Athermic windshield blocking GPS signal

325high · 10-17-2010, 04:45 PM

edit: solved

I took a 5 hour drive up to Michigan this weekend and about 20 minutes in, I realized that the e90's windshield blocks Garmin gps reception. I searched the crap out of this issue and was only able to determine that it's the athermic windshield that's doing it. So anyways I ended up riding w/ my gps on the armrest under the sunroof and that worked (though it sucked not being able to see the damn thing). So it looks like my best option is getting an external GPS antenna and affixing it to the roof (where I'm sure it'll get plenty of unwanted attention). But I was wondering if the shark fin is a gps receiver. If so, can i tap into it somewhere so i don't have to put a big clunky gps antenna on my roof? Anyone have any experience w/ this issue or any resolutions besides taking a 9 iron to the windshield and filing an insurance claim?

Cheers.

DJtoad · 10-17-2010, 05:16 PM

An external antenna is the easiest solution, but if you don't want to attach an external antenna you can always pick up a re-radiating antenna (usually $40 or less). It doesn't need to be connected to the GPS but does require power.

skipper400 · 10-19-2010, 08:20 AM

Not such an issue with my 3er Sedan...Using an HTC HD with NDrive and Destinator maps

I335 · 10-19-2010, 08:40 AM

GPS on my iphone works perfectly through the windshield. I'd recommend researching a bit more to make 100% sure it's your windshield that's causing the problem before you go and do something unnecessary. I doubt your windshield is the problem here...

asuresh8 · 10-19-2010, 08:49 AM

I've never had a problem with my iphone gps, but this would explain why my Dad's Garmin wouldn't work in my car

Michael Schott · 10-19-2010, 09:20 AM

I use a Garmin 750 in my e90 and it works perfectly. No way is the windshield the issue.

wrickem · 10-19-2010, 09:37 AM

I didn't realize that 3 series BMW's had athermic windshields. I was always under the impression that athermic ones were the windshields that you can notice a mile away because they look like they have big blue patches on them when you're wearing polarized sunglasses... where you can't see the driver at all. The ones that I always notice like that are Mercedes S class, those old Lumina mini vans, Buick Rendezvous, and some Cadillacs. I also thougth ez-pass didn't work easily with them.

Does anybody know what I am talking about with big "patches" while wearing polarized sunglasses in windshields (as opposed to the dots).

Eights-n-Aces · 10-19-2010, 09:48 AM

There is another forum GPSPassion.com that's dedicated to GPS users. They have some really knowledgeable guys on there. I would ask there whether your windshield is the problem or something else.

renaultf1 · 10-19-2010, 10:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eights-n-Aces

There is another forum GPSPassion.com that's dedicated to GPS users. They have some really knowledgeable guys on there. I would ask there whether your windshield is the problem or something else.

+1. I think you might have something else going on as I use my Garmin nuvi 755t without issue in my new e91.

325high · 10-19-2010, 10:15 AM

hmm. so why would the gps work fine under the sunroof but lose its reception under the windshield? the iphone gps uses triangulation via cell towers to determine location, not satellites (which is why it works indoors).

I was skeptical that the windshield was causing it since i saw no other complaints but my gps is definitely not working when on the dash. Maybe i'll try my fiancee's gps in my car and see if that works. maybe my gps is just getting old.

so does the 3 series have athermic windshields or not?

thanks for the replies

F32Fleet · 10-19-2010, 10:18 AM

GPS is overrated. Toss it.

bob.g · 10-19-2010, 10:23 AM

ive got a tomtom that i use and the windshield has never affected it. I ususally pop open the ashtrey and let it sit in there (it doesnt hold perfectly but close enuff). However there have been times when i used the windshield mount and the reception was fine.

timmahh · 10-19-2010, 10:40 AM

Are your windows tinted? Metallic window tints can cause interference w/ GPS units.

