northstar gps

[johndezman]

first off this is not a complaint....<br /><br />i have my second northstar unit, now a 951 (used to have a 941. when i bought it it did not have the differential antenna so it is operating off the standard sensor/antenna.<br /><br />in these days of no selective availability, will the extra expense of the differential antenna materially improve performance? If i spend the money for a differential antenna will i see a difference?<br /><br />i should point out that where i boat in the lake erie islands, i have only had one day when SA was noticeable and that was several years ago. ordinarily i can gauge my position in the channel to the lake by the icon on the screen pretty accurately. this is the most repeatable area of reference for me. i'd guess i'm getting 5-10' repeatability now.

 

[snapperbait]

Re: northstar gps

Hard to say if you will see a noticeable difference... With differential you may get as close as 3 feet, but with the 5-10' your getting now, I don't know if I could justify spending the extra for a differential antenna... <br /><br />Since you have A Northstar (best there is, hands down), you're already ahead of the game..

 

[Boatist]

Re: northstar gps

Northstar are great unts. I do not know your model numbers but have a couple of questions. Is your new unit WAAS enabled and can you receive the two WAAS birds. I think from your location you can only get the east coast bird (AOR). Also is a DGPS signal in your area, I belive it is but like Loran C is land based and some area have no singal.<br /><br />If You get both WAAS and DGPS then I think it will make very little difference. If you only get DGPS and can not get the WAAS then the DGPS signal will make a big diffenence.<br /><br />If your getting 5 to 10 feet now is it really worth any money to improve? Also you will have the other antenna in the way.

 

[johndezman]

Re: northstar gps

my northstar is a 951 dgps (no waas). currently running only the standard antenna/sensor.<br /><br />the purpose of the post was to gain the requisit knowledge. i don't know the mechanics of either system so i posted the question.<br /><br />prior to the 951 i owned a 941 and i agree northstar makes great products. <br /><br />with my purchase of the 951 came the signal splitter/combiner for the separate dgps sensor. no the sensor didn't come with the deal. <br /><br />my boat still has an old loran unit and the old antenna is still up on the arch (looks kind of kool and symetrical with the semi matching antennas on the arch (the other being the vhf)<br /><br />if i can be convinced of a performance improvement i'd take off the loran and put up the dgps.

 

[johndezman]

Re: northstar gps

just got more confused.<br /><br />i searched for dgps and came up with the coast guard site. there they had a coverage map with beacon locations.<br /><br />it was also color coded and "my part" of lake erie has "single coverage" as opposed to the rest of the lake which has "double coverage" kind of sounds like a football defensive scheme.<br /><br />anyone have a clue what this techspeak means?

 

[johndezman]

Re: northstar gps

ttt<br /><br />guess there's no one that can help