MINI2

BlueCooperR56 · Apr 26th, 2007, 07:06 AM

I've ordered Sat Nav on my R56, just wondered if it has a different type of aerial (like BMW's stubby aerial) than the usual aerial? If not, would replacing the standard aerial with a beesting stubby aerial have any effect on the GPS signal?

Thanks!

bugiz · Apr 26th, 2007, 07:29 AM

Good question.

moog5 · Apr 26th, 2007, 09:36 AM

I'd be interested to know this as well, hadn't thought of that!

118 · Apr 26th, 2007, 09:58 AM

I picked up my new S yesterday and have sat nav - the aerial is the same as the standard one, but not sure if a stubby would affect it, I've been wondering the same thing. I can't see any reason why it should tbh

Purple Dave · Apr 26th, 2007, 11:23 AM

According to the RealOEM site, there is a unique part number for Sat Nav/Bluetooth/DAB.

It must be upgraded in some way to improve reception.

jmemannix · Jun 13th, 2007, 11:51 PM

Hi all,

Ive just picked up my r56 mini one with a sat nav and the first thing I needed to do was replace the aerial with a stubby beesting aerial as the original aerial would hit the top of my car port everytime otherwise ha ha ha. As far as I can tell the sat nav still works fine and the radio is just as good.

Hope this helps.

BlueCooperR56 · Jun 15th, 2007, 07:45 AM

Great! Thanks for that!

DaFlake · Jun 15th, 2007, 08:53 AM

I believe that the nav GPS receiver is in the base and not the actual antenna used for the radio. So, you should be ok. I have swapped the one on my R53 with no problems at all.

BlueCooperR56 · Jun 15th, 2007, 10:31 AM

That's good, I'll get one when I get the car! Thanks

FergusM · Jun 16th, 2007, 07:13 AM

Sure the Alta shorty on Lohen specifically states that the 4" one should be used with satnav, and that the 2" is only if you just have radio.

I got the 4" one though I have no satnav as to be honest it is tiny.

BlueCooperR56 · Jun 16th, 2007, 08:47 AM

That's good cause that's the one I was looking at! Thanks!

Sowellman · Jun 18th, 2007, 04:43 AM

I have the four-inch Alta antenna and the sat nav works fine with it. It's my understanding that the removable antenna only affects the radio and that the sat nav receiver is in the base. I sent a question to Adam from Alta and have asked him to supply a definitive answer.

Update: Adam confirmed that the antenna is strictly for the radio, not the sat nav. You should be able to use any length of antenna -- or none at all -- and still receive the GPS signals.

BlueCooperR56 · Jun 23rd, 2007, 01:46 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Sowellman (original)

I have the four-inch Alta antenna and the sat nav works fine with it. It's my understanding that the removable antenna only affects the radio and that the sat nav receiver is in the base. I sent a question to Adam from Alta and have asked him to supply a definitive answer.

Update: Adam confirmed that the antenna is strictly for the radio, not the sat nav. You should be able to use any length of antenna -- or none at all -- and still receive the GPS signals.

That's brilliant, thanks!

BlueCooperR56 · Jun 23rd, 2007, 01:49 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Sowellman (original)

I have the four-inch Alta antenna and the sat nav works fine with it. It's my understanding that the removable antenna only affects the radio and that the sat nav receiver is in the base. I sent a question to Adam from Alta and have asked him to supply a definitive answer.

Update: Adam confirmed that the antenna is strictly for the radio, not the sat nav. You should be able to use any length of antenna -- or none at all -- and still receive the GPS signals.

Just following on from that then, do you notice any difference in radio quality between Alta four-inch and the standard MINI aerial? Thanks

Sowellman · Jun 23rd, 2007, 02:58 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by BlueCooperR56 (original)

Just following on from that then, do you notice any difference in radio quality between Alta four-inch and the standard MINI aerial? Thanks

Overall, the Alta performs admirably.

The only difference I notice is when I try to pull in a signal from an FM radio station that I like that is 70 miles (113 kilometers) away. That signal was fairly weak and dropped off at mile 68 or so with the antenna from my previous Honda Civic and with the stock Mini aerial.

I was at the absolute limit of that station's reception from the combination of station signal strength, aerial reception capability and hilly terrain.

That said, the dropoff point using the four-inch Alta is slightly greater. So I lose the signal a few miles sooner than I did with the other. However, when I am tuning local stations or travel to Eugene where the other station is located, the reception is fine. I haven't noticed any difference in those applications between the Alta and the longer staff of the stock antenna.

BlueCooperR56 · Jun 23rd, 2007, 06:29 PM

Thanks very much for that! I'll probably find the same in Reading. The station I listen to tends to drop in the very centre of town, possibly because it's low down in a built up area! But if I get that with the stock aerial anyway so it would probably just go a bit earlier! Thanks again!

Apr 26th, 2007, 07:06 AM	#1
BlueCooperR56 MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Reading Local Time: 06:57 AM Posts: 93 Offline	Sat Nav Aerial? I've ordered Sat Nav on my R56, just wondered if it has a different type of aerial (like BMW's stubby aerial) than the usual aerial? If not, would replacing the standard aerial with a beesting stubby aerial have any effect on the GPS signal? Thanks!

