Gps Useless In Renault Megane

[JackiePenn]

I just want to whinge really.

 

My GPS (meri plat) is next to useless in my gf's 2003 Renault Megane. I told her not to get that peice of french design, but no she wanted to shake her thang. The windscreen appears to contain a metallic layer which is very effective in killing the GPS signals. It is very annoying, as it hardly ever keeps a lock. Holding the unit to the side window improves things but that is not the point. There is no external antenna option for this model gpsr without electronic surgery.

 

What other makes and models of car suffer from this problem so that I can avoid at all costs?

[Remote Part]

You could get a re-radiating antenna - this will work with any GPS.

 

eg here or here

 

And surely there's a reason for the metallic layer on the windscreen - I presume it is heated?

[+Haggis Hunter]

I would think that any type of car with a heated windscreen or any type of sensor on the windscreen such as for the wipers, may end up causing problems for the GPS.

 

My old Mondeo R Reg. was good for the GPS, I've used it in a Corsa & Punto and both appear to be OK.

[+2202]

Not a problem in my 2003 Megane with all mod cons, your lady has fine taste, (and tell her that too)although I trust that it is a two door.

Using a Garmin Venture, I nestle it in the col between the speed and rev binnacle and the radio/time hood. Only wish it would project up onto the screen.

Did a flying 100mph on the M40 over a half a mile only to discover that I was doing 91mph, so 10% error on speedo.

[Deego]

my Alhambra has a heated windscreen, but it does not affect the GPS . I did take the GPS on the test drive

[+Birders]

That's very interesting as I don't have this problem with my aged Escort, which one of the few cars to have a heated windscreen. Our old GPS12XL works quite well on the dash close to the windscreen, but not quite as well as in Ruth's car with the external aerial stuck to the windscreen. I wonder if there's some RF getting at it from somewhere?

Edited November 20, 2004 by Birders

[+Nellies Knackers]

Re-radiating antennas are quite easy to make from any external amplified antenna, My first attemp involved making a power supply as well but then I converted my car power adaptor to supply the antenna as well.

All it consists of is external antenna, 47pf capacitor, small induction loop, and a piece of fine single core wire 190mm long(the transmitter antenna), the loop and capacator are purely to stop the voltage shorting as the transmitting bit is a closed loop.

The black lump on the antenna lead is the induction loop and capacator buried in epoxy resin.(it's not a "genuine garmin" elastic band by the way)

Just place the transmitting end over the built in antenna on the GPSr and you get a great signal.

Only trouble is the Mrs. has an Audi A2 with aluminium body shell and the antenna has a magnetic base!(Doh!)

 

I should point out that if you try this don't have the antenna where it can 'hear' the transmitter as it will cause a feedback loop and probably damage the GPSr.

Edited November 20, 2004 by Nellies Knackers

[+Pharisee]

Forget all about the 'electrickery' stuff. All you need is a power drill (cordless for ease of use), a 1/2" drill and a 4mm drill, some silicone sealer and 4 stainless steel pop rivets. Get the Garmin external antenna with the optional flange mounting plate... et voila... job done!!

 

 

That plugs into my iQue which fits onto a modified mounting. I removed it from the 'Bean Bag' and attached it to a 'tufnol' plate which in turn is held firmly to the top of the dashboard by a liberal application of Mr Araldite's 5 minute epoxy.

 

Edited November 20, 2004 by Pharisee

[+Birders]

Wethinks you'd find that the external aerial works as well stuck to the windscreen as through banging holes in the roof! We've used ours for many years inside the care before we heard of geocaching and it's never let us down.

[JackiePenn]

My parents Ford Mondeo with heated screen (the fine mesh type which makes my eyes go queer) has no ill effect on the GPS, just this Megane which isn't a mesh type.

 

I guess I will try the re-radiating antenna at some point, thanks for those suggestions, didn't know they existed.

 

lol Pharisee I would love to set about my g.f company car with a 1/2 inch drill, really I would, but I would surely wake up Bobbit style.

 

The gps works fine in my car but I have a fibreglass roof and plain jane safety glass in the screen. Just I loath to park it alone in country lane ditches whilst caching. Funny how those fears disappear in a company car that doesn't belong to me.

[+Jodel]

Garmin 60cs works fine in my 2004 Megane.

[JackiePenn]

g.f informs me the layer is for heat reflection ('Heat reflective sunscreen' not a demister after all) and was part of the 'Privilege' package for the car. My suggestion of accidently popping the glass and have a new normal onefitted on the roadside by autoglass didn't go down too well.

Edited November 20, 2004 by stonefisk

[JackiePenn]

Okay people are saying they dont have the problem in their cars with simular screen layer, even in meganes.

 

The signal on my GPS certainly does degrade in this car and rarely maintains a lock other than on the open road, where I have to result of holding it to the side window.

 

So could it be like was suggested, some sort of RF interference coming from the dash?

