GPS location
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
GPS location
I'm working on the install of my 110BT, need to mount the small GPS receiver somewhere. Looking for any info from anyone else who has found a good locaiton. I may end up putting it in the corner of the dash but its pretty visible there. it won't be that big of a deal but if someone out there has come up with a good and hidden location to put it, let me know! I'm interested.
I have thought of some crazy ideas such as mounting it behind one of the rear speakers towards the outside of the car. the fiberglass should not disrupt the signal but I don't know how much more metal is around there. I have my alarm's remote antenna mounted in that location on the passenger's side and it works very well, its double sided taped to the inside of the fiberglass.
Also thought about mounting it in the rear bumper cover area, up high where there's nothing but plastic and fiberglas around it, like mounting it above one of the taillights. I'm pretty sure it would have to be mounted with the right side up, so the installation becomes tricky.
any good ideas? I'd really like it to be invisible if at all possible.
I have thought of some crazy ideas such as mounting it behind one of the rear speakers towards the outside of the car. the fiberglass should not disrupt the signal but I don't know how much more metal is around there. I have my alarm's remote antenna mounted in that location on the passenger's side and it works very well, its double sided taped to the inside of the fiberglass.
Also thought about mounting it in the rear bumper cover area, up high where there's nothing but plastic and fiberglas around it, like mounting it above one of the taillights. I'm pretty sure it would have to be mounted with the right side up, so the installation becomes tricky.
any good ideas? I'd really like it to be invisible if at all possible.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 4,295
Likes: 8
From: Issaquah WA
I haven't installed a Pioneer, so I'm not sure if it's the same thing, but if you're looking to install the GPS antenna module most people put it on top of the air vents in the top of the center console.
Here's a post on a full install, with pics of where the poster put the GPS antennae for their Pioneer: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/audi...a-2005-c6.html
works great with my Kenwood, and it's completely out of sight.
Here's a post on a full install, with pics of where the poster put the GPS antennae for their Pioneer: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/audi...a-2005-c6.html
works great with my Kenwood, and it's completely out of sight.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
oops. its a C5.
Thanks for that info! that's a creative install. anyone know if that installation location would work for a C5? I'm thinking it isn't really accessible. I like the idea though I would much prefer it to be invisible.
Thanks for that info! that's a creative install. anyone know if that installation location would work for a C5? I'm thinking it isn't really accessible. I like the idea though I would much prefer it to be invisible.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
ok came up with a solution. I attached the GPS unit to the flexible metal pad that comes with it. they say to do that to get the best signal. then I gently pushed it underneath the forwardmost part of the A-pillar on the driver's side. I didn't actually attach it to anything, I just set it down in there. there isn't enough room for it to flip over and the cable will keep it from going anywhere. I would have preferred it be mounted in a more concrete way, but this gives me the advantage of it being completely invisible. its about 1/2 way under the pillar, 1/2 way under the dash. there's like a perfect little space under there that it can fit in. nearest metal is the pillar itself which is actually back a ways. we'll see if it works. worst case I just have to move it.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,773
Likes: 2
From: San Diego CA
ok came up with a solution. I attached the GPS unit to the flexible metal pad that comes with it. they say to do that to get the best signal. then I gently pushed it underneath the forwardmost part of the A-pillar on the driver's side. I didn't actually attach it to anything, I just set it down in there. there isn't enough room for it to flip over and the cable will keep it from going anywhere. I would have preferred it be mounted in a more concrete way, but this gives me the advantage of it being completely invisible. its about 1/2 way under the pillar, 1/2 way under the dash. there's like a perfect little space under there that it can fit in. nearest metal is the pillar itself which is actually back a ways. we'll see if it works. worst case I just have to move it.
I don't know how big your GPS antenna puck is... but I have a Kenwood. I took the advice of Pentavolvo.
I stuck the flexible metal pad (cut to about 1/8" bigger than the puck) on the top center of the windshield, behind the rear view mirror. I then ran the wire up the driver A-pilar, tucked it in the headliner until even with the mirror mounting post, and then to the window location.
The puck is centered, high, and has an unobstructed view out the front of the window. I never notice it unless I am specifically looking for it, and I can't remember ever losing the signal. Of course I haven't driven through a tunnel yet........
FWIW.......
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
I don't know how big your GPS antenna puck is... but I have a Kenwood. I took the advice of Pentavolvo.
I stuck the flexible metal pad (cut to about 1/8" bigger than the puck) on the top center of the windshield, behind the rear view mirror. I then ran the wire up the driver A-pilar, tucked it in the headliner until even with the mirror mounting post, and then to the window location.
The puck is centered, high, and has an unobstructed view out the front of the window. I never notice it unless I am specifically looking for it, and I can't remember ever losing the signal. Of course I haven't driven through a tunnel yet........
FWIW.......
I stuck the flexible metal pad (cut to about 1/8" bigger than the puck) on the top center of the windshield, behind the rear view mirror. I then ran the wire up the driver A-pilar, tucked it in the headliner until even with the mirror mounting post, and then to the window location.
The puck is centered, high, and has an unobstructed view out the front of the window. I never notice it unless I am specifically looking for it, and I can't remember ever losing the signal. Of course I haven't driven through a tunnel yet........
FWIW.......
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 4
From: Brookfield Wisconsin
These can be mounted anywhere as long as metal does not cover them. I have mounted them using silicone to glue them up under fiberglass cowls before and under plastic/vinyl dashes.
P.S. Some window tint has metal in it and can reduce signal quality so watch where it is mounted inside a car.
P.S. Some window tint has metal in it and can reduce signal quality so watch where it is mounted inside a car.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,786
Likes: 7
From: Iowa
Here's a pic of mine. it ended up a bit farther down there. its not attached with anything so I'm not sure how well its going to work. but it can be moved if it doesn't work well here.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 1,564
Likes: 4
From: Brookfield Wisconsin
I forgot to mention that is is necessary to have these antennas pointing up as much as possible because they will track satellites better.
I just installed 3 of these yesterday on a couple of work trucks. I had one that slipped down and was at a 45 degree angle and was only tracking a few satellites and was getting a weak signal and fading from tracking 0 satellites to 5 satellites. The one that slipped down was getting blocked by the metal roof of the vehicle. I adjusted it so it was level again and it showed tracking 10 satellites and a strong signal, just a few degrees of level and it can effect how good a GPS system can track. These were tracking GPS units I installed and have a tester that shows how strong/weak/not tracking of the GPS signal.
I just installed 3 of these yesterday on a couple of work trucks. I had one that slipped down and was at a 45 degree angle and was only tracking a few satellites and was getting a weak signal and fading from tracking 0 satellites to 5 satellites. The one that slipped down was getting blocked by the metal roof of the vehicle. I adjusted it so it was level again and it showed tracking 10 satellites and a strong signal, just a few degrees of level and it can effect how good a GPS system can track. These were tracking GPS units I installed and have a tester that shows how strong/weak/not tracking of the GPS signal.
