+mrking Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 I ordered a Gillson antenna from GPSGeek.com for my map60C and just got it today. WOW, is all I have to say, what a HUGE difference in reception. Without it I get five or six satallite locks and an accuracy of 6 to 9 meters. With it I get a consistant 4 meters accuracy and all but two satallite locks. Now to test it in the bush. I am just shocked at how such a small external antenna gets so much signal. Just thought I would share this. Quote Link to comment
+hardwire Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 (edited) Whew, great news, thanks! I just ordered one from them that should get in tomorrow for my 60C I got 2 weeks ago... Man I sure like that 60C for geocahing! I got 300+ loaded in and whenever we go some place I just click on FIND nearest.... Edited February 22, 2005 by hardwire Quote Link to comment
+DocMagoo Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 Cool...I was just looking at those last night online and wondered if the antenna you have is compatible for my GPSMAP60. Which antenna did you get if you don't mind me asking? Quote Link to comment
+mrking Posted February 22, 2005 Author Share Posted February 22, 2005 (edited) Cool...I was just looking at those last night online and wondered if the antenna you have is compatible for my GPSMAP60. Which antenna did you get if you don't mind me asking? I got the second one on THIS page. The Amplified GPS MCX / OSX antenna. From the description it looks like it is compatible with the GPSMap60. GPSGeek has great service. Give them a call to make sure. Oh, and for $20 it is a great deal. EDIT: Oh, one of the best things is that it has a magnet on it so you can slap it on the roof of your vehicle if need be. I bent a small piece of thin metal onto my backpak and will just "stick" it to that piece and off I go. No need for brackets. Great stuff!!!! Edited February 22, 2005 by mrking Quote Link to comment
+geobc Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 You can see a comparison btwn a Gilsson and a built-in antenna here: http://www.bc4x4.com/quick/2005/gilsson-ant GeoBC Quote Link to comment
BilgeRat Posted February 22, 2005 Share Posted February 22, 2005 I've been using one with the 16' cord with my map60c at work to track where the boat is on the Mississippi. I'm almost never over a 20" accuracy circle using the external antenna. There will be a second one soon, with a windshield bracket and a 3" cord for car use. I also use the 16" model for National Map position information; just set the antenna on the fence at a cell tower--- They're great! Tom Quote Link to comment
+hardwire Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 Mine just showed up in the mail! Boy you weren't kidding, it works great for $20 bucks. Got a good lock in the house, even satalite 35 (WAAS)...I can hardly wait for the weekend! Quote Link to comment
[MTB]_Intrepid Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 I picked one up for my 76cs from GPSgeek and had the same results: big boost in signal from all the birds, steady lock even in the house, much better performance under tree cover, and fewer multipath errors in my truck while travelling in town. The only disadvantages are the cable (likes to get caught on things while stumbling through the woods) and a slightly shorter run time from NiMH batteries. For the money this is a great product. Quote Link to comment
+Quoddy Posted February 23, 2005 Share Posted February 23, 2005 I used my 60cs with the Garmin antenna this past weekend on a full day of heavy cover caching. This was the first opportunity I've had to use my newly designed Clear Creek geocaching vest with an antenna holder on the shoulder. It has a cable feed under the vest exiting via a grommet near the "D" hook where the 60cs is attached, thus keeping it from snarling on outside objects . I had solid reception for the 8+ hours I was under the cover and only had reception problems when I occasionally disconnected the antenna to check out the difference. Quote Link to comment
+Larry_Rymal Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 I also just picked up a Gillson for my 76CS and wow! Also, it helps when in extreme tree canopy, at least until a total block of the sky occurs. I would love to know of a way to wear this Gillson. I read of the vest and the idea of a hat mount. Seems like there has got to be some sort of hiking accessorty that caters to GPS hikers that would already have an antenna "pocket" or velcro. I wonder if there is something like that out there? I'm new in all of this, so apologies for bringing up old issues. I did do a SEARCH on the board, but this one is kinda difficult to nail down. Quote Link to comment
