External antennas worth it?

[cokyq]

As a new iQue 3600 owner, I am thrilled with my new gadget! I recently took it on a road trip from Dallas to Amarillo (340 miles) and the unit performed flawlessly.

In reading through this forum, I have seen some people use an external antenna. Since my unit worked so well, why should I consider buying an external antenna? What are the advantages of using an external vs the internal.

Thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions... cokyq

Here is a quick poll to determine how many iQue 3600 owners use an external antenna.

[PatentBoy]

In a word - MAYBE

One clear advantage is it SETS the WAAS sat. More specifically, a new iQue will scan for WAAS sats (assuming WAAS is enabled), scanning for a new pair of sats every 45 secs or so. For me, 45 secs was never enough time to acquire enough data to establish a WAAS connection. (I always thought this scanning behavoir was strange since the iQue knows where it is and, therefore, which geo synch. WAAS sats are close).

Enter GILSSON external antenna.

Within 20 secs of using the antenna, sats 35 and 47 were set (north america, east and west, respectively) as WAAS sats and I had a total of 11 sats all locked in (differential GPS) with signal strengths above the highest line. I let the iQue download quite a lot of almanac data from the WAAS sats and now when I use the iQue without the external antenna it searches for sats 35 and 47 only, and eventually will lock on to them.

For me, I just wanted to see the iQue operate as advertised; acquisiition of WAAS sats. But, the accuracy only went from 15 ft. to perhaps 6 ft., and, generally, who cares at 60 MPH... : )

[jonasolof]

Originally posted by cokyq
As a new iQue 3600 owner, I am thrilled with my new gadget! I recently took it on a road trip from Dallas to Amarillo (340 miles) and the unit performed flawlessly.

In reading through this forum, I have seen some people use an external antenna. Since my unit worked so well, why should I consider buying an external antenna? What are the advantages of using an external vs the internal.

Thanks in advance for your comments and suggestions... cokyq

Here is a quick poll to determine how many iQue 3600 owners use an external antenna.

When spring comes to your place, talk a walk in a forest under leaves and make a snapshot of the sat screen with a screenshot app such as Screenshot5 and please show us the result.

Only open sea would offer an easier environment for the weak gps antenna of the iQue than a freeway in Texas.

[apersson850]

I'm missing this poll option:

Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!!!

But that's what I meant.

[JMckie]

You'll be glad you did on the day your internal antenna conks out (My impression is that you have even odds on this happening).

One rarely mentioned side benefit is when hiking. With the external antenna in view of the sky, you can keep your delicate iQue snug inside a backpack, quietly tracking your progress. Having Betty on your belt with internal antenna hanging out when doing a climbing maneuver is not recommended.

[nagyg]

I own 2 Glisson antennas - one permanently mounted in my car and one for rental cars. However, I rarely use them, as the internal antenna works just fine and the plug for the Glisson is hard to get in and out ... But I live in a rural area. In a city with lots of highrises it is probably a must.

[rjack22]

I have a Glisson in my car. I use it about 50% of the time, more on longer trips. I find that the internal antenna is just fine.

One advantage though of the exteral is that you can position your iQue anywhere in your car that is convienent for you and not worry about whether that position is good to receive satellites. Gives you a little bit more flexibility.

[dtedrow]

My que gets four satellites at best with the internal antenna and I was constantly hearing betty announce lost satellite reception. With an external antenna (attached to the roof of my van) I get at least a 10 sat fix and never lose reception except in a underground garage or some such. Except for the internal antenna the ique is a great tool. I have used my que every work day since September with only an occasional soft reset (static) and a couple of squawk sessions.

[Al from CT]

YES! YES! YES! [echo yes yes yes]. Used the gilsson exclusively for the past six weeks. Betty functions better al around. Much more sensitive and accurate. Best accessory for the iQue user!

Al

[Chilao]

I’ve got two Gilsson antennas. One is permanently installed in my car. This allowed me to mount the iQue on the face of the dash just adjacent to the steering wheel and kept it off the top of the dashboard. (I removed the beanbag from the carkit and mounted the cradle directly to the dash.) I have the other antenna for hiking. On an earlier hike with the flip up antenna, I put the iQue in a pocket with the antenna sticking out which didn’t feel very safe. I’ve found the Gilsson antenna acquires the satellites faster. And now that my internal antenna is fried, I’m really glad I have the Gilsson antennas.

