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brittt1
6 Posts |
 Posted - 23 avr. 2005 : 02:32:06
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| Well I have spent the last two weeks installing the iway 500C into my dash so its flush and it looks great, have it hooked up to the stereo MP3 sound is great etc. Well that was til about 3 days ago, the system no longer will pick up a signal from the SAT's using the external antenna, if I remove (painful) the system from the dash and place ontop the system will pick up the SAT's using its internal antenna, but this isnt good for me when its installed. So I purchased a new MCX Gilsson antenna and I still cannot get a signal on a single satellite. I have sent an e-mail to Lowrance and left a voicemail on their tech support line, but im at a loss. Two weeks of hard work and fabrication and I have to pull it all out cus its not working anymore!! I was wondering if anyone has had an issue with the external antenna plug or has any ideas what the issue might be (im praying for somthign simple), like I said it was good for a few days but now not a thing. I even can get a signal at the table in my house with the internal antenna but attaching the external one's does'nt do a thing. Ill keep you posted on any tech support progress, I love the machine but this kind of stuff frustrates the hell out of me. |
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mecosmo2
USA
33 Posts |
Posted - 23 avr. 2005 : 15:01:06
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Britt1 Re; Antenna
If it works on the table at home ,then the unit is OK. The antenna connection got damage somehow. I have mine installed in a flip open compartment and it is removeable.I have the external antenna on the dash close to windshield and get WAAS signal most of the time in Florida.
I would try the Lowrance antenna in different places to see if it locks on. A close examination of the connection might show a bent or poor connection.
nickC |
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schneid
200 Posts |
Posted - 24 avr. 2005 : 17:16:45
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If the receiver works on the internal antenna and doesn't on two external antennas something is obviously wrong between the external connector and the guts of the unit.
Send it back. I hear Lowrance responds better to calls to their 800 number. |
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brittt1
6 Posts |
Posted - 25 avr. 2005 : 19:16:15
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| Schneid, I purchased one of the Gilsson antenna's with MCX plug, does yours fit in there tight? it seems to not go in properly? Im not sure if its jsut becuase the Gilsson one doesnt have the rubber plug to secure it or what, but it seems to easily come out and wobble? any input would be appreciated, Lowarnace want me to send the unit back and the antennas, the unit isnt the problem, but the original antenna was fixed to the car and the plastic will break when i pull it off. So now I have a dilema, if i send it back they will prob not test it and say its not suprising as the antenna is broke when it will break when i yank it from the car.. |
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brittt1
6 Posts |
Posted - 26 avr. 2005 : 19:25:03
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Ok so it wasnt me, it wasnt the unit, it was the damn antenna, the Lowrance one failed and I had ordered the MCX Gilsson one mentioned in this forum, so that wasnt working either.
DO NOT DO THIS!!
When you order a new antenna, if you go through Gilsson (and their antennas are really great) then make sure you order the SMB-F connector not the MCX one, as that wont fit right. |
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schneid
200 Posts |
Posted - 30 avr. 2005 : 01:49:05
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| I bought the MCX one because Lowrance told me that was the connector. It worked but was loose. I cut the plug off the Lowrance antenna a spliced it to the Gilsson. |
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admin_0
1 Posts |
Posted - 01 mai 2005 : 06:47:40
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Lowrance iWay 500C uses a SMB(female) connector. I am 100% sure of this, as I installed several SMB(F) antennas onto the unit myself. Lowrance technical support and website information are clearly wrong. You need to use Gilsson's amplified GPS antennas with SMB(female) connector.
Good luck. |
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ST-Bob
USA
3652 Posts |
Posted - 20 juin 2005 : 22:06:36
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I just bought the Gilsson SMB-F antenna from Radiant Network on their Ebay store:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=73347&item=5760980683&tc=photo
This is one fantastic antenna! It picks up much stronger than the built-in antenna on my iWay 500c or the Lowrance amplified external antenna. Where the internal antenna picked up 4 satellites weakly, the Gilsson patch antenna (placed on top of the iWay for comparison) picked up 6 much stronger signals. When placed on the roof of the vehicle, I get 11 satellites while partially under tree cover and WAAS correction on several of them. 5 of the 11 visible are topped out on the signal meter and the rest are still pretty strong compared to the built-in or Lowrance antennas.
