Problem with GPS

Having a bit of trouble with the old GPS. It is a navman tracker (5500 I think).

Was working fine, but last few times I have been out, occasionally it would take ages to get signal and would require a bit of a jiggle of the wires, turn on/off etc (not sure what it was that fixed it, but always came good in the end).

Last time I went out, the f'n thing wouldnt get signal at all. Ended up fishing the day putting my marks into a mate's mobile phone and using that.

Tried jiggling all the cables etc, but I am thinking that perhaps the cable that runs from the unit to the external antenna is cracked internally. The cable seems to be sealed at the antenna end, and then screws on to the back of the unit. Tried a bit of RP7 in the connector on the cable, connectors otherwise look clean.

Anyone know how I can test the integrity of the cable? Or alternatively, any other possible causes? Thing fires up fine, shows all the maps etc, just cant get a reading from the sattelites - remains in the 'searching for signal' mode.

Any help greatly appreciated, as don't fancy another GPS free trip out (or another boat toy purchase if can be avoided!).

 

Cheers

 

Dan

____________________________________________________________________________

When asked by a non-fisherman 'how many fishing rods do you really need?' the correct answer is either:

n+1 (where n is the number of fishing rods you currently own); or

n-1 (where n is the number of fishing rods which would cause your significant other to dump you. 


dkonig82's picture

Posts: 2091

Date Joined: 06/07/10

HmmJust discovered GPS

Tue, 2011-07-19 14:17

Hmm

Just discovered GPS antenna brand new from Hong Kong for $7 delivered (non-genuine).

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/3M-SMA-GPS-Antenna-Navman-Tracker-5500-5500i-5505-/130522921928?pt=AU_GPS_Accessories&hash=item1e63c5bbc8

Looks like this is the way forward!

Dan

____________________________________________________________________________

When asked by a non-fisherman 'how many fishing rods do you really need?' the correct answer is either:

n+1 (where n is the number of fishing rods you currently own); or

n-1 (where n is the number of fishing rods which would cause your significant other to dump you. 

silly's picture

Posts: 382

Date Joined: 02/01/09

yep it's heaps better with

Tue, 2011-07-19 16:13

yep it's heaps better with the el cheapo antenna...

Had the same problem with mine but with the new antenna it loads up much quicker!

It's alot more compact too, cant go wrong for $7!

dkonig82's picture

Posts: 2091

Date Joined: 06/07/10

Good stuff! Hopefully it does

Tue, 2011-07-19 16:24

Good stuff! Hopefully it does the trick

____________________________________________________________________________

When asked by a non-fisherman 'how many fishing rods do you really need?' the correct answer is either:

n+1 (where n is the number of fishing rods you currently own); or

n-1 (where n is the number of fishing rods which would cause your significant other to dump you. 

Posts: 53

Date Joined: 27/06/10

Hi mate I have had a similar

Tue, 2011-07-19 16:40

Hi mate I have had a similar problem before with the trackfish 6500

To fix it I went to menu - gps - restart gps - then unplugged the gps cable then plugged it back in - then hit restart gps again seems to work for me.

I think thats the order / menu options.

I initialy thought it was the cable but this solves it for me everytime.

Now takes me a couple of minutes, if that, when she decides to play up.

Hopefuly this works for you.

 

Cheers Nath

____________________________________________________________________________

It's not about the fish, it's about fishing.

dkonig82's picture

Posts: 2091

Date Joined: 06/07/10

Ok cheers, I will give that a

Tue, 2011-07-19 17:22

Ok cheers, I will give that a go tonight.

Already bought the new one, but if this fixes it without having to connect the new antenna then its a good result!

____________________________________________________________________________

When asked by a non-fisherman 'how many fishing rods do you really need?' the correct answer is either:

n+1 (where n is the number of fishing rods you currently own); or

n-1 (where n is the number of fishing rods which would cause your significant other to dump you. 

Buz's picture

Posts: 1555

Date Joined: 28/08/07

Had the same issue with the

Tue, 2011-07-19 17:22

Had the same issue with the same unit. New external antenna fixed the problem.

GrumpyTugger's picture

Posts: 17

Date Joined: 26/11/10

Y Cable

Wed, 2011-07-20 07:50

Gday fellas just on a side issue with these units The Y cable extension for those using fuel flow and engine management seems to have issues at times so if stuck pull the ext antenea out of it and straight into the head unit.

The reset is always a good back up.

dkonig82's picture

Posts: 2091

Date Joined: 06/07/10

Cheers for the info guysI am

Wed, 2011-07-20 08:41

Cheers for the info guys

I am not running the Y cable anymore, so it is a direct line. Have tried the reset, but no luck.

Guessing the antenna is the only way forward, hope it shows up soon!

Dan

____________________________________________________________________________

When asked by a non-fisherman 'how many fishing rods do you really need?' the correct answer is either:

n+1 (where n is the number of fishing rods you currently own); or

n-1 (where n is the number of fishing rods which would cause your significant other to dump you.