AnswerID: 307283 Submitted: Monday, Jun 02, 2008 at 04:26
Zebra400
replied:
With the right conditions in a clear sky, all
GPS's will give you similar accuracy. This all changes when you aren't experiencing good conditions. Therefore, the
GPS that can receive the best triangulation from 3 satellites plus one other satellite for receiving crucial timing data, will give you the most accurate position data. By seeing more satellites in the sky, your
GPS will have a better ability to choose the best 3 for triangulation.
To receive a good signal for satellites, an external antenna is extremely helpful where there is a lot of overhead cover i.e. mountainous terrain, overhanging large trees, heavy cloud cover.
However, the new
GPS's hitting the market are using a SIRF3 chip. It's ability to seek satellites is amazing. You will probably find you don't need an external antenna using a
GPS with this chip. In fact, most new
GPS's don't have external antenna capabilty.
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| Zebra400 |
Reply 4 of 5
FollowupID: 573205 Submitted:
Monday, Jun 02, 2008 at 16:00
Zebra400 posted:
My research of Garmin & Magellan
GPS's shows that most don't have the capability of external antennas. Garmin has a few
GPS's with external capability, but I suppose it becomes a cost issue when you see the capability of the SIRF3 chip.
I think, under 'Garmin Navigators' it appears that only the '
GPS Map series' have external antenna capability. Most of the auto-routing units dont appear to have an external capability. However, if I was looking for a new
GPS, I would suggest that it is worth making sure it uses the new chip.
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| Zebra400 |
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