Here's my install, in time for the Road Trip

[Fishing Rhino]

I'm happy with it.

[Diablos]

Looks like you're headed to the canyons for some tuna with that setup! ;D

[burleytog]

Can't say I understand the reason for mounting the GPS puck in that manner.   :-?

[SDoolittle]

Can't say I understand the reason for mounting the GPS puck in that manner. :-?

Ditto.

I've never seen that before.  Does elevating the puck improve its performance?

[Fishing Rhino]

"To optimize performance of the GPS receiver, mount it in an area that has full exposure to

the sky. The effective area of reception is 10° above the horizon. Different circumstances

determine the mounting method appropriate for your GPS receiver."

Humminbird manual

[I Love BassResource]

  Can't say I've ever seen a GPS mounted like that, but whatever floats your boat!  The puck on my bird and lowrance units were mounted flush to the gelcoat, and I never had reception issues.

[Fishing Rhino]

Can't say I've ever seen a GPS mounted like that, but whatever floats your boat! The puck on my bird and lowrance units were mounted flush to the gelcoat, and I never had reception issues.

In that case, you haven't seen the Humminbird installation instructions.

And from Lowrance:

Mounting

The GPS module can be mounted on any flat surface, provided there is

access behind the mounting surface for the screws. The optional magnet

allows the module to be easily used on cars or off-road vehicles. The

optional pole mount adapter lets you mount the antenna on a pole or

swivel mount that uses standard marine 1"-14 threads.

Surface Mount

The GPS module can be easily installed on any flat surface that is at

least 3-1/2" (90 mm) wide. Be sure that a clear, unobstructed view of

the sky is available at the selected location. GPS signals travel "line-ofsight"

at very high frequencies, so nearly anything blocking the antenna

can stop the unit from finding a satellite.

Caution:

Do not mount the GPS module in the direct path of a radar antenna's

beam. Radar radiates high-energy signals that can interfere

with GPS signal reception.

In an automobile, you may achieve good reception by simply placing the

external antenna on the top of the dash, at the base of the windshield. A

piece of the rubber non-skid shelf liner material available in recreational

vehicle supply stores will help hold the antenna in place. This

may not work well if you have a cab-over design pickup truck camper or

motor home. If dashboard reception is poor, simply relocate the antenna

module elsewhere on the vehicle for a clearer view of the sky.

Once you've determined the mounting location, use the template on the

following page to drill the screw holes. The screws supplied with this

unit are about 1-1/8" long (4 mm x 30 mm). Drill 3/16" (4.75 mm) holes

for the mounting screws.

If you need to route the cable through the mounting surface, drill a 7/8"

(22 mm) hole for the cable's connector. The notch in the antenna housing

allows the cable to pass through, if desired, instead of routing it

down through the mounting surface.

After drilling the holes, pass the O-ring over the cable and press it into

the groove on the bottom of the antenna housing. (If you are using the

housing notch to route the cable outside, you may need to cut a notch in the O-ring for a proper fit.) Now attach the antenna to the mounting

surface, using the supplied 4 mm screws and the lock washers. Route

the cable to where it connects to the network and plug it in. The GPS

module installation is finished.

Magnet Mount

The optional magnet lets you temporarily mount the GPS module on any

ferrous metal surface, such as a car roof.

Under side view showing where to place the magnet.

To use the magnet, simply peel the backing off the magnet's adhesive

coating and press the magnet to the bottom of the antenna housing. The module is ready for use.

Pole Mount

The GPS module attaches to the optional pole mount adapter with the

supplied 4 mm screws. You can route the cable through the notch in the

module housing and down the side of the pole. Or, you can pass it down

through the pole mount adapter and run the cable inside the pole. The 1"-

14 threads on the pole mount adapter fit a standard marine antenna

mounting pole.

A console, a motor, and in the case of a receiver sharing a mount with the control head, the control head itself can block satellite transmissions.

There is a reason Garmin, Lowrance, Humminbird and others make pole mount adapters for their gps receivers/antennae.

In most cases, a flush mount will be adequate. However, all the info I've read says that a clear, unobstructed view of the sky is preferred.

I chose to optimize mine according to the preferred method recommended by the manufacturers.

That does "float my boat".

It's a lesson learned from more than 25 years at sea as a commercial lobsterman. Do everything on the water in the best possible way, within the constraints of your budget.

[fishfordollars]

Totally understand. Although not that high my antenna is mounted 6" above the cap.

[K_Mac]

Fishing Rhino it makes sense to me to do it your way. It looks cool besides. 8-)

My Lowrance unit has the GPS module built in. It is inside the unit and mounted on the console, yet it works fine. I wonder if signal strength is reduced to the unit by doing it this way?

[Fishing Rhino]

Fishing Rhino it makes sense to me to do it your way. It looks cool besides. 8-)

My Lowrance unit has the GPS module built in. It is inside the unit and mounted on the console, yet it works fine. I wonder if signal strength is reduced to the unit by doing it this way?

Thanks for the compliment.

First, it's not my way, as much as I'd like to take credit for it.  When I first became interested in side scan sonars, I did a lot of reading about them.  That was a bit over a year ago.

Back then, many if not most of the control heads contained the antenna.  In Humminbird, the prefix "ci" after the number indicated an internal antenna.

