Anyone use external antennas?

[RandyR]

Hello.

Have any of you used the tomtom or 3rd party external antennas?

Ebay stores have tomtom for $29 shipped and 3rd party for $22. Can these be purchased in retail stores such as circut city or best buy?

My thought here is my trip to California next month (no windshield mounting). Instead of building some kind of dash mount to worry with and having all that visible for theives, I could use the external antenna and just set my tomtom somewhere below the dash. This should also get it out of direct light and be easier to view.

I am actually going to be programming and using the tomtom from the passenger seat while someone else drives.

Am I on the right track here?

Randy R

 

[RandyR]

So............ No one uses external antennas or has any comments on my situation?

I have searched the forum and have seen some of the mounts you guys have developed. But my problem is that I don't know what kind of rental car I will get in California and I can't harm the car.

The shape of the 510 will allow me to just sit it a console below the dash, as long as I can receive a signal. Thus, the external antenna.

Randy R

 

[billclark]

The antenna is pretty good in the 510. You have a car now, I assume, so try tucking your TT somewhere on your center console and see how your reception is. If it stinks, buy the external antenna.

For what it's worth, I was recently in Boston using my TT with the internal antenna... it was crap. Completely crap. If you're in an area where you're surrounded by 3-4+ storey buildings, use the external antenna. If you don't, your TT will have your Location Cursor hopping around from street to street because of the signal distortion/reflection.

 

[RandyR]

Thanks billclark,

Thats what I was thinking. I have not had a chance to take mine to a big city.

Anyone have any suggestions on where to get the best deal on one?

 

[hitophikers]

Two things: I was in California last year and was unaware of their "windshield" law at that time. Had my PND sucked right where it normally rode in my own vehicle at home. Of course I was not stopped - lucky, I guess. I would have really palyed "uninformed" had I been stopped, because I was and will be in CA and MA next time I go to either.

Second: When I travel with a friend, I just put my TT510 on the center console and it works just fine in his van. Usually has 4 bars all the time. So, probably no need for the external antenna.

 

[Pedro2NR]

Nah, you should be good on reception. I haven't had any problems.
I did run into some reception loss when I was driving around downtown L.A. through the big buildings

 

[RandyR]

I went ahead and ordered the tomtom external antenna from crutchfield for $25. Should be here Friday or Monday.

I went to look at the car that we will should be getting at the car rental and there is a deep pocket way under the console that I will probably place it. Most likely no reception there, but should be no glare either.

Randy R.

 

[fanchee]

Cool, let us know how this works out for you.

 

[Pedro2NR]

Good luck and have a safe trip

 

[RandyR]

Pedro2NR,

I saw your link to the ram mounts yesterday. Very interesting! I saved the link for future needs. I do like to see the different ways that people are mounting the 510-910.

Randy R.

 

[Pedro2NR]

Thanks!
I don't want to hi-jack the thread. I'll show you pictures of what parts I'm planning to use and post them on the other thread.

 

[drledger]

Good day Randy,
I drive through Kentucy all the time and I am originally from there. I doubt that you will find the antenna to generally do much for you in this region. The satellite services that require external antenna rely upon only one transponder from one satellite if my memory serves me correct (and it has been known to fizzle at times). TT, on the other hand relies on quite a few depending on where you are. If one is out of site then others usually pick up the slack. On the other hand, if you are going to mount your 910 where it is hidden from the signal then you certainly may find the optional antenna useful. I have had my 910 everywhere in my camry including inside the console with no problems. Please be sure and let us know your opinions. Since most of us have never had to use one we would like to hear from one whom has.
BTW be certain that wherever you mount the tt that you will be able to utilize it safely. I moved mine from the console carrier to the windshield because I found myself looking down when I got a verbal direction to see the screen. Not cool at interstate speeds.