GPS mouse won't lock

Jemmi · 06-08-2004, 09:13 PM

I just got my system together and when I first put it in the car, the GPS mouse locked right away. It wouldn't do anything in the house. But it hasn't locked since then. It just goes into a loop searching satellites. I've got a 96 Acura integra and I have the GPS mounted in the middle of the dash. I had a Garmin Legend in the same spot with no problems but this will not lock. Any ideas?

fantomas · 06-08-2004, 09:36 PM

if you turn on the computer and start driving instantly the gps might not lock. next time you turn on the computer, wait 2 minutes and see if that changes anything..

yuprules · 06-10-2004, 01:45 PM

GPS Mice HATE any movement (as with any other GPS)...but seem to have more problems than hand held units.

Ensure you have a clear view of the sky and you are NOT IN MOTION while locking.

Pabs · 06-10-2004, 03:05 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by yuprules

GPS Mice HATE any movement (as with any other GPS)...but seem to have more problems than hand held units.

Ensure you have a clear view of the sky and you are NOT IN MOTION.

??? GPS mice HATE movement, as in showing the position while the car is moving?

Kinda defeats the object me thinks....

You mean movement while locking on to a signal? Mine seems to work ok...

Pabs · 06-10-2004, 03:08 PM

By the way, GPS mouse on laptop that i have works fine. Takes about 30-40secs to lock-on to a satellite but after that works great.

fantomas · 06-10-2004, 04:10 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Pabs

By the way, GPS mouse on laptop that i have works fine. Takes about 30-40secs to lock-on to a satellite but after that works great.

same here...works great once locked but if im moving during that 30-40 second period, it tends to have problems getting a lock.

Jemmi · 06-21-2004, 09:29 AM

OK... well... I am still stuck with this. I have tried all suggestions. I've got the GPS in the center of my window on the dash by the windshield. I get satellites... but no lock. After 2 min of searching, it stops and everything is dead. I have gotten a lock 3 times total now. The car is an Acura Integra

I get around 7 satellites but no lock in ANY mode. Are there any port settings or anything special I should do. I was trying to replace my Garmin legend with the carputer GPS... not working.

HELP!

yuprules · 06-21-2004, 10:20 AM

Hello

If you bought the unit from Ebay, most of them have a little utility (don't know it off hand...find it in the Word Doc on the CD) to reset the unit to "cold restart"
mode. Other than that...try sticking it to the ROOF OF YOUR CAR in an TOTALLY OPEN AREA (no buildings, trees, power lines) JUST TO BE SURE. If that doesn't work in the WIDE OPEN, the unit is defective.

[iG] · 06-21-2004, 10:32 AM

GPS recievers are very picky. Often my gps locks even before my computer fully stars up, however... Yesterday I wanted to do a test drive with routis, so i get in my car (this is about 8pm), weather is perfect, not a cloud in sight. It can see 12 satellites, but cant get a lock!@ I tried everything, from reinstalling the drivers to cycling power/ playing with my usb hub, etc. It just wouldnt work, so i gave up.

Today, got in my car, turned on the comp -> locked.

Why? Beats me. But as others have said try repositioning the unit, stick it outside and see if that helps.

Yuriy · 06-21-2004, 12:48 PM

Sometimes it takes seconds, sometimes almost 30 minutes. Be patient.

Jemmi · 06-21-2004, 01:29 PM

problem is after 2 min the GPS info software stops looking... same with Streets And Trips... There is NO activity after 2 min... and I've left it running for 30+ min and no change... Are these capable of outside mounting?

carpcnoobie · 06-21-2004, 02:10 PM

Yes, the BU-303 (ebay mouse) can be mounted outside. It's weather sealed and has a magnetic backing that's fairly strong.

You said you got a lock one time, but not again inside the car. I know this is always mentioned, but do you have the windshield that blocks the GPS signal?

I agree that I'd take it out and see if it is getting a signal in the best possible conditions. Also, if you happen to know anyone near you with a GPS mouse that could easily place it in your car to make sure that's not the problem. I wouldnt' try this with a Garmin as I understand they do a pretty decent job of getting a signal from everywhere.

Good luck.

b_nom · 06-21-2004, 02:28 PM

I ha d this problem with my Deluo GPS mouse anytime I disconnected it, but it would solve itself whenever I ran the GPS diagnostics software that came with it. I don't know if it would work with other GPS mice but it might be worth a try.

Deluo GPS Diagnostics

Kermee · 06-21-2004, 04:37 PM

Deluo GPS mice are OEM'ed by EverMore (Chinese manuf.) as the GM-305. They can be touchy at times and will try to do a 'hot-start', 'warm-start', and 'cold-start' in that order. There is a battery inside the mouse which retains the last-known position for it to do a 'hot-start'. Lock-on time usually is between 12 seconds ('hot-start') and 3 minutes ('cold-start'). If it takes longer than 3 minutes, it could take up to 30 minutes in a worst-case scenario.

nibix · 06-21-2004, 04:40 PM

Could someone suggest a a piece of software that displays how many satelites are seen and if there is a lock. I have routis and destinator. I know destinator has that nice GPS module, but how do I know if I have a lock?