Groove posted:

I would be very interested to see how testing goes, I have a GPS without an external antenna socket. I would prefer not to mount the unit on my dash, I dont want to fork out for a new GPS, this sounds perfect.

Member - Jimbo (WA) posted:

David,

Might see you and your didtinctive 80 series beastie on the CSR, am going in Aug - Sep.

Jim

Member - Jimbo (WA) posted:

"didtinctive" ? How about distinctive! Got to train these two fingers a bit better.

Member - Rohan K posted:

Jim, I'm in the same boat - with an eTrex and have been considering one of these as I don't want to mount the eTrex on the dash in the heat (they don't like getting too warm).

I understand the re-radiating bit needs to be with 12" of the GPS unit. How/where have you mounted the arial and run the cable? Be good, or be quick.
Rohan

Member - Jimbo (WA) posted:

Rohan,

Here is an extract from http://www.gpsoz.com.au about the re-radiating antennae for an eTrex -

"RA-45 A$149 Bought a GPS without an external aerial connection (eg GPS 12, GPS 38, Magellan 3xx) and now wish you had one that did? Well here's the answer. This aerial connects to 12v via a cigarette plug and has a built in re-radiating amplifier and second aerial. The second aerial is placed near the GPS unit. Full specs are here.

30dB gain active GPS antenna
28ma current draw, 7-14v input
Low noise
Magnetic or screw-plate mounting
-30C to +85C operating range
Fully waterproof
5m high quality coax cable"

This is a good site for general GPS info, but buy it here.

The RA45 is a three-legged beast - one leg a 12 volt cig attachment (1 mtr), one leg the re-radiating bit (90 cms), and the other leg the external antennae (3 mtr). These leg measurements are from the 3-way junction. That provides a lot of flexibility with regards mounting - the limiting factors being 1) the need, as you say, to have the re-radiating arm close to the etrex (mine velcro's to the back of the mount); and 2) the need to have the re-radiating arm and etrex within 90 cms of your 12 volt outlet. I have mine mounted either on the dash or down near the gear stick on the centre console and hide all the wires away under the dash mat and behind the passenger side of the dash facia running up from the console. The external antennae cable runs under the dash mat, up the drivers side of the front pillar behind the trimming, and then out to the roof. I tape this cable down where it goes out the door to force it to conform to the contour so that the door doesn't damage it.

My whole set-up is temporary with double sided tape securing the GPS mount and two additional 12 volt accessory outlets with 3 sockets each. (I also power my GPS with 12 volt)

The whole thing sits securely and safely and since the 12 volt outlets and GPS mount are on "slides", everything can be taken down and put out of site if required in about 30 secs.

I have used the set-up described on the CSR and had absolutely no problems with it at all.

Hope this helps.

Jim

Member - Rohan K posted:

$149.00 from this site. Anther supplier (I won't name) has it at the same price and they are the cheqpest supplier of GPS gear I managed to find. So, buy it here.Be good, or be quick.
Rohan

Member - Rohan K posted:

Groove, can't tell if you're asking this one "tongue in chhek". But in case you're not, the answer is yes. But does it really matter?Be good, or be quick.
Rohan