why does it take so long to get gps-signal?

[john]

hey guys,

i have a little question,
i just bought a haicom gps receiver and use tomtom 2 software. When i get out of my garage, it takes always more than 15 minutes to get a signal. sometimes during driving i also lose it. How comes?
when i connect my device to the receiver and power, i get something like "connecting to t-mobile MMS"...
oh, btw i have a MDA II with latest NL t-mobile rom. 1.60....

if anyone could help please...
thanks!

[cruisin-thru]

The gps should only take this long when first used, after that it should lock in a matter of a couple of minutes, to test the gps properly it is best to test it outside the vehicle, I think most Haicom mouse gps come with magnetic base so stick it on the roof and drive around, if it works better it is probably becuase your car has a metallised windscreen which blocks the signal. The message about connecting to the service provider is an error due to the com port being accessed i think, mine used to bring up activesync every time but once I canged my activesync settings on the xda to manual instead of auto sync it solved the problem.

[john]

so i should always drive around with my window open?? and stick the receiver outside the car?

[SimonTALM]

I would agree with Crusin Through - I think your car may well have some form of heated windscreen or heat reflecting windscreen. What car do you have.

If when you do place the receiver on the outside of the car you do get good signal you can get a special anntenna that had an outside part and an internal part that you can fit permanently to the car so you can still move the thing about. Bit like a mobile phone antenna.

Alternatively as you have the XDA II you can get a bluetooth receiver an place it on the rear parcel shelf (I think the wider heating strips won't affect it - but can't confirm it.)

[cruisin-thru]

John, I wasnt suggesting you drive around with your window open, I was suggesting a way to ascertain if your windscreen is the problem regarding your blocked gps signal, by the way I have used a gps on the roof and the window will shut almost all the way however as the last post mentioned you can obtain a re-radiating antenna, this will solve your problem if indeed the windscreen is the culprit.

[SimonTALM]

Re-rediating antenna - that's the word I couldn't remember :lol:

[john]

ok guys, thanks. i'll try with such an extern antenna.
thanks for your help

[SimonTALM]

Before you spend your money on the re-rad antenna - try the thing on the roof - if this works then the antenna is your only real option if you want to continue with the thing in the front windscreen.

I'd hate you to buy the re-rad and then find it doesn't work.

Incidently what car do you have? (Does it have a heat reflecting or headted windscreen)

[Xant]

And if it works outside,
you still don't have to buy an external antenna, as normally the windshield have an area where is not metal coating...
try to check the manual of your car..

[john]

i own a toyota Camry 2002 model, it has indeed a windscreen etc...