Acer n35 GPS problems

[si_]

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?

[Donald]

[sgreenbank]

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

[si_]

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_

[sgreenbank]

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.

[JohnAaronRose]

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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