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si_ Occasional Visitor
Joined: Jul 18, 2005 Posts: 2
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Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 7:50 pm Post subject: Acer n35 GPS problems |
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just bought an Acer n35. seem to have intermittent problems getting GPS signal. sometimes takes 15-20 mins to acquire signal, sometimes can't find it at all. is anyone else having this problem or am i doing something wrong? |
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Donald Regular Visitor
Joined: Jul 18, 2005 Posts: 132 Location: Yeovil, Somerset
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Posted: Mon Jul 18, 2005 8:38 pm Post subject: Re: Acer n35 GPS problems |
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si_ wrote: | just bought an Acer n35. seem to have intermittent problems getting GPS signal. sometimes takes 15-20 mins to acquire signal, sometimes can't find it at all. is anyone else having this problem or am i doing something wrong? |
I do not have the same kit as you, but a couple of points to look out for.
1) Some cars have UV treated screens and/or electrically heated screens. If your car has such, then you will need to find another method of capturing the Sat signal. - some car manufacturers deliberately leave an area behind the rear view mirror that is clear of anti-uv or heater ellements just for that purpose. Check your handbook.
2) You may have the Receiver shielded from the signals by having it too far from the windscreen - If the reseiver is a 'wired' or 'blue tooth' then try an experiment by putting the receiver outside on the roof. If that improves matters then you may need to try placing the receiver on the back parcel shelf.
There is a device called a 'Re Radiator' It is a receiver that is intended to go outside of the car and it has a re-radiating aerial the you place very close to the pda receiver. That can improve matters dramatically... (go on eBay and search 're radiators'
Finally, if you can connect the system (PDA + SatReceiver) to an external battery, Find a place well clear of buildings, trees, overhead cables etc, and try to capture the signals. IF it is still intermittant or takes 15 minutes etc, take it back to the point of purchase and ask for your money back... |
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sgreenbank Occasional Visitor
Joined: May 11, 2005 Posts: 31 Location: South East,UK
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Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 1:07 am Post subject: Check the number of satelites |
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Check the number of satelites and the signal strength I generally get 8 or 9 of which some are strong (long lines).
I have noticed one problem where Destinator on my Acer struggles to lock if the car is moving when it starts. Starting Destinator 20 seconds before setting off is usually enough. If you have set off stopping for a short period is enough for it to sync. Slightly more irritating is the "feature" that you generally need to move for the screen to update!
If it will not get a lock in 30 seconds held outside your window in a non-built up area then I suspect its faulty.
Steve |
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si_ Occasional Visitor
Joined: Jul 18, 2005 Posts: 2
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Posted: Tue Jul 19, 2005 8:23 pm Post subject: |
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thanks both.
doesn't make any difference in or out of car. continually searches for satellites. even when it has 5 or 6, still hasn't locked position. decided to take it back to Comet today but guess what - worked perfectly on way there. will try it again tomorrow, hopefully it has 'fixed' itself else guess it's an itermittent fault.
sgreenback - useful to know you get full reception after 30 seconds - I've never had that.
cheers
Si_ |
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sgreenbank Occasional Visitor
Joined: May 11, 2005 Posts: 31 Location: South East,UK
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Posted: Thu Jul 21, 2005 11:57 am Post subject: I've tested how long to get a lock |
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Hi Si
Yesterday I tested how long it took the N35 running Destinator to get a GPS lock.
I left the machine off and drove about 3 miles - parked and turned it on (Destionator was still running from when I turned it off).
I started a timer and switch to the GPS status window. The weather was sunny, the N35 waspositioned on my dashboard with the antenna positioned roughly horizontal. My car was facing South altitude about 600 feet. The unit very quickly picked up 6 satelites but did not register a Lat/Long until 8 Satelites were found after 31 seconds. The map position does not seem to update unless you move. As I stated before if you're moving when you turn it on it can take absolutely ages (possibly never - I don't know) to acquire a lock. |
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JohnAaronRose Occasional Visitor
Joined: Apr 23, 2005 Posts: 3
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Posted: Tue Jul 26, 2005 9:11 pm Post subject: GPS Signal |
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I'm one of the many who finds it difficult to get a lock onto satellites. Sometimes it's 15 minutes, sometimes 1 minute but usually not at all with the device saying "Weak signal. Check antenna." though it doesn't tell you how.
I've tried contacting Acer and then sending it back to them. They wrote on their form that the GPS unit had been replaced. But it still seems the same to me.
I noticed on Acer's web site that they make an external antenna for the N35, which I presume would plug into the antenna socket on the right side of the N35 and then have cable to mount on th eoutside of the car. Does anyone know if this antenna improves the reception. However, I have not been able to 'Google' any supplier who sells it. Does anyone know of a supplier who stocks it?
John Rose _________________ Regards,
John
07815 105009 |
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