I would like to replace the stock antenna on my MCS. I have seen differing opinions on which is best.

Do the short aluminum ones get really poor reception?

I could use some input on this one!

Thanks - Steve

 

I do not feel any different with the short antenna, but I barly turn my radio on. The engine sound is like a music to my ears.

 

S2000 antenna works great for me

 

ALTA baby!

 

No problem with reception ..even when trraveling through PA from MI when my iPod ran out of juice It's the aluminum on with the "O" ring detail that look sort of "Jetson" like...without the transmitting rings:smile:

 

Check out Inovenda's Carantenna ... when I got mine, they had only one size in black or silver... now they've got colors a plenty and sizes from stubby to nubby.

I love mine!

 

I just installed S2000 last night Looks great.

 

I have the black stubby from the myminiparts.com site - which was featured in the Motoringfile.com christmas catalog. It works great. Not as strong as the stock antenna, but that is actually better, as whenever I passed under large power lines, I would get feedback through my speakers that just about blow them out. With the stubby antenna, that doesn't happen, but it still seems to catch the signals just as strong as before. I haven't tried it up a canyon with the radio on yet - as the stock antenna would hold a signal all the way up one of the canyons outside of Salt Lake City, which I have never had any car before be able to do.

You can see pics of my antenna in my most recent pictures in my gallery.

 

Honda S2000 antenna. Got it from HandA-Accessories.com
real cheap OEM Honda stuff.

 

Keep in mind you don't have to have an antenna, if you don't want one. I simply took mine off and used a small scrap left over from my bonnet stipes to cover the small hole left.


I see no difference in my reception at all. That may be different where you are, though. The best part- its a cost-free mod!

 

Another satisified S2000 user here - I've experienced NO degradation in radio reception since the retrofit. Check eBay for inexpensive parts sourcing.

 

I have the Inovenda.(middle size- 2.5" I think)New,on E-Bay for $9.99. Shipped from Germany and had it in 4 days. No reception loss and looks much better.

 

I purchased one from Moldynamics. It comes in a couple of colors -- I purchased a blue one for my Cool Blue 'vert. I hardly use the FM tuner now that I have XM, but I tried one day and the reception was as good as the stock antenna.

 

S2000 works great for me, $15 from my local dealer...

 

I simply cut mine in half. It worked great, and then I cut it in half again (1/4 wave), and it worked plenty good (some degratation, but very minimal, and not often). I then siliconed a black rubber bolt thread protector over the end to give it a finished look, and all has been fine for nearly two years...

 

Since the MINI uses a diversity tuning (actually a diversity antenna) system that uses the rear defroster grid as an antenna as well and compares the strongest signal from each and sends that to the radio, you can theoretically eliminate the roof antenna with only a slight loss in reception quality. You can get decent reception using a six inch or so mast on the roof.

 

I have the alta version of the short antenna. Works great although since the XM was installed it is going largely unused. I do believe that the S2000 antenna is cheaper than the alta version. Nearly all of them work great so it is more of a personal asthetic preference. You'd be amazed at the difference though. Gets rid of the remote control car look that the stock antenna has.

 

The reception in a MINI is terrible as it is. If you are in a spot where some stations are iffy, you probably will suffer a hit going to a shorty. I did, but I don't listen to the radio much, anymore.

For comparison, I drove away from my house (and metro Detroit) towards Flint and lost most stations on the radio about 15-20 miles sooner than in my other cars.

 

Thanks,all, for the tip on the S2000 antenna.... works great!

 

I had the S2000 antena and decided to replace it with the ALTA, there is no difference in reception between the stock antena and these two antenas. I just like the way the ALTA looks.

 

I got mine from MiniMania.com

It is only a measly 4" tall (once screwed in your MINI's antenna base), black anodized aluminum. A high-quality piece, but definitely isn't as good as the stock antenna for pulling in radio stations. If you're into the look more than listening to the radio, this is perfect for you.

Here is how they describe it: "Ultrik brings performance and vastly improved appearance for your MINI with their compact performance antenna. It's a very simple but stylish addition to your MINI that will enhance the look and maintain reception quality. Only 4 inches tall, designed to taper perfectly with the base, the sturdy compact antenna simply screws into your existing antenna mount. Fits 02-05 models."

Here's the link:
http://new.minimania.com/web/SUBTYPE..._Inventory.cfm

 

The antenae off the audi tt, i heard works and is like 2inches, anyone know?

liljack and matchbox

 

That's interesting. Where I live in Utah, I experienced just the opposite. This is the first car I have ever driven in Utah that can hold the stations up to the top of our canyons. I usually lose reception within about 5 miles from the entrances, but not in the MINI.

 

Wouldn't Jack's reindeer look stupid on a shorty?

 

Here's a not-stubby, but shorter antenna that looks nice, and only $10...
http://www.antennax.com/products/Description_ax01.htm