Explorer Nav vs. Edge Nav

[harlenm]

Still having Nav issues. Something has to be wrong with the components of my Explorer.

Both cars side by side, no obstructions over the cars with a completely clear view of the sky.

My Nav diagnostic screen.

2013 Edge Diagnostic screen

 

[grrtrainman]

Being a Geocacher, I am not surprised. It is not uncommon to be standing right next to a fellow "cacher" whose handheld GPS unit completely disagrees with mine. Our GPS signals are nowhere as accurate as those received by the military, (security issues). We wouldn't even have GPS if "SA" hadn't been turned off many years ago.

 

[peterk9]

I wonder what readings you would get if you switched places??

Peter

 

[harlenm]

I wonder what readings you would get if you switched places??

Peter

I'm sure the same. I see 6 satellites max in best case scenario. The edge is usually a minimum of 6-7.

 

[RonJrSVCMGR]

It's because your Explorer has a bigger AWESOMENESS factor around it. I do not like the look of the Edge at all. Not sure why there is a difference, but it is a concern.

 

[mech]

You are right to be disappointed. If you dont mind me asking, where is the gps antenna located on your edge vs the explorer? Are your roof rack cross bars in closer proximity on the explorer?

 

[cnsheets]

Wow, the first side by side pic is rather deceiving, you can't even tell that the EX sits 80 feet higher than the edge.

 

[harlenm]

You are right to be disappointed. If you dont mind me asking, where is the gps antenna located on your edge vs the explorer? Are your roof rack cross bars in closer proximity on the explorer?

No idea where the GPS antenna is on either car. Cross bars shouldn't matter.

 

[deewan]

No idea where the GPS antenna is on either car. Cross bars shouldn't matter.

GPS is on the back side of the roof on the Explorer. With the radio antenna. I think it is on the front of the roof with the Edge. And the Cross bars would matter if they are close enough to the antenna and blocking a signal of 1-2 satellites. But that should not effect your GPS stats all that much, just the number of satellites you "see".

 

[peterk9]

No idea where the GPS antenna is on either car. Cross bars shouldn't matter.

As deewan said, it on the back. It is actually, I believe, in that part that is the base of the antenna.

Peter

 

[harlenm]

GPS is on the back side of the roof on the Explorer. With the radio antenna. I think it is on the front of the roof with the Edge. And the Cross bars would matter if they are close enough to the antenna and blocking a signal of 1-2 satellites. But that should not effect your GPS stats all that much, just the number of satellites you "see".

A thin piece of aluminum is not enough to block the satellite signal. Thats why a phone or portable gps has no issues in the car.

My cargo box won't affect my phone or garmin either.

 

[deewan]

A thin piece of aluminum is not enough to block the satellite signal. Thats why a phone or portable gps has no issues in the car.

My cargo box won't affect my phone or garmin either.

I don't have the cargo bars, so I am not sure of their make or thickness. If they are thin aluminum they may have little interference. But again how close they are placed to the antenna will effect how much of the sky the bars are blocking if they are think enough to degrade a signal. If you are basing your statement because a cargo box isn't effecting your phone or Garmin, the cargo box may not be in line of the satellites. A Garmin sitting on the dash board has a direct view of nearly half the sky with only a windshield in it's way. Place your Garmin on the roof, directly under the bottom side of your packed cargo box and see if you lose a satellite or more. Trees can even have an effect on the reception. If you are driving in a low laying area with high hills around you, that will also effect your reception since you are decreasing the amount of sky your GPS can search for satellites. A cargo bars 1 foot away will not block that much sky. Cargo bars directly over top and close to the antenna will block more sky.

Direct quote about GPS reception from Bob Rennard, TeleNav co-founder and Chief Technical Officer...

Dense foliage can totally block the signals. Some amount of water on the antenna is not an issue, but a deposit of ice or snow could be.

I feel if leaves or water can effect a signal, so can a closely placed cargo bar if it is more than very think pieces of metal.

 

[harlenm]

Even if it was possible that the cargo bar blocked the signal, the antenna is able to see more of the sky then a dash mounted device would see looking out through the glass.

On a side note, my new Samsung galaxy s 3 is able to see up to 21 satellites at a time, but I have only seen it connect to 12 at most.

 

[harlenm]