GPS Worked great - now doesn't.

captain_jim1 · 06-29-2004, 02:26 AM

So, I drove for 2 weeks across the country through all types of heat and rain with the GPS Mouse (ebay unit) running out the window and stuck onto my roof. It's been hot, it's been wet (waterproof unit) and it's been great .. until 2 days ago.

The unit will get a signal from satellites (I use Routis and it shows the 'degree' of lock it has -- i don't know how tobetter describe this), but it doesn't lock on any. I see that Routis is recieving information from the GPS unit (the long/lat fly by), but I never get 'green'... THEN!! every once in a while, 3 or 4 satellites will lock on, but have slow refresh rates.

I get the same results when I use the GPS software that came with the unit. Any ideas?

storm · 06-29-2004, 02:31 AM

I had the same problems with mine.
I got mine on the inside of my car.
Is it a BU303? I don't know what I did, but I just changed USB-port and since that it has worked perfect for me.

captain_jim1 · 06-29-2004, 02:34 AM

Yes, it's the BU303 -- I'll try a different USB-port... maybe it's a driver problem or something. Thanks for the reply....

Quote: Originally Posted by storm

I had the same problems with mine.
I got mine on the inside of my car.
Is it a BU303? I don't know what I did, but I just changed USB-port and since that it has worked perfect for me.

stevieg · 07-01-2004, 04:15 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by captain_jim1

Yes, it's the BU303 -- I'll try a different USB-port... maybe it's a driver problem or something. Thanks for the reply....

I took my BU-303 through a car wash and it stopped working completely - for 24 hours! I thought it was broken (it had no light on at all, let alone blinking).

Think it's safe to say the BU-303 isn't water proof, maybe splash/rain proof to a certain degree. After that day, I haven't kept it on the roof since

Good way to check it's working to some degree is to use Hyperterm to connect to it it (at 4800 / 9600 baud) and see if you see the familar $GPRMC etc lines, if the lat/lon are 0000.00000 or similar the chip is working but can't get a lock.

ShawJohn · 09-07-2004, 07:15 AM

Try sealing it with a small bead of silcone sealant round the casing seam, cable outlet, and the LED hole... That should water proof it nicely!

HTH

John