Hey Guys..
i think this software probably doesn't exist.. but i thought let's give it a try
I recently swapped gyms and in the gym i'm now at, when i'm working out, my pulls and pushes aren't counted.. also the distance i pull/push isnt checked like in my former gym.. so i can't watch my technique..
Then i thought.. maybe there's an app wich uses the g-sensor too register the movement of the device and displays them usefull for working out, when i attach my phone to the weights..
Anyone's come across such software??
Thankyou
Well the accelerometer in the phone can only track acceleration (and direction, due to gravity), not absolute movement or distance. To do that, you need a reference point and potentially other sensors (e.g. the Nintendo Wii's IR bar, and the additional angular rate sensors in the MotionPlus accessory).
If you had a set speed, you could calculate distance based on time (which it'd know by the angle of the phone, assuming you attached it to yourself / the weights in a fixed position), but your speed's probably going to vary enough to make the output useless.
hmm.. too bad..
Thanks for the response!!
...by 'proper', I mean 'standalone'!
Basically the same as my old Vapirius AX (similar to Rock/Z1) that I've used daily for 2 years, but much cheaper and runs Android 4.1 and it has 320x240 2'' screen and not the square 240x240 1.5'' style of most watches which I can't get on with.
I'm going to order it and check it out. .
Nothing to lose at that price!
http://www.hongkongeek.com/en/smartwatches/5337-20-inches-watch-an1-with-android-41.html
Wearable Smart Phone Watch AN1 2.0" Touch Screen Android 4.1.1 w/ Camera / Wi-Fi - White + Silver - Free Shipping - DealExtreme
Looks like the Neptune Pine...
The AN1 Reviewed (I Think Comprehensively)
Here's what you need to know about the watch, which I've used for several days. It's more a sweet novelty than a gadget of genuine use. But it works. It's basically a mini-tablet phone (or phablet) and functions via the exact same Android protocols, except the master controls are hard, physical buttons built into the left and right sides, rather than soft touch-buttons on or below the screen. And of course the interface is configured to adapt to the tiny size. Yet at two-inches, that screen is a bit big for comfort if you like wearing the watch face on the inside of your wrist (which I do). So I sometimes rotate it to switch position.
Touch sensitivity seems excellent, as well as touch accuracy, which is hugely important given the minuscule QWERTY keyboard that pops up when you need to enter text. Unlocking the startup screen is frustrating at first until you figure out that you have to swipe the icon up or down, not to the side, as on bigger screens. There's no icon or hard control to access the active-apps screen (from which you can toggle back and forth between active apps and turn running apps off); as on certain larger phablets, you get to it by long-pressing the home screen button.
Because the AN1 is small, its WiFi receptivity is modest (the signal is strongest the closer you are to the source). So's volume but it's not bad for the size. You won't hear much through the earphones except in relatively quiet places, unless you have a separate sound booster; but in quiet places it isn't bad. However, it's impossible to attach the earphones one-handed; at least it is for me: You have to hold open the protective soft plastic flap that covers the mini-USB port (which is where they attach), which means you can't wear it while setting that up. That said, the AN1 will also transmit to Bluetooth headsets. And video/audio playback is very smooth. Even impressive, all things considered. Not a gamester, so no idea how gameplay would go. But with a two-inch screen, why would you want to?
Believe it or not, eBook reading is also a very decent experience in either the page or landscape aspect, though for simple eye-to-text positioning, page view works best if you take the watch off and operate it two-handed. In landscape view, though, you can make like **** Tracy. The only reading app I've tried so far is Amazon Kindle, but every feature seems to work per normal. Whatever normal is at that size.
No problem with the phone detecting a SIM card or storage-expansion microSD card (I added the 32G max, which costs all of $10 on eBay). But the cards are tricky to insert, because the lock flaps that secure them in place are so flimsy. However, once they're in, they're in. And insertion of the expansion card is critical, since the Internal Storage provided is write-protected; you won't be able to download (via internet) or sideload (via computer) files or apps without providing extra storage.
The battery is built into the back cover. Comes the time when it no longer holds a charge, one would need a replacement cover. I assume those are available or will be made so eventually.
There's no Playstore app included; plus it's futile to sideload-and-install Playstore from another source, since the app quits as soon as it boots. There is instead the HiMarket app, whose store features mostly Chinese text; but if you know the apps you want/need, you can still enter a search in English and find them -- most of the time. Sideloading and installing other apps also seems to work -- most of the time.
