unhappy lowrance user
12-07-2008, 02:50 AM
Anyone had any experiences with external antennas for handheld GPS units? I've got a lowrance h20 C, and as posted a couple of times on here have experienced problems that i feel may be related to the internal antenna. Lowrance wont do jack for me, so thought I might give this a try. I see them on ebay for about $20. Any information would be appreciated.
Andre
12-07-2008, 07:13 AM
My friend encouterd the problem that many people has with the H2O: no lock on satellites. Lowrance stated that it was probably the inside antenna so he tried a external antenna and it change nothing.
From page 16 and 17 of your owners manual:
External Antenna
A GPS antenna requires a clear view of the sky for optimum operation.
Inside a vehicle, your iFINDER can sometimes maintain satellite lock
while sitting on the seat beside you, but we don't recommend this for
optimum performance.
Since the view is restricted to what can be seen through the windows,
this operating mode will reduce position accuracy and will increase the
chance of losing satellite lock. Inside a vehicle, the unit operates best
with an optional external antenna mounted on the windshield, on the
dash or on top of the vehicle.
The optional external antenna can use a magnetic base that allows
temporary mounting on any flat ferrous metal surface. A suction-cup
mount allows you to attach the antenna to a windshield.
The iFINDER H2OC can use the passive FA-8 antenna or the active
RAA-3 antenna. The active antenna offers a further performance boost
by amplifying the satellite signals it receives. This is especially helpful
when operating in areas like dense forests, which can obstruct GPS
17
signals. Your unit will automatically switch between the active RAA-3
and its internal antenna (located in the top of the case). If you purchase
the passive FA-8, you must use a menu check box to manually switch
between it and the internal antenna. See the topic "External Passive
Antenna" in Sec. 5.
Attach the iFINDER antenna to windshield bracket with two screws.
You may achieve good results by placing the external antenna on the
top of the dash, at the base of the windshield. A piece of the rubber nonskid
shelf liner material available in recreational vehicle supply stores
will also help hold the antenna in place.
To use the antenna: Mount it in a location with an unobstructed view of
the sky. Plug the connector into the unit's antenna socket, located on
the back, in the upper left corner of the case.
Take care
REW