Shark Fin and Short Antennas

[JustAnotherAsian]

want something different from the s2000 type antennas?

i guess you can use these...

http://www.sigmaautomotive.com/FoliaTec/antenna.php
^link to Shark Fin and Short Antennas.

just thought i'd share. :wink:

[hasher22]

thats pretty hot the shark fins...i would def. get one..

[Violin]

I like the shark fin too.

I notice it needs power. Does anyone know if our stock antennas have power already?

[Chris07LB]

I will soon have my review out on the Stubby Antenna from our newest Supporting Vendor, Carccessory.com. :smile:

[riceboy]

not a fan of the shark fin.. but it'd be interesting to see what it looks like..

[esquiva]

my friend has this one...its a stubby short antenna...only as long as my pinky
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/BLACK-Stubby-Antenna-Mitsubishi-Lancer-Scion-tC-xA-A_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33639QQihZ015QQitemZ2 50022683408QQrdZ1

[poshi]

so is there any functioning shark fin antenna available in the market for yaris? and i guess i'll ned to spray it to the color that i want eh....

[Violin]

so is there any functioning shark fin antenna available in the market for yaris? and i guess i'll ned to spray it to the color that i want eh....


We are pleased to introduce world's first AM/FM functional Shark Fin Antenna, a breakthrough in Automotive reception: http://www.sigmaautomotive.com/FoliaTec/antenna.php


I'm just wondering if there's power to the factory antenna or if I'd need to snake a wire over to it.

[TrancosRt]

The shark fin A-la BMW 500-700 series is hot... How much were they? (I'would leave it flat-black to match with the mirror and windows trims ;)

[chrisada_to2a]

i am interesting in these, just wonder if you ship oversea ?

[Violin]

If you were talking to me, I'm not a vendor. I just copied and pasted what they had on the site in the original link. Try contacting sigmaautomotive.com for shipping info.

[ChinoCharles]

Nice find Violin. Might have to name my car Jaws.

[argylesocks]

I notice it needs power. Does anyone know if our stock antennas have power already?

dont know for sure... but i doubt it.
why would it have power? it dont move.

[Violin]

I'm just looking at this from their site: Many vehicles' twisty antennae are powered already, in such case, installation of the Shark Fin Antenna is easier. Otherwise, you will need to feed power from an overhead lamp or the rear defrost.

[as400g33k]

dont know for sure... but i doubt it.
why would it have power? it dont move.

I'd hazard a guess that the power is to boost the signal, and not to move the aerial up and down.

[Violin]

My guess too.

If it ever stops raining around here, I'll see if the HB stock antenna has power to it.

[spacemanoeuvres]

almost bought a black stubby antenna but then I saw the "reduces reception" warning and decided against it; even though I only listen to the radio once in a blue moon :rolleyes:

I'm anxious to read about everyone's experience...

[bigsky2]

AM reception deteriorates with the short(er) antenna.

FM reception is just about the same.

It isn't so bad that it renders your radio useless, so don't worry.

[Violin]

Anyone do one of these shark fins yet? I see there are two wires to ours so it must be powered. What's involved?

[hasher22]

BMW have it stocked on their cars.....seen a few around here....on BMW's that is

[tmyers82]

you guys are crazy check out the shark fin. They will paint it for you. http://www.visualgarage.com/home.html . it even shows you how to install all for about $70. It works good stations come in well but not as good as stock.

[hasher22]

Nice thats a heaps good deal i recon. Too bad they dont ship to australia. Damn bastards lol

[Jfoofoo]

you guys are crazy check out the shark fin. They will paint it for you. http://www.visualgarage.com/home.html . it even shows you how to install all for about $70. It works good stations come in well but not as good as stock.
Great find. This looks promising. :thumbup:

[Violin]

Oooooh!

Painted even.

Thanks!

[himself_himself]

I just got my sharkfin from visualgarage! :thumbup: They're awesome guys and great to work with. I have no compliants with reception and it doesn't require any additional power. Here are some pics of my Yaris 2007 RS with the fin:

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m83/iphenry/20061002001Small.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m83/iphenry/20061002002Small.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m83/iphenry/20061002003Small.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m83/iphenry/20061002004Small.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m83/iphenry/20061002005Small.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m83/iphenry/20061002006Small.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m83/iphenry/20061002007Small.jpg

http://i102.photobucket.com/albums/m83/iphenry/20061002008Small.jpg

[Violin]

Looks perfect. I want one!

