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Cellular forums Home > Archive > Garmin GPS > March 2007 > How many use "Remote Antennas"?
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How many use "Remote Antennas"?
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| Caveat Lector 2007-03-19, 3:33 pm |
| I have had the Nuvi 350 for a few months now and have made numerous
successful trips using it, including one 825 mile round trip. It has always
successfully acquired the satellites including indoors, and inside three
different vehicles.
After the recent discussion on remote antennas, I wonder how many folks
found it necessary to use one, with which models and the circumstances?
CL
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| Never needed one with 2 SUVs and 8 years of use of various Garmins.
Artis
"Caveat Lector" <CL@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:wbzLh.139199$dO6.72416@newsfe07.phx...
>I have had the Nuvi 350 for a few months now and have made numerous
>successful trips using it, including one 825 mile round trip. It has always
>successfully acquired the satellites including indoors, and inside three
>different vehicles.
>
> After the recent discussion on remote antennas, I wonder how many folks
> found it necessary to use one, with which models and the circumstances?
>
> CL
>
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| Klatch 2007-03-19, 3:33 pm |
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"Caveat Lector" <CL@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:wbzLh.139199$dO6.72416@newsfe07.phx...
>I have had the Nuvi 350 for a few months now and have made numerous
>successful trips using it, including one 825 mile round trip. It has always
>successfully acquired the satellites including indoors, and inside three
>different vehicles.
>
> After the recent discussion on remote antennas, I wonder how many folks
> found it necessary to use one, with which models and the circumstances?
>
> CL
Gilsson antenna with a 76CS (non x). Definitely helps reception inside my
pickup, but especially better in the car, with a smaller glass area.
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| JBDragon 2007-03-20, 4:33 am |
| Although my 2610 works ok in my 03 Silverado, I still use a External antenna
for even better Reception. The more Satellites I'm locked on, the less
likely I'll loose the signal unless under extreme conditions, which would be
a Tunnel, or whatever else that totally blocks out the Sky. At which point
I also then loose my XM Radio also which I also have the antenna External.
Both not far apart on the Roof.
"Caveat Lector" <CL@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:wbzLh.139199$dO6.72416@newsfe07.phx...
>I have had the Nuvi 350 for a few months now and have made numerous
>successful trips using it, including one 825 mile round trip. It has always
>successfully acquired the satellites including indoors, and inside three
>different vehicles.
>
> After the recent discussion on remote antennas, I wonder how many folks
> found it necessary to use one, with which models and the circumstances?
>
> CL
>
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| BigJim 2007-03-20, 4:33 am |
| I use one on a c340 because I don't like it on the window or dash. I just
put in my cup holder. Don't need to look at it cause it talks to me.
"Caveat Lector" <CL@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:wbzLh.139199$dO6.72416@newsfe07.phx...
>I have had the Nuvi 350 for a few months now and have made numerous
>successful trips using it, including one 825 mile round trip. It has always
>successfully acquired the satellites including indoors, and inside three
>different vehicles.
>
> After the recent discussion on remote antennas, I wonder how many folks
> found it necessary to use one, with which models and the circumstances?
>
> CL
>
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| Boomer 2007-03-20, 10:33 am |
| I was also thinking about an external antenna with my Nuvi 350 but like
yourself I haven't had any real reception problems. In my car (Toyota Camry)
I've got mine mounted below the dash just above the radio & it's get plenty
of signal. On my motorcycle I keep it in the glove box with the door open &
it also gets lots of signal. I can also hear it fine at low speeds around
town. I haven't had much luck on planes even sitting near a window. It never
seems to lock on to enough satellites.
"Caveat Lector" <CL@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:wbzLh.139199$dO6.72416@newsfe07.phx...
>I have had the Nuvi 350 for a few months now and have made numerous
>successful trips using it, including one 825 mile round trip. It has always
>successfully acquired the satellites including indoors, and inside three
>different vehicles.
>
> After the recent discussion on remote antennas, I wonder how many folks
> found it necessary to use one, with which models and the circumstances?
>
> CL
>
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| peter 2007-03-20, 12:33 pm |
| Boomer wrote:
> I was also thinking about an external antenna with my Nuvi 350 but like
> yourself I haven't had any real reception problems. In my car (Toyota Camry)
> I've got mine mounted below the dash just above the radio & it's get plenty
> of signal. On my motorcycle I keep it in the glove box with the door open &
> it also gets lots of signal. I can also hear it fine at low speeds around
> town. I haven't had much luck on planes even sitting near a window. It never
> seems to lock on to enough satellites.