And oh, yeah -- in the "Good safety tip, Egon" department -- don't wear the AN1 (or any other Android watch of similar concept) in inclement weather. With an exposed speaker grille and exposed miniUSB access port (the protective flap doesn't fit snugly), not to mention hard buttons that aren't part of the case proper, bringing this out into very moist air or, worse, active precipitation, would be like putting your iPad in a filling toilet tank to see how high the water has to go before it fries.
Not encountering anything much in the way of buggyness yet. All in all, the AN1 does precisely what it claims to do. And for the conversation-pieceness of it, and frankly, the satisfaction of my curiosity, I'm happy to be an owner. It won't collect dust. But it's not for the customer looking for significant enhancement of his electronic life beyond what he already has.
Thanks for the review.
Also been using the AN1 for a couple of weeks and fairly impressed, but then I've been wearing a similar one for a couple of years and have only that and a conventional phone to compare it with.
Confused what you say about the battery; my AN1 has a battery on the back that can be detached and changed by pressing a small recessed lug/clip. The battery is the same as the old Z1/Rock/Vapirius so is readily available. Are you sure your battery is non-removable?
Also, as it's rooted - although Superuser is not installed - all current Play Store and Google services, sync adapters etc can be side loaded into system/apps, changing permissions the usual way. I am running all the latest Google App stuff now, but you're right about the Chinese Market and I removed it immediately along with anything Baidu related.
My only mild criticism of the watch (I can live with the floppy USB port cover as most mobile phones have no cover whatsoever) is the screen, not the digitizer which as you point out is responsive and works well, but the outside screen. It's scratched badly already and cleaning it makes it even worse. It's almost like a bad plastic. My other smartwatch has been used every day for two years and the screen still looks brand new without protection.
Lesson is get a good screen protector BEFORE even touching it! Although is fairness, the scratches don't really show when the screen is powered.
The sound can be tweaked in the engineering settings (I've forgotten the number/symbol sequence to access those settings right now) and I have managed to get it sufficiently loud to annoy other people listening to a phone conversation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxzycSNQsz4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yjVVHpP1AM
Cheers!
marcusroberts said:
Thanks for the review.
Also been using the AN1 for a couple of weeks and fairly impressed, but then I've been wearing a similar one for a couple of years and have only that and a conventional phone to compare it with.
Confused what you say about the battery; my AN1 has a battery on the back that can be detached and changed by pressing a small recessed lug/clip. The battery is the same as the old Z1/Rock/Vapirius so is readily available. Are you sure your battery is non-removable?
Also, as it's rooted - although Superuser is not installed - all current Play Store and Google services, sync adapters etc can be side loaded into system/apps, changing permissions the usual way. I am running all the latest Google App stuff now, but you're right about the Chinese Market and I removed it immediately along with anything Baidu related.
My only mild criticism of the watch (I can live with the floppy USB port cover as most mobile phones have no cover whatsoever) is the screen, not the digitizer which as you point out is responsive and works well, but the outside screen. It's scratched badly already and cleaning it makes it even worse. It's almost like a bad plastic. My other smartwatch has been used every day for two years and the screen still looks brand new without protection.
Lesson is get a good screen protector BEFORE even touching it! Although is fairness, the scratches don't really show when the screen is powered.
The sound can be tweaked in the engineering settings (I've forgotten the number/symbol sequence to access those settings right now) and I have managed to get it sufficiently loud to annoy other people listening to a phone conversation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MxzycSNQsz4
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yjVVHpP1AM
Cheers!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
all good and great but remember its running android 2.x!
cylent said:
all good and great but remember its running android 2.x!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No. The AN1 is running 4.1.1. The older Vapirius watch I mentioned is running 2.1.
with the z1 smartwatch / Vapirius they stopped with the clean rom I would like to see a custom rom for this :fingers-crossed:
I found this clone of Galaxy Gear and it's even cheaper at $85.99 !?
http://vifocal.com/mobile-phones/ot...-2-os-dual-core-wifi-fm-1-54-inch-screen.html
And a review for it:
http://www.quadcoremobiles.com/2014...ewgalaxy-gear-clone-dual-core-android-4-2-os/
Wasn't the Galaxy Gear a fail.