peter Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 Seems like there has got to be some sort of hiking accessorty that caters to GPS hikers that would already have an antenna "pocket" or velcro. I wonder if there is something like that out there? I'm new in all of this, so apologies for bringing up old issues. I did do a SEARCH on the board, but this one is kinda difficult to nail down. Tilly hats have a little pocket in the top. Also Trimble makes a cap with a pocket specifically made for a GPS external antenna: http://www.trimblestore.com/mapping/ I just took a small piece of stretchy fabric and sewed it inside the top of a cap I already had. Only took a few minutes and it holds the Gilsson antenna very securely. Quote Link to comment
+Sputnik 57 Posted March 24, 2005 Share Posted March 24, 2005 I also just picked up a Gillson for my 76CS and wow! Also, it helps when in extreme tree canopy, at least until a total block of the sky occurs. I would love to know of a way to wear this Gillson. I read of the vest and the idea of a hat mount. Seems like there has got to be some sort of hiking accessorty that caters to GPS hikers that would already have an antenna "pocket" or velcro. I wonder if there is something like that out there? I'm new in all of this, so apologies for bringing up old issues. I did do a SEARCH on the board, but this one is kinda difficult to nail down. I took a 4 inch piece of flexible metal strap material and wrapped it around the shoulder strap of my backpack, so that it sits right on top of my right shoulder. I have a 9' cord, mostly coiled in my backpack, and usually wear my 60C on a belt clip when I hike. The magnet on the Gilsson holds it to the strap with no slipping, and my GPSr never loses signal, even in the woods. Quote Link to comment
Team Of Wheat Posted May 4, 2005 Share Posted May 4, 2005 Looks like Gilsson bumped up their prices on their antenna from $20 to $50. Is this the same one that they originally were selling for $20 or has something changed? Team of Wheat Quote Link to comment
peter Posted May 5, 2005 Share Posted May 5, 2005 Is this the same one that they originally were selling for $20 or has something changed? What changed is that they used to sell primarily directly with gpsgeek being the sales outlet name of Gilsson. Now they are switching to selling at wholesale to assorted dealers. The dealers probably didn't like being undercut on price by gpsgeek. AFAIK the antennas themselves are unchanged. Quote Link to comment
+Ralphbongo Posted May 5, 2005 Share Posted May 5, 2005 Just ordered one at amazon for 21. now lets see if I get it. Quote Link to comment
+wayless wayfarer Posted May 5, 2005 Share Posted May 5, 2005 Just ordered another one from GPSgeek w/windshield mount for $22.49. Great antenna Quote Link to comment
jcc123 Posted May 5, 2005 Share Posted May 5, 2005 kinda makes you wonder why Garmin doesn't use the same antenna system in their units? I'd be willing to shell out an extra $20 if they had this built in to begin with...wouldn't you? Quote Link to comment
+bigdog999 Posted May 5, 2005 Share Posted May 5, 2005 I just had to try one myself, just ordered one from GPSGEEK. Quote Link to comment
peter Posted May 5, 2005 Share Posted May 5, 2005 I'd be willing to shell out an extra $20 if they had this built in to begin with...wouldn't you? No. I'm happy with the Gilsson antenna I've had for over a year, but I also get good reception with the antennas that came with my Garmin receivers (eMaps, III+, 12, V). The big benefit I see with the Gilsson is that I can position it for an optimum skyview and keep the receiver in the most convenient position for viewing or carrying. Yes, the gain seems to be turned up higher on the Gilsson, but that's somewhat of a mixed blessing. It can be a benefit where some of the signals are being absorbed, but it can also make the unit more susceptible to multipath errors by letting it see weak reflected signals. Presumably Garmin looked at this tradeoff when deciding how much gain to include in their receiver preamp stage. OTOH, there do appear to be some receiver samples that have significantly worse sensitivity than normal. Better quality control would certainly be desirable. Quote Link to comment
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