Customer Reviews

Active External GPS Antenna (MMCX) for Magellan Roadmate 800, iWay 250; Mio DigiWalker C510, C310, C210, 268, 269C; MYGuide 3050 GO, 3240 GO. 9ft Cable

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

The external antenna is a must. We pick up the satellite signal much more rapidly and can place our RoadMate GPS anywhere in the car we want (even on the floor) without worrying about losing our signal. Its great for getting rid of the dashboard mounts. We place our antenna on our car top through our sun roof which will still close with the cord in place. Easy to take in and out without getting out of the car.

Just plug in the MMCX male plug into the female antenna outlet and it begins to work no questions asked. Works great on an Amcor 3900 GPS.

Many of the reviews I had read, concerning external antenna usage on GPS units, mention "immediate location finding on power up... with external antenna connected." With the MMCX antenna connected to my Mio C320 and the antenna itself sitting on the dashboard top, I saw no improvement in location identifcation. Overall, I saw no improvement over using the Mio C320 with an external antenna as without it. But, for $12.95 from Royal Mailers (and that includes shipping), I figured "What the hey!" Now, as for the Mio C320, I'm ready to 86 it big time. It's a worthless piece of crap giving faulty directions over and over.

I installed this antenna on the trunk lid of my 2009 Chevy Impala SS. (I recommend the 25-ft version for this application.) I put the antenna on the top front of the trunk lid and fastened the wire to the underside of the lid with a small piece of duct tape. Then I ran the wire across the trunk lid and all the way to the front of the car, without using any tools except for scissors to cut tape. I tucked the wire under the plastic trim at the edge of the carpet and under other trim as needed. The Impala's fold-down backseat provided access for getting from the trunk to the passenger compartment.

The antenna's powerful permanent magnet holds it to the trunk lid. I soon noticed, though, that the people at the car wash in drying off the car moved the antenna a little bit, causing faint scratches. To make a smoother surface so that the paint couldn't be scratched, I put a couple of strips of black plastic electrical tape on the bottom of the antenna. I was concerned that this might not work well because it would weaken the force of the magnet, but I found that it actually dramatically strengthens the hold. Apparently the smoothness and malleability of the plastic allows a strong bond with the smooth paint surface. The antenna is now very difficult to move -- you might think it was bolted to the trunk lid! You can't slide it by pushing on it. You can move it only by prying it up with your fingernails and placing it anew.

The shiny surface of the antenna and the Gilsson logo are not appropriate for the exterior of my car and so I take off one star for that. I lightly sanded the antenna and spray painted it flat black. Measurements of s/n ratios using my Magellan Maestro 4040 before and after painting showed no significant change due to the sanding and painting.