No GPS fix regardless of software

vilbs · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 25, 2004 Posts: 10

Hi there. I have been using bluetooth GPS with tomtom for a number of years so (did) feel fairly confident. I trod on my old ipaq 3970 so yesterday replaced it with a 2490. Reinstalled Tomtom, paired up my Aktronix bluetooth GPS and in tetsing eventually got a signal so presumed all was fine. My wife used it today and it started fine, but then started to lose signal intermintently until eventually on the return journey never got a lock at all. I was fairly confident this was a gender issue rather than a technical one but alas upon her return I just can not get a lock. I have given up testing with Tomtom and am using VisualGPSce. Currently after having GPS in full view of the night sky I have 11 satellites in view (grey) but none locked. Occasionally it will give me a 2D fix and sometimes a 3D but it lasts no more than a second and goes back to fix unavailable. I tried the Winfast navigator and followed this sites tutorial and in that I did a factory reset but didnt really want to fiddle with too much else.

Can anyone tell me anything I can try to fix this or else tell me, can GPS' just slowly die? I would have thought if one dies it just completely goes rather than just "fading".

Also I presume the misty, cloudy, rainy weather whilst possibly making a bit of a difference, cant be blamed?

Thanks in advance (and thanks for a great site!)

PS Sorry for the long ramble I just wanted to highlight that I had tried some of the basic stuff!

Skippy

vilbs · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 25, 2004 Posts: 10

Thanks for your help. I did take the battery out last night for 12 hours but no joy. It's soooo on the cusp of getting a lock Sad

Oh well tis obviously the swan song of my GPS. Back to ebay for another...

Thanks again

PS Anyway recomend a good cheap BT GPS for Tomtom?

Skippy · Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 11:19 am Post subject:

Skippy · Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 11:21 am Post subject:

Sigh. Broken code. Moderators please tidy this up if you get a minute... It should read:

[url="http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=43268&highlight="this post[/url].
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Gone fishing!

Skippy · Posted: Tue Oct 10, 2006 11:22 am Post subject:

Arrrghhhh. Must. Use. Preview. Function. Where's my coffee? Evil or Very Mad

See this post.
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Gone fishing!

Sundemon · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 13, 2006 Posts: 2

Hi Vilbs,

This is my first post here. After reading about your problems with Aktronix I just had to register and reply to you. I also have an Aktronix GPS which died exactly same way as yours on this Monday. I removed the small backup battery and waited before putting it back but still no permanent fix just flashes for locked satellites. It is strange, same brand of GPS and same symptoms at almost same day.

vilbs · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 25, 2004 Posts: 10

AT least I am not going mad!! The problem is it was such a great (and cheap) gps - really fantastic but looking back I think this might have been happening over a long period of time - gradually decreasing signal strength. I think I have read about early Holux's having this problem (degrading TTF times) that was fixed with firmware. I think though looking at Aktronix's website they might be on there way out Sad

Anyway I have now gone for a £40 Holux 236. If you ever do solve the problem let me know and vica-versa.

Sundemon · Occasional Visitor Joined: Oct 13, 2006 Posts: 2

I had my Aktronix for a quite while and I think it worked fine until now. A friend of mine actually borrowed it and he called me that it suddenly stopped working. I though it was just his inexperience but no it really was dead. I think I'll go with the Holux too and bury my Aktronix deep in the ground. If I'll dig it back up some day and get it working I'll let you know.

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