Want to throw my Earthmate against the wall. Need advice.

**devious** · 09-07-2006, 08:56 PM

ditto on positive BU-353 comments - I've only had one spell where it took a while to lock on, otherwise has been snappy & reliable. I don't have heavy tint on windows. you may have to look at external solution, or wait til 2015

**TheJack** · 09-07-2006, 11:23 PM

polo6979 - GPS versus Tint is just science. Most tints use metallic elements. These elements distrupt/distort the RF. You can get tint that is not metallic, but its generally more expensive and not as effective.

OK.. based on recommendations I'll give the BU353 a try.... Question though...

My windows/tint are totally RF blockers, even the windshield has oem metallics in it.

So it has to go outside..... I'm pretty picky about appearance, so no magmount, wire thru the window for me. It has to be either 100% concealed or OEM mounted.

Currently, the Earthmate is in the plastic "wiper cowl" (the trough that hold the wipers and mechanism). On the Celica the cowl is above the firewall, relatively flush with the hood, so it can get warm. I've touched the Earthmate after a hot, long drive... and it isn't any warmer than the body of the car.

So.... Given that the Earthmate got as many as 8-9 SATS in the current location on a good day.... Think I should just place BU-353 in the present location?

**JimmyFitz** · 09-07-2006, 11:42 PM

I switched from an older GPS receiver to the BU-353. It sees at least 2 or 3 more sats in a head to head comparison, sitting at the same spot at the same time. Mine is mounted out of sight under the trunk lid. My trunk lid is made of composite material (in other words, plastic). It does not affect the reception at all. It is not inside the weather strip seal, so it gets wet where it is and that is ok. Go ahead and get the BU-353 and put it inside your cowl area.

**tn6478** · 09-08-2006, 10:52 AM

I have heavy tint and i use the Holux m236 with the usb cable and it works great. I get at least 8 sat it. No problem with getting a signal at all. I turn on Iguidance3 and the sat are there. Dont try bluetooth with it though u gonna get a headache of it lossing connection.

**Wiredwrx** · 09-08-2006, 11:41 AM

Originally Posted by tn6478

I have heavy tint and i use the Holux m236 with the usb cable and it works great. I get at least 8 sat it. No problem with getting a signal at all. I turn on Iguidance3 and the sat are there. Dont try bluetooth with it though u gonna get a headache of it lossing connection.

For the record, saying you have "heavy tint". Isn't significant or impressive. The opacity of the tint doesn't change it's ability to pass RF. If it is darker, it doesn't reject more RF. What matters is if it is metalized. Only the metalized tints block RF, wether it is light or dark.

Michael

**TheLandYacht** · 09-08-2006, 04:20 PM

Suggestion, If you're gonna throw it against the wall, use a side-arm motion...I've heard it gives much better velocity.

**TheJack** · 09-08-2006, 10:37 PM

LOL.... My friend used to pitch in college... He says most people do throw faster side-arm because the "point of release is more obvious due to range of motion"