Sonar Shield Vs Internal GPS
 

Im thinking of getting a combo unit eventually and I was wondering if the sonar shield on a Trident interferes with the internal GPS antenna in combo units - since it rests on top of the unit?

Thanks

Mike

Not that I have observed. Its just a thin piece of plastic, it should go through that if it can read through a car roof/windows.

Nope not at all!! I have had my trident for about 6 or 7 months and have had my Humminbird 787c2i for even longer and no problems with either.

Thanks! I didnt think so but I wanted to check to be sure. Does the 363 combo have an external antenna?

For a kayak, I recommend, the FF/GPS Internal antenna, all built in, one less thing to hassel with, external units are for boats. My FF/GPS internal antenna combo works just fine, even use it on my boat, and get to any my inshore spots, or offshore high spots easily.

I totally agree with Chris on this, the external gps unit I used was nothing but a headache from day 1, go with an internal system it is far less hassle!

Thanks for all of the good input :) I want an all in one. I was looking at the 363 but I couldnt find any documentation on the antenna (internal or external).

According to Humminbird, the GPS antenna is internal. I called them a while back regarding this same issue.

Jason

Thanks :)

Go with the internal antenna. It is one less cable to run and one less connector that will get corroded. It also saves deck space for mounting other gear.

Cant argue with that logic. Thanks

Internal antenna is better, external antenna should not be a problem. I got an external antenna GPSMAP 178 unit without the antenna. What I did is I got a BNC connector from RadioShak and connected a piece of copper wire to it. Done. No WAAS but good enough to 20 ft accuracy. It'll do untill I get a cheap antenna from somehwere. But I asure you, you can't go any cheaper than this! The only caveat is it takes very long to get a consistent 3D signal.

Yes, I've had that model for a bit while now....WAIT WAIT WAIT...I MEAN NO, IT DOES NOT...IT HAS AN INTERNAL ANTENNA...good thing I came back and read my post.

On another note, I had the older humminbird with external GPS before and although that worked well also, the internal is more convenient, one less wire to run inside the yak, one less thing to mount on the yak, one less thing to watch out for (snagging, scratching, dropping on, etc...)