Specs'
acb123 said:
I found this clone of Galaxy Gear and it's even cheaper at $85.99 !?
http://vifocal.com/mobile-phones/ot...-2-os-dual-core-wifi-fm-1-54-inch-screen.html
And a review for it:
http://www.quadcoremobiles.com/2014...ewgalaxy-gear-clone-dual-core-android-4-2-os/
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
For $85.99 you get: +$15 delivery to UK
8MP Camera
Android 4.2 OS
Thickness is about 8-9mm
MTK6572 Dual core processor, 512M RAM+4G ROM
350mAh Battery
E-Compass, Direction, acceleration, temperature,pressure, ambient temperature and linear acceleration sensor
Not bad. I wonder if its splash proof?
** More importantly, can you use Play Store? Anyone? **
simple1i said:
For $85.99 you get: +$15 delivery to UK
8MP Camera
Android 4.2 OS
Thickness is about 8-9mm
MTK6572 Dual core processor, 512M RAM+4G ROM
350mAh Battery
E-Compass, Direction, acceleration, temperature,pressure, ambient temperature and linear acceleration sensor
Not bad. I wonder if its splash proof?
** More importantly, can you use Play Store? Anyone? **
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This isn't a Play Store compatible device. Also, looking at the pictures, the apps are proprietary.
Some Android devices, especially Chinese ones that I've used, Google Services aren't installed and have been done so manually in order to get all the Android features.
This isn't one of them.
I can give the firmware for the AN1 if someone would like to make a custom rom.
marcusroberts said:
This isn't a Play Store compatible device. Also, looking at the pictures, the apps are proprietary.
Some Android devices, especially Chinese ones that I've used, Google Services aren't installed and have been done so manually in order to get all the Android features.
This isn't one of them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Shame hey.
All those sensors are useless if there's no app for it.
sensors
They've caught on to a great idea, but it seems pretty pointless as said before. Hopefully there will be some improvements in the (less expensive) range of android wear.
google apps
with the z1 i used gapps install zip and gapps copy zip.You guys that have the AN1 do you have these for this watch or can you point me to the place to get them.
1bluemax said:
with the z1 i used gapps install zip and gapps copy zip.You guys that have the AN1 do you have these for this watch or can you point me to the place to get them.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Details on how to load all the Google stuff onto the AN1 and most other similar Chinese devices are here (reply#7):
http://linuxslate.com/cgi-bin/forum/YaBB.pl?num=1399895851
These are the steps:
Here are my instructions for putting all the correct Google Play stuff and thereby having a full non-Chinese Android. Remember to totally uninstall all the Chinese Market and Baidu.
Download the files from here:
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/56ppcal1t9dwm6g/AACubjVgwQIcFjVv0_wvo05na
1. Use Root Explorer
2. Copy GoogleServicesFramework.apk, GoogleLoginService.apk and Google_Play-v3.8.17.apk to the system/app folder on your phone with Root Explorer.
3. In Root Explorer click Mount R/W. Change the permissions of the 3 files to match the permissions of the other files in the folder rw-r--r-- (6-4-4). Then click Mount R/O and exit Root Explorer.
4. Install GoogleCalendarSyncAdapter and GoogleContactsSyncAdapter the usual app way.
5. Reboot your phone. Hard reset is not necessary.
6. Go to Accounts & Sync in your phone's settings, click Add account and enter your Google/GMail account details.
7. Go to your apps and Launch Google Play.
8. Update any Google stuff from Play Store if prompted.
I'll do a vid of this sometime.
Good luck!
Marcus
Thanks for the info.:good:
AN1 Battery Clarification
Hey, Marcus -
Sorry to take so long to reply.
When I said the AN1 battery was non-removable, I meant that the back of the AN1 watch IS the battery, for all intents and purposes, and is the battery housing, not a mini-case into which a battery could fit. Yes, as you say, it's removable via the lug-clip and that gives you access to the card slots. But I didn't know one could buy a replacement; the lug-clip architecture is so specific to the watch build that I thought an AN1 battery replacement would have to be sold as a locked-to-the-model accessory. (Well, until today; trolling around eBay I saw a Z1 battery/back panel replacement for sale and kind of assumed it would fit the AN1. But it was $39 which struck me as high, so I didn't purchase. I'll do a broader search for Z1 replacements now, though. If you know of where they can be gotten cheaply, chime in.)
No Real Need for Rooting
By the way ...
