I just ordered a Pioneer Avic-5000nex with built in gPS and Bluetooth. It comes with a Gps antenna and a BT mike. Everything arrives tomorrow and I am trying to prep as much in advance as I can.
Has anyone added aftermarket GPS and BT to their GC and if so, where/how did you place the GPS antenna and the BT mike?
For the GPS antenna, the best place is on the front dash. Follow the instructions from the manual as always. Some people and installers conceal the antenna underneath the dash as long it is not touch any metal.
As for the BT mike, try to keep in the center so that you avoid an echo and possible feedback from the speakers.
I have the OEM radio removed and there really isn't any way to access the dash further under the window.
Is there a trick to accessing under the dash closer to the front of the vehicle? The existing cavity is about as deep as the radio unit, but is then hindered by the heating ducts and a metal retaining plate.
I just installed a Beltronics STi-R+ Radar detector (again).
There is a panel that comes out that is on the passenger end of the dashboard. Open passenger door to access. It comes off easier if you pull door gasket back (which is not glued and very easy to pull back).
I placed it just a few inches in above the glove box. There is a flat area there. Used double sided foam tape.
gps antenna can touch metal. You just don't want it to see metal between it and the sky.
Yes and No that the GPS antenna can touch metal. It all depends on the makeup of the antenna itself. By putting something not metal underneath it, such as electrical tape or a rubber pad, you have less chance of having problems dealing with EMI and RF signals. Now a days, the manufactures are doing to a much better job regarding the antenna.
Yes, their can not be any metal between it and the sky. All my GPS antennas were concealed.
I actually called Crutchfield and they suggested just mounting directly on top of the radio unit with the included "sticky" metal pad and magnets. That's what I did and so far, so good.
That's good. The problem was when you had the 2 metal surfaces touching, sometimes the interface started. The metal pads today have a builtin decouple that prevents the problem. Thus allowing the metal pad to help capture the signal.
In the days of the CB radio, the best place was place the antenna was either in the middle of the roof or the middle of the trunk for cars. As the antenna advanced, placement became easier.
You can have a little metal above it. Like a steel brace, as long as it's mostly not metal. Less metal the better of course. It just might take longer to get a lock. But it does not need to be 100% free.
I've yet to see a GPS Antenna that cannot be mounted "On Metal" like on top of the sheet metal chassis of the Radio. A few I've seen have magnets so you can stick em to metal. Like the one I described that comes with the Beltronics STi-R+ comes with a METAL plate and the Antenna has Magnets.
On top of metal cabinet of a radio is a common placement.
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