whats the best antenna for behind the glass?

blackcar · 01-14-2006, 08:42 PM

I know the external antenns get better reception
but whats the best antenna for behind the glass?
I don't want to mount it externally because:
1) don't wanna someone to rip it off (I live in NYC)
2) drill through the top of the car

thanks

pasic · 01-14-2006, 09:04 PM

i use the cheapest gps anteanna i could find and stuck it under the dash ... works just fine, will especially work through glass. they are all really the same. whenever i look it has atleast 5 satellites locked. one i have is called gps mouse , its about 50-70 bucks on ebay.

DJiK · 01-15-2006, 03:08 AM

I used a Rikaline 6010 underneath the glass and it worked out very well...

Marvin Hlavac · 01-15-2006, 05:39 AM

To have the "best" today, buy anything that adverizes "SirfStarIII chip included".

blackcar · 01-16-2006, 06:12 PM

thanks guys

any of you live in a dense urban area too?
I've talked to a few other drivers and they say they have problems with signals bouncing around??

in the city

JackMan · 01-16-2006, 10:02 PM

I have SirfStarIII like Marvin described in my reciever and I've never had problems with signals in the city, or even in the plane at 3,000 feet in a snowstorm (scary! But thanks to the GPS

) I have a BU-353 that is usb. works great. Good luck to you

mi800 · 02-08-2006, 11:14 PM

Hello Black car. Good to see another New Yorker.
I have my BU303 on the dash because of the same reason you're concerned with. It usually gets 3-4 SAT and maximum SAT I've ever got was 5 in the city with BU303 on the roof.
Based on my experience is BU303 just doesn't cut it. SirfStarIII is said to be better.
Hope this helps.

nkotch · 02-08-2006, 11:22 PM

I've had no problems with my GPSslim236 (sirfStarIII) on the dash. I can actually put it just about anywhere in the car (on the seat, middle armrest ,etc.. and can still get a decent lock).

Do you already have a GPS unit now and just looking for an antenna? Or are you looking at which GPS unit to get?

If you don't have a usb GPS unit yet then get a simple gps unit w/ the sirstarIII chip and just hide it somewhere on the dash. If you just add a separate antenna and keep it inside the car you'll lose some signal because of coax losses (especially at those high frequencies).

Rocky388 · 02-08-2006, 11:32 PM

my bu-353 is mounted on the lower corner of my trucks rear window. Works wonderfully no matter how heavy the snow/rain/fog is.

MS Streets and Trips '06 doesn't tell you how many satellites you're connected to (at least not that i know of), so I can't give that bit of info. But, a program I previously tried (which no longer works) said I locked 9 out of 12 satellites, while the truck was parked in my garage.

Silentbob343 · 02-08-2006, 11:40 PM

S&T 06 doesn't give # of sats, blast them.

DylanBennett · 02-09-2006, 12:12 AM

From what I understand, plain glass windshields aren't a problem, but rather glass windshields with metal oxides in them (like IR surfacing or anti-glare). So maybe find out if your windshield has any kind of coating or is made of a type of glass that contains metal oxides. Some people have had success simply placing the unit (or antenna) under unaffected parts of the windshield.

thewr3tched · 02-09-2006, 12:12 AM

i wanted to add that windshields of different cars can affect the GPS receiver. My rikaline 6010 works great on the dash of my chevy work van, but i can't get anything on the dash of my subaru. as soon as i hold it outside, i get signal. i got a new holux sirfstarIII coming, hopefully that will work.

thewr3tched · 02-09-2006, 12:14 AM

Quote: Originally Posted by DylanBennett

From what I understand, plain glass windshields aren't a problem, but rather glass windshields with metal oxides in them (like IR surfacing or anti-glare). So maybe find out if your windshield has any kind of coating or is made of a type of glass that contains metal oxides. Some people have had success simply placing the unit (or antenna) under unaffected parts of the windshield.

wow, we posted at the same time with the same response.

DylanBennett · 02-09-2006, 12:16 AM

Great warped minds think alike.

blackcar · 02-09-2006, 03:04 AM

Thanks guys

Quote: Originally Posted by nkotch

If you don't have a usb GPS unit yet then get a simple gps unit w/ the sirstarIII chip and just hide it somewhere on the dash. If you just add a separate antenna and keep it inside the car you'll lose some signal because of coax losses (especially at those high frequencies).

nope I don't have a GPS unit yet
(so far I have ~85% of my parts bought
laptop, docking station, touchscreen LCD, RCA video to USB converter for my cameras, some of my cabling, still need some misc stuff. Have Roadrunner loaded up on the laptop. Just waiting for it to get a litte warmer then I'll start workign on the car again been in the mid 30'sF here

)

I'll definietley get something with sirstarIII now

btw: what software do you guys use with your sirstarIII
any prefernce?

regards