Antennas from Garmin
Thu, 01/25/2007 - 8:55pm
 18 years
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I am new to the GPS arena and I read different notes from the group of Garmin owners about antennas. So I looked on their web page and found two antennas. One for 39.99 and one for 99.99. I am not technical but why is there two with such a difference in price? Oh yea, The 99.99 one only fits my GPS - it just doesn't seem fair! Thanks for letting me vent......
I purchased mine on Ebay...
I purchased mine on Ebay... (it doesn't HAVE to say Garmin to be good) for around $30 (58 Db gain) with a 'straight on' MCX connector that works quite well with my mount. The primary concern when buying an antenna is the connector. Different models and different manufacturers have different connectors to the GPS. The second thing to look for is the "Db Gain" - the higher the gain the better to get the best bang for your buck.
Garmin c340
Antenna Connectors
The garmin website kinda gives you the feeling you have to purchase their antenna. Is your Garmin a 340? How would I know which unit carried my type of connector? Anything from you on this would be greatly appreciated.
Antenna Connectors
If you are getting good reception - don't bother. I would measure good reception as how many times the unit loses an actual signal long enough to get you lost - you need three satellites to be located - there are ten up in the sky.
Garmin Nuvi 660,Software Ver. 3.2, Audio 1.8, GTM 3.7, GPS 2.9, BT 2.4, NA Map v8: Mapsource; Cingular Treo 650
Garmin Nuvi 660,Software Ver. 3.2, Audio 1.8, GTM 3.7, GPS 2.9, BT 2.4, NA Map v8: Mapsource; Cingular Treo 650
To davemac:
Yes... I run a Garmin c340 (MCX connector). Normal reception with the unit is good but I mount mine low on the floor by the shifter in my truck. I found driving through the mountains that I would lose reception briefly quite often without the antenna - no lost reception since putting the antenna on the roof.
Do a search on Ebay for "GPS antenna" and you'll pull up lots of them.
Garmin c340