Does Bu-353 need constant power?

guizai · 06-24-2007, 10:28 PM

Does the Bu-353 need constant power, even when the car is off, to re-detect when the car turns back on? I've noticed that I sometimes have difficulty getting it to pick up a satellite signal after the car has been off for like day or so (computer is completely cut off from power). If I leave it for a couple hours, it'll typically pick it up no problem (still I cut off the power completely). Is there some sort of memory or something? I guidance 3.0 just turns back on but my position doesn't move. I typically resolve it by unplugging the USB and plugging it back in.

Any tips, any suggestions?

Enforcer · 06-24-2007, 10:58 PM

It will take a little longer if it has lost power as it has to reacquire it's location from scratch, but normally it's 5-10mins max.

Could be an issue with iGuidance more than the BU-353.

I use FreeDrive which tries to reacquire the GPS periodically if it hasn't detected one, even after hibernation. Don't know if iGuid does that.

Tidder · 06-24-2007, 11:07 PM

I use iGuidance with a BU-353. I don't have a problem with it, but I also use Xport as well. Maybe that has something to do with why I don't see the problem you do. May be worth a shot.

BMac1203 · 06-25-2007, 06:05 PM

I had that problem this weekend. I went away Friday night and came back Sunday evening. Car was at airport all weekend (10 mins away).

I got ALL the way home before the GPS reacquired its signal. I don't understand why it cannot reacquire the GPS unit faster. You would think that it would reacquire quick, as it is still connected (and not just recognizing for the first time).

Info: I have iG3 and BU-353, and this happened after returning from hibernation.

guizai · 06-26-2007, 05:26 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by BMac1203

I had that problem this weekend. I went away Friday night and came back Sunday evening. Car was at airport all weekend (10 mins away).

I got ALL the way home before the GPS reacquired its signal. I don't understand why it cannot reacquire the GPS unit faster. You would think that it would reacquire quick, as it is still connected (and not just recognizing for the first time).

Info: I have iG3 and BU-353, and this happened after returning from hibernation.

yeah, sounds like the same problem. Really weird. Sometimes it will pick it up right away once it's back from hibernating, other times it's like it doesn't exist ie, arrow pointer not flashing or anything. Only resolve is to unplug the usb and plug it back in.

The only times I lose it completely it seems is if I take my computer out and unplug the HD or something.

BMac1203 · 06-26-2007, 07:09 PM

Yup. I just dont understand why this happens. Wish there was a fix....

Lazyflip · 06-26-2007, 08:19 PM

I have had no issues with my BU-353 and iGuidance 3 since I moved my receiver outside the car. I also use hibernate. What color is the arrow indicator when you resume from hibernate (green, red, white)?

EDIT: Note: I haven't driven my car for a week since today and I got a lock as soon as the computer had resumed.

Tidder · 06-26-2007, 11:07 PM

I have mine on the outside of the car too, maybe on to something there.

95rodeo · 06-27-2007, 12:21 AM

i had the same problem with my holux reciever.... i solved it by putting a relay on the red wire inside the usb cable and hooking up a button to the relay so everytime i push the button the relay "unhooks" the reciever then when i release the button it reconnects the power and it is recognised.. since i hooked it up like that i haven't had anymore problems

Nomader · 06-27-2007, 09:43 AM

the bu353 has an internal battery.(capacitor) it keeps the sats info in there, for let's say some hours..when the pc is shut..if it takes longer the capacitor is fully discharged and it will have to reaquire the sats info..it usually does not take more than 3-5 minutes max..sometimes it will take 1 minute though!!!..if it does not aquire the sats in 5 minutes then it is software related..Xport sometimes hangs and causes that and needs a pc restart..use the latest version as there are some fix spacifically for bu353 initialization..

ding0 · 07-02-2007, 06:36 PM

I'm not familiar with "Xport", do you have a link?

TIA

Lazyflip · 07-03-2007, 12:34 AM

http://curioustech.home.insightbb.com/xport.html

HJC · 07-05-2007, 12:59 PM

When I hibernate with the BU-353 AND with IG3 running, it locks up the BU353 on resume. I checked it with GPSInfo (program that came with the driver disk) and the reciever is no longer detected. Plugging and unplugging would reset the reciever back to normal. Hibernating with IG3 closed, the reciever was still active after resume.

I used many many workarounds for this including using the hibernation aware program with some script .exe files to close IG3 automatically on hibernation... reinitializing the USB ports..etc, etc.

The most elegant and simple way was with XPORT as mentioned before. I guess since it redistributes the signal, IG3 doesnt have a direct connect with the reciever anymore...so it doesn't lock it up on hibernate.

Now I just use the XPORT program. No need for reinitialization or any kinds of extra programs to do anything. And the signal is available almost instantly in most cases.