Does position affect reception?

[TorqueVR]

I have a Garmin 250, which has been trouble free. I picked up new car yesterday and fitted the Garmin to a dashboard mount between the air vent and the instrumnent cluster instead of sticking to the screen as usual. Reception is dresadful and I keep losing the satellite signal. Is this due to the location, the particular car or is the satnav just knackered?

[tf007071]

I've got a 660 and use it in a Civic and a (new) Mini (and previously in a 147, now departed).

For all the cars I've used a Brodit mount rather than the windscreen mount. The Civic (and Alfa) holder was on the dash airvents which both had good vision to the sky vertically.

The Mini mount is further down (almost at knee level) and behind the windscreen line - and the 660 can often take considerable time to lock on to the satellites. Once locked on it's fine and doesn't lose the signal.

Does the new car have any coating or heating elements which could block the signal?

[TorqueVR]

I've also got a Brodit mount and have to say that I'm very pleased with it. Over the last 2 days I've found that the signal comes back if I take the Garmin off and hold it away from the dash, but it'll them fail again if I replace it. If I hold it on the right side of the instruments it seems OK. I spoke to the dealer's service mamager who reckons it's interference from the electronics under the centre air vents. I've refitted the ball fitting as high on the bracket as possible to move it as far from the dash as possible and having been out for the last 20 minutes it's a lot better. If it's still not OK I'll buy a Brodit mount for the other side of the instruments.

Thanks for the comments.

[marshalla]

Some cars have glass which blocks the signal.

[Killwilly]

I believe there is a small area of windscreen on all cars with solar reflective glass where a sat nav can be positioned to prevent signal blockage. Prior to buying my TomTom I contacted BMW to ask where the area was on my car. They replied saying that there was no problem with BMW windscreens and the sat nav could be placed anywhere.

I recently swapped my BMW for a Mercedes CLC and the TT works fine in any location in the car.

If anyone has a problem with reception, I would suggest contacting the manufacturer of your car.

I would also endorse Brodit clips, not cheap but brilliant, I have had 2 now.

[mph1977]

Fords with heated front screens are dreadful sometimes the only solution is the drivers door window or a remote GPS reciever

[TorqueVR]

100% reception with a Brodit mount on the vent by the door. Probelm solved.