Hi: I've been very cautious about parallel parking and also pulling forward into a parking stall because I can't see the front end. I solved the problem in a way that looks high tech and unobtrusive. I went to my local (Schuck's in Seattle) auto parts store and bought a fake cellular telephone antenna. Why someone would want to put a fake antenna on their car is beyond me, but I found an alternate use for it. I mounted it on top of the license plate holder on the front of the car. This way, it is not attached to any painted surface, hence no removal problems later on. The antenna has a swivel base with one of those glue patches covered over with a removeable piece of plastic. The base is slightly wider than the license plate holder, and you might want to trim off the part that sticks out over the license plate. In my case, the width of the license plate holder that is attached to the car, plus the width of the license plate frame, is exactly the same as the width of the base of the fake antenna. I simply left the removeable plastic on the part of the base that was on top of the license plate frame, so that I could remove the license plate frame from the holder without disturbing the antenna mount. I'm sure you could find alternate and satisfactory means of attaching it. You could probably affix it directly to the license plate itself if you didn't have a license plate holder. When mounted, it is just high enough for you to see it from the driver's seat, yet low enough not to interfere with checking oil or working under the hood. My antenna is black and I might paint it white to see it better at night, but I think at night it will be silhoutted by the headlights. I think it will help me do a better job of parallel parking. Now, I'm waiting for my partner's brilliant 15 year old son to figure out a Radio Shack means of installing some sort of camera in the rear. Camera itself wouldn't be a problem, but finding some sort of mini TV display to mount on the dash would be. Don't think such a camera could be interfaced with the Multi Info Display screen. Humu
And if anyone asks what the antenna is for you can tell them the Prius recharges by converting EMF from cell towers and electric transmission lines into electricity for the battery. I developed my spacial awareness of bumper locations by having my wife stand by each corner of the car for a few moments to train my eyes and mind as to where the bumpers are. It seems to work for me.
Is that part of the marriage vow that I missed? You really made me laugh thinking of having your partner stand in front of your car to "train your eyes." Let me just say I automatically love your wife. She's a definite trooper.
Coastal Dave has a rear mount camera that ties into the MFD for the classic Prius. I don't imagine that it would take a long time to convert it to the '04.
Bob and gang... try this one on eBay... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAP...6&category=6779 i've been wondering what would happen if you got the 4-sensor model and put three on the rear bumper and ran one to the center of the front bumper.......????? sorry... it's the old EE in me surfacing... but if i try it, i'll let you all know!
Why don't you use the original Toyota equipment ? There is a specific "front visual parking helper" (no cheap fake antenna) Click at "functional Items" ! http://www.toyota.co.jp/Showroom/All_toyot...u/frame/op.html Nomax
i take it back... i REALLY want THIS.......... how do you get a pair of THESE and wire them in????????????? help, help!
Next-generation Parking assist (combination of camera and ultrasonic sensors plus nice piece of software): http://homepage.mac.com/boagh125/.Public/T...king_assist.pdf Before next-gen stuff will be available we may use this one (not for the front end though). http://homepage.mac.com/boagh125/.Public/P...usBackupCam.pdf And once you have a camera, wait for software patch (hack) for Automatic Parking Assist (Japan only so far) feature....
The way I usually do it is this way: When pulling into the garage, I use the pattern the headlights make on the wall - when I see the lights seperate (a dark space between the two beams), I'm close enough to the wall. When parking outside in lots and such with concrete dividers and such, I look out of the side window and use the bottom of the side mirror to gauge how far to pull up. It's pretty accurate. My father got a laser parking thing for the garage in his new house - it connects to the garage door opener so when the light goes on, it fires up a tiny laser pointer that you mount on the ceiling. You adjust it so the beam just touches the top of the hood (between the spray nozzles) when the car is in the right position. Looks like a good idea and isn't terribly expensive.
My mom has a much cheaper solution: a tennis ball hanging on a string from the roof of the garage. When it just touches the windshield the car is correctly parked.
EMF? Electro-motive force? Ha! Those are my actual real initials ... EMF ... and there are days when it fits just right, too. Ellen
Pictures posted in Appearances and modifications of the Antenna Bob Allen suggested. Great idea, Thank you Bob. Also posted pic of sensors for Bak-Talk backup alarm. Installation was easy and neat.
