|
|
| Are there any problems going with a GPS unit that has an internal antenna as opposed to the external puck style antenna? It would be on the bow so the obstuctions would be minimal. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 3240
Location: Racine, Wi | I use an internal GPS antenna (Lowrance 3600 I think??), and haven't had any issues. I have it mounted on the side of my console, so occasionally if someone is standing right over it, it will come in and out, but most of the time (95% I would say), I haven't had any issues with the signal coming in and out. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 2323
Location: Stevens Point, WI | Other than some of the very first Lowrance Internal Antenna units, you shouldn't have any problems. Some of the very first ones about five or six years ago had some issues but have longed been fixed. |
|
| |
|
| one advantage of external over the internal is that you're able to place the antenna puck somewhere that there won't be any obstructions such as the windshield on your dash; especially important for boats using covered cockpits in the fall, etc. it's been tested side-by-side and even just a few obstructions will reduce the number of satellites that you pick up and therefore reduce precision.
since you're installing on the bow this shouldn't be a big deal.
another difference might be in the antenna itself. for example, both the internal and external Lowrance HDS antennas have 16 channels, but i believe the LGC-4000 (external puck) has a faster signal refresh rate (5 Hz) than the internal antenna. if true, this would contribute to better position precision, especially when driving at higher speeds. the Humminbird versions run 50-channels on both internal and external, i'm not sure if there's any rate difference between them.
Edited by lambeau 12/3/2009 11:32 AM
|
|
| |
|
Posts: 529
Location: Not Where I Want To Be | The nice thing i like about having a external antenna, is that you can have a spare if the one mounted takes a crap while fishing. I've had this happen to me and was glad i had a backup in the glovebox. Not really sure what you would do in this situation with a internal antenna. |
|
| |
|
Posts: 4053
Location: Land of the Musky | My 522 iGPS works like a charm. Have it on my boat and also made a portable bag for it for ice fishing or fly-in lakes in Canada. |
|
| |
Internal GPS antenna