Shark Fin antenna: unboxed and installed

[Former Expedition owner]

I bought a Shark Fin antenna from Visual Garage after reading about it on these forums. I felt the Shark Fin better matches the styling/design of the Fusion rather than the whip antenna that comes standard.

 

I sent an email to Visual Garage, stating I had a Ford Fusion Hybrid Titanium with Tuxedo Black Metallic paint and a few hours later they sent me a PayPal invoice for $69 + $12 S/H = $81 total.

 

I ordered on May 8th, it shipped on May 17th, and I received the Shark Fin on May 20th. It was shipped via USPS first class mail from Point Roberts, WA.

 

Shown below are photos of the unboxing and what the final installation looks like on my HyTi.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I followed the provided installation instructions and had the Shark Fin installed in about 30 minutes. I used blue painters tape to align it where I wanted it on the roof before I peeled off the adhesive backing on the antenna.

 

 

 

 

I haven't driven around to determine if the reception is any better/worse, but others on this forum have stated little to no reception loss.

[Razdan]

That looks great! I think I have to get one for my Ford Fusion Hybrid Titanium with Tuxedo Black Metallic paint.

[smr2112]

Once you have that thing on your car, you realize that the "stick" antenna was the biggest mistake about that car!

 

 

[Nick P]

I installed the same shark fin on my Oxford White FFH and it looks and works great. Dramatic improvement over the cheap stick antenna.

[shaggy314]

IIRC Shark says you will a small decrease in performance (it isn't as high up, but all the wire is there), but good luck detecting it.

[fusionTX]

This may be a stupid question, but what do you stand on while doing installation? Isn't the antenna in an awkward place to reach?

[47Minutes]

This may be a stupid question, but what do you stand on while doing installation? Isn't the antenna in an awkward place to reach?

 

I'm planning on the top of a rear tire once mine finally ships.

 

 

[Former Expedition owner]

This may be a stupid question, but what do you stand on while doing installation? Isn't the antenna in an awkward place to reach?

Originally, I planned on opening the sunroof and standing with one foot on each seat, and my body propped out through the opening.

 

However, when I started the install, I just opened a rear door and stood on the sill plate area.

Edited May 22, 2013 by Former Expedition owner

[murphy]

This may be a stupid question, but what do you stand on while doing installation? Isn't the antenna in an awkward place to reach?

I stood on the left rear door sill.

It didn't occur to me until just now but with the back seat rest folded down you could stand there as well.

[smr2112]

I used a small steps tool or step ladder. And yes it is in an awkward spot to reach.

[HenryVIII]

Originally, I planned on opening the sunroof and standing with one foot on each seat, and my body propped out through the opening.

 

However, when I started the install, I just opened a rear door and stood on the sill plate area.

 

I don't know about you but for me it's very awkward to get up on that sill area. The bottom rear opening curves so much its hard to get a good footing.

 

I opted for a shorty antenna that I found on Amazon.

[acdii]

Shoot, I will just take the darn thing off and not worry about it, who listens to the radio anyway, thats what Pandora is for! :)

[jeff_h]

I bought a Shark Fin antenna from Visual Garage after reading about it on these forums. I felt the Shark Fin better matches the styling/design of the Fusion rather than the whip antenna that comes standard.

 

I sent an email to Visual Garage, stating I had a Ford Fusion Hybrid Titanium with Tuxedo Black Metallic paint and a few hours later they sent me a PayPal invoice for $69 + $12 S/H = $81 total.

 

I guess these are becoming more popular and driving the pricing... I sent email today for two of them and received paypal invoice a few hours later, now $87 each.

 

 

Added - order placed July 26th, shipped Aug 2nd, received Aug 5th.

Edited August 6, 2013 by jeff_h

[jeff_h]

Installation complete - here are the pics -

 

 

 

 

[corncobs]

Looks very nice!

 

You should have switched them red to blue and blue to red makes them belong together ;-)

[2013 Ice Storm]

I just took delivery of my 2013 Hybrid Fusion in Ice Storm. I really want the shark fun antenna. I put one on my Prius & loved the look. It looks great in the photos already posted.

 

I'd like to know the best place to purchase one.

 

Does the antenna do more than AM FM? What about nav & & sync. Will that be affected by the change in antenna's?

 

And this time I'm thinking about having it installed by my local car toys dealer. Think that's worth the money? The one on my Prius was easy, but so easy I thought I may have done it wrong, & kept waiting for it to fall off.

 

How is the color match? Photos look good on the red blue & black.

 

Any help with these questions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[GrySql]

If you would read this entire Thread most of your questions will be answered.

If not, then this long Thread about the same thing should fill in any gaps.

 

Visual Garage is the only supplier, their link is in this Thread too.

Their website has an email link, use that to contact them.

Edited August 20, 2013 by GrySql

[Aquineas]

FYI, the Visual Garage site seems to be in construction mode now (though I haven't tried it outside my work domain, which could conceivably affect how the site is rendered).

[smr2112]

Domain/site has been out for a while...

 

Search for "shark fin antenna ford fusion" on Amazon...

 

He seems to have upped the price.

Edited August 20, 2013 by smr2112

[hermans]

Domain/site has been out for a while...

 

Search for "shark fin antenna ford fusion" on Amazon...

 

He seems to have upped the price.

Supply and demand.

[2013 Ice Storm]

Yup. Visual garage site is "under construction". So I just ordered one from Juicedhybrid.com $89.50. Should be here in a week.

[majorleeslow]

Had anyone tried it with sirrius radio? any issues?

[murphy]

Had anyone tried it with sirrius radio? any issues?

The "stick" antenna is only for AM and FM reception.

The Sirius antenna is reported to be under the base of the stick antenna.

[gkinla]

Had anyone tried it with sirrius radio? any issues?

 

I've had my SF on for three months without any issues, AM/FM or Sirius.

[2013 Ice Storm]

Had the shark-fin antenna put on today. It looks GREAT!! Ford should do this as a stock antenna. Photos of the old & new are in my photo album, or click on this link for a photo of the new SF antenna.

http://fordfusionhybridforum.com/gallery/image/1233-new-ant-1/