Question for all GPS users (obtaining satellite question)

[heyholetsgogrant]

Recently within the last few months my Garmin Nuvi 350 is taking upwards of 15-20 minutes to establish a satillite connection. I have done everything from a reset, factory reset, and new updates. Currently, I work at Costco and I've been taking to quite a few people lately who have been having the same problems with their GPS (not brand specific either). Is anyone else having the same problem of obtaining satellites? I did read somwhere a few week back we are running out of GPS space on out current satellites in space.

[renaissance]

My Garmin is really slow every once in a while and it was especially bad when I was in DC, but I haven't noticed that it's an every day issue.

[fire5man80]

Ive got a tom tom, I dont use it on a regular basis. Ive used it a few time over the last couple months and have not noticed a difference at all.

[Midnight Judges]

Mine does the same thing although it doesn't take anywhere near as long. 5 minutes or so.

[HighPlainsDrifter]

My Garmin was a little slow yesterday, 5-10 min, but was fine today. I have had to deal with their (Garmin's) customer service and they did solve all of my issues. Hold time was long but the service was top notch.

[terpskins10]

I had the same problem with the Nuvi. After a while, I got a message at the top of the screen saying "GPS is off" and I was never able to use it after that. Not sure what the problem is but it definitely took way too long to find a signal.

I picked up a Magellan a little while ago and no problems so far with that. I'd check it out.

[hkHog]

Do you leave it in the cradle at all times? Mine always takes about 10 minutes if I take it out of the cradle but if I leave it in place it will find the satellites almost instantly. I have a Garmin too.

[heyholetsgogrant]

Do you leave it in the cradle at all times? Mine always takes about 10 minutes if I take it out of the cradle but if I leave it in place it will find the satellites almost instantly. I have a Garmin too.

I take it off the window suction cup and keep it in the glove compartment if im not using it. The Nuvi 350 has a odd antenna that you have to pop up everytime you use it; it's about 3 years old.

[Corcaigh]

I have a running watch with a GPS. Most often it will find the satellites in seconds, but occasionally it would take up to five minutes. Now if it seems to be taking longer I just turn it off and back on and that usually does the trick.

[TMK9973]

I use the GPS on my Blackberry all the time. Like others have said - Ussally a few seconds, sometimes up to 2 or 3 mins. Never more....

[Kosher Ham]

My girl has one that needs to be updated. Grant or whomever, can you lead me in the right direction to do that. I don't know the model number, it is a Garmin, her Mother bought it for her last christmas.

Not trying to hijack, just thought maybe someone could help. Thanks.

[MattFancy]

My Garmin has been doing the same thing. I have a Nuvi 200, but it takes forever to obtain satellite. Maybe its something with Garmin?

[WhoRUSupposed2Be]

The Verizon phones are now coming with Navigation capabilities. I'm not sure about other service providers, but The Navigator on my Voyager is quite compelling.

[Slacky McSlackAss]

The built in Navigation in my TSX has been as fast as ever. The government did just launch a new GPS satellite, that might have something to do with it.

[heyholetsgogrant]

My girl has one that needs to be updated. Grant or whomever, can you lead me in the right direction to do that. I don't know the model number, it is a Garmin, her Mother bought it for her last christmas.

Not trying to hijack, just thought maybe someone could help. Thanks.

In order to update your garmin GPS, you need to download the garmin webupdater to your computer. This software you install on you computer will automatically know what device you have and what updates it needs. Here is the website to do so:

http://www8.garmin.com/products/webu...wtoinstall.jsp

BTW you will need a USB cable.


-Grant