RE: Athermic
http://www.tssltd.co.uk/traffic-faq_gps.html

BMW 3 Series
BMW 5 Series
BMW 7 Series
BMW X5

Though it doesn't mention anything about model years. Where is the factory GPS unit located? In the fin or in the front dash? Thought I read something about it being in the front dash, in which case it would seem the windshield would cause problems for the factory system -if that is the problem.

325high · 10-19-2010, 09:52 PM

no, no tinted windows. i can't find my gf's gps so i can't test whether or not it's an issue my w/ gps.

now that i think of it, the windshield may have been replaced at some point in the car's life b/c the rubber trim above the windshield is kinda messed up looking. in fact, i'm pretty sure it was replaced. the windshield has a BMW stamp on it but it might not be the original specs.

One noticeable thing about it is that near the rear view mirror, there's a clear line where a tint begins. so 6" around the rear view mirror is untinted and the rest of the windshield is slightly tinted. Does your windshields have this? Maybe this tint (or whatever it is) is my issue

Bavarian E92 · 10-19-2010, 09:59 PM

Get the Nuvi 37xx series! Works like a charm

smellthebeans · 10-19-2010, 10:12 PM

Never had a problem with my Garmin Nuvi (it's an older one). Mine sits in front of the vent to the left of the unlock button.

fdriller9 · 10-19-2010, 10:26 PM

You can just put the external antennae under your hood somewhere. Maybe near where the ECU box is.

BTM · 10-19-2010, 10:37 PM

While I don't used GPS daily, I have used both TomTom and Garmin GPS units suctioned to my windshield w/o a problem...

JayKay335i · 10-19-2010, 11:44 PM

Never had a problem with GPS. And I'm pretty sure they ditched the athermic windows as a cost cutting measure.

gramz · 10-20-2010, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auger330

no, no tinted windows. i can't find my gf's gps so i can't test whether or not it's an issue my w/ gps.

now that i think of it, the windshield may have been replaced at some point in the car's life b/c the rubber trim above the windshield is kinda messed up looking. in fact, i'm pretty sure it was replaced. the windshield has a BMW stamp on it but it might not be the original specs.

One noticeable thing about it is that near the rear view mirror, there's a clear line where a tint begins. so 6" around the rear view mirror is untinted and the rest of the windshield is slightly tinted. Does your windshields have this? Maybe this tint (or whatever it is) is my issue

im pretty sure thats there so theres no interference with ezpass, i remember having that in my 08 335 havent noticed if its on my 2011.

325high · 11-11-2010, 12:44 PM

just as an update, i got a new gps and it works fine now. Apparently my old gps was just lacking in receiver power so it couldn't get reception through the windshield.

wrickem · 11-11-2010, 01:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by auger330

just as an update, i got a new gps and it works fine now. Apparently my old gps was just lacking in receiver power so it couldn't see get reception through the windshield.

Thanks for the update. Most people just leave the thread hanging wide open and everybody wondering. Glad it turned out alright for you.

