Royaltek Saphire GPS fast on laptop but not carpc

UHF · 06-07-2005, 04:13 PM

I've been driving around with my royaltek saphire plugged into my laptop for months with no real problems picking up satelites, it was configured and running at a claimed 9600, but now i've got it running on my carpc (through a usb extension and 4 port hub), and its constantly saying "signal too low, check antenna".

I dont think its a destinator bug as i decided to run the signal into Fransom GPS Gate and even that reports that the signal has disappeared, rebooting the pc seems to help for a minute but its a royal pain in the ***. And I can only get it to show at all if i tell my apps its running at 4800 despite setting 9600 in the driver config.

Is it possibly a problem with running such a long USB cable or the hub maybe?

I'm gonna un thread the cable in the dash at the weekend and try plugging it directly in the car pc in the boot but then i'll have issues with the read windscreen heating wires getting in the way.

Marvin Hlavac · 06-07-2005, 05:55 PM

Hi UHF,

You are likely right about the issue being related to your USB extension. Also you may want to check if your receiver really uses baud rate other than 4800. Here is the manual: http://www.royaltek.com/manuals/RGM-...ual%20V1.4.pdf

maxxell · 06-08-2005, 08:25 AM

I have the royaltek. My hub was powered by the +5 on my opus. That created nightmares! Apparently that gps device doesn't like losing power. I only go to standby, so maybe that's why your issue is slightly different than mine. To solve the problem, I just plugged it straight into a USB port on the MOBO. Try that.

Bugbyte · 06-08-2005, 11:33 AM

I'm running the Royaltek on a USB extension through an unpowered USB hub and it works fine. The only issue I've run into is that it seems sensitive to EMI. My original plan was to mount it on the parcel shelf in the back and when I tested it with my laptop it worked great, quick lock, etc. When I installed the PC underneath the shelf (no case), it would lock for anything. When I moved it up front, it worked great again.

Until I swapped my screen for a Xenarc. Then I started having trouble locking again. Moving it away from the screen improved it.

If yours worked well with the laptop but is now behaving oddly with your installed PC, one thing to consider is whether it is close to a source of EMI like power supply, processor, or even screen.