Internal or External??

[micropterus]

I will be buying a HB (SI x98 ) this winter. Is there any difference in performance between the internal and external antenna. Boat is open CC.
thankyouforyoursupport

[twobearlake]

My Internal 798si takes much longer (at times 10 minutes) to obtain a fix than units with an external antenna. This is in a wide open tiller with absolutely no obstructions. I am not sure about the accuracy difference, but I do plan on adding a hi-accuracy, external antenna this Spring.

TB

[VaGuy]

I will be buying a HB (SI x98 ) this winter. Is there any difference in performance between the internal and external antenna. Boat is open CC.
thankyouforyoursupport

As long as the internal antenna is receiving a good signal, gps performance will be outstanding. I wouldn't spend the extra money
unless really necessary, or if you just want the very best.

The LGC 4000 is a superior gps antenna to most anything out there.
I do have one but I got such a good deal that I couldn't pass it up.
With the HDS on auto for antenna, it always selects the 4000, and
has never lost a signal, and will hold "WAAS" 99.9% of the time.

[hondo]

I will be buying a HB (SI x98 ) this winter. Is there any difference in performance between the internal and external antenna.

There shouldn't be any difference in performance, but the key is making sure you have the gps receiver (whether external puck or internal) mounted in a good location where it has a clear unobstructed view of the sky at all times. If the head unit is going to be in an electronics compartment, or under a windshield, or mounted in-dash, or tilted way back to near horizontal, then you would probably be better off with an external antenna .

[bvs]

I've got a 798ciSI mounted on the dash under the windshield (dual console) and a full canvas enclosure. I've had no issues with lock times or accuracy, even in heavy rain. It usually locks in about 30-60 seconds. The only time I've seen a lock time above 2 minutes was when the boat was parked in an all-metal garage with the door shut. It took about 5 minutes and I was personally shocked it locked at all.

The accuracy on the external unit is identical to the internal unit and the price of the units is usually the same. Unless you have a metal hard-top or are mounting the unit in one of the odd ways hondo mentions, the only difference I can see is that the installation takes longer and then you have a puck cluttering things up.

The only regret I have with my unit is that I wish I would have gotten a larger screen. I thought I'd be spending all my time in down-looking or side-imagine mode, but I've found I prefer to run split screens almost all of the time. The larger and wider screen would sure be nice.

[EddieHumminbird]

If you're unit is taking 10 seconds to get a GPS lock each time you turn it on then the unit should be checked by our customer service/repair department.
This is not normal for any of our internal GPS units.
Give them a call at 800.633.1468

[darin]

bvs - I agree. Split screen is the way to go. I have a different brand, and almost bought the step up which was about 7 inches... but didn't. I wish I would have now....

[SimilarIsland]

One reason to go with an external might be that you can mount the antennae closer to your transducer on the transom.