GPS and car windscreen oddity

[gasman]

I've just discovered that the windscreen on our Renault Clio completely blocks the GPS signal. No satellites detected. It's one of those windscreens that detects rain automatically, so it must be something to do with that.
Weird ! Need to get an aerial if I want to use it in the car, or hold it up to the sunroof !

 

[unhinged]

Does it have the minute inbuilt wires for demisting too like the Fords used to have in their windscreens (perhaps they still do)? I'll bet that'd bugger it too.

 

[shuck raider]

Yep, many new motors have an athermic windscreen which won't allow a good signal to come through. As you suggest, an external aerial would solve the problem.

However, on my Citroen C5 the area of windscreen behind the rear view mirror, by the rain and light sensor, is non reflective and designed to let the signal through so my Quest works OK if I mount it up there.....

More advice here

 

[Bumpkin]

My Peugeot has this type of windscreen. Got a new Holux GPS antenna off eBay for £10, this came with a 5 metre cable and the required MCX connector. Small and magnetic, seems to work slightly better than the built in one when on the bike.

 

[HMR]

If you try a 60CX or Zumo you will find that they actually works quite well without external antenna also in cars with "metal" windows.

My Renault Laguna has this kind of metal window so for my 276C I installed an external antenna inside the rear door, it's made of plastic. Works perfect. Invisible antenna.

 

[Schtum]

I've just discovered that the windscreen on our Renault Clio completely blocks the GPS signal. No satellites detected. It's one of those windscreens that detects rain automatically, so it must be something to do with that.
Weird ! Need to get an aerial if I want to use it in the car, or hold it up to the sunroof !

If you need an external antenna, I thoroughly recommend this guy.....

http://stores.ebay.co.uk/GPSBITZ-UK

 

[adamski49]

Does it have the minute inbuilt wires for demisting too like the Fords used to have in their windscreens (perhaps they still do)? I'll bet that'd bugger it too.

I'll take that bet Ford heated windscreens don't cause any problems.

Adam

 

[Twotter]

I'll take that bet Ford heated windscreens don't cause any problems.

Adam

My old Quest 1 had no problems 'seeing' through the windscreen of our Mondeo but my 2610 is blind as a bat - GPSBITZ