Even though the AN1 isn't Play Store compatible, I've been able to load everything on it that I need. I either find direct links to download the APKs desired, or APK store links that bring me to the APK. In any event, sideloading from my computer is easy, then I just use File Manager to open the apps. If the apps don't work, I uninstall them. Most of them do. And there are so many choices that you can eventually have it doing everything you desire of it. (Beasr in mind, it's not really practical to install anything too unique or fancy on the watch because of its screen size; it's best for basic utilities that let you play videos, read books, manage calendar data, email, facebook, etc. And it does all that handily. Sometimes not with apps that work on your larger Android devices; but it doesn't take much time at all to find something that'll do the job as well in miniature.)
Discussion about perfect smartwatch.
My perfect smartwatch:
Design from Zgpax S8 ( same camera position, same size, same weight )
Detachable like Abardeen F80 (better for calls)
Light sensor
Temperature sensor
Headphones in
Water resistant
Mtk 6572
1gb ram
3g ( automatic 2g-3g, on demand to save battery)
Standalone- companion switch mode.
If we keep the discusion to realistic specs/features then people will benefit from the input hopefully.
1. Optimised software for watches
2. Biggest battery without being too thick
3. Transreflective screen
4. Lots of sensors as practical without effecting the performance too much
4a. An app for each sensor so the watch knows when its being worn or not
5. Companion app
6. IP67/8
7. How about a speaker on the belt like the inWatchZ, but a detachable bluetooth one.
Motorola's Project Ara - i hope someday the technology becomes available for watches so we can choose sensors and battery sizes ...etc.
Also....
8. Like the HotWatch which has a patented directional mic on the wristband that (they promise) gives crystal clear calls if you rasie your hand to your ear.
Since, i run every single day this is a smartwatch from a runner's view.
1- ip67/8 is the most important feature, i dont need to explain why
2-RADIO FM(believe it or not, theres awesome waches that carry awesome specs and i didnt buy cause of fm radio like SW019)
3-3.5 mm jack, this is imperative
4- 2g/3gnetwork (make a call while you run or use google now to tell you weather, is just fine)
5- battery 700mah or more(and here 70% of the work is made on OS the other 30% are real battery juice)
6-wake up feature like in motoactv(save about 30% battery).
7-android 4.0>4.1>4.2>4.3>4.4 NOT ANDROID WEAR, i dont like it.
8- hardware buttons, for people who run this is essential(or a gesture based launcher/swipe-like).
9-nice straps, the best ones i find like motoactv/abardeen(strapes overtime they broke, this one can be replaced)
10- notification led (for notifications and for when its charging) not mandatory but it is good to have it
11- back pins for charging(my motoactv is really bad, cause i have to charge it every day, wich means plug/unplug a lot).
12- Price i wont ever buy a watch over 250$, im searching arround 200/150$, seriously, cause after all is a smartwatch.
overall the perfect watch is really close to archieve, but in every watch theres always something that they miss
abarden is the best i found for a price im willing to pay. however i cant find the 3g version of it, im starting to get tired.
A multi coloured LED which is programmable for different events would save the battery a little. You would be able to see who is contacting you and if its a Text, email ...etc.
Is a new OS for watches/wearables needed. Is so what would be the best option?
1. Android optimised for wearables
2. Nucleus - its made for low power devices
3. WebOS ?
4. Anything else?
Official website for this model: http://www.intex.in/smartwearables/smartwatch/i-rist/
Buy smartwatch intex irist black in mediamarkt.
I had to change it several times. Firstly because it is impossible to navigate in Google Maps or any other, secondly because two of the clocks were already badly manufactured: one with the tactile screwed and another that did not light.
When he was resigned to not being able to use the point-to-point navigation, it turns out that the camera is damaged. Forced shutdown with any photo testing app.
Here comes the odyssey with the SAT, which by the way is in Spain.
I send the clock and they tell me that they proceed to the repair, that they have to wait for them to send a piece to them. After almost two months and give them a notice they send me back the clock. Surprise! It turns out it's not mine, has a gmail account of another person and a huge rayon.
I can be picked up about two weeks later, after three times, so that one day the collection will be made and no one will be presented that day.
Without prior notice they deliver a package. I think my watch is finally repaired ... Surprise again! It is a new one but orange.
After days to email basis and two calls tell me to send me a black this time, but there is no stock of that color and have no idea how long it will take.