I have an HD radio so I don't want to degrade the reception. Is it as good or better than stock?


edit: I read the testimonials and many reported somewaht poorer reception. I could care less about AM - do you find your FM reception is degraded?

[eTiMaGo]

da-dum da-dum da-dum (Jaws theme music)

Paint it grey and airbrush some waves on the roof :biggrin:

[ChinoCharles]

That sharkfin looks wonderful.

[hasher22]

yea i want one.....errr but the ones that sell in australia are non-funtional they are there for decoration. Bleh

[Kitt]

FINALLY something that will fit my Yaris !!! I'll definetly get one!!!
but i may have to think also in purchasing an fm signal booster, i don't trust it...

[himself_himself]

Most other sharkfins aren't hollow inside... which is the ones that are decorative and non-functional (the ones hasher is talking about). This one from visualgarage is shelled and is designed to fit over the antenna base, and has winding antenna traces on the inner side which is connected to the base via an additional screw.

Honestly, I find reception to be no difference, if not even better! I think it's because the winding traces create a 2D netting area of reception rather than a 1D line with stubby stock antennas. Initially I thought it would be a risk to try without knowing, but hey, I took the risk and it really paid off. No need for any booster. I'm loving my fin and I'm having those new BMW giving me second looks.

:drinking:

[hasher22]

haha thats great Himself x 2........yea i just emailed the guy and they ship world wide!! its 18USD to ship to aust and i find that cheap. So i guess im gonna get one afterall from http://www.visualgarage.com/home.html......

Looks great himself x 2....haha i believe its goin to be a trend to have sharkfin antennas to all those non-bmw drivers.

[Violin]

I'm ordering one today!

Thanks for the find tmeyers82 and the info himselfx2.

[eTiMaGo]

I'm real tempted too... The price is right, and nobody else has it here either :biggrin:

[Violin]

My order is confirmed. I hope to post photos here soon.

[hasher22]

YAY VIOLIN!.....my next paycheck im gettin one...

[hasher22]

does anyone know the Official name and number for the Red Yaris Liftback??

Im from aust and we call it Cherry Red i dont know the number. Though doesnt the U.S call it Absolutely Red or sumfin. If anyone knows it will greatly help me finishing up the order form. And the number for the colour. THANKS!!

[Violin]

Look at your driver's door pillar for a sticker. There is an abreviation for color/trim with a couple of codes there. That's what they need.

I wouldn't assume that you guys get the same red as we do.

[eTiMaGo]

Well, ordered mine, should be here in a couple of weeks :biggrin:

[hasher22]

Found it....colour code for Cherry Red in australia is 3P0

is that the same code for Absolute Red Etimago?? im 70% sure that Absolute and Cherry red is the same colour.

[eTiMaGo]

mine's 3P0 as well, pretty cool, I have a star wars car :biggrin:

And to be exact, they call it Alpha Red over here...

[hasher22]

Ohhh ur in bangcock, didnt see ur location thaught ur in da U.S......

seriously why cant the world name the yaris liftback red one simple colour, like Alpha Cherry Absolute red......gives everyone a headache.....

anyway thanks etimago! now i can order them when i have money lol.....

BTW go paint ur headlights already....!!!

[eTiMaGo]

why can't the whole world agree on one name either? Yaris here, Vitz there... :p

headlight painting's in the to-do list. But... very few kitches here are actualy equipped with conventional ovens! It's just not part of the local cooking customs, and I doubt a microwave would do? :biggrin: Seriously, I think it just means I have to find a heatgun, right?

[hasher22]

Well a heat gun is good....oven is way better....u dont have an oven at home?? the headlight just needs to be really warm so u can seperate it.

[eTiMaGo]

nope, no oven... people just don't bake stuff here, funnily enough!

