| Author | Message | ||
     Mark_weiss |
Any recommendations for a particular external antenna for my Quest? Cleaning the connector for the built-in is no longer working and I cannot keep riding along and tapping on the antenna to maintain satellite lock. I see that Garmin markets an antenna for about $35 and I've also found numerous ebay sales for a "Gilsson" antenna at $19. "Gilsson" is also on Amazon, but a bit more expensive. Reviews seem to be good for both. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I had the real garmin unit, paid like $50 for it, worked fine for a year or so then died. Then I got a couple ebay specials drop shipped from Hong Kong. Paid like $10 for each, worked fine for a year or so then died. Just make sure they have the right connector on them... the last one I bought didn't. Also think about if you want the 90 degree plug, or the straight out plug. The 90 degree plug is easier to route and harder to break, but harder to remove from the unit as well. I just leave mine on the bike most of the time now, so I never unplug the antenna, so I go with the 90 degree. All the external antennas work far better than the built in one *ever* did. | ||
| Mark_weiss |
The new antenna is remarkable. It really does now acquire signal while indoors. Also, now, by the time that the "agree" screen is up, all three satellite dots are filled. | ||
| Mark_weiss |
Okay, so my initial enthusiasm was undeserved. The new antenna worked GREAT the first day. Now though, back to the old problems. Difficulty acquiring satellite signals and frequent signal loss. Could the Quest be giving preference to the internal antenna? I do not see a setting to choose on over the other. I'm wondering if the Quest is dead. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Interesting. Pop off the two screws on the little sliver of rear case wrapped around the outside of the built in antenna, and remove that little section of bezel. Careful, there is a spring in there, waiting to make a break for it. You can then gently pry that antenna out... the "hinge" is really just a small snap in barrel connector, a smaller version of the external antenna connector. Then try it with no internal antenna on at all, just the external. I run one of mine that way. Hit your external antenna connector with contact cleaner as well, maybe it ate a bug or something. | ||
| Mark_weiss |
That will be today's test. I learned about the spring a few weeks ago when the non-acquisition issue first started to occur. I removed the antenna to clean the connection. Luckily, I did not lose the spring. We will see what happens today. | ||
| Reepicheep |
If it got badly confused about location, it may take a while to find itself. So wait until you do the second power on discovery before you declare it broken. | ||
| Mark_weiss |
Curiouser and curiouser. Mounted on bike, sans stock antenna. Started up and.......nothing. Looked at GPS info screen, no satellites at all. Started riding, still nothing so shut it off. A block later, decided to just let it do it's thing. Powered on and had satellites in a few seconds. Worked fine. Made a stop on the way to work, no problems. No less than 9 satellites all the way in. After work. No reception. Let it run while I locked up (a few minutes) still nothing. Power off, then on. Instant reception. Gonna try the same again tomorrow. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Could be a flakey antenna or antenna connection for the new one. Got a spare? | ||
| Mark_weiss |
I was suspecting that there might be an issue with the auto-power-on setting. No problems this morning though. We will see how the ride home goes. | ||
| Reepicheep |
I occasionally have to reach down and rotate that external antenna wire going into the quest to get it to lock. That Quest has been on the XB9SX, the Uly, the KLR-250, and even the KDX-200 for more than half a decade and more than 40,000 miles though... it's earned the right to be a little slow to wake up in the morning.  | ||
| Mark_weiss |
Several days later.....all is well. Maybe the Quest just had to get used to the new antenna. Pickup is quick, signals are strong, everything works properly. |
