GPS aerial, built in or mounted???

[Guest]

am planning to buy a Garmin 126 or 128 (can't afford a real plotter!)
my boat has an open cock pit, and i plan to mount it infront of the helm position, behind the screen. So will a built in aerial be ok, or will the Glass/perspex and alloy frame cause much interferance.
i know mounted is the way to go if in doubt, but i don't want to fit one. unless some of your experiances tell me it is the way to go. TA

 

[BarryH]

I use a GPS with a built in antenna. Have had no probs so far with it not seeing the sats. The garmin unit is water resistant anyway, so a bit of spray or rain aint gonna be harmful to it. Before you screw it down, spark it up and see if your proposed mounting site is ok for it. It wont work to well if its mounted inside but as long as it can see the sky it should be ok. As far as the plotters go, I was on a boat last year that had loads of leccy gizmos, The guy sparked up the echo sounder and radar. The rest just did,nt get used, including the plotter and GPS.

Smile. its only money!

 

[BarryD]

Hi - I've a MAP12 that works fine through the glass. Glass & Canvas don't seem to have much effect but GRP does. I'd try to avoid placing the receiver under a metal frame but otherwise it should be OK.

The correct phraseology is "Are we insured..." NOT "Were we insured"
(IMHO, BTW, FWIW and NWGOI)

 

[ArthurWood]

Dmjack - I have been using a Garmin 126, sited as you propose, on my sportcruiser for over 2 years with no problems at all.

 

[davel]

In line with the other replies here.
I use a Garmin 12 at the chart table of by sail boat (ie "hidden" behind the mast, sails and GRP deck) often heeled at angles of 30 deg or more - all without a problem.

Dave L.