Of my old watch and its repair not a word, so I assume that they have lost it.
In short 3 months without a clock what I have left. Luckily the SAT is in Spain.
After using three watches of this model I can say as pros and cons:
CONS:
- Bugs or failures recognized by the technical service itself:
*. Unable to disable automatic screen rotation
*. Spontaneous ignition of the screen: according to the SAT is a bug that occurs when you lose coverage, and the solution they give is that you only use the 2g when you pass. Take it now!
*- The battery percentage indicator is often not updated. It can mark you an i says when it really is much lower. The problem is that when you think that you have more than half the battery, it starts to fall as fast as it sometimes does not give you time to turn it off before it stays at 0. Derived from this is the problem That many times the battery is completely discharged, making it after a while lose much durability. SAT solution: send another charger, which is useless.
- Very low volume: it is possible that in a noisy street you have to stick the loudspeaker to the ear to hear a call.
- The price: expensive for what it offers and compared with others who give the same for 100-125 euros.
- GPS and Navigation: Tested on three watches of this model. As I said impossible to navigate point to point. As soon as you turn or change direction you will be "looking for a signal". The GPS signal as soon as you put it on the wrist low. It is spectacular to see how low the satellite reception (using the Gps test app looks), and see how it comes back up as soon as you take it off:
http://youtu.be/IFKA-eWrLtY
- In summer with these silicone straps and what the watch warms up, when you are using it for a while, it can be very uncomfortable to use it.
- Framing with the camera is very difficult task and more if we consider that the screen rotates and you can not remove the rotation
- Support: null. They just got an update.
- Software included: painful. It is best to take away almost all the apps you carry and replace them with others.
- Flimsy buttons: they give the impression that they will not last more than a year.
PROS:
- Accurate touch.
- The screen looks great, the resolution is more than enough for such a device.
- The use of apps has no problems: you can install and work well Whatsapp, gmail, youtube, etc. Only some have problems because they do not fit the small size of the screen.
- The screen is true that it withstands scratches and blows.
- The possibility of putting a 32GB card, makes me have almost all my discography in the wrist.
Conclusion: I do not recommend it at all. It is much more expensive than other equal options. The only advantage was the guarantee of being able to buy it in a physical store and have a technical service in Spain. Once the warranty of the store is finished, you are sold.
It is significant that in Mediamarkt once they disposed of the stock did not replace units again. In the end I confessed to a salesman who had been returned a lot for a lot of bugs.
I have no experience with other Intex products, nor do I want to have it. A brand that draws such a great deal of product from me does not offer me any security. And I say that it is a mi ** da because you can not get a device with recognized faults, then not fix them with updates, and also know that a high percentage of devices are already going out with factory defects. In short, my opinion of intex is that it is a brand that can be attributed the qualification of Chinese, "in the worst sense of the term, in the sense that it seems that they do not have minimum standards of quality.
Enviado desde mi T1-701u mediante Tapatalk
I installed my GPS antenna just sitting on top of the PX5 HU , hidden in dash. I have had intermittent performance and I'm trying to figure out the issue. Historically until today I have been using the HAL9 k Android 8 ROM. I have upgraded to the HAL9k Android 9 ROM but not tested enough to comment on performance.
Historically it would work one day, then struggle to keep a lock the next.
I am wondering if I should change the GPS antenna location? Perhaps move it behind rear view mirror. The GPS test shows 20+ satellites with a 15-20 meter accuracy when checked.
Does anyone suggest anything to improve reliability ?
I put my GPS antenna under the roof liner on passenger side.
Modern cars have laminated, coated windscreens that attenuate radio signals.
Having pretty steady reception.
Sent from my Nokia 7 plus using Tapatalk
90Ninety9 said:
I installed my GPS antenna just sitting on top of the PX5 HU , hidden in dash. I have had intermittent performance and I'm trying to figure out the issue. Historically until today I have been using the HAL9 k Android 8 ROM. I have upgraded to the HAL9k Android 9 ROM but not tested enough to comment on performance.
Historically it would work one day, then struggle to keep a lock the next.
I am wondering if I should change the GPS antenna location? Perhaps move it behind rear view mirror. The GPS test shows 20+ satellites with a 15-20 meter accuracy when checked.
Does anyone suggest anything to improve reliability ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I have mine inside one of the clearance lights on my truck. Not sure what you drive but maybe there is a creative option. I would think in the dash, up against the HU, would be about the worst reception so anything will be an improvement.
