GPS Antenna

[danward79]

Hi All,

I have a GPS antenna which I need to mount. The vehicle is a Defender 110 CSW. The antenna has a nine foot lead, it is pre terminated antenna one end and bnc connector other.

I need to position the antenna. I am thinking of puting it on the wing tops. probably onto one of the vents in the top. Any thoughts on this? I want to avoid the roof as I may / will eventually have a roof rack in the way, and would rather keep it clear of the roof rack and mounting it on the rack.

I also need to root the cable from the mounting possition to the ashtray which I have replaced with my GPS mounting and a cover. If I have to route it from wing tops to ashtray what is the best way of doing it?

Thanks for advice.

Cheers

Dan

[mosebone]

I have a magnetic mount antenna on the top of my snorkel head which has good line of sight and is also out of sight of prying eyes and fingers. You can route cable in via door seal and down the channel on side of windscreen to get to where ashtray was. Cheers, Ian

[vinnie@mac.com]

I fixed mine just above the windscreen then routed the cable down the door seal.

I did think of wind mounting but went with the high out of hands way.

[mmgemini]

The antenna for my Garmin 276C is mounted on the Alpine light on the inside. Works for me. Not available to those light fingered people.

[Marc Lurie]

I used to have mine mounted sideways (ie: facing the horizon, not the sky) on the roofrack, and it worked perfectly well.

I'm not suggesting that you mount it on the roofrack (you've mentioned that you might remove the rack), but I mention it to point out, as mmgemini has said, that it doesn't have to be in a totally un-obscured place.

Putting it in the alpine window is a great idea. It can't get stolen, it goes into a space that usually doesn't get used anyway, and you don't have a waterproofing issue with cables leading outside.

[danward79]

Thanks for the ideas chaps. Interesting that some of you also have proper Garmin's mine is a 176C the generation before the one mentioned above. Super machine.

I have actually been using it in the sunroof but am not totally happy with the fact I may obscure it with a roof rack. However the front of the roof may work.

That snorkel idea is good. Good excuse to buy a snorkel also.... ;-) I also like the alpine idea.

Food for thought.

Cheers chaps.

Dan

[AJC]

I have mine mounted on a removable sucker on the bonnet and the cable detaches under the bonnet. Removed in seconds when the vehicle is left. Images here (http://www.landrovernet.com/forum/showpost.php?p=590708&postcount=17).

AJ

[educationalist]

I have a Garmin 176C on my boat and I agree it is a smashing piece of kit, but I thought they were only designed for Marine use, I use a TomTom for the cars, so where do you get the maps from for this model of garmin for road use?

[danward79]

Hi,

You have a few options, I use mapsource with Metroguide Europe V9 or Smellybiker does maps which are cheap.

I have also seen on TV in a chopper what looks like a 176 or 27X.

[AJC]

I have a Garmin 176C on my boat and I agree it is a smashing piece of kit, but I thought they were only designed for Marine use, I use a TomTom for the cars, so where do you get the maps from for this model of garmin for road use?Most of the Garmin big screen units are primarily for water craft but there is an automotive kit available that includes the software, mount and speaker if voice is an option on the unit. Check out the Garmin website. ;)

AJ

[AJC]

Best UK map I've found is the Mapsource UK Topography. All UK roads are shown, all RUPPS, public footpaths, contours and it's compatible with the automotive kit too.

AJ

[educationalist]

Most of the Garmin big screen units are primarily for water craft but there is an automotive kit available that includes the software, mount and speaker if voice is an option on the unit. Check out the Garmin website. ;)

AJ

Cheers will do that, as I never leave the unit on the boat when its not being used it might pay for itself with a bit of road use. :)

[danward79]

I have mine mounted on a removable sucker on the bonnet and the cable detaches under the bonnet. Removed in seconds when the vehicle is left. Images here (http://www.landrovernet.com/forum/showpost.php?p=590708&postcount=17).

AJ

I saw yours a few weeks ago when I was looking. It is another good option.

[sv130]

I saw an article in one of the mags just a couple of weeks ago, I think the company was Foleys, they mounted the gps aerial below the plastic wing top insert. Its out of sight of lowlife theiving scum and still works well. I tried mine there and its true it does work, mine is a power aerial though.
I do like the idea of the snorkel top for best line of sight, but not sure about routing the wire for it, if it was inside the snorkel it would have an awful lot of wind wipping at it and may damage the connection, if it was outside I don,t think I could make it look tidy enough.
Mine is on the roof at rear, I have a truck cab roofrack so its not a problem for me, I also use the 276c, good bit of kit.

Gaz

[danward79]

Nice, another good idea. I am trying the alpine light at the moment. If that is no good, I think I will try the vent.

Cheers

Dan