 

This is where the unit is mounted.

 

 

It is there so that I can see and operate it as both driver and passenger. Where is the computer module located in the car? Any major EMF source near that clock ?

[+Jodel]

It's the Privledge screen that's doing it! It's gold plated (or something similar) to reflect the heat. That's why it works okay next to the side screens.

 

My Megane is only the Dynamique version. I couldn't see the point in spending about £1500 extra just so I didn't have to find my keys to start the car but I can see that to a woman this can be important!

[+Pharisee]

The gps works fine in my car but I have a fibreglass roof and plain jane safety glass in the screen.

I had a Reliant once, too.......

[+Happy Humphrey]

I had the same problem with a hire car recently - Peugeot 309. I couldn't get a satellite lock even when the unit was right at the front of the dashboard.

 

My Ford Focus has the optional heated front screen (works great!) but this doesn't cause a problem with the GPS. I'll have to borrow a Peugeot or Renault and try the SysOn GPS to see if it can get through the windscreen: normally this gets a great satellite lock even when in the glove compartment (or even indoors!).

 

HH

[JackiePenn]

The gps works fine in my car but I have a fibreglass roof and plain jane safety glass in the screen.

I had a Reliant once, too.......

git

[JackiePenn]

It's the Privledge screen that's doing it! It's gold plated (or something similar) to reflect the heat. That's why it works okay next to the side screens.

 

My Megane is only the Dynamique version. I couldn't see the point in spending about £1500 extra just so I didn't have to find my keys to start the car but I can see that to a woman this can be important!

That key card thing is a nightmare, takes twice as long to get car started or stopped even.

 

Stupid messages telling me that car is in gear so wont start ...well my foot is on clutch too ..why dont you work that one out computer.. lets go go go already!

 

And when I leave dog in car whilst popping into post office, the alarm will go off, so I unlock the doors and they lock themselves back up again a few secounds later and the alarm goes off again. I must read the manual or actually use my own car for once.

[+davy boy]

Most new peugeots have this windscreen aswell,i have xda on mount in the middle and garmin on a nice square ledge near side window.

The only place it will work on the windscreen is at the top near the mirror where the little black dots are!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

My other half has a 206 and has just had sat nav fitted by one of the larger insurance companies as a trial (pay as you go ins) and gets 25% discount as long as on the trial,the fitter fitted a reraidiating ant at this area on windscreen.

Unfortunatly you cannot load waypoints into it!!!

[+The Hokesters]

Can I point out that the heated windscreen is only available on Fords (which includes the Alhabmbra which is a Ford Galaxy + Sharon or Sharan or whatever it is).

 

Its one of those new fangled patent issues I believe. Thank God it isn't that that is causing the problem coz I was considering a Volvo next

 

Sorry - Industry Joke!

 

[EDIT - Wish I could spell - or there was a darn forum checker ]

Edited November 20, 2004 by The Hokesters

[Deego]

[EDIT - Wish I could spell - or there was a darn forum checker ]

try http://www.iespell.com/ woorks fyne four ME

Edited November 20, 2004 by Deego

[+badger]

Or for Firefox users, there is a spell checker here...

Sirtanly wurks wel for mi!

Matt

[+The Hokesters]

Ooooh thats good - D'oh it dun't werk! Must trie harder.

[+The Hokesters]

ooh that's good biggrin.gif - D'oh it don't work! Must try harder. - hey thats really funky - thanks for the tip

[+kbootb]

It's not the heated screen, or for that matter the windscreen wiper sensors tha cause a problem, works fine in Toyota Avensis with wiper sensors.

 

It is the heat reflective screen used in Renaults including the Laguna.

 

Also a problem in a Citroen Xsara a few weeks ago.

 

This is what persuaded me to get a bluetooth GPS reciever for my PDA sat nav. I can mount the receiver anywhere in the car. Heat reflective windows are usually only used for the front screen.

 

However, If I mount it elsewhere I can't power it so I only have 30 hours on batteries.

[+Nellies Knackers]

You can get the proper re-rad antennas off ebay, they usually claim upto 500mm away from GPSr too which would be better than my elastic band setup.

But I'm just too tight to buy one!

[+sTeamTraen]

My wife loves the reflecting windscreen in her 1998 Megane Scenic, as it really cuts down glare and she has sensitive eyes. In this case it was an option when we bought the car, and it was possible to not have it - but I didn't have a GPS then

[+naffita]

I had the same problem last year. You could try here

[+paul.blitz]

You could get a re-radiating antenna - this will work with any GPS.

 

eg here or here

 

And surely there's a reason for the metallic layer on the windscreen - I presume it is heated?

I have one of those units from your first link....

 

I use an iQue in my car (Peugeot 806) and it sits to the very right, next to the quarterlight (the small window!) I have the re-radiating antenna about 2 ins away from the iQue, and get EXCELLENT gps reception!

