Do GPS receivers work with WRX Windscreens
 

Hi,

Am thinking of getting a 2005 WRX (import) and was wondering if anyone had used sussessfully used a GPS receiver mounted on or near the windscreen OK.

A lot of new cars use athermic windscreens which prevent GPS signals being received.

I use an ipaq with a Holux GPS receiver which works fine in a 206GTi providing its mounted just behind rear view mirror (there is a non athermic bit their I believe)

I have an Origin b2 with the sat receiver mounted right by the base of the windscreen, near the tax disk and it works fine. No problems at all...

Andy

GPS signal will be received through glass no problem

The question is whether it can be received through an athermic windscreen; not whether itll be received through glass.

i would say so...they can be received through aircraft windows

Aeroplanes dont have athermic glass though; if you look on Google youll see that athermic glass, along with heated windscreens, block the GPS signal, its a known issue.

Simon

No problems at all on my '05 JDM STI - I'm not aware that the WRX has a different screen.

Gps
 

Got a Garmin Quest - works fine through a 05 WRX EU import.

im wondering whether all recent imprezas have athermic glass...mine is a MY02 WRX...ive just tried my hand held GPS through the windscreen and it seemed to work fine...i have to say id never even heard of athermic glass until i saw this thread...!

TomTom Bluetooth Receiver working fine here with UK MY05 WRX

No problem here with Origin b2 and Tomtom Go on an 05 STi :)

The b2 receiver is actually mounted under the clock unit on the underside of the dash pod so it's not visible and no wires to make holes for :thumb:

I don't think imprezas have athermic glass - it's on some renaults - AFAIK it's the ones that look like they have a purplish windscreen.

My bugeye WRX didn't have a problem with gps signals through the windscreen :thumb:

If you think you want a belt & braces answer, put the receiver so it picks the signal up through the back window but you'll need a remote receiver obviously...

Its common for athermic screens to have a non treated area around the rear-view mirror so you mightnt need to try to read your directions off the back shelf using the mirror!

Yep I had this problem on my 02 plate Clio Sport 172, the road angel would only work if placed in the centre of the windscreen at the bottom as there was a space that was normal glass, any where else it would gain a signal !!

Now its in my MY05 WRX it has no problems getting a signal and is mounted
away from the window above the clock in the centre :D :D

No need to buy the external arial :)

Mark :)

Have used a R/A no problem in my 05 wrx.

The 172/182 clios do have athermic windscreens hence the problem with GPS signals (although it is very good at keeping the inside of car cool in bright sunshine, no need for a silver piece of cardboard when parked up..!)

Thanks for the swift responses sounds like I will be OK with my existing kit. Didn't realise the WRX didn't have any kind of athermic windscreen. Does it have a tint?

But most aircraft windscreens - including my own - are
not glass! Sorry, mate!

it usually doesnt matter...due to the nature of a GPS signal, all the receiver needs is line of sight to the SVs...shouldnt really matter what type of glass it is, although i will look into this as GPS is kind of my bag...

let you know what i find out...

My Garmin Quest and Street Pilot III works fine in my WRX - Err, anyone need a GPS, seem to have one too many :D

ok in my 03 wrx :)

I use a combo of Ipaq 5550 and Fortuna bluetooth gps, no problems at aall on my MY03 WRX

Fluff

Worst case, get a roof vent, mount the GPS receiver in there and open it when you need better reeption. To navigate, just look up! ;):D

Seriously, not a problem I've heard of with the newer scoobs, although that isn't a 100% guarantee.

MY05 WRX, Road Angel in middle no problem, Pioneer Avix X-1 receiver by tax disk, no problems..

No probs whatsoever in my 04 WRX but in the wifes 172 I get nothing