BU-303 problem

**anohman** · 10-14-2004, 07:13 AM

Since people are mostly saying good things about the BU-303, I thought I'd also post my experiences with it but they are unfortunately not so good.

I first used a CompactFlash GPS in a CF-to-PCMCIA adapter on my (DELL)laptop which I also connected to the Lilliput touchscreen (running 848x480, cause the laptop wouldn't do 800x480). The CF GPS had an external antenna that I had placed in my rear window (which is tinted btw).
The CF GPS was rather slow in acuiring statellite-lock but other than that it worked ok.

Then I built a custom 1-din in-dash case and put an EPIA-TC, a PCI Radeon 9200 card, a 2.5" HD and a Shuttle 54Mbit WLAN card in it. Since my TC board did not come with the PCMCIA-CF slot (and the fact that the CF GPS was not mine, I only borrowed it) I bought a BU-303 to connect to the USB port instead.

This is where the problems started. I can not get a lock at all using the BU-303 if I have it in my rear window (yes I tried the magnet trick too). If I have it on the roof of my car i will get a lock but the signal is very weak and only about 3-4 satellites. The 60Hz refresh rate problem that was mentioned in another thread is alo a problem for me. If I use 800x600 at 60Hz I can get up to 6-7 satellites (with the BU-303 on the roof). but if I use ANY other resolution (tested 800x480, 848x480, 720x480 etc.) or ANY other refresh rate (tested various between 60Hz and 80Hz using powerstrip) I will get either no lock or a weak signal. So if I use 848x480 resolution and have the reciever in my front window, I barely get any singnal at all. If I use 800x600 60Hz with the reciever in my front window I get a very week signal aso.

To the point:
- I want to use 800x480 (or some other wide screen resolution) on my lilliput since the Radion card that I have supports it. 800x600 is NOT AN OPTION.
- I DO NOT want my gps reciever on the roof of my car, I want to hide it in the rear window or some similar place where it is out of sight.

So now I either have to buy a new GPS or a new TFT-monitor. Since the 7" TFT monitors are rather similar (Lilli, Xenarc SP7) I doubt that replacing the monitor will have any effect.
If I buy another USB GPS, what are the chances that it actually works? And what are the chances that a serial port GPS would work better?

**SnyperBob** · 10-14-2004, 07:27 AM

wow. Thanks for the info man. Good luck with getting that working - I have no ideas for you

**ambush** · 10-18-2004, 09:03 AM

There is a tool called Powerstrip (www.entechtaiwan.com) which allows You to set pretty much any resolution and timing settings for Your display as long as the adapter/drivers are supported (check entech website). I've used it in my HTPC to get custom resolutions and it has worked like a charm.

**Skorpion** · 10-19-2004, 01:13 AM

did you read his thread? he already tried using powerstrip!

i just received my bu-303, and i'll be testing it 2moro night. but i run at 800x600 so hopefully i dont run into the same issues. hope it works out and someone else can help you a bit better..

**ShawJohn** · 10-19-2004, 04:28 AM

I think this is similar to the problem I had, turn down the screen frequency to 60Hz and it will double the signal strength to the BU-303, I'm not sure why, something to do with the screens high frequency emmissions or something...
It worked for me anyway, now my BU-303 hardly ever looses lock and will often pick up 7 or 8 satellites compared to the 4 at best before.

HTH

John

**ÐuTcH** · 10-19-2004, 06:42 AM

hey ur right, i've had a pretty weak signal since i bought my bu-303 last week, have my carpc in the house atm, lowered the monitor freq to 60hz, and the signal is picking up...

**l0gic** · 10-19-2004, 07:03 AM

I have my BU-303 sitting on my window ledge and it is seeing 5 satellites no problem.
Out of interest I changed the refresh rate (800 x 600) from 60Hz to 75Hz but I can't see any difference.

I am swapping between the 7" Xenarc and my 15" TFT, but no change.

Is this issue only CRT based?
If so I will go when used in the car.
Unless you intend to use a CRT in dash system

Edit - the BU-303 is on the end of a 3m USB cable. Is BU-303 proximity to the screen something to do with it as well?

**anohman** · 10-19-2004, 10:09 AM

I also have my BU-303 connected trough a 3 meter long USB extension cable and it does not seem to matter if I use the extension cable or not (tried 2 different ones, tried without etc.). It doesn't matter if the BU-303 is close to the screen or not either,

I just got one of these: http://www.flybook.com "tablet-syle" laptop pc's. I'll try to use the GPS with it (no lilliput monitor, no epia card ,no carnetix psu etc... a completly differrent system, the only thing in common is the BU-303).
I'll let you know how it turns ut, but it will probably take me a few days to test it.

**Skorpion** · 10-20-2004, 11:42 PM

i just got my bu-303, and i tested it. though unfortunately i only get a lock on when the unit is mounted on the roof of my car. i dunno whether its because of my window tint, or because i live in melbourne.

still, the unit is functioning well, and i am having no software issues.

**julz** · 10-23-2004, 07:51 PM

i just got my BU-303 the other day, no reception at home (indoors or out). Keeps dropping in and out of destinator also.

Im in melb too, tried it driving home the other day (clayton to doncaster) and it was going on an off (mind you i had it on the dash, not on the roof).