 

Whilst the windscreen is NOT a problem, having the receiving antenna on the roof gives you a full 360 deg of reception... typically that is 2 or 3 times as many sats as without, and MUCH better signal levels.

 

Paul

[+The Hokesters]

If you have one of these units - The MCX connector is compatible with Garmin iQue 3600 PDA, StreetPilot 2610 GPS, StreetPilot 2620 GPS, StreetPilot 2650 GPS, eMap, EMTAC, GPS 12CX, GPS 12MAP, GPS 12XL, GPS 40, GPSMAP 60C, GPSMAP 60CS, GPS 76, GPSMAP 76, GPSMAP 76C, GPSMAP 76CS, GPSMAP 76S, GPSMAP 175, GPSMAP 195, Motorola Encore GPS, Navman iCN 630, GPS 3450 and GPS 4400, Holux GM-100, GM-101, GR-230, GM-250, GM-251, and GM-270 CF, Billionton CF GPS, Emtac Crux Bluetooth GPS or ANY other GPS models with MCX (or "OSX") antenna connector.

 

Then you can get one for £14.99 or less HERE.

 

I have used this shop a few times and can def. recommend good quick and polite service.

 

Si

[JackiePenn]

If you have one of these units - The MCX connector is compatible with Garmin iQue 3600 PDA, StreetPilot 2610 GPS, StreetPilot 2620 GPS, StreetPilot 2650 GPS, eMap, EMTAC, GPS 12CX, GPS 12MAP, GPS 12XL, GPS 40, GPSMAP 60C, GPSMAP 60CS, GPS 76, GPSMAP 76, GPSMAP 76C, GPSMAP 76CS, GPSMAP 76S, GPSMAP 175, GPSMAP 195, Motorola Encore GPS, Navman iCN 630, GPS 3450 and GPS 4400, Holux GM-100, GM-101, GR-230, GM-250, GM-251, and GM-270 CF, Billionton CF GPS, Emtac Crux Bluetooth GPS or ANY other GPS models with MCX (or "OSX") antenna connector.

 

Then you can get one for £14.99 or less HERE.

 

I have used this shop a few times and can def. recommend good quick and polite service.

 

Si

[+Billy Twigger]

Mine works fine!

 

 

Steering's a bit dodgy though!

[+mdshamilton]

I'm currently waiting for a Garmin Quest to arrive. Seeing all the discussion and pictures of antennas and wires is very timely. I'll keep all that in mind when I trade in my 4 yr old Renault Scenic for a new one next year. Note to self, avoid the heat reflecting windscreen, or at least test the Garmin first before placing car order!

Edited November 22, 2004 by mdshamilton

[+DomHeknows]

my pigeout 406 really interferes with the reception. It's impossible to get a lock from within the car, but once a lock has been found outside ithe magellan tends to keep it. The pda gps has a magnetic mount which i stick on the roof for 8-10 bars, inside on the dash right next to the window i'd be lucky to get 3

[+currykev]

My motorbike hasn't got a heated windscreen. Do you think I should invest in one? As it gets a little chilly in the Winter months

[+Flyfishermanbob]

Mine works fine!

 

 

Steering's a bit dodgy though!

 

Alas Mr. Twigger, lesser mortals are unable or unprepared to shell out the vast sums you paid for....

 

Billy Twiggers GPSr

[+HazelS]

My Peugeot 106 (03 reg) is fine with the GPS...in fact, it holds a lock better in this car than it did in my Ex's car which was a Passat.

[+currykev]

My motorbike hasn't got a heated windscreen. Do you think I should invest in one? As it gets a little chilly in the Winter months

 

[+Cryptik Souls Crew]

My clio also has an athermic windscreen, my Garmin GPS V won't even entertain it, however my bluetooth receiver is much more sensitive and will work fine.

 

The clio has a small square in the centre at the bottom of the screen which does not have the coating, its meant for transpoder cards (for toll booths etc) to be mounted there so they still work, if the Megane has one you could try putting your gps receiver there....

[+jedimonkey.co.uk]

getting a signal is not a problem in my 06 megane..

 

 

Just wap the roof down and hope it doesn't rain........ again.

gb

[+Kryten]

Recently rented a 2006 Megane Scenic and my 60CSx couldn't even hold a lock while sat on the dashboard. Just one of the reasons I consider this to be the most vile vehicle I have ever driven.

[NickPick]

Recently rented a 2006 Megane Scenic and my 60CSx couldn't even hold a lock while sat on the dashboard. Just one of the reasons I consider this to be the most vile vehicle I have ever driven.

 

The reason I found the megane to be vile was (amongst others) that I couldn't figure out how to turn the headlights on/off. They just wanted to do it themselves automatically, but the USAF site I was driving round had a rule that they should be turned on. In the end I gave up and hoped that the bloke with the M16 wouldn't be too bothered!