I've had one of the Gilsson external antennas for a few years. I
don't use it most of the time, but have found it very useful in some
situations. On longer hikes I prefer to keep the GPS in my pocket but
still recording a tracklog. Reception there isn't very good since so
much of the sky is blocked by my body. I sewed a little pocket inside
the top of my hiking cap and keep the external antenna there so the
GPS still gets a good signal. I also use it when driving in the
center of cities with many tall buildings (e.g. Manhattan, downtown
SF) that block most of the satellites. Placing the antenna on the
roof of the car (it's magnetic) frequently allows reception of an
extra one or two satellite signals that would otherwise be blocked by
the car roof and lets the GPS retain a position lock much better.
I'm surprised you haven't had better luck getting a signal from window
seats on planes. I've never had a problem but I do hold the GPS right
up against the window until it gets a lock and it sometimes helps to
give the unit your approximate location so it knows which satellites
should be visible. Once it gets a lock I see if it'll keep it when
set down on the edge of the seat tray near the window. I did use the
external antenna on a recent flight when I could only get a middle
seat. I placed the Gilsson by the window (with permission of the
passenger in the window seat) and ran the cable under the seat tray
supports to keep it out of the way. I had excellent reception that
way and recorded my highest speed to date as we started to descend
into Mnpls. with a really good tailwind - 703 mph groundspeed.
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| ABLE_1 2007-03-20, 3:33 pm |
| You must have been hiding it with pillow or a magazine. The last time I
used my GPS in the plane I was told that it needed to be turned OFF!!!! by
one of the flight crew because the Captain said so!!!!!
> I'm surprised you haven't had better luck getting a signal from window
> seats on planes. I've never had a problem but I do hold the GPS right
> up against the window until it gets a lock and it sometimes helps to
> give the unit your approximate location so it knows which satellites
> should be visible. Once it gets a lock I see if it'll keep it when
> set down on the edge of the seat tray near the window. I did use the
> external antenna on a recent flight when I could only get a middle
> seat. I placed the Gilsson by the window (with permission of the
> passenger in the window seat) and ran the cable under the seat tray
> supports to keep it out of the way. I had excellent reception that
> way and recorded my highest speed to date as we started to descend
> into Mnpls. with a really good tailwind - 703 mph groundspeed.
>
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| Caveat Lector 2007-03-20, 3:33 pm |
|
"ABLE_1" < royboynospam@somewhe
re.net> wrote in message
news:AY2dnbtapINbqJ3
bnZ2dnUVZ_sCinZ2d@co
mcast.com...
> You must have been hiding it with pillow or a magazine. The last time I
> used my GPS in the plane I was told that it needed to be turned OFF!!!! by
> one of the flight crew because the Captain said so!!!!!
Some airlines allow GPS others don't
See URL:
http://gpsinformation.net/airgps/airgps.htm
Also a link to "Is it Safe"
In any case always ask the plane Captain - he/she has the final word.
CL
>
>
>
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| Caveat Lector wrote:
> "ABLE_1" < royboynospam@somewhe
re.net> wrote in message
> news:AY2dnbtapINbqJ3
bnZ2dnUVZ_sCinZ2d@co
mcast.com...
>
> Some airlines allow GPS others don't
> See URL:
> http://gpsinformation.net/airgps/airgps.htm
Yes, I don't have as much confidence in the technical competence of
airlines that think use of a GPS receiver would cause a problem and
try to avoid those carriers when I have a choice.
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| On Mar 19, 4:50 pm, "Caveat Lector" <C...@nowhere.com> wrote:
> I have had the Nuvi 350 for a few months now and have made numerous
> successful trips using it, including one 825 mile round trip. It has always
> successfully acquired the satellites including indoors, and inside three
> different vehicles.
>
> After the recent discussion on remote antennas, I wonder how many folks
> found it necessary to use one, with which models and the circumstances?
>
> CL
Only find I need one in a vehicle with an athermic windshield, which
very effectively screens any RF, so any signal you get is coming
through the side windows only.
Not sure if US motor manufacturers fit this type. Seems to be mainly
continental European manufacturers.
