Help please - GPS not locking-on

[smbruce]

Hi - I hope you can help with a query. I've just bought a package for my Dell Axim X5, which includes TomTom Navigator 2, Rikaline Receiver (supposedly 6010 but no sticker underneath so may be 6012) and a connection lead linking PDA, Receiver, & Cigarette Lighter Socket.
When I use the GPS software supplied with TomTom (and on the GPS Tab I've set to Serial Cable on COM1 and tried various comms settings (TomTom Navigator GPS, Rikaline GPS-6010, NMEA 0183v2 4800)) and switch to the Status Tab, everything is greyed out apart from the "Satellite to PDA" icons and the moving row of dots between them - which seems to indicate they are communicating.
I've installed WinFast Navigator (Version 1.1) and set the Port Setting to NMEA, Serial COM1 and BaudRate 4800. In the "Development" View I get what looks like NMEA Output (Input?) but in the "Singal Level" View I get all twelve rows showing almost always identical data, with a red "blob" with a number on it appearing within the concentric circles. There is only one red blob shown at any one time (different numbers as the red blob appears in different positions of course) but presumably what should be appearing is several green blobs at once as satellites are locked-onto.

I'd be really grateful if someone could tell me what steps to try next - or have I got a duff receiver?

Many thanks.

Steve

[smbruce]

Oops sorry - just by way of addition to my previous post, in WinFast Nafigator the Globe at the right hand side of the Status Bar flickers all the time the receiver is connected, and the box immediately to its left reads "Unfixed".

Thanks again.

Steve

[Dave]

The GPS is communicating okay, but I suspect it needs a factory fix which can take up to 12.5 mins. Do you know if you have a UV protected windscreen ? If you have, or you are unsure, try placing the GPS outside on top of the car and let it get its fix. Usual fixes should take around 50 seconds, but sometimes if you don't have an almanac downloaded it can take up to 12.5 mins to acquire the first fix and to also start charging the backup battery.

[smbruce]

[Dave]

We have tested and reviewed the X5 (6010) and that worked well, the 6012 I don't believe is as good (although we haven't tested it) but rather than a SiRF chipset, it uses Rikaline's own chipset which we haven't been able to verify yet.

A few people have received 6012's and had problems obtaining or keeping fixes, sent them back for a 6010 or another GPS and not had any problems.

[smbruce]

Hi

I just wondered from the information I've given whether someone more knowledgeable than me would have an inclination as to whether my problem is with my receiver or my software?

Thanks in advance.

Steve

[Dave]

In theory if it required a factory fix it would have obtained it in this time, and also a 4 hour charge should have charged the backup battery.

TBH, I don't recall a single person who has had a 6012 which has worked. I'm going to put an email out to Rikaline to see if they have been receiving units back and if so, whether any have tested successfully as we do seem to be getting a lot of failure rates or complaints/problems here in the forums for 6012.

If you have red text on the GPS on the right hand side, this is the 6012.
http://www.rikaline-uk.co.uk/rikaline_6012_rikaline_gps_receiver.htm

The 6010 looks like this
http://www.rikaline-uk.co.uk/rikaline_6010_X5_high_sensitivity_gps_receiver.htm

[smbruce]

Dave

Thanks for taking the trouble to reply.

The receiver looks like the 6012 version, but looking at Rikaline's website there also seems to be another 6010 version (not the X5) which on the outside looks just like the 6012! Confusing!

I'm going to return the receiver and we'll see if the replacement works!

Thanks again.

Steve

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