You can still buy them and some fancier houses have them, but it's not common. Or I could drive 800km to my mom's place and use hers :biggrin:

[Jfoofoo]

So how many people actually purchased these fins? I finally purchased 2. One for my Yaris and one for the Prius. Can't wait to get them installed.

[hasher22]

alot by the looks of it, im ordering one when i have money HA

[Violin]

Mine came today.

The paint match looks pretty good.

It's too cold here or I would install it now. I need to get my baby home and warmed up.

[Chris07LB]

Mine came today.

The paint match looks pretty good.

It's too cold here or I would install it now. I need to get my baby home and warmed up.

A little heat (hair dryer or Heat gun) to warm the spot is going on, and the backside of the fins tape, will help it "seal" that much better. :thumbsup:

[Violin]

Yep - that's the plan, Stan.

Thanks.

[mikeukrainetz]

I have a billet stubby antenna and it doesnt pick up signals worth crap but it looks nice.

[Chris07LB]

Yep - that's the plan, Stan.

Thanks.

Name's Chris bud. :rolleyes:






:bellyroll: :bellyroll:

[Violin]

Chris Bud? I thought... oh nevermind....



Color match is pretty good - a little dark, but acceptable.

Reception is a little weaker. I lost about 2 or 3 miles on my HD digital reception and probably about the same on my analog FM. I haven't tried the AM yet.

It's worth it because it looks so friggin' good!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1103/rjenkie/photo022Large.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1103/rjenkie/photo016Large.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/1103/rjenkie/photo017Large.jpg

[Chris07LB]

I spy JDM tails...

Fin looks cool, but man do we need to drop that thing! :eek:

[ChinoCharles]

Violin, your car looks amazing. I have Modelista envy!

[Violin]

Thanks for the compliments.

I ain't dropping it! - As much as I'd like to lower the center of gravity for handling, I couldn't have driven down in front of that lake with less ground clearance. You should see the dropoff I negotiated. Besides, when I was a young punk, we'd lift the back of our cars for cosmetic reasons (think Dukes of Hazard) - I don't get the "lowered look" - it looks good the way it is to me.

[W.A.S.P]

Chris Bud? I thought... oh nevermind....



Color match is pretty good - a little dark, but acceptable.

Reception is a little weaker. I lost about 2 or 3 miles on my HD digital reception and probably about the same on my analog FM. I haven't tried the AM yet.

It's worth it because it looks so friggin' good!

Looking goood!!!!

I got mine a couple of days ago and all I can say is SWEEEEEEEEET!!!!!!!!!!!!

[envoy]

Does the antenna base twist off or do I have to do something special? I see the wire twists out quite easy but the base I am having problems with...

[Jfoofoo]

Violin, what size are those rims? Your ride looks SWEET!

[Violin]

Does the antenna base twist off or do I have to do something special? I see the wire twists out quite easy but the base I am having problems with...

No! Don't twist the base. It stays in place. The shark fin is mostly hollow. It comes with a couple of different sized screws, the smaller on of which fits into where you unscrewed the whip antenna. That secures a little curly wire that attaches to the antenna grid inside the shark fin. The hardest part about the installation is getting the positioning right before you attach it to your roof (with 3M tape).

Instructions here: http://www.visualgarage.com/Product_Installation.html

[Violin]

Violin, what size are those rims? Your ride looks SWEET!

15" with the stock tires.
Thanks - it is almost where I want it now.

[eTiMaGo]

I got mine a couple of days ago, but kinda having second thoughts, mainly cause I do have the rally-style spoiler on mine and the fin looks kinda out of place... So I'm still undecided.
I did try it on my wireless mouse, to see if it could increase range or have a smoother connection, but it kinda got in the way of ergonomics:

http://www.ifrance.com/etimago/yaris/DSC00419.jpg

:biggrin:

[Jfoofoo]

The fins finally arrived today. Will be installing it as soon as I get a day off.. Color is perfect for my wife's Prius and a little darker for my Yaris but not too bad

[Violin]

I think the color (at least the MM) takes a little while to fully cure. Mine looked a little dark at first, but now its dead on.

I had my car at the dealership last Friday and several of the salesmen came out to look at it. They really liked the shark fin. It is officially 'bling'.

