GPS Reception in Renaults

[Tripps]

I'd setup one of our Garmin i3 units to run in my wifes Renault Scenic, but it seems unable to get a signal for at least 20 minutes and even then loses it very easily making it not much copy for anything really.

In my Cerbera and Golf it picks up satellites within moments of being switched on so is a dream to use, I've swapped our two units around between cars and its definitely the Renault that is the problem.

She's not got a heated screen (mind you she had a heated screen in her old Mondeo and GPS worked fine in that) and I've tried location from dash-top to the front of the windscreen, which should have good satellite visability, but with no sucess as yet

Has anyone seen similar on other Renaults, could it be that all the clever electrickerly for automatic headlights and wipers that is fitted to the top of the screen is the problem?

[CombeMarshal]

It's not heated screens that block but Heat reflective ones, that it very probably has, Is it a portable satnav, if so, get the signal out side the car then put it inside when you have a lock, with mine, once you get a lock you can hide the GPS device away

[DennisTheMenace]

Its has a solar reflective screen , hold your garmin up by the mirror in the dotted section of the screen and it will work

[Polarbert]

Tom Tom One works fine with a heat reflective screen.

[b2tus]

Have owned a TT700 for nearly a year now.
I use it extensively in UK and in Europe. No problems picking up satellites except in Barcelona's underpasses!!
3 times this year, I have rented Avis Renault Scenics and Meganes in Italy and in Belgium.
The TT700 worked perfectly everytime sitting on the dash. No problems whatsover.
Have heard about rumoured Renault problems with SatNav but never experienced one.

[hanse cronje]

the gps unit for my Laguna has to go on the back parcel shelf or on the roof using the magnetic base

you have to feed it through the car and under the trim and make sure someone’s size 9's don't damage it


you can feed the wire around the trim and windscreen to get it to the speckled area around the mirror the stick it in position, the problem is the wire sometimes falls out of place draping across the window and dash

[Tripps]

Thanks for that guys

I've resolved the problem for now by nicking the i3 and putting it in my Golf and will have a ponder over what to do with the Renault, not keen on fitting a cable towards the back as we're chopping it in next year, might be tempted just to fit the i3 up high in the non-reflective area - will see how that goes.

[b2tus]

Begs the question - are Renault screens different in the UK from the Continent?

[DennisTheMenace]

Nope , Some models have a metallic coating which cuts the effectivness of the GPS antenna quite a few manufactures offer it now as it cuts down on heat in the cabin . but they allways leave the dotted area clear for bridge tags gps ariels radar detectors etc etc .