I did a little searching and couldn't find to much on it. Im thinking about getting an out of store GPS system like a Garmin or TomTom (Open to suggestions).

Question is this. What all does the "fin" on top of car do? Is it something I could tap the gps into to get an external antenna. Im looking to mount the gps in a place where it will not have direct open sky. Im want to run an antenna extension to a visible area, but wondered if i could just tap into the existing fin antenna.

Any ideas?

 

xm antenna...at least it is on most cars

 

I thought that antenna was pretty much everything? GPS, XM, radio, etc?

 

i love garmin. the tomtom i used wasnt that great compared to the garmin

 

+1 on garmin. i've always used garmin. one thing to note that my garmin takes a while to acquire satellites now...don't know why.

 

My wifes Garmin is slow to get satellites as well. Thats why I was considering others. Hmmm I MUST figure out how to tap into that antenna and get this working....I MUST.

 

Anyone use a GPS with the external Antenna? Looks like this may be my easiest route to start with. All I see are these big bulky ones that have external antennas. Looking for more of the newer ones with a widescreen. Hoping to mount this in the unused compartment under my radio and ac.

 

I have an older garmin and it works great. It acquires sats within the first 20 seconds of being turned on--faster if I'm not surrounded by trees or skyscrapers. I have a tech TSX and as far as I know, it may be looking for satellites while it's "calculating" the route.

Point is, I don't think adding an external antenna will make it that much faster.

 

I've had a TomTom Go 720 for over 3 years and it's better than any Garmin I've ever used.

 

Problem for me is not trying to speed up the reception, It is where I want to mount the gps unit. It can not get reception from where I am wanting to mount it.

 

The antenna you want if I remember correctly is located in the trunk just under the rear shelf. I "HAD" a diagram of the electrical system on my computer that I can't find. I will let you know if do.

 

Thanks Wraith....yea if you come across it, that would be great. Trying to figure out how to tap into that with an "over the counter" gps has been a pain.

 

Okay I want to revive this thread a bit and ask some more questions. I do not see many "good looking" gps systems out there with external antenna's. Anyone know what I might be looking for if I were to take one apart and tap an antenna wire into it?

Overview:
Im looking to put this aftermarket gps in the compartment below the radio and ac unit. I want to build a docking station, and still be able to close the hatch to this compartment. Im worried that putting a GPS unit in there, I am going to lose reception. Has anyone done this to where you could give me your input on reception issues?

 

Saucy. I have a Tom Tom XL350 or something like that. Bought it last year to get me to the Kansas City Acurazine meet. I crafted a crappy little cardboard drawer with faceplate and slid it under the radio right in front of the gear shifter. This Tom Tom did not come with an external antenna. It worked great the whole way from Illinois to Kansas, never lost a signal. I have used it 2 times since to avoid traffic tolls in the Chicago area. The only time I lose a signal is if I take into a building to play around with it.

 

 

Thanks