Dumbest question in the history of this forum

[curtis from carlsbad]

Just wondering if my pedestal mounted GPS will still work with a bimini top deployed. I would assume it will not and I will have to fold back the bimini every so often to get a fix. I will probably get the BWY version or possibly Dowsar- Just haven't decided yet. I don't plan to buy a dodger. THANKS- Curtis Becker

[c130king]

Curtis,

Do you have a GPS system in your car? Do you have to take your metal roof off to get it to work?

Just wondering...

Cheers,
Jim

[Hardcrab]

Only if you use Garmin products.
Just kidding.
Sorta.

Even a Garmin will work fine in your situation.

[curtis from carlsbad]

I got a Lowrance HD-5 that I basically have no idea how to use yet- OK , maybe I can use it just a little. My big issue is that in my car/taxicab the GPS (Garmin nuvi 200 w ) only works when in close proximity to the windshield or side windows. A little under the roof of thye car is ok but too far in and it doesn't work. So that is why I would think that it won't work on the boat because it will basically be in the center of the bimini.

[rwmiller56]

Yes, it should work under the bimini. My Garmin 276C works fine, every time.

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

So to answer the question, the fabric roof of your bimini will not interfere with the GPS signal. We cruise around all zipped up in our full enclosure while the GPS is constantly receiving a fix in real time.

Metal, like a car roof, can interfere with the radio signal but fabric does not. The other big problem is trees due to their water content which absorbs the signal. These days even the metal roof of a car is not an issue with a good receiver, it all depends on the chipset the mfg used. GPS's based on the latest SiRFstar III chipset can get a signal just about anywhere. I've been amazed how far inside metal framed buildings these GPS's keep working.

[waternwaves]

IT still works in some cars because of multipath reflections.

a metal roof is opaque to microwaves and GPS signals. Thankfully there is frequently enough other metal to reflect a strong enough signal around much car interior.

note....

1/2" of ice will degrade the signal enough on an etrex handheld to preclude a satellite lock in many locations. There is very little other metal on the mac to reflect the signal.

(The Ice was on my bimini)

[pokerrick1]

Once you get a signal and the GPS starts working, the bimini will NOT interfere.

Rick Less

PS It's NOT the dumbest question in the history of this forum. Don't be so hard on yourself. Let US do it

[FLembo18]

Once you get a signal and the GPS starts working, the bimini will NOT interfere.

Rick Less

PS It's NOT the dumbest question in the history of this forum. Don't be so hard on yourself. Let US do it

So there Curtis, as Rick stated, and it's the only TIP you're gonna get from us. Enjoy your GPS !!!

Frank L.

[curtis from carlsbad]

Okay, I'll try and think up a dumberer one!

[Highlander]

are you related to D & D
only kidding
J

[Love MACs]

Curtis, great question I am sure I had the number one spot until you asked this But just between you and me I had to stop and think before posting an answer I read it this afternoon and was trying to think what to say when Jim beat me to it. There are no dumb questions
And what I don't know...sometimes even amazes me


Allan

[ROAD Soldier]

Ok I could have fun with this one but I going to show some restaint tonight because I havent ran out of beer. Now if you have a GPS in normal metal hard top car sometimes you need to have it by the windsheild or window to get a signal. Now in my hard top Jeep that is made out of plastic there is no trouble at all. This also applies to canvas, fiberglass, and lexan/plexiglass too. So there you go you BIG Dumby.

[John McDonough]

Remember the QueCreek mine explosion a few years ago. 6 miners trapped in a coal mine 200 feet deep. They used GPS to determine where to drill the resuce hole. But how did they know the actual location 200 feet below.

[Laika 26X]

The only dumb question is the one that's not asked...anonymous