Earthmate not locking

asci01 · 03-01-2005, 10:28 PM

My earthmate will lock inside my house with no problems, but when I connect it to my car PC it won't lock even though it's getting power (red light flashes), GPS is on my dashboard, and I can see the data stream flowing with the test program that comes with it.

Any ideas why this would happen?

0l33l · 03-01-2005, 10:40 PM

Leave it on for a WHILE! I had the same thing happen. Just takes a while for it to lock on the first time outside.

asci01 · 03-02-2005, 04:28 PM

I left it on for the 40 min ride to work this morning with no avail.

Any ideas what else could it be?

Laidback · 03-02-2005, 05:25 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by asci01

I left it on for the 40 min ride to work this morning with no avail.

Any ideas what else could it be?

Put it outside the car - like on the roof!

0l33l · 03-02-2005, 07:06 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Laidback

Put it outside the car - like on the roof!

Yeh. And if that doesn't work then send it back

asci01 · 03-02-2005, 09:12 PM

Thank you guys for the suggestion. If I put it on top of the car or outside the car, it works. The minute a put it on the dashboard it looses the lock. The weird thing is that it was working fine on the dashboard.

Any ideas what could be causing this?

0l33l · 03-02-2005, 09:43 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by asci01

Thank you guys for the suggestion. If I put it on top of the car or outside the car, it works. The minute a put it on the dashboard it looses the lock. The weird thing is that it was working fine on the dashboard.

Any ideas what could be causing this?

Tint. Or Lexus put a anti-Uv coating on the windshield which also happens to block signals.

wizardPC · 03-02-2005, 09:46 PM

yeah, there is a coating on your glass that is fuzzing the signals.

WebDog · 03-03-2005, 12:15 AM

try putting it on the rear and see if that works. if not maybe get a shark fin and stick the GPS on the roof.

TheJack · 04-03-2005, 07:09 PM

I had trouble with my gps in front window. I could lock, but only a few sats and very slow to lock. I think I had multiples working against me, the mystery interference from Xenarc and winshield coating.

Bought a USB extension and put it on the parcel shelf or back dash. Fast locks and alot more sats.

albysure · 07-21-2005, 08:42 PM

i have the same problem. the light flashes a few times and goes out. wondering if it is the windshield. also i cant find it in device manager. just how waterproof is the receiver anyway?

seanz0rz · 07-22-2005, 12:41 AM

ok, first off, what software are you useing?

if delorme, then download the magnetic declanation update:

http://update.delorme.com/

if not... im lost.

inniss777 · 07-22-2005, 03:47 PM

ok, the magnetic declination update has nothing to do with the gps not getting a fix. it is only to update the map database for searches.

for your gps receiver it sounds like you have one of those vehicles that blocks uv rays. your windshield has metal flakes and the receiver has very difficult time getting a fix.

the only solution is to try the rear window and if that doesn't work then you will have to go a different receiver than can penatrate the windshield. there out there.

also delorme has a serial emulation software that may help.

Wiredwrx · 07-22-2005, 04:24 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by inniss777

the only solution is to try the rear window and if that doesn't work then you will have to go a different receiver than can penatrate the windshield. there out there.

also delorme has a serial emulation software that may help.

Sorry, receivers do not penetrate anything. Only transmissions can penetrate things.

I believe your issue is some sort of coating on the windshield, or perhaps interference from soemthing near the dash. Could even be your engine, or your AC motor, or something like that. Try the back window and see if that helps.

A different reciever might work (not cause it penetrates thogh) if it has a more sensitive receiver. There are some out there, but I have a feeling that moving your receiver to the back window may work. If not, you know it works on the roof.

The emulation software won't help, it is a matter of the receiver getting the signal. The emulator won't help the receiver.

Michael

albysure · 07-22-2005, 06:24 PM

i have an earthmate with street atlas that came with it. i just tried it agagin and it wont get a fix or show up in device manager. i had a rand mcnally receiver that did work but that was serial and i wanted to go with the usb receiver. app was streets and trips and it work fine through the windshield. might have to go back. and...i put the earthmate receiver outside the car and waited for quite awhile and no go. when i plug it in i get a flashing red light for about 3 or 4 times and then it goes out.