Heated windscreen and iCN 510 don't seem to agree

trapper

Hi.
My new car has a heated windscreen, tried my iCN 510 today and after 20 miles and 30 minutes it had found 1 satillite Crying or Very sad

Okay it has not been used for sometime and was always very slow at finding its position but do heated windscreens mess up the GPS signal that much Question

My wifes Mini with heated screen and her TT One seem happy together.

I know I need to upgrade the 510 but don't know what to go for Confused

I need good and clear UK coverage with possibly Europe as a maybe. Easy/full postcode entry, TMS. Speed cameras I get here and do not want to play music, watch DVD's etc. If possible one that I could use as a hand held when out walking would be an advantage.

Any suggestions Question

We are touring next week so I need to act fast if I need to get a new SatNav.

Thanks in advance.

mikealder

Border_Collie · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 2:29 pm Post subject:

trapper · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 2:47 pm Post subject:

Thank you for your fast replies, the windscreen is heated as in it heats up to defrost, you can see very faint lines going vertically right across the screen. I will try a fix outside the car tonight to see if this improves the situation.

Being somewhat of a dunce how do you use a mobile for TMC reporting

Wouldn't this be rather expensive

Sorry to ask apparently silly questions Exclamation

mikealder · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 3:32 pm Post subject:

In which case you have a heated screen rather than a coated one, the heater elements do not affect the GPS reception, as you mentioned in the original post it was some time since you last used the device this will have a bearing on the issue.
The GPS device stores certain data about where the satellites will be on given dates/ times etc. once this "look up" table is out of date the device will download new data automatically from the satellites. This download can take between 10 and 20 minutes, then the device will be able to compute a position fix.
Now the unit has this data (known as almanac and ephemeris) the next position fix will be faster, see This Topic for additional explanation on what these terms mean and do for your device.

Downloading TMC data via a mobile phone is something the TomTom device can do but requires a Bluetooth connection that is compatible with the TomTom in order to work, it also requires an annual subscription.

Charges vary depending upon your mobile phone provider, they can be quite low to ludicrously high - check the small print with your phone provider to get an understanding of GPRS charges.

Also bear in mind that not all mobile phone accounts will work correctly, O2 on pay as you go only offers WAP enabled browsing and will not work for the TomTom services, however an O2 pay monthly account will work.

A question is never silly so don't refrain from asking, if you don't know the answer someone else will always assist (unless the question cannot be answered!) - Mike

trapper · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 4:16 pm Post subject:

Thank you Mike, your reply was very informative and I now know the differece between almanac and ephemeris Smile

I will check on the phone charges as I am on a PAYG scheme with Orange, I do not use the phone much so pay monthly would cost me a lot more. PAYG is the cheapest option for me.

Best regards

Trapper

trapper · Posted: Tue May 27, 2008 8:52 pm Post subject:

Orange GPRS Prices:

Brickie64 · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 7:48 pm Post subject:

Hi Trapper,
It's a while since I've used my iCN510 now but I did have similar experiences with some vehicles. I found no problem with the Ford Focus / Mondeo models with heated screens. Citroens, now that's a different story (athermic screens). In those cases, I always used a magnetic roof ariel connected via the MMCX connection on the unit, always gives good results. I've also got a re-radiating antenna which worked well but I understand there's some debate about whether they can be used now Question

The latest offerings from TomTom (*20 & *30 series) are far more sensitive receivers and I've never had a problem getting a signal in any vehicle.

Good luck

Gav
_________________
"A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible"

Garmin Nuvi 3598 + GO 720 (+USA Map Card) + NavFree for iPhone in case all else fails ;-)

mikealder · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 8:00 pm Post subject:

Brickie64 · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 9:04 pm Post subject:

Mike,
I understood at the time when this discussion took place (re-radiating antennas), the re-broadcasting units such as FM kit for iPods was illegal. A couple of years ago you were unable to buy the Belkin FM jobbie to plug into an MP3 from Dixons on the high street for that very reason (so they told me).
I see that Dixons and the other High St shops are now selling these devices. Does this mean that the restrictions for such devices have now been lifted ?

Cheers - Gav
_________________
"A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible"

Garmin Nuvi 3598 + GO 720 (+USA Map Card) + NavFree for iPhone in case all else fails ;-)

mikealder · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 9:13 pm Post subject:

For the FM transmitters that work within 88 to 108MHz band they are OK as long as they are CE marked which means they have a very low power output and will not interfere with other transmissions/ receivers (or so the authorities have decided).

GPS re-rads operate in a much higher frequency area - circa 1,5GHz and are not except from requiring a license to operate such equipment (unless MoD/ military based hardware testing) - they are still therefore illegal, but I doubt a moving vehicle containing such a unit would be detected to be honest, due to the low power levels having a very much reduced range - Mike

Brickie64 · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 9:21 pm Post subject:

Mike, Thanks for clearing that up for me. I'll only use it if no other option. To be honest the TT720 receiver is so good I doubt it will ever be needed anyway.

Guess we're a little off topic here with this - sorry... Laughing

Thanks - Gav
_________________
"A good scientist is a person with original ideas. A good engineer is a person who makes a design that works with as few original ideas as possible"

Garmin Nuvi 3598 + GO 720 (+USA Map Card) + NavFree for iPhone in case all else fails ;-)

trapper · Posted: Wed May 28, 2008 10:09 pm Post subject:

Well guys, just a tad off topic maybe Wink

You were right of course Mike, I set the 510 up outside and it found its position fairly quickly and held it on the way home.

Now, where were we,, Laughing

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