Question about antennaes / heat reflective windscreens

dawnj · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 04, 2006 Posts: 3

I have a Navman 510, and am getting a Citroen Xsara Picasso at the weekend. I understand that as the picasso has a heat-relective windscreen, I will need an external antennae ?

I have no idea where to get one, and how easy/difficult they are to install. Can anyone help ? Will I need one ?

Thanks

Dawn

Tim Buxton · Posted: Wed May 10, 2006 11:36 pm Post subject:

You could buy one from the Navman Store. It depends on where in the vehicle you position your device; if it's on the windscreen then the external antenna will help enormously but if you use the front quarterlight then you might get away without one.

They are easy to fit, and easy to remove, too.
_________________
Tim

Commsman · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 04, 2006 Posts: 16

I have a Pic and yes - if you place the receiver anywhere near the centre of the screen - hardly any reception. I have however, been using GPS devices perfectly happily without additional antennae - you simply have to place them next to the side window - which is a perfect place for these devices on the Pic in any case.
I currently have a receiver on a bendy stalk type holder. The suction pad is on the side window, the stalk is bent 90 degrees so the device faces the driver. Perfect reception with a lock in seconds when warm and quick even from stone cold.
If you were desperate to place the device nearer the centre of the car, then you will need an external antenna - and place this on the inside of the screen just behind the mirror where there is a patch of glass free from shielding metallic film (it is designed this way for the built-in GPS available on Pics sold overseas but not as far as I know in the UK - at least not available when I bought my Pic 3 years ago!!)
So in answer to your question - don't worry -it will be fine - just give it a go!
Cheers
Commsman

dawnj · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 04, 2006 Posts: 3

Thanks for the tips. Will certainly try putting the unit on the side window. Hope the power cable will reach across ! The vehicle seems huge compared with my little C3 !

X
Dawn

Commsman · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 04, 2006 Posts: 16

Border_Collie · Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 12:21 am Post subject:

roseyp · Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 8:17 am Post subject:

Yes it probably will work if close to the side window but if you drive with the window open it would be easy for some 'scrote' to make a quick grab and have it away.

Before spending money on an external aerail, try what I do with my Xsara Estate. Stand outside the car to get a lock first, then set up in the middle of the dash below the rear view mirror, when there is a 'dotted' uncoated section which allows the signal through.

Once you have a lock the reduced signal, caused by the screen, is no longer an issue. Even after emerging from a tunnel it locks on again within a few seconds.[/quote]

The Mio 168 that you are using is the same as mine. These units have the new SiRF as used in the new tomtom one, 510, 710etc. These have a more sensitive receiver allowing weak signal to be locked onto i.e. behind a heat reflective glass.
I also have a picasso, so can verify this.
Try this link to a thread in the picasso site where you can see it working
http://www.citroenpicasso.org.uk/picasso/index.php?showtopic=9881&st=30

Roseyp

Commsman · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 04, 2006 Posts: 16

Mine has the SirfIII chipset as well and so yes - the GPS lock is great and it would probably work fine if mounted near the mirror, but then the power lead has to either have an even longer routing all round the windscreen or dangles irritatingly.
As far as Scrotes are concerned, I have aircon and rarely open my side windows. If driving in built up areas, I hit the security button on the dash to lock the doors.
If I really feel like a bit of open air I open my sunroof!
Damnation - that we have to consider the Scrote factor in this modern world!

Border_Collie · Posted: Thu May 11, 2006 3:39 pm Post subject:

Commsman · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 04, 2006 Posts: 16

dawnj · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 04, 2006 Posts: 3

Just wanted to thank all those that responded to my questions. I took the kids away for the weekend in the new Picasso, and the Navman (we call him "Fred") worked brilliantly safely installed on the drivers front quarter-light window. The power lead stretches across the steering column and over to Fred with just the right amount of cable, no bits left dangling around to get in the way. Fred only lost his GPS signal when we went through tunnels, and led to our destinations very well. I just need to learn to trust him, as sometimes he sends me down little country lanes rather than sticking to the main roads, but I suppose I need to tweak his settings a little to get him to stick on the main roads !

Thanks again you guys
XX
Dawn

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