Do you think there might be a reason why they are not usually available on the more expensive models.  At least on the Humminbirds.  I don't see them listed for the 898, 998, or  1198, though they were on the earlier versions.  Maybe they are available, but I don't see them listed.

In my reading, I discovered that external gps receivers had faster acquisition rates.  Further, if you go to the automobile navigation sites, Garmin, Tom Tom, etc., you'll find they have magnetic based gps antennas available for vehicles which have problems acquiring satellite signals with the internal antenna of the nav system in the car.  So the antenna is stuck on the roof.

When I turned on my unit with the boat inside a garage, it acquired nine of the 15 or 16 satellites with no problems.  Since you only need three to get a reliable fix, it was in good shape.

Chances are that a puck mounted on the rail will provide acceptable service with no problems.  But, it only cost a few bucks to optimize the system, so why not?

If you go to some of the side scanning forum you will find threads dealing with instances where someone needed to move a puck because the unit was unreliable in certain headings.

Do it once.  Do it right. 

There is a saying among the auto racing fraternity.  Good enough is not good enough.

Same thing for those who make their livings at sea.  Leave nothing but the weather to chance.  If something is better and within your budget, do it.

[TheBeast]

I'm happy with it.

End of discussion.   He owns the boat and that says it all.

What really puzzles me is no one has mentioned or gotten onto him about the windshield tennis ball hanging in the one pick.   

[J Francho]

Probably did the right thing, and parked the boat in his wife's spot.  ;D

[Fishing Rhino]

I'm happy with it.

End of discussion. He owns the boat and that says it all.

What really puzzles me is no one has mentioned or gotten onto him about the windshield tennis ball hanging in the one pick.

LOL.  I saw that, but didn't bother to take another picture.  That's so I don't drive through the back of the garage when I pull into that space.  When the ball touches the windshield my truck is perfectly positioned, with barely enough room to pass in front or behind it.

[Fishing Rhino]

Probably did the right thing, and parked the boat in his wife's spot. ;D

I wish I could.  But it won't fit in her side.  There is a shelf along the back of the garage on her side.  The motor would hit it before it got back far enough to clear the fold away tongue.

My truck won't fit there either.  When I'm done using the garage on the house as a fiberglass shop, my boat and truck will stay there in heated and air conditioned comfort, but only when I have a project to do out there.

She's the one who will have to walk outdoors to get to her car.

[South FLA]

I like it, if that means anything to you.  Nice clean install!!

[b.Lee]

Yeah I like, and it is very functional. I see nothing wrong with it Tom

[Fishing Rhino]

I like it, if that means anything to you. Nice clean install!!

Thanks.  One of the reasons I posted it was because the stem and fold down mount were things I had not seen.  I did read about the stem on the Humminbird manual, but it was rather vague.

Just another alternative for those who are planning to go down the same route.  I did spend a few days thinking about and laying things out.

Didn't want them to be overly vulnerable, nor in the way (which would make them vulnerable). 

[K_Mac]

Rhino all of the Lowrance HDS units use an internal receiver. Is the technology different than Humminbird, or have they decided that reception is good enough? I have never had an issue with mine, but I do not have the down scan/side imaging module yet. I don't think the GPS function is changed by this upgrade, but I could be wrong.

[SoFlaBassAddict]

Nice job Rhino, looks really good.  Hope it serves you well at the road trip.  Gotta love having new toys.

[Fishing Rhino]

Rhino all of the Lowrance HDS units use an internal receiver. Is the technology different than Humminbird, or have they decided that reception is good enough? I have never had an issue with mine, but I do not have the down scan/side imaging module yet. I don't think the GPS function is changed by this upgrade, but I could be wrong.

I do not know about the Lowrance units, and the internal antenna thing, but I'll say this.

I doubt that there is any serious problems with any brand receiving satellite signals with the internal antenna, or the puck mounted directly on the deck or the rail.

I do know Lowrance sells adapters for the remote antennas they do have so they can be mounted on a mast.

I wish I could cite the source, but alas I cannot. But there was an article about remote/external GPS receivers acquiring signals faster than those of the same brand with internal antennas.

Since my unit came with a remote, I mounted it on a mast so it could "see" all the available satellites, none being blocked by a console, the control head, the motor or any other part of the boat.

I checked again last night, and with my boat insided the garage, which blocked the "view" of my mast mounted antenna, I was receiving signals from nine satellites from various directions around the boat.

The test showed the lat/lon readout to be accurate within 38 feet. Nearby trees, some overhanging the garage further blocked signals from my boat's location.

A puck mounted on the deck rail or a unit with an internal antenna should get better signals than I received in the garage.

All the articles I read stated that even if some of the satellites were blocked by parts of the boat, the antenna should see enough satellites to provide a reliable fix on your position.

I mounted mine on the mast for the best possible reception, and to speed up the acquisition process.

[fishfordollars]

Rhino all of the Lowrance HDS units use an internal receiver. Is the technology different than Humminbird, or have they decided that reception is good enough? I have never had an issue with mine, but I do not have the down scan/side imaging module yet. I don't think the GPS function is changed by this upgrade, but I could be wrong.

The lowrance HDS units use either the internal antenna or the external 4,000 GPS antenna. You have the choice.