I have mine behind the cover for the a pillar to the left of the windscreen, I just popped the pillar cover off and stuck some double sided tape on the antenna and then job done when I popped the pillar cover back on. Gets full signal all the time.
If you’ve got it on the headunit there will be too many obstructions/Interference.
Behind the rear view mirror would be ideal to be fair.
You should just put it on top of your dash for a day or two to try it and if it works fine then you know the problem is because of where you’ve currently got it.
90Ninety9 said:
I installed my GPS antenna just sitting on top of the PX5 HU , hidden in dash. I have had intermittent performance and I'm trying to figure out the issue. Historically until today I have been using the HAL9 k Android 8 ROM. I have upgraded to the HAL9k Android 9 ROM but not tested enough to comment on performance.
Historically it would work one day, then struggle to keep a lock the next.
I am wondering if I should change the GPS antenna location? Perhaps move it behind rear view mirror. The GPS test shows 20+ satellites with a 15-20 meter accuracy when checked.
Does anyone suggest anything to improve reliability ?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The gps signal is quite a complicated one which is subject to among other things; multipathing (signals bouncing off other things and confusing the situation) For that reason your antenna should be mounted as high as possible with as few obstructions as possible with the widest angle towards the sky. In other words outside and center on the roof would be the best place. Now understandably people don't want to drill holes through their roofs or even have the antennas visible.... but the closer you get to that point, the less error you will have.
Inside the dash on top of the radio has to be about the WORST place you can think of.
mines just jammed behind my head unit and works fine.
I have mine also behind the HU hidden in the dash. Work's great. The only issue i have is, when i didn't use the GPS for some hour's. It is like the GPS Antenna would be in deep sleep mode. It takes some minutes until i have a 3D Fix, it shows satellites, but won't connect. After 2-5 minutes it works fine.
Do you have also this kind of issue at cold start?
tomygunner said:
I have mine also behind the HU hidden in the dash. Work's great. The only issue i have is, when i didn't use the GPS for some hour's. It is like the GPS Antenna would be in deep sleep mode. It takes some minutes until i have a 3D Fix, it shows satellites, but won't connect. After 2-5 minutes it works fine.
Do you have also this kind of issue at cold start?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
It sounds similar to the issue historically . Would work when I was testing , though the unit would be on for several minuites ( updates patches ect)
Cant believe that some are suggesting its the worse place , considering this is where many installer pros will put it . Makes sense its has direct line of sight under window .
Cant see how A pillar or Rear view mirror would make much difference , since its doing the same ( going though a window)
90Ninety9 said:
Cant believe that some are suggesting its the worse place , considering this is where many installer pros will put it . Makes sense its has direct line of sight under window .
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Yes, but just because that's where installers put it doesn't mean it isn't the worst* place. It is the easiest place that requires no fishing and is invisible to the user. I don't believe anyone is saying it won't work there - just that it will work better in a less obstructed location and that if you are having signal issues the first thing to test is moving it to an open location and comparing. It's an easy and informative test. When hidden inside the dash, the performance can vary by make/model.
*"Worst" being within reason. Arguably inside the oil pan could be considered the worst or possibly at home on your desk...
90Ninety9 said:
It sounds similar to the issue historically . Would work when I was testing , though the unit would be on for several minuites ( updates patches ect)
Cant believe that some are suggesting its the worse place , considering this is where many installer pros will put it . Makes sense its has direct line of sight under window .
Cant see how A pillar or Rear view mirror would make much difference , since its doing the same ( going though a window)
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Direct line of sight from the front, not the back.
8 times out of 10 there are lots of satellites in the (clear) sky in your area to get a good lock, all works fine and the installers get away with being lazy. That however doesn't mean the install was proper. Look at it this way... there is a reason why they supply these antennas with long cords, and I assure you that reason has little to do with bundling up the cord so the antenna sits a foot away from the radio.
I put mine on top of the A/C vent tube above the head unit. I also added a flat piece of sheet metal under the antenna and on top of the vent tube for a ground plane. So the antenna is directly under the center of the dash and there is no metal in the dash above it. The sheet metal under the antenna makes a big difference. Try just setting your antenna on top of your dash and test the signal strength. Then put a metal plate under it and try again. For me I saw a difference with the metal plate.