GPS Receiver - internal vs. external

**Rapprunner** · 12-15-2008, 10:57 AM

I have a few questions for you folks. I am planning on purchasing a 798 SI for the bow of my boat, I currently have the 997 with a transom transducer. My question is are there any advantages/disadvatages to having an internal GPS receiver as opposed to external? Will the internal receive as well as the external? Having room to mount the external "puck" receiver is not an issue. So, which one is the better choice??

Here are the two choices:
798C SI Combo - Transom Mount Transducer and External GPS Antenna included
798CI SI Combo - Transom Mount Transducer and internal GPS Antenna included

Thanks in advance,
Howard V.

**hotmod** · 12-15-2008, 11:29 AM

I like the external, because you can mount it where it will give optimum performance. On my pontoon with a Bimini top I have it mounted on a removable pole that puts it higher than the top to give it a 360 degree view of the sky. the 798 (which I just bought & love) has a 50 chanel receiver. To me the external is much more versital & gives you the option to re-locate if needed, whereas with the internal you are stuck to the locations that you have avaliable to mount the display.

Just my 2 cents worth.

**Barnacle Bill** · 12-15-2008, 11:32 AM

I agree with hotmod. Sometimes even a foot higher can make a big difference.

**Wannabe...** · 12-15-2008, 12:22 PM

External mo better.

Wannabe...

**Wiskers** · 12-15-2008, 01:12 PM

The newer units have the 50 channel recievers if I remember right so they should be much better than we are used to. For the bow I would think the Internal would be good. Less to fool with plus I assume it will be positioned pretty close to the proxsimity of the transducer.

For a consol unit I prefer the external. That way I can position the reciever as close to the transducer as possible. This should give a truer mark.

I look at it like this. If I have a 20' boat and I have my transducer on the stern and my reciever on the bow, I'm starting out with a 20' error. Closer the better.

**Barnacle Bill** · 12-15-2008, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by Wiskers

The newer units have the 50 channel recievers if I remember right so they should be much better than we are used to. For the bow I would think the Internal would be good. Less to fool with plus I assume it will be positioned pretty close to the proxsimity of the transducer.

For a consol unit I prefer the external. That way I can position the reciever as close to the transducer as possible. This should give a truer mark.

I look at it like this. If I have a 20' boat and I have my transducer on the stern and my reciever on the bow, I'm starting out with a 20' error. Closer the better.

You bring out some good points. Bottom line is you want the antenna as close to the transducer as possible.

**chaunc** · 12-15-2008, 02:56 PM

So you're saying that an internal is better, up front, if you have a transducer on the trolling motor. And that the reading will be more spot on. Thank you for that info. I have a Garmin map 182 that i'm going to move from my console to the bow.

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GPS Receiver - internal vs. external

Depends on the application for me

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