The only negative is the 90 degree SMB-F connector seems a little short to clear the back of the iWay's case. It works fine, but a straight SMB-F connecor would be better IMHO.
BTW, I paid only $44.99 with free shipping for this antenna (less than half of what Lowrance wants for their antenna that works only half as well)
Bob Peloquin iWay-500c
Central Massachusetts
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Edited by - ST-Bob on 20 juin 2005 22:16:40 |
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schneid
200 Posts |
Posted - 21 juin 2005 : 15:21:26
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| Their prices have gone up. I bought mine for $20 direct from Gilsson last December. |
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KMC
13 Posts |
Posted - 21 juin 2005 : 19:03:20
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I bought the Gilsson from GPSgeek.com for $29. I used my iWay this past week on a trip from central VA to Boston and back. The iWay was great for navigating around Boston (no small feat). With the Gilsson antenna I routinely had 8 satellites with WAAS.
I have not used my iWay for music yet. But, for navigation I've got no issues with it and I love the ease of use and the great screen.
Kevin |
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schneid
200 Posts |
Posted - 22 juin 2005 : 16:04:04
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Gilssons are great. I normally hit eight with WAAS too.
If I recall correctly, GPSgeek is Gilsson.
Here it is. Their signature from an email:
Gilsson Technologies - GPSgeek
510.940.7777
sales@gilsson.com
http://store.yahoo.com/gilsson
www.gpsgeek.com |
Edited by - schneid on 22 juin 2005 16:05:05 |
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scottf200
USA
50 Posts |
Posted - 19 févr. 2007 : 03:52:58
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| It seems that about the best deal for one of these Glisson is from fis4her on ebay (Feedback: 99.8% Positive). $34 = US $23.99 +$9.99 sh&h - often titled "Antenna for Lowrance iWay 500C and AirWay 1000 2000c" |
iWay 600c owner
Chicagoland, IL |
Edited by - scottf200 on 19 févr. 2007 03:54:05 |
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midnightventure
USA
108 Posts |
Posted - 21 févr. 2007 : 17:51:34
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quote:
Originally posted by scottf200
It seems that about the best deal for one of these Glisson is from fis4her on ebay (Feedback: 99.8% Positive). $34 = US $23.99 +$9.99 sh&h - often titled "Antenna for Lowrance iWay 500C and AirWay 1000 2000c"
I couldn't find the Windscreen Suction Cup Mount in his store, so I asked him a question. Maybe he'll answer me so I can get one too!
;-) |
Lowrance iway 500c |
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ST-Bob
USA
3652 Posts |
Posted - 21 févr. 2007 : 18:18:11
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| Putting an external antenna inside the vehicle just seems wrong to me. The roof is the only place it can achieve a clear 360 degree sky-view. If your windshield is metal-coated (which many are today) then using an amplified antenna under with a weak signal is like turning up the radio volume to hear the static louder... Seems kinda silly to me. |
Bob Peloquin - Moderator-Lowrance iWay forum
Massachusetts, USA
Various Iways, nüvi 750 |
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spepin
10 Posts |
Posted - 21 févr. 2007 : 18:55:11
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Midnightventure,
I have a spare suction cup mount. PM sent... |
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bcope01
USA
307 Posts |
Posted - 21 févr. 2007 : 19:47:47
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quote:
Originally posted by ST-Bob
Putting an external antenna inside the vehicle just seems wrong to me.
ST-Bob, the operative word here is "amplified." The difference between the iWay 500C internal and the Gilsson "amplified antenna is like night and day inside and forward on the dash of my Ford-chassis Class C motorhome. There is really no need to place the Gilsson outside on the roof because I am getting outstanding satellite lock now.
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Bill
iWAY 500C |
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IWAY 500C problems
