GPS puck dying on me...what do you think?

BimmaDrew · 01-09-2008, 09:13 PM

I'm fairly sure it is crapping out on me, but I figured I'd pose the question just in case someone knows something more about these things...or maybe this might help someone else later down the road.

Recently, my GPS hasn't been working too well. It started when I downloaded the first December release of RR (and the DigitalFX skin too). I eventually found out that it was the newest RR skin that was giving me trouble since many people with RR were having the same problem too. So I updated RR with the mid December release and things seemed to be good for a few days.

Unfortunately, for the next couple weeks following the update, I have found that my GPS has still been off and on despite traveling the same route most of the week. I started by check Xport often and it looked to be working (data being received along with proper ports being utilized according to what program is open). Weird thing was...it also seemed to be working even when the GPS wasn't.

Recently started checking the "gauges" or "GPS status" screen in DigitalFX skin. I noticed that I was getting a MAX of 4 satellite locks when things seemed to be working. I used to get anywhere from 5 to 8. But when things weren't working, I usually had 0 locks. But the thing that made me think it's my actual GPS puck going dead is that when things aren't working and I have no locks...it get the occassional 1 or 2 satellite locks for a few seconds, then back to 0 again. If I hadn't been watching this, I would have missed that it was even locking on anything at all.

So now I must recommend that you shouldn't buy a Microsoft GPS puck if you live in hot areas like I do...they can't handle the 2 summers of heat on the dashboard like mine has.

DarquePervert · 01-10-2008, 07:37 AM

Open up a terminal window connected to the COM port for your GPS and watch the data stream.
You should be using 4800,N,8,1 parameters.

BimmaDrew · 01-13-2008, 08:04 AM

Well, so far my GPS has been working well the past few days. I'll keep watching it's data stream when it starts to act up again.