[funkstrong]

I just installed the same one as you Violin, and it either changed color after a couple of days or my eyes just adjusted. Either way they look great.

[Violin]

Hey, hey!

My car is up on the gallery page (http://www.visualgarage.com/tinc?key=bty8lLPA&fs_settings=1,1,1,3,800,740).

[Violin]

Now they're on eBay (starting bid only $5): http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Functional-VG-Shark-Fin-Antenna-Toyota-Yaris_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33639QQihZ014QQit emZ330047230178QQrdZ1

They used my car there too.

[YamilR]

Now they're on eBay (starting bid only $5): http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Functional-VG-Shark-Fin-Antenna-Toyota-Yaris_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33639QQihZ014QQit emZ330047230178QQrdZ1

They used my car there too.


Thanks...Hopefully it will be mine:thumbup:

[Violin]

You know its just like the other four they are selling in an auction format. Looks like a few people can get good deals on these: http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dll?from=R40&satitle=VG+Shark+Fin+Antenna

[Chris07LB]

Thanks...Hopefully it will be mine:thumbup:

For what I've seen them go for at auction end, that $5 bid wont last long.

[BMGYaris]

well here's hopin, i sure dont have 12 hours to dedicate to buying a shark fin:)

[stoneman]

Are these still available?
Like to get one. Do they workBeen awhile since anyone posted
Andy

[Violin]

The site is still up - it sure looks like you can order.

[Black Yaris]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Functional-powered-Matte-Black-AM-FM-Shark-Fin-Antenna_W0QQitemZ140068754638QQihZ004QQcategoryZ50 553QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
here is one

[ChinoCharles]

You can. I just got mine a week ago.

[Chris07LB]

Ill post mine later. Was given to me by a vendor that use to be here, Carcessory's.

[nonopeno]

I am just wondering if someone can help me out.. I own a orange copper mica yaris hatchback, and today guess what I discovered.. a crack in the antenna base. I guess something hard was pressing on the antenna base, causing the antenna to bend back (dented my top... :cry: )

So right now, I want to use this shark fin to cover up the cracked antenna base (will water going in cause any problems?), as well as the small dent.. I hope this shark fin can be the fix..

anyone know what the orange copper mica color code is? and what's the general comments so far? also if my yaris top is not smooth (due to the dent), will the adhesive be able to seal the spaces between the shark fin and the top nevertheless?

Hope someone can help me out, and hope i presented the situation clearly.. i am still quite overwhelemd to find my 3 month old yaris in this situation..

[hasher22]

I am just wondering if someone can help me out.. I own a orange copper mica yaris hatchback, and today guess what I discovered.. a crack in the antenna base. I guess something hard was pressing on the antenna base, causing the antenna to bend back (dented my top... :cry: )

So right now, I want to use this shark fin to cover up the cracked antenna base (will water going in cause any problems?), as well as the small dent.. I hope this shark fin can be the fix..

anyone know what the orange copper mica color code is? and what's the general comments so far? also if my yaris top is not smooth (due to the dent), will the adhesive be able to seal the spaces between the shark fin and the top nevertheless?

Hope someone can help me out, and hope i presented the situation clearly.. i am still quite overwhelemd to find my 3 month old yaris in this situation..

Look on ur side door.......i forgot were exactly but its there

sum1 will tell u

[Violin]

There's a color code on the sticker on your driver's side door column. One is for the trim and one is for the paint. If you're unsure, just give them both and the color name, they'll sort it out.

If you can post photos of your antenna area, we might be able to figure if it will cover the dent. As far as the crack and leaking concerns, you could possibly smear some RTV silicone over the crack before putting the shark fin on - I wouldn't trust the mounting tape to seal out water.

The antenna works well but not as good as the stock one.

[nonopeno]

thanks hasher and violin for the responses.

Will post pics of the unfortunate accident very soon.:thumbdown:

[Blenjar]

hell yea
:drool:

[Violin]

Looks good. Welcome to Club Shark Fin.

[Blenjar]

yay

-- Blen

[Black Yaris]

orange copper mica paint code is 4S9

[Chris07LB]

I need to get around to posting pics of my stubby... :laugh: (stubby :rolleyes: )

[Violin]

ewww.

