Renault Megane + i3 = :-(, Hyundai Coupe + i3 = :-)

PaulB2005

Got an i3 for Xmas for use in two cars. We use our Renault Megane as a day to day car and for work. The Hyundai Coupe is a weekend car.

I've having problems with the i3 in the Megane - lost reception, long acquire times, poor tracking etc. Long story short it looks like the old "Blue Screen of Death" for GPS - i.e. Renault Thermal Window / Blue Tint.

Today is the first time I've managed to get to use the Coupe and i was blown away by the performance of the i3. Pin point accuracy, no lost reception even in "Urban Tunnels", whilst waiting under a bridge and going down loads of back streets. Even my position on a Garage Forecourt was accurate.

I know i have to get an aerial for the Megane and I'll get one at the weekend (after one last check it is the windscreen) to run to the back window.

Couple of questions.

1) Does the back window on these Renault also have the "Blue Screen Of Death"? Doesn't look like it but want to be sure.

2) Is there a guide to running the cables under the carpet or in the roof lining?

3) Is it possible to get it from the dashboard to the engine bay instead? Would this be better than the rear window? Any positions under the bonnet to avoid?

My one aim is to be discreet - hate cables everywhere. So i really want to get it into the boot and then stick it under the parcel shelf rather than on show on the window.

I've been looking at Audio sites but can't find a guide specific to Renaults which given the problem with GPS would be handy! Anyone done this yet and can give me some pointers? Would a Haynes manual contain any useful info for such a project?

I'm quite practical but don't want to start undo-ing stuff to find i can't get it together again or spend 3 hours on a 10 minute job...

spuddy · Occasional Visitor Joined: Nov 08, 2005 Posts: 3

I am also using an i3 in a Renault Megane and the only place i can get a good reception is by positioning it next to the rear view mirror and then i can get 4 bars. The only problem is that it gets in the way of the sun visor.

dmc · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 02, 2006 Posts: 23

Our Megane /scenic works ok on the drivers side window , or on the sun roof of course.

Just got a maplin antenna for 19.99, so that I can place that on the side window, and the gsp in front.

Don't get lost enough to have the gsp as a perm feature, so will just stick the antenna on when needed.

If the signal doesn't get through a window, then it aint going to get through your bonnet ;)

dmc · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 02, 2006 Posts: 23

ok patch antenna from maplin installed. just placed in on the dash next to the i3 and it works fine. gone from no bars to 3-4 bars

I think its the same antenna that you can get from ebay for around £12, but for the price diff, and knowing I could take it back, I went to maplins

PaulB2005 · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 12:34 am Post subject:

PaulB2005 · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 12:37 am Post subject:

Oh and i found our Haynes manual. From what i read it loks like you need to remove half the car to get the roof lining out. Getting the carpet up looks a nightmare too.

dmc · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 02, 2006 Posts: 23

Where you based ? Maplin stock levels are so,so.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/NearestStore.aspx?OrderCode=A47FH&location=sw19&doy=4m1

Wimbledon 2 0.3 miles
Kingston 2 4.4 miles
Hammersmith 2 4.9 miles
Croydon 2 5.4 miles
Queensway 1 6.4 miles
Marble Arch 0 6.7 miles
Forest Hill 3 6.9 miles
Great Portland Street 0 7.0 miles
Tottenham Court Road 3 7.3 miles
Hounslow 1 7.4 miles

PaulB2005 · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 1:34 am Post subject:

dmc - cheers. I've already seen that. Croydon is only 3 stops on the train from here and it's about 30 seconds walk from West Croydon station. I'll ring the store in the morning first. If they don't have one or i get there and the stock levels are wrong then if i order by 5pm online i usually get it the next morning - the day after at worst.

I'll let you know how i get on.

PaulB2005 · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 3:02 pm Post subject:

Got an Aeriel - fitted in and placed the aerial on the dashboard. No joy.

Ran he cable out to the parcel shelf. 10 seconds later 4 bars! Drove round loads of dead spots. 3 times round and no lost satellite. Bit of lag - probably due to it being at the back of the car (or in the Boot) but much better than it was.

Quickly managed to run the cable around the trim over the doors and into the boot. Quick but discreet. Later I'll take a bit more time, some sticky cable fixers and maybe Velcro it under the parcel shelf.

As the aerial has a magnetic base does anyone know where you can get metal disks with sticky backs? Idea is to stick one on the rear or (preferably) front window and use the aerial there.

Spaceliner · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 03, 2006 Posts: 25

[quote="PaulB2005"]

PaulB2005 · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 3:15 pm Post subject:

Just to quickly answer your question - not really sure if i understand you correctly but the Speed Camera database for the i3 warns you if you approach a camera above the Speed Limit but no camera = no warnings.

Dopes the Inforad warn you when speeding regardless of the presence of cameras?

As for eBay whilst i shop on-line all the time - another order arrived this morning - i can't bring myself to buy on eBay. Much better to hop on the train, walk into Maplin and hop on the train home.

I'll have a look at your install in a bit.

Spaceliner · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 03, 2006 Posts: 25

Thanks, Now I have a better understanding about what I can expect from the speed camera database, it has great potential.

From my limited experience of the i3, it seems that you are notified of entering a speed camera zone, but the zones are quite large and you could be on a different road.

I have not received an overspeed warning yet but I have not broken the limit (past a camera) since I have had my i3. My current understanding is that although the i3 makes you aware of being in a speed camera "zone" you do not know where the camera is so you may activate the overspeed warning at the same time as having your picture taken!

The ideal solution would be to have the speed camera position marked on the map as you approach it, I can't see how to do this yet.

The Inforad only warns you of an overspeed in the vacinity of speed camera, not elsewhere.

But the Inforad is much more accurate in pin-pointing the speed camera location and you can define the distance (approach and departure) in a speed camera "zone". Since I last updated it, mine only alerts me of speed cameras for the direction I'm travelling in.

It beeps once to notify you of the presence of a speed camera and continues to beep if you are going too fast. A red LED also flashes for the duration of the "zone" and will be solid (not flashing) if you are going too fast. You can also mute it and add your own "blackspots" at the push of a button.

The main advantage here is that as soon as you are alerted you know how far in front of you the speed camera will be and can react accordingly and do not have to be looking behind every bush and roadsign for a Gatso.

The inforad also has a "speed limiter" function where you can set it to beep if you exceed a certain speed - great for temporary speed limits etc.

Sorry for drifting off subject a little here!

PaulB2005 · Posted: Thu Jan 05, 2006 8:26 pm Post subject:

Spaceliner · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 03, 2006 Posts: 25

Not keen on it beepin' at me if i'm not doing anything wrong though!

Ash10 · Pocket GPS Verifier Joined: Feb 19, 2005 Posts: 478

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