GPS Question...

C-Gypsy · Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 7:53 pm Post subject: GPS Question...

I am looking for opinions. Should get plenty of those!

How do the GPS units work on a C-Dory that have internal antennas?

I like the idea of the internal antenna (less complicated), but want a GPS that WORKS!

Thanks,

Al

mikeporterinmd · Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:04 pm Post subject:

Lots of people install the external on the upper shelf, or just have
an internal antenna. However, an external is not hard to install.

If you do an external mount, try to mount it so that the cable entrance is
over the shelf. That way, if you ever close off the front of the shelf, the antenna entrance will be hidden.

Mike

Sneaks · Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:31 pm Post subject:

I have both the Raymarine active GPS antenna "puck" and the Lowrance active GPS puck on the shelf above the helm. Some days the Lowrance locks on first, some days the Raymarine does. Both work just fine inside and so does my little Magellan hand held. Neither requires yet another hole to get the cable outside. I've tested it with neighboring boats with their external antennas and usually lock on just as quickly with good accuracy.

Don

Ted Osborne · Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 9:41 pm Post subject:

We have a Lowrance Globalmap 3600c which has the internal antenna and have never had a problem with it. We have the 24 Tomcat and that posibly might make make it easier to get the fix that the internal antenna needs.

Dora~Jean · Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 10:12 pm Post subject:

I have a Garmin with external antenna velcro'd to the dash near my compass, antenna wire coiled up, works great.

Jeff Brigner · Posted: Sun Jun 17, 2007 10:15 pm Post subject: gps

Hi Mike,
I get a gps fix under a metal roof in my covered slip. I would guess you don't have to put a lot of effort into finding a location for it to work well. I have read where a lot of people make sure not to put them in the line of the radar. That is probably your major concern with the location of the gps antenna.
At the same time I can't get satellite radio in the same location. As soon as I clear the roof I have reception on the satellite radio. Hope you and Brenda are doing well. When are you two going to head down this way?
Jeff

smittypaddler · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 7:42 am Post subject:

Na Waqa has a Garmin 2006C with its antenna mounted inside the cabin on the shelf above the front window, but I also use Fugawi on a laptop strapped to the table, with its GPS antenna tied next to the light above the table. Maybe half a dozen times in 7000 miles I've lost signal on the Garmin; for very brief periods, and not enough to worry about. The only time I can remember losing signal on the laptop's GPS antenna was at the western end of the Erie Canal, after the last lock, where the canal goes through a tunnel.

El and Bill · Posted: Mon Jun 18, 2007 8:21 am Post subject:

We have an external antenna for our Garmin 2006C and a built-in internal for our backup Garmin 168, both mounted sise-by-side on the dash and both function perfectly and essentially, equally.

ffheap · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 12:55 pm Post subject:

I have a hand held Magellen. I mount it on my dash forward of the wheel. No problem.

Fred

Byrdman · Posted: Fri Jun 22, 2007 2:24 pm Post subject:

Have to agree with others here. I never noticed a differance in the hand held Garmin 76S on the bean bag GPS vs Raymarine Chartplotter with external antenna.....other than my hand held never has been close enough to anything to make it go crazy.... like a can of wasp spray for going thru locks, or a sleeping bag zipper.... and, I can mark where my boat is when I go ashore and put the hand held in my pocket as to be sure and find my way back to the boat Beer