10-17-2010, 04:45 PM	#1
325high Second Lieutenant 44 Rep 202 Posts Drives: 3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: boston iTrader: (1)	Athermic windshield blocking GPS signal edit: solved I took a 5 hour drive up to Michigan this weekend and about 20 minutes in, I realized that the e90's windshield blocks Garmin gps reception. I searched the crap out of this issue and was only able to determine that it's the athermic windshield that's doing it. So anyways I ended up riding w/ my gps on the armrest under the sunroof and that worked (though it sucked not being able to see the damn thing). So it looks like my best option is getting an external GPS antenna and affixing it to the roof (where I'm sure it'll get plenty of unwanted attention). But I was wondering if the shark fin is a gps receiver. If so, can i tap into it somewhere so i don't have to put a big clunky gps antenna on my roof? Anyone have any experience w/ this issue or any resolutions besides taking a 9 iron to the windshield and filing an insurance claim? Cheers. Last edited by 325high; 11-11-2010 at 05:41 PM..
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10-17-2010, 05:16 PM	#2
DJtoad Captain 58 Rep 665 Posts Drives: 2010 535i M Sport Join Date: May 2008 Location: Ellicott City, MD iTrader: (2)	An external antenna is the easiest solution, but if you don't want to attach an external antenna you can always pick up a re-radiating antenna (usually $40 or less). It doesn't need to be connected to the GPS but does require power. __________________ 2010 535i M Sport - Platinum Gray/Dakota Black/Anthracite Bamboo 2016 Jaguar F-Type S AWD - Polar White/Cirrus
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10-19-2010, 08:20 AM	#3
skipper400 Private 9 Rep 53 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Athens - Greece iTrader: (0) Garage List 2007 e90 [0.00]	Not such an issue with my 3er Sedan...Using an HTC HD with NDrive and Destinator maps __________________ Please have a look >> http://www.instacanv.as/edpapho My point of view with an iPhone.
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10-19-2010, 08:40 AM	#4
I335 Brigadier General 123 Rep 4,249 Posts Drives: '08 335i Coupe Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: New England iTrader: (11)	GPS on my iphone works perfectly through the windshield. I'd recommend researching a bit more to make 100% sure it's your windshield that's causing the problem before you go and do something unnecessary. I doubt your windshield is the problem here...
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10-19-2010, 08:49 AM	#5
asuresh8 Second Lieutenant 9 Rep 262 Posts Drives: 09 911 C4s Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Seattle iTrader: (3) Garage List 2008 BMW 335i [0.00]	I've never had a problem with my iphone gps, but this would explain why my Dad's Garmin wouldn't work in my car
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10-19-2010, 09:20 AM	#6
Michael Schott Colonel 343 Rep 2,118 Posts Drives: 2017 VW GTI Sport Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Farmington Hills, MI iTrader: (0)	I use a Garmin 750 in my e90 and it works perfectly. No way is the windshield the issue.
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10-19-2010, 09:37 AM	#7
wrickem Big Beaver Smile 2101 Rep 3,791 Posts Drives: What he wants to Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: lambertville nj iTrader: (0)	I didn't realize that 3 series BMW's had athermic windshields. I was always under the impression that athermic ones were the windshields that you can notice a mile away because they look like they have big blue patches on them when you're wearing polarized sunglasses... where you can't see the driver at all. The ones that I always notice like that are Mercedes S class, those old Lumina mini vans, Buick Rendezvous, and some Cadillacs. I also thougth ez-pass didn't work easily with them. Does anybody know what I am talking about with big "patches" while wearing polarized sunglasses in windshields (as opposed to the dots). __________________ ______________________________________________ Current- '21 430 , '19 911, 07 M6 ,'17 Jeep Wrangler, "23 Bronco OBXluxsquatch
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10-19-2010, 09:48 AM	#8
Eights-n-Aces []D []-[] []_[] []< []\[] []_[] '][' 27 Rep 418 Posts Drives: 335i Convertible/Le Mans Blue/ Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Weston, FL iTrader: (0) Garage List 2010 335 Convertible [0.00]	There is another forum GPSPassion.com that's dedicated to GPS users. They have some really knowledgeable guys on there. I would ask there whether your windshield is the problem or something else. __________________ 2010 E93 335i M LeMans Blue 2001 E 46 330ci Coupe/silver/black/Sunroof 1999 BMW R1200C Cruiser-Ivory & Blue
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10-19-2010, 10:15 AM	#10
