TTG300 GPS Reception

Matello · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 08, 2005 Posts: 52

I wondered if I could just run this by a few of you regarding the worsening reception on my TTG300.

A few weeks ago when I first got my TTG300, once it was set up and finally locked onto the satellites it was largely OK i.e. reception 95% of the time.

I even travelled from Essex to Manchester and back with 95%+ reception all the way on both journeys.

Then I travelled from Essex to Dorset. On the way there, GPS reception again virtually the whole way.
On the way back however, more than half the journey was without a signal.
I took the same route.

I've used it twice locally this week, once was probably 50% of the time had a signal but tonight I waited until I got a signal before I pulled off the driveway.
For the journey of about 4 miles I had a signal for about 200 yards.

On each occasion the TTG300 has been in the same position in the car.
It just seems to be getting worse.

Do overhanging trees, tall buildings and clouds affect the signal. I can imagine the first two can, but the third one, well in the UK it's nearly always cloudy.

As a last resort and in desperation I have not ordered the External Antenna Kit, however could there be something wrong with my TTG300 ?

I do have a Renault Scenic which I believe may have an Athermic windscreen but this doesn't explain the worsening reception.

Thanks
Dave

Oldboy · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 10:34 pm Post subject:

I believe snow is the only weather that gives a problem.

It could be that with your windscreen on the good days the TTG was struggling but coping. When it was bad there might have been fewer sats that were of usable signal strength.

I had a similar problem, not quite as extreme, until I got an external aerial.
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Richard

TT 910 V7.903: Europe Map v1045
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Zuke · Posted: Sat Jun 11, 2005 10:55 pm Post subject:

You won't get satisfactory reception in a Scenic because of the athermic screen. A lot of us tried when the TTG was first out, and got just the same result as you. Nothing will get through the windscreen, but a lot of signals will get through the two sunroofs and other windows. So it just depends on your direction of travel and where the satellites happen to be at the time whether it works or not. Terrain, weather conditions and tree cover have an effect too, wet leaves are the worst!

The good news is that the external antenna will give you a 100% solution. We Scenic owners were in trouble last year because there were no antenna kits to be had for a long time. People were hunting about all over the place and I think they were known to sell on eBay for around £100!

The favourite installation position seems to be inside the tailgate. If you have the model with an opening light in the tailgate, there is a nice little pocket in the moulding for the catch behind the glass. You'll be glad they supply plenty of cable by the time you've routed it back to the front of the car!

Matello · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 08, 2005 Posts: 52

Thanks for your replies.
That's encouraging to know that it's likely to be the Scenic and not the TTG.

I stated in my original post that I had "not ordered the External Antenna Kit".
That was a typo, it should have read that I had "now ordered the External Antenna Kit".

Many Thanks
Dave

oisky · Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2005 9:13 pm Post subject:

Which Scenic do you have. In the 'new' shape Scenics, only the very top model comes with a special heat windscreen. I have a new Scenic (without the special windscreen) and I get 9-10 satellites on average!
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If you choose not to decide, you still have made a choice !

Matello · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 08, 2005 Posts: 52

Mine is the Scenic 1.6 Alize.
Registered January 2000.
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Dave
TG730
Toyota Rav4 XT-R
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Frazzle · Regular Visitor Joined: Nov 05, 2004 Posts: 66

Renault Scenic Expression Plus 2001 with athermic windscreen.

As Zuke has said we have had the same problem and it's totally solved by the external antenna in the rear window are of the Scenic (Rear window is not athermic)

I regularly have 8 or more satellites at maximum signal on the signal bar graph displays. The 28dB gain amplifier in the external antenna seems to give a very worthwhile improvement over the internal TTG antenna in all situations that I have tried it in. The TTG even kept working when I temporarily put the antenna in one of the rear "bottle holders" behind the rear seats !

Run the antenna cable behind the rubber trim strip that is around the top of the doors (on the inside) it's easy that way :-)

Give us a shout if you have any problems

Fraser

Matello · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 08, 2005 Posts: 52

Hi Fraser,

I had spotted that the rubber trim over the door was a good place.
Glad to know someone else has one that and that it works.

Keeps the wire off the floor too away from the kids feet.

Dave
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Dave
TG730
Toyota Rav4 XT-R
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