talkin73 Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 The guy who installed my X910BT put the antenna on the dash by the windshield which I assume will probably give some of the best reception short of an exterior mount. But, I've read somewhere (of course I can't find it now!) that folks mounted their antenna just on top of the HU to avoid anything visible on the dash and that they got perfectly good GPS signal there. Anyone have feedback on their experience with inside dash mount on top of the HU and what kind of signal resulted from this??? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ct_mike Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 I have been running with the gps antenna under the dash for the last 3 years and it appears to work just fine. In my GMC Envoy there is a metal bar under the dash in front of the HU that the stock gps antenna would mount to. I used this bar for the D3's antenna. The D3 does seem to lag behind actual position a little though (couple hundred feet), but I have not moved the antenna onto the dash or outside to see if that fixes it. Could just be a D3 issue or it is the antenna not getting as strong a signal. ct_mike Quote Link to post Share on other sites
talkin73 Posted September 24, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 I have been running with the gps antenna under the dash for the last 3 years and it appears to work just fine. In my GMC Envoy there is a metal bar under the dash in front of the HU that the stock gps antenna would mount to. I used this bar for the D3's antenna. The D3 does seem to lag behind actual position a little though (couple hundred feet), but I have not moved the antenna onto the dash or outside to see if that fixes it. Could just be a D3 issue or it is the antenna not getting as strong a signal. ct_mike Thanks much for the info! Anyone else with feedback on gps antenna mount locations and quality of signal? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
1loudls Posted September 24, 2009 Report Share Posted September 24, 2009 i have mine under a piece of plastic trim on the dash and it works great and has good reception, you wont have any problem putting under the dash as long as there is no metal above it, i would try to not have too many layers of plastic over it as i assume that it will start to effect the signal if there is too much plastic under it, but there have been many cars that i have just placed the antenna right on the top of the radio, just make sure that you also place the antenna on top of some sort of metal, like at least the little black square that comes in the package Quote Link to post Share on other sites
talkin73 Posted September 28, 2009 Author Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 Thanks again to the folks who replied. I had a handful of "fixes" to my install a few days ago (redid the hardware bypass, finally found and attached VSS wire) including moving of antenna from front dash at base of windshield to on top of the HU itself. After 2 days, no loss of GPS signal quality that I can perceive. Thought I'd post this follow up in case it's useful to anyone. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
ill.die.trying Posted September 28, 2009 Report Share Posted September 28, 2009 i have mine on the dash just on top of my unit and haven't had problems with reception Quote Link to post Share on other sites
talkin73 Posted October 4, 2009 Author Report Share Posted October 4, 2009 This is a follow up... After a few days, my nav just intermittently lost signal with the antenna mounted on top of the unit in the dash. I mean not a single satellite would connect I moved the antenna to top of dash in the center at the base of the windshield and the nav has no more problems, connects immediately and follows me 100% of the time. I hope that is the last of this issue because obviously a nav system that can't figure out where you are is useless. I know some folks have it working inside the dash on top of the HU which would be my preference... most stealth, least info to would-be thieves of an aftermarket "goodie" inside the car, etc etc. But, it needs to get reception. I think depending on your car, area you live with regard to obstructions as well as position of satellites there is probably some variability on where people can mount the antenna and get good reception. Just thought I'd let folks know in case others have any issues. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Itchy Posted October 6, 2009 Report Share Posted October 6, 2009 Since the VSS wire doesn't really do anything on the F/X series, I mounted mine outside. If the VSS was functional, I'd be more inclined to mount it under the dash. Most car manufactures have their GPS antenna mounted under the dash, but have a valid VSS to pick up any slack. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
qrushdceo Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 Under the Dash below the winshield on a 02 Avalanche Quote Link to post Share on other sites
cjwier Posted October 18, 2009 Report Share Posted October 18, 2009 I HAVE MINE MOUNTED INSIDE ON MY DASH, BEHIND THE UNIT. I HAVE NEVER LOST RECEPTION YET, EVEN IN PITTSBURGH TUNNELS. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
DraXxuS Posted November 4, 2009 Report Share Posted November 4, 2009 The guy who installed my X910BT put the antenna on the dash by the windshield which I assume will probably give some of the best reception short of an exterior mount. But, I've read somewhere (of course I can't find it now!) that folks mounted their antenna just on top of the HU to avoid anything visible on the dash and that they got perfectly good GPS signal there. Anyone have feedback on their experience with inside dash mount on top of the HU and what kind of signal resulted from this??? Mine is mounted at the same place in my eclipse 07 Quote Link to post Share on other sites
rogue Posted November 7, 2009 Report Share Posted November 7, 2009 I have mine mounted on top of my head unit. I have not had any issues with reception. I do however have no metal between then antenna and dash. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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