Weak signal problem

**cem_ari** · 12-01-2010, 07:31 AM

I'm using BU-353 with IGO8 in my carpc. O/S:XP ProI tested Garmin and IGO. You know have a GPS Data screen in IGO8. I can see how many satellite signal in this screen. Dots means satellites. Red ones very weak, green ones is ok. Usually very weak signal. A lot red dots. Sometimes turns to green. But max green dot is 3 or 4. My cell phone is HTC Touch Pro and has GPS. I tried with HTC and PC at the same time and same place. Both IGO.HTC shows 7 green satellite but PC shows 3. Also 3 greens decreasing 2 in PC. Whats problem?
I have to say something. My car pc has 8 USB ports. 4 ports rear and 4 ports on mainboard. So i plugged BU-353 to on board USB port. I mean that using like a additional cable around 20 cm. is this problem? Or its not original BU-353? I bought it from China seller.

**Bugbyte** · 12-01-2010, 08:03 AM

I have experienced very weak reception with GPS receivers when they are near the screen or the power supply/CPU. Also, if the GPS receiver is not placed on an appropriate ground plane - a sheet of metal, you can also have weaker reception.

The BU-353 is probably the most popular GPS unit for car PC use. I doubt it is the receiver. Try placing the BU-353 on top of the car's roof with a clear view of the sky and as far away from electrical interference as possible and see if this clears it up.

**cem_ari** · 12-01-2010, 08:54 AM

Thanks for fast response.
My GPS unit stick on windshield. I think place is OK. But its very near to Wifi adapter. Do you think this is reason? So i will try it after disabled wifi.

**Bugbyte** · 12-01-2010, 10:16 AM

Yes. I think that is the problem.

Also, if your windshield is tinted, some tints use metals and can block signals from GPS.

**Marvin Hlavac** · 12-01-2010, 01:35 PM

Also, how is it positioned on the windshield? Is it facing the correct side up? The flat part is the bottom, and the round part is supposed to face the sky. If you have it upside down, it will work considerably worse.

BU-353

**cem_ari** · 12-02-2010, 01:09 AM

Windshield is tinted and upside down

OK first i will try to disable wifi. Then about position. I will share result. Thanks everyone.

**Bugbyte** · 12-02-2010, 08:30 AM

Right side up will fix it.

**cem_ari** · 12-03-2010, 01:22 AM

Disable wifi but not works

I will try to change position.

**cem_ari** · 12-04-2010, 09:28 AM

I tried to change today. Upside looks to sky. And yes. You right guys. Works good. Thanks.
But how can i stick it to windshield as upside up? I have an idea. I just need 5 cm. diameter and 1 cm height pvc pipe. First i will stick pipe to BU-353 then stick to windshield.
Have any different and better idea?

**nst6563** · 12-04-2010, 10:05 AM

Check out some "cell phone" holders/mounts at your local stores as for mounting it to the windshield. I tried google for a while to see if I could find the one I have, but couldn't locate it anywhere. I got mine from www.buygpsnow.com...and apparently they're no longer in business.

Isn't the 353 weatherproof? Could you not mount it on the rear trunk? Or run the line out and use 3m tape to mount it out of view on the windshield?

The other option... just get some double sided tape and stick it on the dashboard, as close to the front of the windshield as possible. That way it's not on mounted to the windshield, it's not obstructing view, it's not as noticeable, and still facing the sky