[jkoslacz]

Count me in as yet another happy Gilsson user. Have two external antennas: one semi-permanent in my car (stuck to the windshield with the suction cup mount), one for hiking or rental cars.

Jan

[TudorDoc]

When "downtoen" in London an exteranl aerial is essential to keep any sort of satellite fix

Boyd

[placido]

GET THE EXTERNAL ANTENNA ! A MUST HAVE, given the reliability problem of the internal antenna.

[bilofsky]

Originally posted by PatentBoy
One clear advantage is it SETS the WAAS sat. More specifically, a new iQue will scan for WAAS sats (assuming WAAS is enabled), scanning for a new pair of sats every 45 secs or so. For me, 45 secs was never enough time to acquire enough data to establish a WAAS connection. <snip> I let the iQue download quite a lot of almanac data from the WAAS sats [with the external antenna] and now when I use the iQue without the external antenna it searches for sats 35 and 47 only, and eventually will lock on to them.

Following instructions in another thread, I took my iQue to where it had a good view of sat 35, and let it acquire it and download until all the satellites in view had the D on their bars. It took some experimenting to find a location where this was possible.

Then I turned off WAAS because it didn't seem to improve accuracy that much.

But when I turned it on just now, the iQue immediately set the top two channels to 35 and 47.

[nivram]

I made a little sack to hold the antenna and cable. When I'm walking I place the antenna under my coat on my shoulder and place the IQue safely in my pocket. So I don't worry about the angle of the IQue, rain, snow or cold.

[cokyq]

Thanks to everyone who has added a response to this thread. Even though as of 3am (CST) 420 members have viewed this thread, only 59 have responded to the poll.

The majority of the readers who have responded, clearly believe an external antenna is a must. 47 yes to 12 no.

From your comments, I am ready to place my order. What model and where do I order the Glison?

Thanks again... cokyq

[Bavarian]

Originally posted by cokyq From your comments, I am ready to place my order. What model and where do I order the Glison? Have a look at www.gilsson.com Model Amplified GPS MCX / OSX antenna for $19.49

[TudorDoc]

One problem with searching with Google for Gilsson is getting the spelling right

Here is the link http://www.gilsson.com

I have a 15 foot which reaches from my trunk lid, through the ski hatch to the front dash of my Lexus IS200

Boyd

[cokyq]

Thanks for the link. Which model I order for the iQue 3600? BNC, MCX, BNA, etc.

cokyq

[doodah]

MCX/OSX - Use this (http://www.gilsson.com/page3.html) link. 2nd one on the page.

[cokyq]

Thanks. I actually figured it out earlier and ordered 2 antennas, one with 3 ft and one with the 16 feet cable. The 16ft I plan to install in my SUV permanently, and the 3ft to carry with me when traveling by plane and use with the beanbag on rentals.

Do the antennas come with any suction cups or those extra accesories?

cokyq

[jonasolof]

Suction mount for windshield is on their site. Works well.

[jrose1g]

My answer to the two questions in the poll would have to be "yes."

[RhinoDoc]

One thing noone has mentioned so far is that if you want to keep the iQue off the dash, an external antenna may be necessary. There was a mention in an earlier thread that dashboard mounted devices are illegal in Texas. I keep mine on the center console of my Acura MDX, good visualization, but the external antenna is needed to acquire and maintain satellites.

[cokyq]

Can anyone shed some more light in the issue of Texas considering top of dash accessories to be illegal? Will that apply to antennas also!!!

cokyq

[audscott]

Someone mentioned earlier the external antenna being hard to remove.....is this a common consensus?

Any tricks to this?

[doodah]

It's not too bad if you have an opposable thumb.

Trick:
1) Grip iQue with left hand.
2) Place thumb of right hand on one side of connector.
3) Place index finger (same hand) on the other side.
4) Squeeze.
5) Pull.

[cokyq]

Does the size of your thumbs matter?

:D Je Je Je

cokyq

[nparker13]

What cable length do you recommend?

-nate

[jonasolof]

Actually, Gilsson had a problem with mcx connectors a couple of months ago. You needed pliers to take them out. Not anymore.
Others can't recommend cable length. depends on your installation. Why choose when they are sold at such a good price. Get several- for car, hiking, whatever - at differents lengths

[cokyq]

Here are the latest stats:

After 1060 views, 88 people voted.

70 = yes
18 = no

Thanks for all the comments... cokyq