I am installing a Raymarine E80 with GPS, Radar and fishfinder. My old Radar was mounted on a Questus gimballed backstay mount. I intend to use the same mount for the new Radar. What's the best place for the GPS receiver (Raystar 125) for the E80? Should I mount it on the Questus above the Radar (Questus makes a mount for this)? If I put it up there on the Questus it will be gimballed but will swing through a fairly large arc as the boat heels and pitches. Another choice would be on a rail mount on the pushpit top rail. This would make for a much smaller arc as the boat heels and pitches, but it's not gimballed, it's much lower and it becomes easier for things to block its view of some satellites. What's your experience and preference? -Smitty
GPS receiver, where?
- Thread starter Smitty
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Don't have to worry about the swing as far
as the GPS is concerned, it's really insignificant to the sattelite. All GPS have a certain "refresh" rate, they get a new fix every short interval. It only takes 3 Sats. to fix a position for GPS, even with only 2 it get get a fix, just won't be able to figure your altitude. Most times and places on the ocean lately seems like you hit anywhere from 6 to 12 satelites.
as the GPS is concerned, it's really insignificant to the sattelite. All GPS have a certain "refresh" rate, they get a new fix every short interval. It only takes 3 Sats. to fix a position for GPS, even with only 2 it get get a fix, just won't be able to figure your altitude. Most times and places on the ocean lately seems like you hit anywhere from 6 to 12 satelites.
Stern rail works well
I have a Raystar 125 mounted on the stern rail and it works very well. I used one of the Forespar rail mounts. Rather than rout the cable outside, I drilled 2 holes in the rail, one near the antenna base and one at the bottom of one of the uprights, grommeted the holes and led the cable inside the railing. I then went inside the hull through a sealed grommet and let the cable to my C70 display. This makes a very clean installation, and all you need is a good hard drill bit to drill the holes in the rail. The antenna is mounted in an area of the rail that is not in danger of being snagged by a sheet, and out in the open where a dodger or bimini cannot interefere with reception.
I have a Raystar 125 mounted on the stern rail and it works very well. I used one of the Forespar rail mounts. Rather than rout the cable outside, I drilled 2 holes in the rail, one near the antenna base and one at the bottom of one of the uprights, grommeted the holes and led the cable inside the railing. I then went inside the hull through a sealed grommet and let the cable to my C70 display. This makes a very clean installation, and all you need is a good hard drill bit to drill the holes in the rail. The antenna is mounted in an area of the rail that is not in danger of being snagged by a sheet, and out in the open where a dodger or bimini cannot interefere with reception.
Lower Pushpit Rail
I chose the lower rail of the pushpit so as to offer some protection to the receiver. I have no problem at all getting a rapid fix.
I chose the lower rail of the pushpit so as to offer some protection to the receiver. I have no problem at all getting a rapid fix.
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