GPS Antenna required but which one...?

[Dorchester2]

Thank you for your thoughts.

But I've forgotten to tell that yesterday when starting up I'd put the GPS test app on the Erisin while I'd started Waze on my phone.
And while the Erisin struggled so many km catching the signals, from the very beginning Waze on my phone was working a treat, and the phone was located just in front of the dash with the Erisin aerial hidden behind.

And now I'm just back from the outside garage where the 75 is parked, and being close to the car - sliding door shut - I've launched exactly the same GPS test app as on the Erisin.
Guess how long it took to my Android phone to display the 3D Fix?
No more than 3 seconds!

Conclusion:
- as we both of us have exactly the same Erisin with the same reference (but not exactly the same aerial),
- as when driving, my LG phone is getting the 3D Fix very quicly when Erisin needs 20 minutes or more,
- as when being standstill in the garage Erisin cannot get the 3D Fix when my LG phone needs only 3 seconds,

where could be hidden the culprit?

I can only see 2 answers at the moment:
- either Erisin aerial indeed irrespective of the precise place where it could be put on in the car)
- or maybe Erisin software. There may be a failure in my sample but I've learned everywhere it's of no use to contact the useless customer service.

Anyway I'll try your suggestion next time: testing Waze outside of the garage before starting, but when it'll be a little milder outside.

And in the end if I can't get any better result it'll not be the end of the world: I can get radio, music, Torque, hand free phone you name it on Erisin, while using Waze on my phone. Best of both worlds: I am still optimistic!

[Sjonnie]

I understand your frustration and respect your patience with the unit


You should not forget that the antenna is inside the car. The car acts as a Faraday cage in respect to reception (the metal cage does not help in getting good reception). As where your phone is in your hand and only has to "fight" the concrete/brick of the garage with little steel in it You have a point in respect to the driving part where your phone gets a quick fix and your antenna does not. Maybe the tubing under the dash is the culprit here (again... steel )


A new antenna does not cost you a lot so I would take that gamble and buy one. Test it on the dash or even on the roof (most are magnetic so will stick) and see if that improves reception. If not? Get a sledge hammer and completely smash the Erisin but I think you won't have to


Good luck!

[Rogue]

I boght a replacement GPS antenna for my head unit as the reception wasn't great however it wasn't a noticeable improvement. best place for mine is on the dash in front of the steering wheel with the cable going behind the dash .
It can still take a few mins to lock on though and as previously mentioned it does lock on quicker if the car is stationary.

[Dorchester2]

Thank you to both of you.
Even I don't feel very enthusiastic to put the aerial out somewhere on the dash, I fear it might be the only solution to improve the reception.

[Rogue]

If you put it on the dash in front of the steering wheel you can't see it while you are driving and its not very noticeable from the outside.

[Dorchester2]

I hope and wish the dash 'cap' just above the steering wheel will not impede the reception somehow.

[Sjonnie]

You have a saloon so you might even consider placing the antenna behind the rear seats on the "parcel shelve" (don't know the exact word in English). In most cases the cable is long enough to guide it to the front along the center and I guarantee you, you won't see it ever

[Dorchester2]

Another very good tip Sjonnie tank you.
And there it will be in the same spot as the genuine Rover GPS.
Hence my previous question in the first place: how to join the Rover aerial?
I'll try to have a look on my dealer workshop manuals.

But now my concern is to send the aerial at the back without dismantling the whole car inside!
I know: the wire is very thin but...

[Sjonnie]

You wouldn't have to dismantle the car.


You can place the antenna at the back and guide it on the left or right side behind the rear seats. From there you can guide the wire on the left or right bottom of the car. There you can "wiggle" the wire beneath the plastic coverings and bring it to the front. I would suggest the passenger side so you can guide the wire behind the glove department to the unit.


I have done this on my ZT-T for a DAB antenna. It's really easy.


When you buy a new antenna, check the length of the wire. If it is under 4 meters, buy an extension cord to match.

[Dorchester2]

Good tip but... there's a but.
I've tried unsuccessfully to find the Erisin GPS aerial length.
By comparison with other ones included in kits I bet it's around 3m which doesn't look enough to reach the rear shelf.
I feel uneasy to add another length because if I'm not lucky the link will be on a wrong spot and more difficult to hide.
Anyway the idea to pass through the box glove looks a good one.

But the most important aim is to improve the reception as much as possible and then avoid any kind of obstacle.
Hence my best port of call is the windscreen. Fitting the small box which is black right in the middle of the dash which is black as well as close as possible to the glass and centred on the same line as - I guess - the round black detector maybe a simple and rather not too gaudy option.

I've to think about the GPS aerial but I'm opened to any other suggestion provided the implementation is straightforward.

N.B. Guess what I've already put well in evidence in the middle of the dash?
a large monogram of the late queen with the words 'Coronation 1953' written just below it made for the occasion (it's a genuine old one, not a replica) and intended to be put on the front bar of the car.
Quick explanation: I'm born on the very coronation day and Mum - daughter of a British born gentleman - sent her congratulations to the young queen, told Her she was very proud to give birth to a son on the same day and then got back a short message from the lady-in-waiting on behalf of her majesty... I've kept the letter and the envelope bearing the royal seal of Windsor castle.