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Thread ID: 102494 2009-08-21 03:14:00 Car GPS Strommer (42) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
803034 2009-08-21 19:06:00 I have had passengers handhold them at the back seat and they were fine . . . . .

This is the sort of practical / in-the-field / user experience answer I was looking for . Thanks Nomad .

Actually I am still not sure where the antenna is located but I assume it is within the GPS display unit itself .



A GPS can work surprisingly well even down near the floor of a car - IF you are in a very good signal area, and if you are unusually patient while the GPS starts up from a long pause .
The results are not so great in weak signal areas, like in a city center, or driving down a tree lined road .
In short, the better the signal, the better the results you will get - and it can be hard to relocate a GPS when you are driving . If you want good results with the unit in a non - optimal spot, consider an external antenna .

Thanks R2x1 . Just the sort of answer I was looking for . Trees interfering - I never considered that, or weak signals in a city centre (tall buildings?) . External antenna - so there is such a thing after all .



A lot of the newer cars have ultra violet reflective coatings on the windscreen that may or may not afftect it . On the Aussie toll roads I know the toll beepers don't work if placed in the wrong place on these windscreens

Thanks Phil .

Apart from getting a good signal, it would makes sense that the GPS screen should be near the driver's field of vision (looking straight ahead), but I know that car GPS units give spoken directions and I also have heard that GPS units are hot items for thieves who can easily see a dash mounted GPS . There are also mounting issues, transferring from one car to another .
Strommer (42)
803035 2009-08-22 02:31:00 I have a Tomtom one xl. When I first had it it was mounted on the windscreen.Every time it "spoke" I would look at it. I realised I was being too distracted. Now it sits in a pocket between the driver and front passenger. It works perfectly well and I only need to listen to the verbal instructions. I live in Auckland but have been down to Eltham with it going and have not noticed any fading. gradebdan (2186)
803036 2009-08-22 23:23:00 I use a Uniden Trax 350. It will work any place in the car. But i have to question the Speed camera software part of this unit. How can i test whether it is working as I have driven past Speed camera's and no warning has sounded. kountryken (14110)
803037 2009-08-22 23:43:00 I use a Uniden Trax 350. It will work any place in the car. But i have to question the Speed camera software part of this unit. How can i test whether it is working as I have driven past Speed camera's and no warning has sounded.

Not sure whether you know this but the maps only have fixed speed cameras programmed in.
Sweep (90)
803038 2009-08-23 01:02:00 Sweep! no i didn't so maybe they won't work in NZ kountryken (14110)
803039 2009-08-23 03:51:00 I rather like having the unit in sight, if I see there are no turn-offs scheduled, I stop and hassle the Dragon. R2x1 (4628)
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