Hi all,<br>I have a Garmin eTrex Vista gps receiver that I mount in my truck with a Ram Mount suction cup. In my 97 Ram 1/2 ton, I would mount the cup to the front windshield in either the lower left corner or in the middle under the mirror. This set up worked fine. In the 02 3/4 ton, when the unit is mounted in either of these positions, I can not keep a satellite lock. I have had to move the suction cup to the drivers side window and it seems to work okay (unit gets a different view of the sky). Has anyone else seen this with one of Garmin's eTrex units? This unit does not have the ability to hook up an external antenna (it only has an internal patch antenna). I read on a forum that in Europe, some folks were having problems like this with a different vendor's gps and certain types of cars due to due some kind of polarizing film that was put on the windows to reduce glare. I wonder if there is something Dodge has done with the glass up front that would mess up satellite reception.

 

I have a Garmin GPS III Plus in my 2002 mounted on the dash right in front of the steering wheel.<br>It works fine with just the included antenna.<br>Know of a couple of folks with GPS III's and V's and they haven't had any problems either, so I don't think its anything with the windshield glass.<br><br>Only thing I can think of is maybe the eTrex is more sensitive, and needs a nice clear view, or something has happenend to the unit to mess up the antenna?<br>Dropped, moisture, got too hot?<br><br><br>phox<br><br>

 

Hi Phox,<br>Nothing (to the best of my limited knowledge) has happened to the receiver. The GPS III and V both have a better antenna (a quad helix) than the unit I have (the internal patch antenna). Due to this antenna, these eTrex units are much more sensitive and are more likely to lose coverage in dense forests and cities with tall building in the vicinity. That is my (and many others) only complaint about the vista.<br>Thanks for the info.

 

I have an E-Trex Vista. I use it in my 01, works fine just laying on the dash. If dense trees are on both sides of the road, it will occassionally lose signal when placed on the console. With the camper on, it loses signal on the console, but works normally when laying on the dash. I believe the book says something about it recieving better when laying flat instead of upright, of course this makes it harded to read. I do notice an increased loss of signal when it is upright wedged between the windshield and dash. Is yours mounted upright or flat?

 

Is it easy to see the display on those Garmins at night? <br><br>I've been looking at some of those small Garmin GPS units for my boat. I want one that I can put in waypoints to some common rondevous points on the bay; have it display an arrow pointing to that spot on the water; and display distance remaining; and be able to see it at night.<br><br>It would be velcroed to the dash board right in front of the helm.<br><br>Do you think one of those eTrex's would work? I do not want one of those big ole displays.<br><br>yes, waterproof is a must, but quite frankly, if it does fly out of the boat, I'd probably never find it. hehehehe

 

bulabula,<br>the display is pretty easy to see at night. The vista will do what you mentioned in your post, it will also do a lot more. There is an altimeter, compass, ability to upload detailed maps, the list goes on. If you only need the capability you mentioned, maybe one of the other units in the eTrex will work for you. I mention this because these other units are less expensive. Note, when you turn on the back light to see the unit at night, the batteries get used up pretty quickly. I switched to using Energizer e2 photo Li-Ion batteries, they last a lot longer. Garmin also makes a handheld model called the Map 76 I believe, the unit is a little bigger than an eTrex, with a bit larger screen, but still not as big as the marine units. I have not used any of the Magellan units, they have a few new ones out, including a color one. However, the screen resolution is not as good as the eTrex. <br>Check this website out for some good info and the ability to compare several make/models of GPS.<br><br>www.gpscity.com<br><br>GO NAVY!!<br>Try this link, they have good

 

HavinFun,<br>I use mine in an upright position, I will check out its performance by laying it flat though. Thanks for the tip. I'm glad someone reads users manuals.

 

I haven't had any problems with my Garmin street piolet, it's mounted on the dash on my 93 D350. I interface it with my lap top even better.

 

My GPS III+ works fine on the dash as well.<br>It has an external antenna.<br><br>I've seen numerous complaints about the units without an external antenna (internal &quot;patch&quot; antenna) not being able to get a signal through modern vehicles windshields.<br>Something about the UV coating is also blocking the signal.<br><br>I think that externally mounted antenna booster would work great.<br><br>Still thinking of getting an external antenna for my GPS III+ as well. Just don't want to have to mount in on the roof.<br><br><br>phox