BobC
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| Boomer 2007-03-21, 10:33 pm |
|
"peter" <prathman@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:1174406338.256030.221200@e1g2000hsg.googlegroups.com...
> I'm surprised you haven't had better luck getting a signal from window
> seats on planes. I've never had a problem but I do hold the GPS right
> up against the window until it gets a lock and it sometimes helps to
> give the unit your approximate location so it knows which satellites
> should be visible. Once it gets a lock I see if it'll keep it when
> set down on the edge of the seat tray near the window. I did use the
> external antenna on a recent flight when I could only get a middle
> seat. I placed the Gilsson by the window (with permission of the
> passenger in the window seat) and ran the cable under the seat tray
> supports to keep it out of the way. I had excellent reception that
> way and recorded my highest speed to date as we started to descend
> into Mnpls. with a really good tailwind - 703 mph groundspeed.
>
I didn't have a window seat & was leaning over to try & get reception. Since
the Nuvi didn't have a location to begin with it wouldn't lock on especially
since I had a weak signal.
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"Caveat Lector" <CL@nowhere.com> wrote in message
news:wbzLh.139199$dO6.72416@newsfe07.phx...
>I have had the Nuvi 350 for a few months now and have made numerous
>successful trips using it, including one 825 mile round trip. It has always
>successfully acquired the satellites including indoors, and inside three
>different vehicles.
>
> After the recent discussion on remote antennas, I wonder how many folks
> found it necessary to use one, with which models and the circumstances?
>
> CL
I'm curious to know how you get it to acquire satellites INSIDE? I have two
GPS devices, one of them being a Garmin C330, and neither can do that.
Both lose satellite acquisition if I go under the rain-protective gas
station eaves over the pumps. I thought they pretty much needed
line-of-sight with the sky?
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| The Shadow 2007-03-26, 3:33 pm |
|
"Carl" < crothman@NOSPAMopton
line.net> wrote in message
news:haUNh.25$4M7.11@newsfe12.lga...
>
> "Caveat Lector" <CL@nowhere.com> wrote in message
> news:wbzLh.139199$dO6.72416@newsfe07.phx...
> I'm curious to know how you get it to acquire satellites INSIDE? I have
> two GPS devices, one of them being a Garmin C330, and neither can do that.
>
> Both lose satellite acquisition if I go under the rain-protective gas
> station eaves over the pumps. I thought they pretty much needed
> line-of-sight with the sky?
>
I have a Nuvi 350 and it acquires the satellites inside the house just
fine - either upstairs or downstairs -- near a window or not. Radio waves
pretty much go thru the house structure. Some say that the chicken type wire
used in some homes blocks RF, but I haven't found this to be true to any
extent.
At the moment, I am upstairs about 8 feet from any window and I have
acquired 8 satellites all indicating green, 4 of them very strong.
I took the Nuvi into a closet with no windows and got pretty much the same
results. Some attenuation but still acquire enough satellites with
sufficient signal strength.
For vehicles the same is true, I haven't had a problem acquiring satellites
in any of our three cars. But they have a lot of glass.
A metal overhang or roof is a different matter, as RF tends to bounce off or
be absorbed.
A happy Nuvi User
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| Boomer 2007-03-27, 7:33 am |
|
"The Shadow" <repose@zilch.com> wrote in message
news:IBUNh.13$EN1.0@newsfe07.phx...
> I have a Nuvi 350 and it acquires the satellites inside the house just
> fine - either upstairs or downstairs -- near a window or not. Radio waves
> pretty much go thru the house structure. Some say that the chicken type
> wire used in some homes blocks RF, but I haven't found this to be true to
> any extent.
>
> At the moment, I am upstairs about 8 feet from any window and I have
> acquired 8 satellites all indicating green, 4 of them very strong.
>
> I took the Nuvi into a closet with no windows and got pretty much the same
> results. Some attenuation but still acquire enough satellites with
> sufficient signal strength.
>
> For vehicles the same is true, I haven't had a problem acquiring
> satellites in any of our three cars. But they have a lot of glass.
>
> A metal overhang or roof is a different matter, as RF tends to bounce off
> or be absorbed.
>
> A happy Nuvi User
>
On my house I have a reflective metal foil on the attic plywood & it kills
most of the signal. Unless I'm near the windows I can't get much of any
signal.
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