Apr 26th, 2007, 09:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
118 Twixys Rubber Ducky Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: West Sussex Local Time: 06:57 AM Posts: 20,436 Offline	I picked up my new S yesterday and have sat nav - the aerial is the same as the standard one, but not sure if a stubby would affect it, I've been wondering the same thing. I can't see any reason why it should tbh * The Italian Job 2008...... Team 50 - click on my sig to visit our website! * clicky here to visit the UJ Owners Club thread

Jun 15th, 2007, 08:53 AM	#8 (permalink)
DaFlake Lovin' every MINI of it! Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Hanging on The Cape! Local Time: 01:57 AM Posts: 10,845 Offline	I believe that the nav GPS receiver is in the base and not the actual antenna used for the radio. So, you should be ok. I have swapped the one on my R53 with no problems at all. Global Moderator
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Jun 18th, 2007, 04:43 AM	#12 (permalink)
Sowellman Quack Quack Oregon Ducks Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Oregon Local Time: 10:57 PM Posts: 239 Offline	I have the four-inch Alta antenna and the sat nav works fine with it. It's my understanding that the removable antenna only affects the radio and that the sat nav receiver is in the base. I sent a question to Adam from Alta and have asked him to supply a definitive answer. Update: Adam confirmed that the antenna is strictly for the radio, not the sat nav. You should be able to use any length of antenna -- or none at all -- and still receive the GPS signals. Last edited by Sowellman : Jun 18th, 2007 at 11:51 PM.

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Apr 26th, 2007, 07:29 AM	#2 (permalink)
bugiz R56 Nut Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Melbourne Local Time: 03:57 PM Posts: 338 Offline	Good question.

Apr 26th, 2007, 09:36 AM	#3 (permalink)
moog5 MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Feb 2007 Local Time: 07:57 AM Posts: 33 Offline	I'd be interested to know this as well, hadn't thought of that!

Apr 26th, 2007, 11:23 AM	#5 (permalink)
Purple Dave MINI2 Senior Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Essex Local Time: 06:57 AM Posts: 484 Offline	According to the RealOEM site, there is a unique part number for Sat Nav/Bluetooth/DAB. It must be upgraded in some way to improve reception.

Jun 13th, 2007, 11:51 PM	#6 (permalink)
jmemannix MINI2 Newbie Join Date: Oct 2003 Local Time: 06:57 AM Posts: 12 Offline	Hi all, Ive just picked up my r56 mini one with a sat nav and the first thing I needed to do was replace the aerial with a stubby beesting aerial as the original aerial would hit the top of my car port everytime otherwise ha ha ha. As far as I can tell the sat nav still works fine and the radio is just as good. Hope this helps.

Jun 15th, 2007, 07:45 AM	#7 (permalink)
BlueCooperR56 MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Reading Local Time: 06:57 AM Posts: 93 Offline	Great! Thanks for that!

Jun 15th, 2007, 10:31 AM	#9 (permalink)
BlueCooperR56 MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Reading Local Time: 06:57 AM Posts: 93 Offline	That's good, I'll get one when I get the car! Thanks

Jun 16th, 2007, 07:13 AM	#10 (permalink)
FergusM MINI2 Senior Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Glasgow Local Time: 06:57 AM Posts: 697 Offline	Sure the Alta shorty on Lohen specifically states that the 4" one should be used with satnav, and that the 2" is only if you just have radio. I got the 4" one though I have no satnav as to be honest it is tiny.

Jun 16th, 2007, 08:47 AM	#11 (permalink)
BlueCooperR56 MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Reading Local Time: 06:57 AM Posts: 93 Offline	That's good cause that's the one I was looking at! Thanks!

Jun 23rd, 2007, 01:46 PM	#13 (permalink)
BlueCooperR56 MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Reading Local Time: 06:57 AM Posts: 93 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Sowellman (original) I have the four-inch Alta antenna and the sat nav works fine with it. It's my understanding that the removable antenna only affects the radio and that the sat nav receiver is in the base. I sent a question to Adam from Alta and have asked him to supply a definitive answer. Update: Adam confirmed that the antenna is strictly for the radio, not the sat nav. You should be able to use any length of antenna -- or none at all -- and still receive the GPS signals. That's brilliant, thanks!

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Jun 23rd, 2007, 01:49 PM	#14 (permalink)
BlueCooperR56 MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Reading Local Time: 06:57 AM Posts: 93 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by Sowellman (original) I have the four-inch Alta antenna and the sat nav works fine with it. It's my understanding that the removable antenna only affects the radio and that the sat nav receiver is in the base. I sent a question to Adam from Alta and have asked him to supply a definitive answer. Update: Adam confirmed that the antenna is strictly for the radio, not the sat nav. You should be able to use any length of antenna -- or none at all -- and still receive the GPS signals. Just following on from that then, do you notice any difference in radio quality between Alta four-inch and the standard MINI aerial? Thanks

Jun 23rd, 2007, 02:58 PM	#15 (permalink)
Sowellman Quack Quack Oregon Ducks Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Oregon Local Time: 10:57 PM Posts: 239 Offline	Quote: Originally Posted by BlueCooperR56 (original) Just following on from that then, do you notice any difference in radio quality between Alta four-inch and the standard MINI aerial? Thanks Overall, the Alta performs admirably. The only difference I notice is when I try to pull in a signal from an FM radio station that I like that is 70 miles (113 kilometers) away. That signal was fairly weak and dropped off at mile 68 or so with the antenna from my previous Honda Civic and with the stock Mini aerial. I was at the absolute limit of that station's reception from the combination of station signal strength, aerial reception capability and hilly terrain. That said, the dropoff point using the four-inch Alta is slightly greater. So I lose the signal a few miles sooner than I did with the other. However, when I am tuning local stations or travel to Eugene where the other station is located, the reception is fine. I haven't noticed any difference in those applications between the Alta and the longer staff of the stock antenna.

Jun 23rd, 2007, 06:29 PM	#16 (permalink)
BlueCooperR56 MINI2 Regular Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Reading Local Time: 06:57 AM Posts: 93 Offline	Thanks very much for that! I'll probably find the same in Reading. The station I listen to tends to drop in the very centre of town, possibly because it's low down in a built up area! But if I get that with the stock aerial anyway so it would probably just go a bit earlier! Thanks again!

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