[ryz1711]

Nice... but it'll be better looking if u had like 4 more attached to the roof of ur car bro.. trust me your car will look awesome. i'm planning to install 4 on my car... but they're pretty expensive from where i come from.

[eTiMaGo]

Nice... but it'll be better looking if u had like 4 more attached to the roof of ur car bro.. trust me your car will look awesome. i'm planning to install 4 on my car... but they're pretty expensive from where i come from.

going for the Evo 8 style roof fins thingie?

[Blenjar]

going for the Evo 8 style roof fins thingie?

Yea I think so..but the shark is kinda big...
it will look silly..

-- Blen

[Chris07LB]

Seen a WRX with the mini sharks across the rear of the roof in carbon fiber, looked cool.

[YANGSTER]

Finally got mine and installed.:thumbup:

[tiksman]

Nice. I also put mine on last week along with my led tails.

[ASHRAF]

how to install mine

is it simple or do I need a DIY directions???

i'll get mine in few days

[YANGSTER]

how to install mine

is it simple or do I need a DIY directions???

i'll get mine in few days

Follow the instruction on their website....I'm sure u're can do it yourself.

[boris13]

Here's a dumb question. Is there an antenna made that will actually IMPROVE reception over the stock antenna (especially AM)? I don't care about looks much, I want functionality.

[Kitt]

There are some signal boosters that you connect between your HU and the antena, it actually improves the signal and it goes inside the dash...

[Blenjar]

I say use your eyes on the sticking part...
use the washing spraying thing as the ur straight line...
its very easy...

-- Blen

[Ryosuke]

how to install mine

is it simple or do I need a DIY directions???

i'll get mine in few days

ashraf could you please post some pics of your car? :smile:

[JDM_EK3]

Anyone have pictures using the short stubby black replacement antennas?

[eijikikimaru]

I received an email saying that there seemed to be a defect on mine and will take another week. Yay and *sigh* Yay cause they're trying to do a great job, *sigh* because you guys get to roll around w/ your fins =p

[redyaris]

What is the paint code for absolutely red?????? Thanks!

[ChinoCharles]

Got mine on. Looks great... really cleans up the back end. I'll take pictures next week. The weather is supposed to be garbage until then, so no car wash for me.

[ChinoCharles]

3612

[Chris07LB]

what the hells all that white stuff?? :tongue:

[ChinoCharles]

I haven't seen grass in almost a month, nor has my car seen a wash.

Mother nature... you're killin' me smalls.

[BokChoi]

i just ordered one are you guys having to step on the rear bumper to install it i know its a silly question

[Razr]

nope, no oven... people just don't bake stuff here, funnily enough!

You can still buy them and some fancier houses have them, but it's not common. Or I could drive 800km to my mom's place and use hers :biggrin:


Only 600km from Bangkok to here, and we have two houses, both with ovens :wink:

We could have a Yarii headlight painting party! Of course we'd do yours first JIC something goes wrong :tongue:

[Razr]

Now I see why you American guys are all so keen to replace the OE antenna - that thing looks like it's from Sears Tower! :biggrin:

[Chris07LB]

i just ordered one are you guys having to step on the rear bumper to install it i know its a silly question

lol, really?

[Blenjar]

i just ordered one are you guys having to step on the rear bumper to install it i know its a silly question

No I used my eye coordination with the liquid washer spray thing as my center point...its really simple..

u can hoop on ur rear bumper if u want but I didn't...i dont have the protector and didn't want to move while putting it on..its really easy..

-- Blen

[YANGSTER]

hmmmm....if you have a 5 DR, u can just stand on the back seats.
u dont really need to stand on anything thing tho...

[Black Yaris]

Now I see why you American guys are all so keen to replace the OE antenna - that thing looks like it's from Sears Tower! :biggrin:

what does the OE Thai mast look like?

[eTiMaGo]

It's just a stubby antenna from the get-go, take a look at Razr's or my car's pics.

