internal/external gps aerial?

[feelingkarma]

hi
Am thinking of replacing my gps display and external earial,
for a 6" plotter, sited at the wheel of my 10 metre yacht.

Are there any problems in using a unit with an internal aerial or is it always preferable to have an external aerial

views would be appreciated

 

[Will_M]

Sorry, this really wont be all that helpfully...

Just had to replace all that sort of kit on the RIB, brought a Garmin GPS with external aerial, there was an internal aerial version of the same unit.

Well, spent all of last weekend trying get the [--word removed--] cable routed back through the hull and consol, kinda wish I maybe brought the internal aerial version.

Believe me pulling out old cabling to route a line back through to which you rightly expect to then pull back through new cabling with... Load of bollocks, it never goes straight forward, bloody thing snapping, getting snagged, caught up you name it!

 

[ccscott49]

Well, if the plotter is outside, then it's now and external antenna?? Or am I being Dim here?

 

[feelingkarma]

put more simply...in performance terms are GPS units with an internal sensor as good as ones with an external aerial.

 

[Guest]

I would plump for internal aerial .......... even when placed inside cabin - often they still work.
I bought with ext. as that was only option on that model Lowrance 3500C ... shortly after the 3600iC came out with int. ...... given option now ? I would buy the 3600 with internal.

Previously I used a Garmin Handheld feeding a PC .... that garmin hung under the sprayhood .... even sometimes in portlight of main cabin - always worked ok.
When rigging the Lowrance - I lodged the GPS antenna behind the curtain of the portlight and it works fine ... never bothered setting it up outside .....

If you are setting it up outside - go for the internal antenna one. It's a lot less hassle with cables etc.

 

[stevebirch2002]

In simple terms the less obstruction between the aerial and sky the better. An external aerial mounted outside is better than a fixed internal aerial. You also have the option of replacing just the antenna unit if things go wrong. A little more work to fit but well worth the effort. A little more expensive as well.