7 replies to this topic

[ChrisA]

Finally picked up a data acquisition system and am in the process of installing it. Where are folks mounting the GPS antenna and how are you routing the wire? I've been thinking of putting it on the deck just behind the hardtop, but not sure how to route the wiring without pinching it or if there is a better and easier location.

[Steve Scheifler]

Typical small squareish magnetic mount? We like outside on the top center of the windshield frame (essentially directly opposite where the rear view mirror mounts inside). Run the wire under the edge of the rubber windshield surround into the car at the corner of the passenger side, under the side window rubber then over to the cage, dash, wherever makes sense.

[callumhay]

If you mount it on the rear near the trunk, the pinch weld under the hard top is difficult to deal with as it will cut the wire ( I think this is your concern) . With the hard top off, you can file a slot in the edge of the body side to let the wire pass through. It's a pain to remove the hard top , but for sure makes a tidy job of it. The other option on the rear is to tuck the wire under the edge of the hard top and then feed in through the passenger window. I did this on my first car and always hated the way the wire would look as almost invariably you would find it necessary to keep re adjusting it. I have seen most people mount it on the rear, on that flat bit infront of the trunk and presume they route the wire one of those two ways

Cal

[ChrisA]

It's an AiM gps antenna, which is not exactly small, but yes the magnetic flat square style. Not crazy about the windshield frame mount location, nor having to remove the top to route the wire. It's such a pain in the ass to remove the top, but I do like to do a "tidy" job. It has been a while since I've had it off, but was pretty sure the cable would be under a fair amount of compression. Hmm...? I think AIM makes one with a bottom cord exit, would have to drill a hole in the top to mount on the roof.   

[tLinder]

IMO, inside on the rear deck (fuel pump cover area) works fine.   I've had my AIM GPS located there for years, never had an issue (and it's protected from the elements).

[Ron Alan]

Mine was on the trunk deck right behind the trunk lid. Wire routed under the trunk lid, back thru trunk/passenger seatbelt tower to dash. Never any issues with pinching wire in trunk lid. I have another car the unit sits on the dash and looks thru the windshield...no issue. Ironically...this last case I was in a hurry and never finished...but it seems to work!

[Steve Scheifler]

Early days (years before Aim finally offered GPS), we had issues with polling enough satellites to maintain good location accuracy. Some tracks, especially rovals, worse than others but unless you are specifically monitoring it you probably don’t know how good reception is. It takes at least three satellites and ideally they should be spread around the horizon rather than directly overhead. So the clearer the “view” in all directions from the mounting location the better. We found that the windshield frame was noticeably better than behind the roof and far better than inside. It’s certainly better now than back then but like I say, you probably don’t know how good or bad your polling is once it confirms “adequate” signals. Anything is fine for general street navigation but if I’m going to the trouble and expense to collect and analyze the data I’d like as much accuracy as I can get from what I have. Not having tested different locations lately I can’t say that it would make a discernible difference today.

[Brandon]

Mine is mounted in that same spot and I ran the wire under the trunk weatherstripping around to the tail light edge (split the weatherstripping on the inside) and then into the trunk.

 

Easy peasy.