Internal or external antenna

[roger]

Which does a better job with GPS units? I'm looking at Garmin combo units with either internal or external antennas, also how much trouble are the external to mount?
Roger

[IrishAyes]

The external antenna is no problem to mount.  Locate the spot you want it so there is nothing overhead to block the view between the antenna and the satellites.  Mount the unit and run the wire.  Some antenna need to be powered.  Still only one wire to run but it needs to be fed to a power block (positive and negative wires and antenna wire) and then to the GPS unit. 
There are several different mounts you can use.  You can use a mount that screws to a hardtop or cabin roof and there are mounts that go on railings.  As mentioned before, just make sure there is nothing overhead to interfere with the antenna looking up to find the satellites.

An internal antenna unit would suffice if you could mount it so, again, there is nothing blocking the antenna from looking up and seeint the satellites.

I am not an electronics person by any means, but this is how it was explained to me when I had the same question.

Check Consumer's Marine Electronics for more info and GPS units. 
http://www.consumersmarine.com/

[catfish hunter]

if using the internal be sure there is nothing blocking the unit like a top or an electronics box

[roger]

So if I have a cloth T TOP I can mount it through the top to the support rails?
Roger

[catfish hunter]

yes you can

[roger]

 Thanks guys, once again everyone is a great help.
Roger

[IrishAyes]

Roger,
A GPS antenna should shoot thru a cloth top.  If you get the external antenna, hook up your antenna to the GPS and see if it will get a signal before mounting it thru the cloth top.  That might influence your decision on which one to get and how to mount it.
If you know someone with a hand held, borrow it and see if it will find the satellites while inder the cloth top.

[roger]

Thanks i'll give it a try when I finally get the father's day gift.

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Guys,

I have been using a Garmin 192C since it came out.

I choose an internal antenna and it works very well. Take it from a picky engineer, it works better than the external antenna if it is not run right.

As for a cloth top, absolutely no problem!

I am all about compactness these days and no one has been able to demonstrate than an external antenna works better than an internal antenna ...

Irish - I like Consumer's Marine a lot. It was better before they let go of their techs though. Great prices and almost all stuff in stock.

Best wishes,

Capt. Ed

[IrishAyes]

Irish - I like Consumer's Marine a lot. It was better before they let go of their techs though. Great prices and almost all stuff in stock.

You hit that right on the button Capt Ed.  I went there a couple of weeks ago.  Had a problem with my GPS not locking in.  Took it there so they could check it before I decided to replace it or if it was my antenna.  They told me to send it back to Raymarine.  My first reaction was, well, you people just lost the sale of a new GPS and walked out with no further discussion.  (The guy did have a couldn't care less attitude too).  Put the GPS back on the boat without doing anything to it and it has worked fine since.  Go figure.

[Capt. Ed]

Hi Irish Ayes,

The tech guys were nice to have. I think these companies lose track on why they were originally successful.

They used to have:

1. Great displays.
2. tech guys to help.
3. Sales guys that knew the products (or were fisherman themselves).

It still beats West Marine though ...

Best wishes,

Capt. Ed

[IrishAyes]

Yep, they were numeral uno with the tech guys there.  They are still up there what with their prices, but the customer service/satisfaction has slipped somewhat.  I hope they eventually see the light and get back on course.