Forum Discussion

addisonl's avatar
addisonl
Explorer
Mar 26, 2015

Garmin Streetpilot getting fewer satellites

I know the general answer to this will be "just buy a new one" in todays throw away environment.

I have a Garmin StreetPilot, 7 inch model that I have owned and loved since 2007. I have tried new ones and even the big RV specific units but always go back to this one as being my favorite on the road. Works easily, big screen and doesn't fall down or create a flying hazard.

Since last summer and even more now, it has a hard time finding satellites and getting my location. Seems to only get them from driving in one direction. So my guess would be that old satellites die off and new ones are not replacing them so my hardware can't find much any more? So the unit just eventually stops working, you have to buy a new one to feed the company and put a good device in the landfill? Kind of sad.

I know, my iPhone works great with maps and Waze, or the GPS model iPad works great all the time but I still like having the StreetPilot there.

Wondering if anyone has similar experience or thoughts.
  • downtheroad's avatar
    downtheroad
    Explorer
    Mar 26, 2015
    just a thought...have you done an up-date recently?
    When I up date...I not only get the latest maps, but also often get system updates as well.
  • addisonl's avatar
    addisonl
    Explorer
    Mar 26, 2015
    Not lately. I was just getting it out yesterday for spring and noticed it was worse than at the end of last summer. Worked fine when I was look east but nowhere else. I thought the update was just maps and didn't realize it changed anything else like possible satellites. Maybe that will do it.

    Now if I can find my cable...Always in the way when I don't want it. :)
  • addisonl's avatar
    addisonl
    Explorer
    Mar 26, 2015
    Looks like they only make one 7 inch nowadays. Probably why I have kept this one as most of the new ones are smaller.

    I have to chuckle at the new "lifetime" options they offer now. Lifetime means "useful life" as they determine. The asterisks say as long as they don't make the maps bigger than your device and "its useful life to be ended if no updates have been downloaded for such product for a period of 24 months or more."

    So 2 years is a lifetime and I must be really really old !
  • Matt_Colie's avatar
    Matt_Colie
    Explorer II
    Mar 26, 2015
    Call Garmin.

    Their support may be able to tell you if there is a patch to correct the an almanac problem. The almanac tells the actual hardware what satellites it should look for that day/there.

    This sounds like it is an almanac error (but I am only a couple of kinds of navigator). In several decades of using GPS, this has happened to me.

    Matt
  • gatorcq's avatar
    gatorcq
    Explorer
    Mar 26, 2015
    GPS, receivers do not read Almanac. All they care about is receiving a signal from Sat's. The big difference in today's GPS is the receiver itself. Newer processor and being able to receive upto 18 satellites at the same time. However, it only needs 3 to work correctly. Updates will not correct for working well 1 day and bad the next normally, unless a software routine gets scrambled. At which point it just stops working. Then shut it down and restart it. I still have an old GPS (7 years) still works, just slower then today's GPS. My suspension is the internal antenna/receiver is failing, and it will be time to replace it.
    Want you want to do is see which unit you like. Go to the "About Screen" and see who produces the MAPS & POI's. I have a GPS which came out in 2010. I have since updated the software (GPS) to Igo Prime from Navtec. The software has trucker information preloaded.
  • strollin's avatar
    strollin
    Explorer
    Mar 27, 2015
    addisonl wrote:
    I know the general answer to this will be "just buy a new one" in todays throw away environment.

    I have a Garmin StreetPilot, 7 inch model that I have owned and loved since 2007. I have tried new ones and even the big RV specific units but always go back to this one as being my favorite on the road. Works easily, big screen and doesn't fall down or create a flying hazard.

    Since last summer and even more now, it has a hard time finding satellites and getting my location. Seems to only get them from driving in one direction. So my guess would be that old satellites die off and new ones are not replacing them so my hardware can't find much any more? So the unit just eventually stops working, you have to buy a new one to feed the company and put a good device in the landfill? Kind of sad.

    I know, my iPhone works great with maps and Waze, or the GPS model iPad works great all the time but I still like having the StreetPilot there.

    Wondering if anyone has similar experience or thoughts.

    From your description it sounds like you have the StreetPilot 7200 gps. I have the same gps and it still works well. Sitting here indoors, it "sees" 11 satellites and acquires 4 strong enough to get a 3D lock. I have Lifetime maps for it and my maps are current but that has nothing to do with satellite acquisition.

    Your issue has nothing to do with old satellites dropping off. I'm afraid that if your gps is having problems then it's probably a hardware issue.

    Have you tried a reset? It's worth a try.

    From Garmin support:

    Question: How do I perform a master reset on my StreetPilot 7000 series?
    Answer:

    To perform a master reset* on your StreetPilot 7000 please follow instructions below:

    1. Switch the device off
    2. Press and hold the power button for 10 seconds until the 'Do you really want to erase all user data?' message appears
    3. Touch Yes

    The device will now be reset. Place your device in an area with a clear view of the sky until it acquires satellites.

    *Note: The master reset will erase all user data including saved favorites. This resets the unit back to factory settings.
  • Ourhomeonwheels's avatar
    Ourhomeonwheels
    Explorer II
    Mar 30, 2015
    You don't mention where you are at. If you get too far north you will start to have problems. I have been in Michigan's UP and noticed greatly reduced satellite acquisition.

    That said I tend to agree with the suspicions of another poster ie. your hardware is starting to fail.

    Ron

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