External Antenna For Automobile

[+Thrak]

I see external anntennae for my GPSr but there are two different connectors. One is a 180 degree connector (sticks straight out the back) and the other is a 90 degree connector (connects at a right angle).

 

Is there a problem using one or the other with a car mount? I am getting the RAM mount that suctions onto the windshield. I don't want to blow $40 or so on an external antenna only to find out the connector interferes with the GPSr holder.

 

http://jdhines.zoovy.com/product/0056GPGL

 

http://jdhines.zoovy.com/product/0183GPGL

 

The external antenna from Garmin seems to cost almost $100!!! These are much cheaper. Wonder if they are the same.

[+Olar]

Both of my externals (Gilsson) have the 90° connector and I use a RAM mount for my 76C with no problem. In fact I've never had occasion to wish that I had ordered the straight connector.

Have a look at the Gilsson units that have performed extremely well for me over a 3 year period. Numerous others have mentioned the same results in various forum posts. They did take a healthy jump in selling price a year or so back but are still less than half of Garmin's price.

See them at GpsGeek website.

 

Cheers, Olar

[peter]

They did take a healthy jump in selling price a year or so back but are still less than half of Garmin's price.

They're still selling the Gilsson antennas for the same $19 price from their eBay store:

http://stores.ebay.com/GPSgeek

 

The website prices have been changed since they started offering dealerships so they wouldn't compete directly.

 

I agree that in most cases the 90 degree connector would work best and that's what I use on my eMap.

[+Thrak]

Thanks to both of you. I'll go with the 90 degree connector and, in fact, I think I'll go order it right now.

[+diverhank]

The 90deg connector is supposed to be harder to remove due to its small size. The 180 deg connector is supposedly easier to do so. Some people remove the external antennas every day (to hide them)

[+Quoddy]

The 90 degree is not as sturdy or as easy to connect/disconnect as the 180. I had an almost immediate shearing off of one side of the metalic plug wall leaving only one side to make the connection.

[+Cymbaline]

I'm in the 180 degree (straight) connector crowd. As someone already mentioned, I went with it because it makes removing it from my GPSr easier so that I can stash/hide the unit out of sight. Also, it goes with me on trips and I usually don't take the antenna. Same thing.

 

Unfortunately, I paid the higher price for mine - didn't realize the store was still in existance. Grr. Welp, I need a shorter-cable one anyways.

[+Thrak]

Well since I already placed the order for the 90º cable I'll wait and see how it works out for me. If I have issues I guess I'll have to cuss a lot and buy the other type. Sigh......

[ImpalaBob]

I have the 90 degree connector. I took one of the twisty ties that bundle the cable and attached it around the cable as close to the connector angle as possible. It makes a nice grabber for assistance during disconnecting. It is more of a pain than the 180 that the wife has on her unit .... but it is do-able! ImpalaBob

[+Thrak]

Well I just received email that they are out of stock on the item and they had a list of others to choose instead so I chose the 180 degree model.

[+sbell111]

I had an off brand antenna with a 90 degree connector for years and I loved. So did the creep who stole it and my V from my car last week.