Herman,
When I am parked next to the house and with heavy tree canopy over my vehicle and surrounding it the Gilsson antenna improves the reception on the 76C from four satellites to six or seven depending on the day. When I am setting in my computer room with the antenna connected to the 76 C I can receive five or six satellites compared zero. “Our” computer room is a tough location to received satellite signals. My wife’s computer is next to the large window, while I am off to the side under a smaller window. I have the antenna on the suction mount stuck to the small window. Above the window is the eve of the roof and canopy from a couple large oak trees.
I just fired up my 76CX and it currently receiving five satellites without the external antenna. With the Gilsson antenna it is receiving nine satellites with a large increase of signal strength from the earlier satellites. The signal strength are near the top of the scale or beyond the upper line in the scale. This is with WAAS disabled. With WAAS enabled I am showing an additional satellite #51, which is one of the newer WAAS satellites, and I the signal bars are showing a letter “D” indicating that I am getting DGPS correctional signal from a ground station.
I use the Gilsson antenna about 99% of the time in the vehicle for improved reception with the Garmin 76C. When I am using the Garmin 76CX in the vehicle I use the external antenna about 20 percent of the time for general travel. If I go to the big city it is a must. I normally travel with it stuck to a side rear window. But reception would improve more if I put outside in the center of the roof taking advantage of the large metal ground plane.
http://www.criterioncellular.com/antennas/groundplane.htmlI have found that the 90 ° connector works for me. And I like the nine-foot cord so that I can place the antenna outside on the roof or inside a rear window using the suction mount. The vehicle code in a least two states does not allow a windshield mount.
I normally check the gpsgeek.com prices on e-bay and then call Gilsson referencing the e-bay ad and price. They have been good to deal with. Gilsson’s number is 1-866-Gilsson.
"Increase your GPS signal reception and accuracy in even the most demanding outdoor environments with an active external GPS antenna!
Your Garmin GPS receiver is only as good as the GPS signal it receives, so why not ensure that you are making the most of your investment?
Guaranteed to be the best performing active external GPS antenna on the market, boost GPS signal reception with Gilsson's GPS antenna!"
"How does it compare to Garmin's GA 27C external antenna?"
"Exceptional Performance:
Our GPS antenna averages about 28 dB signal gain, as compared to only about 16 dB gain from Garmin's antenna"
Antenna $18.89.
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-GPS-Antenna-for-Garmin-GPSMAP-76Cx-76CS-76CSx_W0QQitemZ180100571337QQcategoryZ58044QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItemBe sure and order the antenna suction mount. $5.95.
http://cgi.ebay.com/GPS-Antenna-Suction-Mount-for-Garmin-Gilsson-Antenna_W0QQitemZ180101895865QQcategoryZ58044QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem"Compatible Devices Navman iCN 650, iCN 620, 4100 GPS, 4400 GPS, 4420 GPS, iCN 630, 4410 GPS, 4470 GPS, iCN 635, 4460 GPS, iCN 610, External Amtenna MCX AA004034, 3000 GPS, 3300 GPS , 3400 GPS, 3450 GPS Emtac BTGPS II Trine Receiver, Socket BT GPS , CRUX II / GPSJAQ Motorola Encore GPS Other Route 66 Mobile Britain 2005, Route 66 Navigate Britain, Socket Bluetooth GPS, Pretec Bluetooth GPS, i.Trek CF GPS , PrymeNav, TomTom 3, Belkin BT GPS , eXpansys iPAQ GPS, Wayfinder Systems EuroNavigator Start Package, RoyalTek BlueGPS (RBT-3000) Lowrance iFinder Expedition C, iFinder PHD, iFinder Explorer, iWay 100m, iFinder Pro, iFinder H20, AirMap 500, External Antenna MCX FA-8 P/N 94-96, iFinder Hunt, iFinder Map&Music Billionton S3 BTGPS, S3 BT GPS, BTGPS , CF GPS, CarPC Mio 168, 268, 269 Holux GM-101, GM-250, GR-86, GM-251, GR-83, GM-270 CF, GR-230, GM-100 Garmin StreetPilot c550 GPS, GPSMAP 76CS, iQue M5, GPS 12MAP, GA 27C MCX Antenna 010-10052-05 , iQue M3, GPSMAP 60, Nuvi 350 GPS, StreetPilot 7200, StreetPilot 2660 GPS, StreetPilot c510 GPS, GPS 60C, GPS 60, GPSMAP 76S, GPS 12XL, GA 25MCX GPS Antenna 010-10702-00 , Quest 2, GPSMAP 60C, Nuvi 300 GPS, GPSMAP 60Cx, StreetPilot 7500 , StreetPilot c320 GPS, Nuvi 310 GPS, GPS 60CS, eMap, GPS 76, StreetPilot 2720 GPS, GPSMAP 96, GPS 15, GPSMAP 60CS, GPSMAP 60CSx , StreetPilot 2730 , iQue 3200 PDA, StreetPilot c330 GPS, StreetPilot i3, StreetPilot 2610 GPS, GPSCOM 190, StreetPilot c340 GPS, GPSMAP 96C, GPS 25 LP Series, GPSMAP 76, GPSMAP 76Cx , iQue M4, iQue 3600 PDA, GPSMAP 175, StreetPilot i5, StreetPilot 2620 GPS, StreetPilot i2, Quest, GPS 40, Nuvi 360 GPS, GPSMAP 76C, iQue 3000 PDA, iQue 3600a PDA, GPS 12CX, GPSMAP 195, StreetPilot c310 GPS, GPSMAP 76CSx , StreetPilot 2650 GPS Brunton Atlas MNS GPS, Atlas GPS
Unique Features: Ultra High dB Gain: 32dB ~ 55 dB. Weights 2.5 oz and only 1.5" in diameter Ultra Low Power Consumption - 18mA (compared to 25mA on competing models). User removable labels (perforated) to extract magnets for use by pilots, boaters and hikers without interference with the magnetic compass readings. Right Angle MCX connector, which permits maneuverability on dashboards, in backpacks, carrying cases and tight places. Built-in permanent mounting holes for mounting on aircraft fuselage, boat surfaces or car/RV/SUV vehicle surfaces. Ultrasound sealed housing: 100% Waterproof. Heavy Duty Construction: Polycarbonate radome sealed by ultrasound ! Power Protection Circuit. Reverse Polarity Shutdown. Over Current Sense Shutdown. EMI Power Line Suppression."
http://www.gilsson.com/The optic zone sells Garmin gps units.
