Remote mounted GPS Antenna

[Andrew Walcker]

I'm using a Garmin 76CS and have a remote antenna that is mounted w/ a suction cup to the inside of the window. The 76CS has a difficult time getting a signal probably due to the angle and location of how I have it mounted. In an effort to unclutter my interior, I'm interested in exploring a ruggedized antenna for the exterior. I've been looking at some of the Garmin marine antennas and was wondering if anyone has thoughts/experiences?

Maybe a seperate topic but I'll thow it out anyways. My current configuration has my 76CS running via a serial cable to an old ToughBook running Garmin software. If I wanted to remove the 76CS from the chain, what kind of GPS antenna would I need to look at? I would also like that one to be ruggedized so I could remotely mount it outside of the vehicle.

[Dave]

As far as an external GPS antenna goes, I'm using a cheapy magnetic one I got off eBay about four years ago. It stays on the roof year around, no problems yet.

http://tinyurl.com/36dnbz

[asteffes]

I have used the Gilsson antennas with great results. They are magnet-mount, very small and very effective at picking up strong signals. They are also significantly less expensive the the Garmin equivalent.

Check gpscity.com and gpsgeek.com for more info.

[Bergger]

I have used the Gilsson antennas with great results. They are magnet-mount, very small and very effective at picking up strong signals. They are also significantly less expensive the the Garmin equivalent.

Check gpscity.com and gpsgeek.com for more info.

I second the Gilsson. I have a couple of them for my Lowrance and they work great and are inexpensive.

[Andrew Walcker]

Thanks for everyone's input! I was thinking that I should go with one of the Garmin marine antennas, but the Gilsson brand sounds great and it appears to hold up.

What about any antenna that has the GPS built in so I can go direct to the Toughbook?

Thanks again!

[xcmountain80]

I used a cheapo mag mount with 2 sided 3m high bond adhesive. This thing rocks and has had no problems what so ever.
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Garmin%20276c/P4031598.jpg
http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e31/xcmountain/Garmin%20276c/P4031597.jpg

Aaron

[NeilWilson]

I have fitted mine with sticky backed velco tape on top of the Safari Snorkel, this gives it an all round sky view.

Neil

[Tucson T4R]

The Gilssons are widely used with a strong following. One other option would be to sell your current model GPS that has the older, less sensitive receiver technology. If you upgrade to the current CSx models (map60CSx or Map76CSx) the receiver is so sensitive you don't need an external antenna. Mine even stays lock on if I have it in the closed center console. I also get a strong lock with 8-9 satellites from inside my house. My older map76S could never do that.

Just food for thought. I know it's a big investment to make the jump. If that's not the right path for you right now, then the Gilsson is the way I would go.

[Martinjmpr]

My first GPS was a Lowrance unit (pre-WAAS and no mapping). I got an external mag-mount antenna and it worked great. I got it at Cabelas in Nebraska in the "bargain cave" for about $50.

The ability to accept an external antenna was actually one of the requirements for my "new" GPS I purchased in 2005. I selected the Magellan Meridian Gold because I assumed it had an external antenna capability. BZZT! WRONG! I didnt' do my research well enough - turns out only the more expensive Platinum had the external antenna. At first I was pissed, but then quickly discovered that my new(er) Meridian (which has now been discontinued, BTW), had no problems picking up signals when mounted in the windshield of my Subaru OBW (and when on foot or on the bike, duh, it worked fine.)

I was a little worried when I got my Tacoma because the Tacoma has a much more vertical windshield than the Subaru. Turns out my fears were groundless. The only time I had trouble acquiring was in the steep canyons North of Creede. And even then, it was only the initial acquisition that was difficult - once it had it's "fix" it never lost it, even through tight twisty roads and high rock walls.

I'd still like to have the ability to use an external antenna, and my next GPS (whenever this one wears out!) will probably have that capability. But to get back to your question, a decent mag-mount should work fine.

[cshontz]

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/65/227278387_9f7ce8799f_b.jpg

[gearbox]

The Gilssons are widely used with a strong following. One other option would be to sell your current model GPS that has the older, less sensitive receiver technology. If you upgrade to the current CSx models (map60CSx or Map76CSx) the receiver is so sensitive you don't need an external antenna. Mine even stays lock on if I have it in the closed center console. I also get a strong lock with 8-9 satellites from inside my house. My older map76S could never do that.

Just food for thought. I know it's a big investment to make the jump. If that's not the right path for you right now, then the Gilsson is the way I would go.
My Garmin GPS Map76CSx won't get any signal resting on the window sill of my apartment or on my dash under the parking structure.
There's almost a line-of-sight requirement :\

[ntsqd]

snip............
Maybe a seperate topic but I'll thow it out anyways. My current configuration has my 76CS running via a serial cable to an old ToughBook running Garmin software. If I wanted to remove the 76CS from the chain, what kind of GPS antenna would I need to look at? I would also like that one to be ruggedized so I could remotely mount it outside of the vehicle.

Seems to me that the place to start with that question is to look at what the comm port option on the Toughbook are and what the connection options are with the antenna(s).
My friend Rod used DeLorme on his laptop, but I can't recall whose antenna or what the connector used was for sure. I'm vaguely thinking it was a BNC adapter card, but I could be wrong.
Once you can connect the antenna to the 'book, then it's just a matter of the mapping software being able to talk to it.

[Tucson T4R]

My Garmin GPS Map76CSx won't get any signal resting on the window sill of my apartment or on my dash under the parking structure.
There's almost a line-of-sight requirement :\


Wow, that's a big difference from my experience with the same unit. I can even put it inside the center console of my 4Runner and still maintains a lock.

