Navigator/Streetpilot III antenna

[sparkplug]

I managed to drop my SPIII and it landed on it's antenna which cracked itself open.

I've patched it all together with some silicone sealant and it sort of still works but it's prone to losing sattelites and takes ages to find them on startup so I'm guessing some permanent damage has been done.

So the question really is:

What do I buy to replace it - straight replacement or external antenna?

And where's good to buy from?

Ta

 

[Schtum]

If you decide on the external antenna.....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/REMOTE-ANTENN...643267QQcategoryZ4668QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

The best prices I've seen and excellent customer service. I've no connection other than being a very satisfied customer.

 

[Kritou]

I'd put money on Garmin fixing it for free

 

[sparkplug]

I'd put money on Garmin fixing it for free

Really?

what makes you say that?

 

[sparkplug]

If you decide on the external antenna.....

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/REMOTE-ANTENN...643267QQcategoryZ4668QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem

The best prices I've seen and excellent customer service. I've no connection other than being a very satisfied customer.

Looks good Schtum - what cable length have you gone for? Are the external arials better (using on bike 99% of the time)??

 

[Schtum]

Looks good Schtum - what cable length have you gone for? Are the external arials better (using on bike 99% of the time)??

I've got the longest cable length because I use it when I've got my Streetpilot III in the car....which is most of the time. I have two magnetic GPS antennae pretty much permanently attached to the roof of my Golf. One of those ones and one for my Snooper GPS camera detector.

I confess that one the bike, I only ever use the OE antenna although the satellite reception with an external antenna is much better.

 

[Kritou]

........ I have two magnetic GPS antennae pretty much permanently attached to the roof of my Golf. One of those ones and one for my Snooper GPS camera detector.

I believe I read recently that one of these antennae can feed two or more receivers

 

[PanEuropean]

What do I buy to replace it - straight replacement or external antenna?

Just get a simple replacement for the original part - that will be your least expensive choice. The antenna that is used on the SP III is the same as the antenna used on many other Garmin GPSRs, and you can often find that antenna sold as a stand-alone part (in a blister pack) at larger electronics stores or ship chandlers.

Garmin lists it as an accessory on their web site at this link for USD $60. That particular antenna is quite effective, you won't gain anything by moving to an external antenna, unless the external antenna can be placed somewhere that has a better view of the satellite constellation.

Lastly - just a tip for folks who use this type of antenna - it is quite sensitive to vertical orientation, if you get it more than 15 or 20 degrees away from vertical, performance degrades.

Michael

 

[Taff]

... just a tip for folks who use this type of antenna - it is quite sensitive to vertical orientation, if you get it more than 15 or 20 degrees away from vertical, performance degrades.

Now you tell me.

When I had the SPIII, I had the aerial down virtually all the time.

 

[HMR]

When I had the SPIII, I had the aerial down virtually all the time.

No good idea. The SP3 antenna should point upwards but that's not what Pan is saying. It's the external magnetic antenna that neds to be mounted exactly horzontal.

My experience shows clearly that the external antenna in most situations gives a stronger signal. The higher up, and the further away from the driver, the better.

I paid only 16 euro for the antenna on the picture.

 

[PanEuropean]

Actually, what I was trying to say was that the swiveling 'post-type' antenna that comes as standard fitment on the SP III, GPS 2x6, GPS V and other common GPS models are the ones that are quite sensitive to vertical orientation. So, try and keep these swivel-type pointing up, just like a telephone pole, as best you can.

All GPS antennas are sensitive to their orientation, if you take any GPS antenna and place it upside down somewhere, it won't work. But, of all the built-in antennas, the post type ones are the most sensitive. The 'patch' type of antenna that is inside the SP 25xx, 26xx and 27xx GPSR is less sensitive to orientation.

Respecting external antennas, an assumption is made that if you are using an external antenna, it will be mounted flat. For that reason, the designers of these antennas don't make any attempt to optimize their performance if they are not horizontal.

Short summary: The satellites are 'up there', point the antenna at the satellites and it will perform best.

 

[Fanum]

I bought an aerial from Maplins for 4.99 for my SPIII when I snapped the original off...worked fine Until I dropped the bike offroading with it and it and snapped that off to.

Have a look at the thing it plugs into...I'm sure Ming or PanE will tell us what it's called but it's a very standard thing.......and at a fiver if it doesn't suit, chuck it or just poke the cat with the aerial

 

[Fanum]

Here ya go...it's a BNC connection and this was the thing I bought...worked fine......

Linky;http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=870&criteria=bnc aerial&doy=29m3

 

[PanEuropean]

Fanum, you are kidding us, correct?

You didn't actually plug that thing (which looks like an AM or FM radio antenna) into the GPSR, did you?

If you did, I am quite amazed that it worked.

Michael

 

[Kritou]

Here ya go...it's a BNC connection and this was the thing I bought...worked fine......

Linky;http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=870&criteria=bnc aerial&doy=29m3

Personally I prefer my wire coathanger - much more cost effective and local tea leaves ignore it

 

[beemerboy9]

Really?

what makes you say that?

Garmin sent me a replacement - to my next hotel stop as well if you please - for free when a similar thing happened on a very wet Scottish tour last summer.

All I can say is that Tom Tom support will have to be "up there with the angels" if it's better than Garmin customer service.

You just have to be nice to the chap who answers the phone.

Regards,

 

[metro]

All I can say is that Tom Tom support will have to be "up there with the angels" if it's better than Garmin customer service.

From bitter experience, TomTom support is apalling. Try finding their 'support' number - it is very well hidden, and they will do everything they can to get you to submit an online query. They seem to love endless emails backwards and forwards, and you can practically guarantee they will throw in some random answer rather than actually reading and responding to your question.

Garmin on the other hand - break your GPSR, phone them and get a brand new replacement within 2 days, no questions asked.

Hmm.. who will get my custom again.