325high Second Lieutenant 44 Rep 202 Posts Drives: 3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: boston iTrader: (1)	hmm. so why would the gps work fine under the sunroof but lose its reception under the windshield? the iphone gps uses triangulation via cell towers to determine location, not satellites (which is why it works indoors). I was skeptical that the windshield was causing it since i saw no other complaints but my gps is definitely not working when on the dash. Maybe i'll try my fiancee's gps in my car and see if that works. maybe my gps is just getting old. so does the 3 series have athermic windshields or not? thanks for the replies
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10-19-2010, 10:18 AM	#11
F32Fleet Lieutenant General 3572 Rep 10,352 Posts Drives: 2015 435i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Southeastern US iTrader: (0)	GPS is overrated. Toss it.
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10-19-2010, 10:23 AM	#12
bob.g Captain 21 Rep 677 Posts Drives: 2006 325xi Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: montreal iTrader: (1)	ive got a tomtom that i use and the windshield has never affected it. I ususally pop open the ashtrey and let it sit in there (it doesnt hold perfectly but close enuff). However there have been times when i used the windshield mount and the reception was fine.
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10-19-2010, 10:40 AM	#13
timmahh ghey 483 Rep 2,041 Posts Drives: Viertürigen Fahrzeugs Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Southern California iTrader: (1)	Are your windows tinted? Metallic window tints can cause interference w/ GPS units. RE: Athermic http://www.tssltd.co.uk/traffic-faq_gps.html BMW 3 Series BMW 5 Series BMW 7 Series BMW X5 Though it doesn't mention anything about model years. Where is the factory GPS unit located? In the fin or in the front dash? Thought I read something about it being in the front dash, in which case it would seem the windshield would cause problems for the factory system -if that is the problem. __________________ 21 G05 > 20 G05 > 17 G30 > 14 F30 > 08 E90
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10-19-2010, 09:52 PM	#14
325high Second Lieutenant 44 Rep 202 Posts Drives: 3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: boston iTrader: (1)	no, no tinted windows. i can't find my gf's gps so i can't test whether or not it's an issue my w/ gps. now that i think of it, the windshield may have been replaced at some point in the car's life b/c the rubber trim above the windshield is kinda messed up looking. in fact, i'm pretty sure it was replaced. the windshield has a BMW stamp on it but it might not be the original specs. One noticeable thing about it is that near the rear view mirror, there's a clear line where a tint begins. so 6" around the rear view mirror is untinted and the rest of the windshield is slightly tinted. Does your windshields have this? Maybe this tint (or whatever it is) is my issue
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10-19-2010, 09:59 PM	#15
Bavarian E92 First Lieutenant 9 Rep 312 Posts Drives: 2010 E90 335 Montego Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	Get the Nuvi 37xx series! Works like a charm __________________
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10-19-2010, 10:12 PM	#16
smellthebeans Lieutenant Colonel 87 Rep 1,555 Posts Drives: LPCs Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: San Antonio iTrader: (2) Garage List 1990 325i [0.00]	Never had a problem with my Garmin Nuvi (it's an older one). Mine sits in front of the vent to the left of the unlock button. __________________
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10-19-2010, 10:26 PM	#17
fdriller9 Banned 253 Rep 7,089 Posts Drives: '06 AW 330xi Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: North Jersey/Philly/NYC iTrader: (4) Garage List 2006 330xi [6.44]	You can just put the external antennae under your hood somewhere. Maybe near where the ECU box is.
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10-19-2010, 10:37 PM	#18
BTM Banned 483 Rep 10,309 Posts Drives: A///MERICAN!!! Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: A///MERICA!!! iTrader: (11) Garage List 2007 BMW Z4 M Coupe [7.20]	While I don't used GPS daily, I have used both TomTom and Garmin GPS units suctioned to my windshield w/o a problem...
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10-19-2010, 11:44 PM	#19
JayKay335i Banned 189 Rep 5,046 Posts Drives: ///M323 DCT Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: North Dakota; its best DUHHHHHH iTrader: (1)	Never had a problem with GPS. And I'm pretty sure they ditched the athermic windows as a cost cutting measure.
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11-11-2010, 12:44 PM	#21
325high Second Lieutenant 44 Rep 202 Posts Drives: 3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: boston iTrader: (1)	just as an update, i got a new gps and it works fine now. Apparently my old gps was just lacking in receiver power so it couldn't get reception through the windshield. Last edited by 325high; 11-11-2010 at 01:07 PM..
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