Chiangmai Grand First Farang Yaris Owners' Meeting and headlight painting party.... sounds like a plan! :biggrin:

[Razr]

what does the OE Thai mast look like?

this.. :thumbsup:

[Razr]

Chiangmai Grand First Farang Yaris Owners' Meeting and headlight painting party.... sounds like a plan! :biggrin:

Well.. I'm on holidays from mid April to early May but won't be back in CNX until a few days after Songkran...

[redyaris]

I just got the chrome stubby antenna 2.5 inches. In this case, size doesnt matter.

[eijikikimaru]

With my 3door before my car was lowered I just stood on the side wheels and useds masking tape to form a little box when the antenna is aligned .

[Nutzoids]

Would anyone be interested in a Sharkfin Antenna GB???

:evil:

[Doc Zaius]

I ordered mine already..!

[eijikikimaru]

Would anyone be interested in a Sharkfin Antenna GB???

:evil:

I am pretty sure there are a few out there that are still interested. I wish there was one about 3 months ago :tongue:

[Nutzoids]

Well there's one Coming down the road!

:evil:

[Blenjar]

Ya me 2..shark antenna was my first mod.

-- Blen

[dlinkwit27]

I just got my fin, and it is about a shade darker than the rest of my car. Anyone else notice this?
/edit
Just read posts 63 and 64, I'll post pics eventually :)

[brickhardmeat]

I just got my fin, and it is about a shade darker than the rest of my car. Anyone else notice this?
/edit
Just read posts 63 and 64, I'll post pics eventually :)

what color is your car?

[dlinkwit27]

Blazing Blue

[Violin]

Mine started out a little darker but is a perfect match now that the paint cured.

[yarisugi]

What is the color code for meteorite metallic on the Visual Garage (http://www.visualgarage.com/Order.php) site?
There are three kinds of "gray" there. Which is the right one?

1E7 - Silver Streak Mica
1F8 - Metalliceroite Metallic
1G3 - Magnetic Gray Metallic

[djgab101]

i have a short antenna it does lose a little little bit of signal ..... i heared the shark fin is terrible !!! it has bad signal .... the shark fin was not made for the yaris radio!

[Revsson]

What is the color code for meteorite metallic on the Visual Garage (http://www.visualgarage.com/Order.php) site?
There are three kinds of "gray" there. Which is the right one?

1E7 - Silver Streak Mica
1F8 - Metalliceroite Metallic
1G3 - Magnetic Gray Metallic

My 2009 LB spec sheet that came with the car says color 01F8.
So, I assume that 1F8 is the color for your LB. Apparently, they didn't
do a spellcheck or don't know how to spell Meteorite. :thumbdown:
Perhaps you can point that out to them if you do order one.

[yarisugi]

My 2009 LB spec sheet that came with the car says color 01F8.
So, I assume that 1F8 is the color for your LB. Apparently, they didn't
do a spellcheck or don't know how to spell Meteorite. :thumbdown:
Perhaps you can point that out to them if you do order one.

Thanks Revsson! I didn't buy my car new so I don't have that spec sheet.
I wasn't too sure if that was the one because of the spelling! Much appreciated :smile:

[id3379]

did someone say shark ? ...i couldn't resist.

http://i250.photobucket.com/albums/gg280/id3379/sharkyaris.jpg

[id3379]

looks more like a pirahna

that's cause its a yaris..

[id3379]

lmao ^^

[yaris-me]

Just ordered my Sharkfin. Can't wait!:smile:

[JustAnotherAsian]

whoa. probably my longest thread so far. a thread concerning... sharkfin antennas. haha.

[CanadianHiFive2]

Is it possible to install this in the 2007 sedan cause i know the antenna is in the rear window but could u cut the wire from the HD and then just run it up to the roof. Just throwing this out there have no idea if itll wrk

[yaris-me]

Is it possible to install this in the 2007 sedan cause i know the antenna is in the rear window but could u cut the wire from the HD and then just run it up to the roof. Just throwing this out there have no idea if itll wrk

You can get an antenna repeater. Bottom of page.
http://www.sigmaautomotive.com/FoliaTec/antenna.php

[yaris-me]

Got my Sharkfin antenna today. Installed it and tried it out. On the open road, the reception is the same. The only difference is in parking structures. I lose the weak AM stations and the strong AM stations pick up static. The FM stations are the same.:thumbup: