GPS units Internal vs External

newbie · 03-28-2011, 07:20 PM

Anyone have experience with the internal antenna on the newer GPS units. They come at a little discount to the external units and I was wondering if anyone had good or bad experience

gf2020 · 03-28-2011, 08:19 PM

If the unit will be installed on top of the dash or inside of just a fiberglass dash then an internal antenna unit is fine. If there are multiple layers (dash & hardtop, for example) between the unit and "the sky" go with an external antenna unit.

ThePlut · 03-29-2011, 11:35 AM

I've had an internal on my 2005 vintage Navman 5500i (no longer manufactured) and it's worked fine for the past 6 years. It was mounted on my dashboard with a clear view of the sky or with the bimini extended. Never had any problems finding satellites. I imagine they've only gotten better through the years.

On my new boat, I decided to go external so I could do a flush/surface mount installation on the dash. It doesn't really have a good spot for a dash mount. I got a CP180 (out of production).

One option for you may be the new Standard Horizon CP190. It has an internal antenna, but has a port for an optional external antenna to be added if needed. So you could try to get away with the internal, and protect the investment, and only add an external if needed.

hancoveguy · 03-29-2011, 06:51 PM

I have a dash mounted CP-180I (internal antenna) and it seems to work well. It only has to shoot through the windshield and metal around it and occasionally a bimini.
As far as it being out of production...WestMarine is still selling it as in stock as well as many other places...so if it is out of production there must be a large surplus as they are readily available.

HCG

ThePlut · 03-30-2011, 10:22 AM

It's what I was told by the retailer I bought mine from. In fact, I noticed that they are no longer advertising the CP180i. I was told once they're gone, they're gone.

03-28-2011, 07:20 PM	#1
newbie Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Just North of Boston Posts: 105 Thanks: 57 Thanked 5 Times in 4 Posts	GPS units Internal vs External Anyone have experience with the internal antenna on the newer GPS units. They come at a little discount to the external units and I was wondering if anyone had good or bad experience

03-29-2011, 11:35 AM	#3
ThePlut Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 150 Thanks: 1 Thanked 13 Times in 11 Posts	Internal I've had an internal on my 2005 vintage Navman 5500i (no longer manufactured) and it's worked fine for the past 6 years. It was mounted on my dashboard with a clear view of the sky or with the bimini extended. Never had any problems finding satellites. I imagine they've only gotten better through the years. On my new boat, I decided to go external so I could do a flush/surface mount installation on the dash. It doesn't really have a good spot for a dash mount. I got a CP180 (out of production). One option for you may be the new Standard Horizon CP190. It has an internal antenna, but has a port for an optional external antenna to be added if needed. So you could try to get away with the internal, and protect the investment, and only add an external if needed.

03-30-2011, 10:22 AM	#5
ThePlut Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Posts: 150 Thanks: 1 Thanked 13 Times in 11 Posts	It's what I was told It's what I was told by the retailer I bought mine from. In fact, I noticed that they are no longer advertising the CP180i. I was told once they're gone, they're gone.

03-28-2011, 08:19 PM	#2
gf2020 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: North of Boston Posts: 203 Thanks: 11 Thanked 35 Times in 28 Posts	If the unit will be installed on top of the dash or inside of just a fiberglass dash then an internal antenna unit is fine. If there are multiple layers (dash & hardtop, for example) between the unit and "the sky" go with an external antenna unit.

The Following User Says Thank You to ThePlut For This Useful Post:
newbie (03-29-2011)

03-29-2011, 06:51 PM	#4
hancoveguy Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 276 Thanks: 95 Thanked 65 Times in 30 Posts	I have a dash mounted CP-180I (internal antenna) and it seems to work well. It only has to shoot through the windshield and metal around it and occasionally a bimini. As far as it being out of production...WestMarine is still selling it as in stock as well as many other places...so if it is out of production there must be a large surplus as they are readily available. HCG