Satnav problems

The Silvers

The Silvers

Joined
Aug 9, 2015
Posts
83
Likes collected
56
Location
Hampshire. England
Funster No
37,554
MH
Swift Escape 624
Exp
Since 2015
We now have a Swift 624 with an over cab bed (Luton). Our Garmin 760 camper Satnav has been a real accurate stalwart in our old low profile but with the Swift the Luton is continually blocking the signal from the satellites, particularly when in wooded areas.

Has anyone else suffered this problem and if so how did you get around it?

It is vital as the Boss does not do map reading!
 
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For some Tom Tom models you used to be able to get GPS antennas, have you had a look to see if you can get one for your Garmin unit?
 
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Strange. We have a hi-line Auto-trail (the largest of the over-cab lutons incorporating an over-cab bed) and don't have any problems with our 760.
Have you tried altering where you mount the unit and cables?
Ours is mounted bottom right (well, nearly) of the windscreen (RHD) with the power cable running along the bottom of the windscreen and plugged into the "cigarette lighter" socket at the passengers right knee. The wire aerial is then mounted vertically alongside the "A" pillar on the drivers side.
 
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Ours has a large overhang. Garmin is mounted on the top of the dashboard in the center. Works fine.

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sdc77 said:
Ours has a large overhang. Garmin is mounted on the top of the dashboard in the center. Works fine.
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That's where ours used to be mounted and had no problems either. Moved it to make way for the TPMS.
 
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Have you checked on the unit which satellites it can 'see'
 
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The Silvers said:
Has anyone else suffered this problem and if so how did you get around it?
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Yes ,I added a remote gps antenna stuck to base of the screen.
It is next to the one for the dash cam.
Probably doesn't help on mine that is is mounted just above my head near the rear view mirror that doesn't have a view:)
 
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Some useful advice, as ever. I will try mounting alongside the A pilar, the unit is mounted bottom right of the windscreen with the cables along the bottom of the windscreen. I will also look at the GPS signal booster. Thanks for your help.
 
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We had a 760 mounted in our Swift with the overcab bed. Best place for our sat nav was on a plate in the middle of the dashboard. Never failed to pick up a signal.

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LesW said:
Have you checked on the unit which satellites it can 'see'
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I don't have one of these units so I don't know how well it shows the satellite view. But I have an app on my Android phone called GPSTest that displays the visible satellites and the signal strength of each one. If you use that you can tell if it's the lack of signal visibility, otherwise it might be a poor radio-frequency wiring connection inside the satnav unit.
 
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I suppose the first thing to do is remove the unit and test it outside the MH to see if it is working properly.
 
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The signal from the satalites is very low power so anything that gets in the way will cause problems. Different kinds of construction also cause problems. They say that the GPS unit should have a clear view of the sky. You may find that the overhang is obscuring some of the satalites but it is still managing to get a fix but not a very accurate one. Throw in a tree or two and it looses one of the signals. It then has to start a search to find a better signal. As has already been suggested a phone app or the unit itself will give you a view of what is being received. You then have to find a way of improving it. The Amazon repeater is one way. Open it very carefully and if it doesn’t work it can be returned.
 
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Gellyneck said:
That's where ours used to be mounted and had no problems either. Moved it to make way for the TPMS.
Click to expand...
IMG_20181025_085453.jpg

Garmin in the middle
Tyrepal just behind it
 
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Finally a driver with brains, and a co driver who keeps quiet.

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Gellyneck said:
Our Garmin is now mounted just in front of where your rear-view camera(?) is.
Still experimenting with the final location of the TPMS yet.

ps is it not about time you visited the barbers?:p
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Lol yeah.. it is difficult to spot me with the dog on my knee.
 
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I contacted Garmin about the issue, asked about external antenna. They replied that they do not make an external antenna and I should source one locally BUT they do not recommend me fitting an external antenna. Confused or what?

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Thanks for all the replies. As a sort of postscript, I have moved the Satnav unit and the antenna around the cab and have it now in the centre by the delivery note plate, it is much better in this position than any other it still looses signal even without any obstruction such as trees but is far more reliable. I always have Google Maps on as a back up, trouble is Google treats you as a car but it has helped out on more than one occasion on our current tour of Europe. Problem shouldn't exist for too much longer as the Swift will be looking for a new owner when we get home!
 
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