The Sikes
Member
Does anyone out there use a reradiating antenna on a Garmin Vista Extrex GPS? I am tyring to figure out what I can do to better my reception. I loose reception constantly and no, I'm not putting my fingers on the antenna...
reradiating antenna for Garmin Vista Extrex
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DougPaul
Well-known member
Yes. I have used a reradiating (external) antenna with a Vista.
Assuming you are talking about hiking usage:
The best spot for the Vista would be on top of your head or on top of short pole that reaches above your head with the display facing upward. Not all that practical.
Next best is in/on the top of your pack, again facing upward. OK if you just want to record a track, but you have to take your pack off to look at the GPS during the hike.
I carry my Vista in a small pouch mounted high (almost at the top) on my pack shoulder strap, face pointing upward. (On the more open side if there is a significant difference.) This works well enough for me most of the time.
A external antenna can help if it can be located in a better location or orientation than the one in which you would otherwise carry the GPS.
If you use an external antenna, place the antenna on top of your head (a Tilley hat has a pocket under the crown), on top of a short pole, or in/on the top of your pack. Then you get to figure out how to route the wire...
Tips for good GPS performance in the woods:
* Use normal mode, not battery save.
* Don't bother with WAAS.
* It is easier to keep lock than it is to acquire it--so keep the GPS on and tracking your location (unless you are trying to conserve batteries).
* If you lose lock in the woods, stop in a relatively good location and reaquire a lock. (It is easier to get a lock when stopped.)
* Leave the GPS on in a good location for 10-15 minutes before going into the woods. This records a latest set of orbital parameters.
* Carry the GPS as high as possible with the antenna facing up (display up for a Vista).
* Anything containing water (including flesh), rock, or metal will block, absorb, reflect, and/or refract the signals.
* The antenna on the Vista is under the Garmin logo, above the display.
Lots of good info at http://www.gpsinformation.org.
Doug
Assuming you are talking about hiking usage:
The best spot for the Vista would be on top of your head or on top of short pole that reaches above your head with the display facing upward. Not all that practical.
Next best is in/on the top of your pack, again facing upward. OK if you just want to record a track, but you have to take your pack off to look at the GPS during the hike.
I carry my Vista in a small pouch mounted high (almost at the top) on my pack shoulder strap, face pointing upward. (On the more open side if there is a significant difference.) This works well enough for me most of the time.
A external antenna can help if it can be located in a better location or orientation than the one in which you would otherwise carry the GPS.
If you use an external antenna, place the antenna on top of your head (a Tilley hat has a pocket under the crown), on top of a short pole, or in/on the top of your pack. Then you get to figure out how to route the wire...
Tips for good GPS performance in the woods:
* Use normal mode, not battery save.
* Don't bother with WAAS.
* It is easier to keep lock than it is to acquire it--so keep the GPS on and tracking your location (unless you are trying to conserve batteries).
* If you lose lock in the woods, stop in a relatively good location and reaquire a lock. (It is easier to get a lock when stopped.)
* Leave the GPS on in a good location for 10-15 minutes before going into the woods. This records a latest set of orbital parameters.
* Carry the GPS as high as possible with the antenna facing up (display up for a Vista).
* Anything containing water (including flesh), rock, or metal will block, absorb, reflect, and/or refract the signals.
* The antenna on the Vista is under the Garmin logo, above the display.
Lots of good info at http://www.gpsinformation.org.
Doug
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