I will lose lock deep under parking structures but that's expected with all that concrete and steel blocking your reception.

On a recent flight I was able to maintain a solid lock as long as I keep the unit near the window. Fun to watch your track moving at 600MPH across the map.

[ntsqd]

I second the Gilsson. I have a couple of them for my Lowrance and they work great and are inexpensive.
Reviving an older thread, the antenna for my Lowrance is dead. I'm wondering if you have a p/n I can look up as I'm not seeing anything on the Gilsson page.

[Grim Reaper]

Reviving an older thread, the antenna for my Lowrance is dead. I'm wondering if you have a p/n I can look up as I'm not seeing anything on the Gilsson page.
What connector do you have?


I have been running a MaxRaD MAG mount. Very happy. My accuracy moving at 70mph is usually around 9-14ft at the base of the windsheild. On the roof it is usually under 10ft.
Looks like the model I have has been discontinued but this has the same specs so probably the replacement. http://www.tessco.com/products/displayProductInfo.do?sku=86368&eventPage=2
I am about to go to a permanent mount on my 4Runner on the roof. I have tow I have managed to acquire. One is a Andrews and the other is a Herbert Shuner.

Coool Maxrad has a Sharkfin GPS now. Wonder how it performs.
http://www.maxrad.com/product_overview_detail.cgi?id_num=10951

[Nullifier]

Here is a pic of my Lowrance external antenna mounted to the hood of my Tacoma. I wanted it off the roof since alot of trails have heavy limbs around here and I needed it offset since I often have canoes on the roof. It has performed flawless. I get a super fast signal and not had any issues with losing signal even in areas with high cliff walls or heavy overhead brush and tree overgrowth.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b318/nullifierx/baja/PB180219.jpg

[ntsqd]

The connector on the unit and the antenna is some possibly Lowrance proprietary 4 pin connector. "Screws" together similar to a GT series connector (or a BNC for that matter), but only has 2 lugs and is all polymer.
I did finally find some Lowrance antenna listings, but the connector shown isn't what I have.

[Markos]

This thread got me looking at glisson antennas, so I thought I should chime in with my writeup. First post. Yay! :D

Originally posted by Markos on www.virtualjeepclub.com

The reception on the Garmin 60c is somewhat lacking compared to the newer models. It also takes AA batteries, which seems rather wasteful while driving. I've never been a fan of cords strewn throughout my vehicles, so I decided on a cleaner approach.

I ordered a 16' Glisson Amplified External Remote Antenna (http://www.gpsgeek.com/browse/gps-antennas/garmin-gps-antennas), along with a Garmin GPSMap Bare 12v DC power wire (http://www.gpsgeek.com/browse/gilsson-gps-cables/garmin-gps-cables). All from www.gpsgeek.com, with a total cost of around $35.

I mounted the antenna near the third brake light. The hardest part was fitting the antenna plug through the existing rubber grommet, into the jeep. While there was plenty of room for it to fit, it was difficult to fit the awkward end of the antenna plug through the grommet. I ended up tying a piece of bailing wire to the antenna plug, and pulling it through that way. The solution worked well.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3237/2623449534_88b2efb7e4.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3237/2623449534_e9f403ecf0_o.jpg)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3070/2623449592_1d2287ede7.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3070/2623449592_459879563f_o.jpg)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3104/2622626053_f7c0ab8111.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3104/2622626053_43125d3004_o.jpg)

The antenna cord was routed along the upper trim near the spare tire. I then routed the cable down the b pillar, and behind the carpet along the rear seat. I then followed the driveshaft tunnel into the center console area. This left me with approximately 2.5 feet of antenna cord to work with. I already had an existing hole in my center console. Otherwise, it's a 5 second drill through the thin plastic.

The DC power cord was spliced into the cigarette lighter outlet, on the left side of the accessory switches. Note that the cig lighter is powered by the ignition switch circuit, so the keys must be turned for it to activate. The accessory power plug is 'live' all of the time. I chose the cig lighter port since it would be used less frequently. I added an inline fuse, purchased at checker auto for $3.99. The wire gauge was rather ridiculous compared to the microscopic GPS power wire, and the small gauge cig lighter wires. The GPS power wire was routed underneath the length of the center console. It is not necessary to remove the center console to route the wires. There are 6 screws that hold the inner liner of the center consol cubby.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/2622625639_45cfd6b3c7.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3252/2622625639_b5342543ac_o.jpg)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3015/2622625495_62dcb8736f.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3015/2622625495_5972d7c1bc_o.jpg)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3165/2622626001_d0651d4198.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3165/2622626001_94fb472a97_o.jpg)

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3288/2622625865_3088584395.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3288/2622625865_478330729b_o.jpg)

All in all, it makes for a clean setup. The GPS struggled inside the XJ. There was no real good place to mount it on the windshield, and that still resulted in patchy reception. I now pickup every satellite listed on the reception page of the GPS. The handheld sits nicely near the parking brake, or in the cup holder. The cords are long enough to place it in another location, or hold it by hand.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3206/2623449976_b44670166a.jpg (http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3206/2623449976_821c577315_o.jpg)

[DBS311]

I love my USGlobalSat MR-350P. I go straight from the antenna, directly to my Toughbook, and that's all I need. It also uses the latest SiRF STAR III chipset for fast and accurate readings.

If you don't like the bulkhead type mount, USGlobalSat also offers flush mount GPS receivers.

This is the one I have....
http://www.usglobalsat.com/p-58-mr-350p-bulkhead.aspx