GPS-progams hangs/lags - due to long USB-cables?

popztarr · 07-29-2007, 07:02 PM

I use the Haicom 204II, that has functioned just ok for almost 2 years now. I'm not certain wheter it is the expansion cables (maybe over 5 meters total) that makes the GPS/Carputer program hang/lag (the GPS tracking stops for some time, music I play from Centrafuse starts to repeat itself again and again, almost like a broken scratched music CD, and when I press buttons in Centrafuse the functions delays - often for a long time) Have also teste only with the original cable on GPS-unit, and I also then sometimes get the problem.

Thinking of trying with an powered USB-hub where I connect the GPS-unit, to see if it solve the problem.

BUT, I also know about to people who have had problems with the this Haicom 204II GPS-unit. In the first case, the GPS unit just died and haven't functioned since.

In the second case the GPS unit had periodic dropouts, it looked like it didn't like when the car was turned alot either left or right. It was unusable most of the time, it did somtimes function when the car was driven straight ahead.

There is maybe a similar problem with my GPS-unit, which is an identical model.

Is any of MY problems familiar to anyone? Or what about the long USB-cables, or my idea about adding a powered USB-Hub?

DarquePervert · 07-30-2007, 06:40 AM

The long USB cable shouldn't make a difference, as long as it's within the specifications of USB, which is like 10 or 15 meters (30-45 feet).

I'd think your problem is more likely misconfigured drivers or software and/or slower PC hardware.

popztarr · 07-30-2007, 06:27 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by DarquePervert

The long USB cable shouldn't make a difference, as long as it's within the specifications of USB, which is like 10 or 15 meters (30-45 feet).

I'd think your problem is more likely misconfigured drivers or software and/or slower PC hardware.

Have been told that USB cables shouldn't be more than 5 meters long. Even bought a 5 meter long special USB cable with built in repeater (haven't had the time to test it yet). Also on this package it's told that 5 meters is the maximum length for passive cables.

Though, earlier this summer I did a test and connected the Haicom (which have approx 1,5 meter USB cable) to 2 cables that were 5 meters each (a total of over 11 meters) and the GPS receiver still functioned just fine.

I agree that it could be a driver issue, but as far as I know I use the most up to date driver on the GPS receiver. Could it be other drivers (for example the Lilliput touchscreen driver) that makes the problems?

Still thinking about my friends identical GPS receiver that troubled when he was driving in curves, and my other friends identical GPS receiver that just died. Could it be a hardware issue on the receiver itself?

My cables are also stripped together, maybe there are interference problems?

Only thing I know at this moment is that it's quite irritating.

Will start to eliminate and isolate the problem in the next few days I guess.

popztarr · 07-30-2007, 06:27 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by DarquePervert

The long USB cable shouldn't make a difference, as long as it's within the specifications of USB, which is like 10 or 15 meters (30-45 feet).

I'd think your problem is more likely misconfigured drivers or software and/or slower PC hardware.

Have been told that USB cables shouldn't be more than 5 meters long. Even bought a 5 meter long special USB cable with built in repeater (haven't had the time to test it yet). Also on this package it's told that 5 meters is the maximum length for passive cables.

Though, earlier this summer I did a test and connected the Haicom (which have approx 1,5 meter USB cable) to 2 cables that were 5 meters each (a total of over 11 meters) and the GPS receiver still functioned just fine.

I agree that it could be a driver issue, but as far as I know I use the most up to date driver on the GPS receiver. Could it be other drivers (for example the Lilliput touchscreen driver) that makes the problems?

Still thinking about my friends identical GPS receiver that troubled when he was driving in curves, and my other friends identical GPS receiver that just died. Could it be a hardware issue on the receiver itself?

My cables are also stripped together, maybe there are interference problems?

Only thing I know at this moment is that it's quite irritating.

Will start to eliminate and isolate the problem in the next few days I guess.

NiN^_^NiN · 07-30-2007, 08:45 PM

I have 17 meters of usb in my car for the gps and touchscreen and im fine its not the cable length it could possible be the actual cable u said u tried with a short cable if so and it works fine for days id say u have problems with the cable wither you have it right next to something unshielded thats stong enough to mess with the signal or the cable had been damaged in some way

2k1Toaster · 07-30-2007, 09:08 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by NiN^_^NiN

I have 17 meters of usb in my car for the gps and touchscreen and im fine its not the cable length it could possible be the actual cable u said u tried with a short cable if so and it works fine for days id say u have problems with the cable wither you have it right next to something unshielded thats stong enough to mess with the signal or the cable had been damaged in some way

17m? wtf! That is ungodly good distance! You do mean meters right?

I always thought that the length was 5m which is 15ft. So that is where all those 5 an 15 numbers come from. Of course can go a bit longer, or even really long with an active cable, but this is the first I have heard of 17m non-active cable.

<borat>Very Nice!!!!</borat>

DarquePervert · 07-30-2007, 09:22 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by 2k1Toaster

17m? wtf! That is ungodly good distance! You do mean meters right?

I always thought that the length was 5m which is 15ft. So that is where all those 5 an 15 numbers come from. Of course can go a bit longer, or even really long with an active cable, but this is the first I have heard of 17m non-active cable.

Hmmmm. Maybe I misintrepreted 15ft into 15m somehow.
Consider me corrected.