Navman ICN 650 Signal Reception Issues

[MoPlain]

I've used Tom Tom 3/Checkpoint and Camera Database on my Ipaq HX4700 with Seidio mount/Holux GPS receiver and found it very good. I was offered a Navman ICN 650 at a good price so I liked the idea of self contained unit with all maps. It's updated to Smart STv3 with the service pack. I'm using them in a Focus with heated windscreen but TT/Holux no signal problems at all. Both are close to each other.

Get the Navman a week or so back. Can't get any reception at all firstly - consider defect - but flash it to latest software and then seems Ok. A bit slow getting a GPS lock with variable times from power on - sometimes only a minute but up to 5 once or twice! (TT/Ipaq never more than around one minute). Driving around locally never seen the Navman lose a signal after this initial start up.

Went on my first trip with both units side by side. TT/Ipaq ready to go in a minute, Navman - well after 5 minutes I decided I needed to get going. It sparked into life within another minute or so. It then holds signal perfectly, 3 bars. (TT/Ipaq reporting 6 satellites).

M6, Birmingham area Navman just loses signal completely. TT/Ipaq reporting 7 satellites. Navman never regains signal until full reboot and then finds it again on the move at 70+ mph after around 5 minutes.

Later, coming back the same way M6, Birmingham (open sky), again loses signal and this time never regains it at all as I don't reboot it but leave it 25 mins and give up.

Is this typical Navman performance on standard antenna? Could this be a software glitch rather than signal issue?

That's the question for anyone that cares to answer. Read on for comparison info.

To me, Tom Tom is a more driver friendly product when considering speed cameras warnings inclusively. The screen auto-dims at dusk and can be accessed on the move. The visuals are also so much clearer and less cluttered. Far more personalisation can take place of warnings etc. The instructions are clearer but later than the Navman - too late for some lane changing. I want to like the Navman but on it's first real tip it let me down badly. The seller was using it with an external antenna btw but this seems a pain screwing it in and out the socket everytime to keep away from thieves.

[MoPlain]

Sorry to follow my own post, but just been out in the car again. GPS aquisition was very quick today, perfect signal thoughout stop start journey. When I left the car I left the Navman under the seat still powered up. On return, still perfect fix and it knew where it was. Back on the windscreen perfect trip home. Adds to the mystery of M6 journey described earlier. If it was a weak signal it wouldn't hold a fix under a seat! If it was something interfering with the signal on the M6 it ddidn't affect my TT/Ipaq.

We see you’re using an ad-blocker. We’re fine with that and won’t stop you visiting the site.
Have you considered making a donation towards website running costs?.
Or you could disable your ad-blocker for this site. We think you’ll find our adverts are not overbearing!