Thread: BU-353... won't get fix in the car. works fine outside.

Originally Posted by Poe

also... even when it's outside in the open... it only picks up a maximum of 6 satellites. never more. i've heard of people saying that you should get 10 satellites or something.

Originally Posted by Poe

if i it inside the car... and just stick it outside on top of the roof... it will instantly grab 10 sats

-arebelspy

oh sorry about the confusion... i got a replacement unit. the old one wouldn't even get a good signal outside. but the replacement will work fine outside. but still not in the car.

Originally Posted by Poe

oh sorry about the confusion... i got a replacement unit. the old one wouldn't even get a good signal outside. but the replacement will work fine outside. but still not in the car.

Please tell us more about your setup.

There are several things that can cause issues.

First, what kinda car. Some cars are more RF resistant than others. Some cars have a standard "tinting" or metal film on the windshield to help with ice removal/fogging/etc. Does your have that option/feature. Also, is the AC/Heat running. Does that change anything?

How are you supplying power to the unit. Through the Cigarette lighter, your DC to DC, or otherwise. Where is your car-puter located, Have you tried it with a laptop.

Are there trees overhead. Where do you live?

Please provide as much info as possible.

Michael

P.S. This is a common question and problem. Perhaps a search would reveal what has worked for others.

GPS signals from the satellites work much like a flash light in the dark. Picture the satellites as the flashlight. Anything between your gps reciver and the satellites that block light, reduce light or reflect light will distrupt your signal.

Keep in mind that your gps reciver needs to calibrate itself for 2-5 minutes the first time out of the box. If it doesn't get that calibration correct it will be confused as to where it is, also causing spotty service. My advice is to let the reciever sit outside free of any obstruction for 5-10 minutes.

Most modern GPS engines are highly sensitive but also are uneffected by EMI/RFI. So your Xenarc won't effect the gps unit (to the guy who said his xenarc is throwing off the gps signal)

Try popping a metal plate under the gps mouse...I've heard that when outside the car on a metal surface it aids signal reception. I believe you can duplicate this by putting a metal plate between the mouse and the dash.

ok... car is a 2002 wrx. the gps antenna runs off USB power. i don't believe power is an issue, i've tried disconnecting other usb devices, but same conclusion. there are no trees above... and i've tried it everywhere... not just in front of my house.

i don't know about heater/ac. i've never had either on while the gps has been on. the carputer is located under the passenger seat. i've tried with a laptop before... and it seems like the results are a LITTLE better with the laptop. though it's intermittent.

when i first took the gps out of the box... i plugged it into my laptop (not the carputer) with the engine OFF and placed the gps on the front windshield. this setup locked onto 8-9 sats (with a strong signal) in about 45 seconds. but i've NEVER been able to duplicate this result again. i've tried using the laptop again... but it will never get a signal like that. now it basically will not lock onto any signal with ANY computer (laptop or carputer) anywhere in the car.

temporarily, i've placed the gps in the trunk (on the side, under the carpet). it is on the side of the trunk lid, inside a little crevice between the carpet and the outer metal shell. it's picking up a signal... but very very weak. it will lock 5-6 sats but not strong at all. in iguidance... the map will spin continuously (while i'm stopped) because it doesn't know which direction i'm headed.

i don't know what else i can do besides place it outside (i really don't want to do this).

michael, which gps are you running in your wrx? where did you place it? do you have a diagnosis for my problem?

I had my unit on the rear shelf. It worked really well, unless it was overcast.

Does the GPS work when outside the car? How well. It is possible something "deafend" the receiver, and now it is less sensitive.

You may have a problem with the Unit if it doesn't work on the laptop or carputer.

I would try it on a desktop computer. Some laptops may have problems providing enough power to the USB port, and if your carputer is using a DC to DC, that can be an issue also. If the carputer is using an AC-DC, then I tend to think it is the GPS unit.

Can you try it on a desktop, with the GPS near a window?

Michael

I have a 2001WRX so its pretty much the same setup as yourself.

I run my PC under the passanger seat as well, basically i ran the BU-353 up through the centre plastic shifter, and up through the clock panel (you just tug it up and it pops out). Then i left the sensor hangin around the front windscreen, i've had no issues with free drive and yes its also powered by USB.

http://www.sonnet-tech.com.au/galler.../Geek/VIAEPIA/

few pictures there of my install