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It takes so long to find a satellite
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Simon0801
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Joined: Mar 26, 2006
Posts: 4

PostPosted: Wed Sep 27, 2006 11:03 pm    Post subject: It takes so long to find a satellite Reply with quote

Is it just my GO 700 or does everyone experience some lngth of time from switching on to the TomTom locating a satellite? I frequently find this can be around 5 to 10 minutes. Typically I give up waiting and drive off knowing that at some point the TomTom will catch up and work out where I am.

Is there anything that I can do to improve this? Like adding an external aerial?

Cheers

Simon
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trog100
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Joined: Sep 15, 2006
Posts: 195

PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 2:28 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

check out your local curries.. they have been selling the external aerials off for a tenner..

fifty quid is is the real price.. u might be lucky.. he he.. i bought one last week.. i dont need it but at a tenner i got one..

trog
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Oldboy
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Joined: Dec 08, 2004
Posts: 10643
Location: Suffolk, UK

PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 7:39 am    Post subject: Re: It takes so long to find a satellite Reply with quote

Simon0801 wrote:
Is there anything that I can do to improve this?
A lot depends on how often you use it.

If it has been several days since you last used it, or you turned it off the previous time a long way from your present position, then yes it can take somewhat longer.

If that happens to me, I leave it on a windowsill for a time, prior to going out to the car.

The external aerial can assist if you have a windscreen that is heat reflecting. If there is a marked difference in the Sat Display when you have it in the car, compared to on top of the car, then it suggests you might be better off with an external. Some users mount it on the rear parcel shelf, rather than on top of the car.
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Richard

TT 910 V7.903: Europe Map v1045
TT Via 135 App 12.075: Europe Map v1135
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Simon0801
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Joined: Mar 26, 2006
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 8:19 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I use it once or twice a week, so I accept when I first turn it on there will be a delay. The most frustrating time is when I go somewhere for a business meeting. It gets me there, I turn it off for the meeting, and when I turn it back on a couple of hours later it takes 5-10mins to find the satellite. I don't have the patience to just sit there while it searches.

I was wondering if that is a problem with my TomTom or if that is normal.
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Tumbleweed
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Joined: Aug 30, 2004
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 10:03 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Simon0801 wrote:
I use it once or twice a week, so I accept when I first turn it on there will be a delay. The most frustrating time is when I go somewhere for a business meeting. It gets me there, I turn it off for the meeting, and when I turn it back on a couple of hours later it takes 5-10mins to find the satellite. I don't have the patience to just sit there while it searches.

I was wondering if that is a problem with my TomTom or if that is normal.


I have a 300 and find that satellite acquisition is generally pretty good (less than a couple of minutes, but sometimes, as you say, it will take 5-10 minutes, and this might well be after its been switched off for just a few minutes. Luckily for me this probably only happens once in every 20+ switch ons.

tw

Tw
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DennisN
Tired Old Man
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Joined: Feb 27, 2006
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 10:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Perhaps???

Change Preferences >>
Start-up Preferences >>
Check "Continue where I left off"

Works fine for me, but then I also have an external aerial
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Andy_P
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Joined: Jun 04, 2005
Posts: 19991
Location: West and Southwest London

PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 12:58 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I'm becoming convinced that "time to lock" gets slowly longer since a reset.
Try a reset (stick pin in hole on bottom) then let it find a new lock. This WILL take ages, but after that (for me) it seems much better. No scientific proof or explanation for it, but it seems to work for me (and also might explain why updating software seems to improve things for many people)

As people have said above, other relevant things are:
1 ) How long since last switched off
2 ) How far away from where last switched off
3 ) Whether moving or still

The last one makes a BIG difference to mine (30secs - 1 min max if stationary, 2-3 mins if moving fast).
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Simon0801
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 10:39 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Change Preferences >>
Start-up Preferences >>
Check "Continue where I left off"


Start up preferences is not an option on my 700. Well I can't find it listed anywhere.

Where does the external aeriel plug in? Any recommendations on variety?
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Antoeknee
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Joined: Jul 29, 2005
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 10:46 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Assuming your on 6.xx look at page 6 of the preferences.

External antenna is wired into the mount. If you buy one you replace the part the TT sits on with the one in the antenna kit.
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Antoeknee
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Joined: Jul 29, 2005
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 10:48 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Sorry that should have said 6.15 can't recall if it was on earlier version of 6.xx
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jean
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Joined: Apr 05, 2005
Posts: 150

PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 10:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

I find the weather affects how long it takes. Weirdly, if it is a clear bright sky then it takes longer. This week it took over 20 mins to find one - admittedly I was driving along at the time, but does not normally take that long.
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trog100
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Joined: Sep 15, 2006
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PostPosted: Thu Sep 28, 2006 11:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

thick cloud or rain has a negative affect.. so will an upright type windscreen the metal roof stops it dead..

trog
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DennisN
Tired Old Man
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Joined: Feb 27, 2006
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Location: Keynsham

PostPosted: Fri Sep 29, 2006 8:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Change Preferences >>
then on page 3 of 3 ...
Show ALL menu options.
Then start again ...
Change Preferences
then on page 6 of 7 ...
Check - Continue Where I Left Off

The only times I've suffered from long satellite acquisition times were when I had switched off, then driven away and switched on somewhere else. So I never do that now - even have it on when I'm going nowhere special and to the destination I do all the time (whitevanman I could get a call for a job at any time, so I need the satnav to be "aware"). And I ALWAYS set a route, so that I get the camera warnings/reminders.
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Simon0801
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PostPosted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 12:04 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Assuming your on 6.xx

My TomTom says App 5.410. Is that where you mean 6.xx? If so it doesn't appear as a menu item.
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PJLFC
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Joined: Aug 04, 2005
Posts: 11

PostPosted: Sat Sep 30, 2006 1:09 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Did have this problem but have found since I bought an external aerial that I haven't had the problem since.
As an example I have recently got back from a trip to The Nurburgring in Germany,which included a mad hop through five countries in one day(very tiring but worth it!)
The only time I lost a signal was going through the tunnels on the link road in Antwerp,but it reacquired the signal virtually straight away.
Aerial was positioned at the front of the boot on an '05 Subaru Impreza.
Overall I was impressed with the external aerial and would consider it money well spent.

Hope this helps

Pete
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