Garmin GPS problem

[Carta]

I have 2 Garmins..Model#'s Nuvi 855 and 200... I love'm, but::::::::I'll hop into car,turn on GPS and sometimes it takes 20 mins. or more to find satellite signal.. Other times it takes seconds... Do you have same prob.? Is there a "quick fix"? Thx........Carta

 

[Makai Guy]

For such specialized help, I'd suggest finding a forum that deals specifically with Garmin issues. A google search for garmin forum will find several of them for your.

 

[wackymother]

We have a Garmin and sometimes it has this issue, too. Apparently there are surprisingly few satellites in the sky for GPSs to lock on to.

The one useful thing I can tell you is that the GPS will find the satellites faster if you turn the GPS on every day and use it every day. That helps it know where to "look" for the satellite. (But it sounds like you might already be doing this.)

We only use ours once every couple of weeks, but it does perform better if we turn it on every day.

 

[humuhumu nukunukuapua'a]

Garmin Nuvi support forum

The Makai Guy gave you good advice. A specific Garmin forum that I recommend is gpsreview.net

http://forums.gpsreview.net/

Within the above link, you should choose the "Garmin Nuvi Forum."

All you have to do is register your name (you will NOT receive any spam), and re-post the particulars of your issue. You will probably get good help within 24 hours.

I also own the Garmin 855, and use it only sparingly, like big vacation trips. However, when I am about to use it, I install the battery and let it stay on for perhaps 15 - 30 minutes before "going out the door" to the car. [Remember to leave it on, until you plug it in the car.] My unit ordinarily takes about 5 minutes to locate satellites.

Perhaps your model 200 unit is simply getting too old to be reliable?

 

[dioxide45]

We have a Garmin-nüvi 1450LMT and notice the same issue. My FIL has an older unit that experiences the long wait to find satellites. Doesn't seem to be a pattern or reason for it.

 

[Bucky]

We own three of these and even in the newer ones this happens sometimes. The best thing I can tell you is to keep the software up to date by going to the Garmin website. Software updates are free and they seem to help. The poster that recommended using it more often may also be on to something. We just came back from Key West and the first time we turned it on in the rental car lot it seemed to take forever to lock onto a satellite and then everyday thereafter it took only seconds to acquire the satellite again.

 

[Don]

I have an older Magellan hand held (no maps) that I used mostly for speed readings while boating. It has the same problem, but not for as long as reported; maybe five minutes.

 

[ada903]

I am on my third Garmin, recently purchased (the expensive thin one, it was like $450 at Costco), and I always had that issue, especially if you only use it once in a while, it takes a long time, sometimes an hour, to find satellites.

 

[janej]

My old Garmin had the issue. The problem was caused by the dead battery. The unit should know where you are when you start if the battery is alive, so it does not take long to locate a satellite. I found instructions on the internet on how to replace the battery. There are cheap replacement batteries on ebay also. But I messed up and ordered a wrong one. It also involves solder. I eventually gave up and bought new unit. Knowing a rechargeable battery has very limited lifetime, Garmin made the decision to limit the life of the GPS units so you will have to buy one every few years. They do offer a service to replace the battery. It was $75 or $90 for my old unit.

 

[JeffW]

A couple of things:

First many of the newer Garmins have a plug in battery (perhaps similar to what you may have with a cordless phone). For about $20 you can order a replacement battery, with the special screwdriver to unscrew the back cover, and a tool to help pop it off. It's not like replacing batteries in a remote control, but if you are mildly skilled, it shouldn't be that difficult. It definitely doesn't warrant a $90 factory.

If you don't want to do it yourself, I'd recommend http://www.sharc.net/gps_repair.htm
It's an independent repair facility. I had then replace a broken power switch. Less than 1/3 what Garmin wanted.

Also on many newer Garmins, if you press and hold your finder over the signal strength bars, it will bring up a screen that shows satellite strength. What I've figured out empirically:
- you need at least 4 satellites for it to triangulate
- it needs to lock onto the satellite

A sample screen is shown on this link: http://www.gpsdiscussion.com/garmin-gps/4141-garmin-nuvi-760-satellite-signal-strength-screen.html

On my Nuvi 760, if I look at the screen after powering on, I'll see it trying to locate satellites (the vertical bar is flashing). After it's sync'd with it, it shows solid 4. Once I get 4 satellite signals like that, I get coordinates.

So, looking at the screen can help you figure out:
- are you not seeing enough satellites
- are they taking a long time to sync
- not enough signal strength (think maybe the height of the bar)

Hope this helps.

Jeff