PriusLock - the Prius Auto Door Lock module

Lets do the math on this one.........

I earn 3 digits per hour. I drive around burning gas and time gathering up all the parts. Hopefully they are in stock (doubtful) and I don't have to drive to two or three places. I pickup all the parts and then spend half my Saturday assembling the parts. We must also remember the part for sale here supports this website (pays the bills). Lastly EVNUT has links to Anti-American websites.

All that for $35.00.........

FAIL

 

Someone posted a review on the Prius shop page. I thought I would paste it in here for people to check out....
-Chad




by Craig N. Date Added: Tuesday 29 July, 2008
I purchased the auto door locking module for the Prius shown here. First let me say that I am a reasonably handy person, but not a mechanic. The unit arrived exactly as promised with instructions and color pictures illustrating every step of the installation procedure. Since this was the first one I had done, I was probably a bit more careful and slow than I needed to be. Exposing the wiring harnesses and getting to the power plug was quite straightforward. Some of the spaces where you have to insert the ends of the wire were a bit tight. I had a couple questions and called Chad who provided the unit; he was very helpful, responded immediately and walked me through exactly what I needed to do. About 20 minutes later I tested the unit - but I had not gotten the connector inserted far enough into the power switch, so initially it did not work. After re-checking all my wiring, it then immediately worked and has worked flawlessly since. A few minutes later I had everything back together and with no cutting or splicing of any wires I was very pleased with the job I had done. Since my wife drives the car frequently, I really like the idea that the doors lock automatically when you start the car. Highly recommended!

 

Here is a door lock solution that costs nothing.

After you close your car door, slide your hand down and using one finger, press the door lock button. Then press the start button and drive away.

 

WOW! I can't believe the heat's been laid on Chadster for his "design flaw" of 'instant locking'... I just returned to this site to see if there was a unit like this out yet. Now, $55 is too steep for me, and I'll tell you why in a second... but lookit where he's at--he's in the San Fernando Valley--why wouldn't he design it as a cheap "anti-Oakland" device?? L.A. ain't all that safe just because it ain't Oakland. As for me, I taped a big sign--"LOCK DOORS" across the power button when we first bought the car two years ago--it helped break the habit of relying on the electronics. Where we live, there ain't no crime to speak of (hell, we still leave the house doors unlocked, and the garage with its' golf cart and riding mower, too)--however, if we were still living in CA, I'da spent the $55 like that (snap!!), built-in inconveniences and all.

 

CoastalTech Autolock on a 2009 locks at startup, not at 15 mph as they claim. Ask them about it, and they wont return your call.
Not nice people to work with.

 

I installed the PriusLock over the weekend. Actually, it took no more than 10-15 minutes from start to finish. In addition, Chad was great in answering a question that I had. So far, it's working flawlessly. I love that fact that locking the doors is one more thing that I don't have to think about in the morning. Well worth the money!!!

 

Here is my 2 cents.

The designer of the Priuslock is to allow immediate locking of the doors when you enter the vehicle by pushing the power button with the foot on the brake. This is to prevent people to enter the vehicle without your permission or to prevent hi-jacking or robbery. IMHO, this takes longing time than just hit the lock button on the door.
If you fear this, you will remember to lock the door.

There is also inconvenience as noted by other posters, that you have to unlock the door again to get things out of the passenger seat.

The auto companies have done marketing researches and surveys to suit the customers most by locking the door at slow speed.

The function of this device will meet a very small segment of the market only.

 

Two points:

1. How can it take longer to push the power button than it does to push the button to lock the door? Makes no sense. They're both buttons.

2. If marketing research surveys were so foolproof, don't you think that the Prius would have a more fully adjustable seat?

The fact is, the auto lock provides some people with one less thing to have to think about. At the offered price, you can't beat it

 

Mr. Blaise wrote:

1. How can it take longer to push the power button than it does to push the button to lock the door? Makes no sense. They're both buttons.

You have to put your foot on the brake pedal and depress it before you can hit the power button. Otherwise it will not go into ready mode.
It is faster just hit the door lock button. You are not familiar with the Prius system.

2. If marketing research surveys were so foolproof, don't you think that the Prius would have a more fully adjustable seat?

Obvious Toyota management didn't follow the marketing research recommendations.

The fact is, the auto lock provides some people with one less thing to have to think about. At the offered price, you can't beat it[/quote]

 

I think I'm familiar with the Prius system ...lol I own one! Is it any harder to have your foot on the floor than to have it on the brake? I think not.

I think Chad provides a real service with the locking system. For the ease of operation and installation, it's a great product If you disagree, so be it. that's the beauty of our country and the freedom of speech.

[/quote]

 

Sorry mrblaise, you are still not familiar with the Prius system even you own one and has installed one I assumed.

The designer said in order to lock the door, you must (quote)

The doors automatically lock when you power the car up by pressing the brake pedal and pushing the power button.

(quote)

If you put you foot on the floor and press the power button, the door will not lock.

I did not denounce this product but expressing my opinion that it may not meet other people's expectations.

[/quote]

 

Sorry, but you just aren't getting it. No big deal.

 

... and have the fob in the car with them.

 

Make it lock the doors when taken out of Park and unlock the doors when put in Park and I will buy it.

 

The real benefit of this mod is to auto lock the doors everytime. The reason for this is to protect your kids from opening the rear doors by accident or to avoid a car jacking. The only problem with this mod is that now you are required to press the unlock button of your car everytime to simply retrieve stuff from your trunk or open the rear door for the kids. This is why I never lock my car door when driving, because when I stop I always forget to push the unlock button and start fighting with the rear hatch and rear doors to open. This mod is perfect for you if you plan to just exit your car without opening any of the other doors. So for now I will wait for the mod which will auto unlock when I turn off the car. Let us know when you can have this mod available. I would have no problem dropping $99 if it could do both!

 

I don't know if anyone already mentioned it in this thread, but the 2010 Prius has auto-lock functionality built-in, but it is not configured on by default. The owners manual explains how to enable it. I realize this probably doesn't apply to the <=2009 Prius.

 

I'm not sure if anyone installed this unit yet, dakota digital PAC-3500 automatic door lock controller is the solution for door lock depending on speed. It's about $99.

Automatic Door Lock Controller

http://www.dakotadigital.com/pdf/pac-3500.pdf

Other option is to buy keyless entry module and mostly cost $6 to $30.

 

Gang... When you power up a Prius to listen to the radio -- don't press the brake. That's how you get into 'accessory' mode. That way, the doors won't lock on you. Chad's instructions explicitly say this...

 

Good luck with it, Chad. Don't let the critics get you down. There's always a genius out there who will come up with the brilliant suggestion that if you make your product do three times more and cost 90% less, it will be better. I hope you sell a million.