Garmin GPS - Using external antennas on a hand held?

Author

Using external antennas on a hand held?

Dave

2007-09-13, 10:33 pm

I see there are external antennas for hand held receivers available to use
in motor vehicles. Some mount on the outside of the vehicle and some use
suction cups that stick to the inside of the windshield.

Some Garmin GPS unit product information says that model is a
"High-sensitivity receiver". And, from many reviews I have read from users
who have high-sensitivity on their receivers are very pleased with the
reception they get, compared to older versions.

One of the technicians at Garmin told me that the hand held high-sensitivity
models would not need an external antenna when using it inside a motor
vehicle.

I guess if the receiver is sitting high enough inside the vehicle (on the
dashboard) it could work just fine without an antenna.

Anyone think it worth using an external antenna on a hand held in a vehicle?

Elmo P. Shagnasty

2007-09-13, 10:33 pm

In article <NNjGi.26695$eY.22579@newssvr13.news.prodigy.net>,
"Dave" <catx@pacbell.net> wrote:

> One of the technicians at Garmin told me that the hand held high-sensitivity
> models would not need an external antenna when using it inside a motor
> vehicle.
>
>
>
> I guess if the receiver is sitting high enough inside the vehicle (on the
> dashboard) it could work just fine without an antenna.
>
>
>
> Anyone think it worth using an external antenna on a hand held in a vehicle?

Someone claims to be using a Nuvi that he has mounted to the center
console between the seats, under the radio, in his Prius--and it works
fine.

Alas, that's where my XM Radio is, so I can't test that theory.
Oh--also, I don't have a Nuvi.

Say What?

2007-09-13, 10:33 pm

Elmo P. Shagnasty wrote:
> Someone claims to be using a Nuvi that he has mounted to the center
> console between the seats, under the radio, in his Prius--and it works
> fine.
>
> Alas, that's where my XM Radio is, so I can't test that theory.
> Oh--also, I don't have a Nuvi.

Does the car have a moon/sun roof? The unit needs a look at the sky,
not a PERFECT view. If it works at all, the accuracy should be good
enough for navigation. I have a external antenna for my 2610 - buried
in the dash compartment - and routinely obtain 7' accuracy. Do I need
7' or would 20' or 30' be accurate enough? Certainly.

Back to topic. If you have a moon/sun roof you should be good to go.
The inner curtain or liner for the moon/sun roof is plastic or
fibreglass and is transparent to the GPS. I've used my 2610 or Quest
with their built-in antenna with the unit sitting on the passenger seat
or center console on my Corvette. Removable hardtop is fibreglass and
the units "see" right through it.

Elmo P. Shagnasty

2007-09-13, 10:33 pm

In article <DblGi.53662$YL5.11276@newssvr29.news.prodigy.net>,
Say What? <NotMe@NotYou.com> wrote:

>
> Does the car have a moon/sun roof?

No, the Prius by definition does not have any such thing.

peter

2007-09-13, 10:33 pm

On Sep 13, 4:34 pm, "Dave" <c...@pacbell.net> wrote:

> Anyone think it worth using an external antenna on a hand held in a vehicle?

It depends on the individual circumstances. Even with the older lower
sensitivity Garmins I rarely use my external antenna when I use the
units inside my car, but it does come in handy when in cities like
Manhattan where the buildings limit the skyview and the receiver needs
as much signal as possible. There are also cars with metallic
coatings on the windshield that block the signals and in that case an
external antenna would be desirable even with the higher sensitivity
models. Using the external is also nice if several people in the car
will be looking at the handheld screen since it eliminates any
concerns about the orientation or nearness to a window.

Since my Gilsson external antenna cost less than $20 I feel it was a
worthwhile purchase even though I don't use it most of the time.

Bert Hyman

2007-09-14, 10:33 am

catx@pacbell.net (Dave) wrote in
news:NNjGi.26695$eY.22579@newssvr13.news.prodigy.net:

> Anyone think it worth using an external antenna on a hand held in a
> vehicle?

I've encountered only one case where my Garmin receiver didn't work
inside a vehicle.

I was sitting in the front passenger seat of a late model large SUV
of some make (Suburban, I think) and my old eMap wouldn't work if I
was holding it in my hand. It worked fine when in its cradle on the
dash.

I haven't been in that same situation with my current 76CSx, but it
works everywhere in my house, including places where my eMap had no
signal at all, and even works in my office, where even my cellphone
doesn't work.

--
Bert Hyman | St. Paul, MN | bert@iphouse.com

Hinkle

2007-09-16, 10:33 pm

I can set my 76CSx or my Vista HCx on the center console of my pickup truck
and get good reception.

Ralph

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