/snapback]</div>
    I have a black DashMat and the glare is still there. But not as bad.
     
  16. aaf709

    aaf709 Ravenpaw of ThunderClan

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(zenMachine @ Aug 17 2007, 08:40 AM) [snapback]497835[/snapback]</div>
    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(didjyman @ Aug 17 2007, 09:12 AM) [snapback]497866[/snapback]</div>
    I have a Dash Topper (which is like the DashMat) too, but it didn't solve the problem for me. That's because the opening in the Dash Topper for the display was too big. I did add a small thin black piece of wood under the Dash Topper to make the opening smaller and that cleared it up.
     
  17. zenMachine

    zenMachine Just another Onionhead

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    Time for someone to come up with a dashboard hood, a la MFD hood... :)
     
  18. AOV

    AOV New Member

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    It's not just a problem for the "average" size person....
    I am 5' 1" and just because the seat is not adjustable in height, I also sit on a 2" foam under my lamb wool-y. This puts me as being.... <_< 5' 2"? and the green reflection, at night, really bothers me!
    I dimmed the lights, it just helped a little. I covered the screen with my hand, and that helped :D yet, I could not see how fast I was going.
    Read about the dashmat, but then there are those that say that it did not help. Not sure what to do, some customizing is in order.
     
  19. didjyman

    didjyman New Member

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    Well after reading this thread I found myself messing with my dashmat last night. It does eliminate the glare it just has to be placed in the right spot. I still haven't used the optional supplied velcro to secure it to the dash. I am sure once I do it will be perfect.
     
  20. bhaynnes

    bhaynnes Member

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    <div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(PriusLove @ Jul 3 2006, 08:18 AM) [snapback]280502[/snapback]</div>
    I cover my eyes with duct tape. That takes care of any annoying reflections, including those cast by oncoming lights.
     
    Seanmaster likes this.