Registered: May 2001
Location: Austin
Posts: 2

I just bought the Magellan GPS Companion, but was not able to Get a Fix.
The signal chart for all the satellites are less than 3, even with a clear sky and out of the house with no tall buildings around.
I saw that many people managed to get a fix without a problem. Can you please let me know what was the level of the signal you obtained from the satellites?
Thanks.

Registered: Apr 2000
Location: Seattle, WA
Posts: 604

Did you go through the initial setup where you give the module an idea of where you are located? It speeds up the initial satelite acquisition. The issue has been discussed on past threads, you might do a search for the details.

I was using mine today with no problems whatsoever - good lock even when going along a forest road with pretty heavy vegitation on both sides of me. I can't answer your specific question, because I had a 3d lock most of the time so I didn't much care what the specific signal strength was.

Good luck.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Germany
Posts: 116

dtranhuu,

what Visor are you using? If it is a VDX or Solo there are known problems with RF-interference. If so you should be sure to use a RF-shielded one.

CU
Chris

Registered: Jun 2000
Location: Pembroke,MA
Posts: 307

dtranhuu, sounds like you've gotten some good advise here. One other thing to mention... Make sure that you do the software update from the Magellan site (Here). I didn't even try to get a lock before loading the update. I had no problems on either a Vdx or my Vpr in getting a lock.

Best of luck!

Registered: May 2001
Location: Austin
Posts: 2

Thanks for all the replies.
I left my VPL outside with the GPS Companion attached for the duration of a film, and I had a 3D Fix afterwards.
Since then, it is very quick to get a Fix: a few minutes after plugging the module.
The signals level of signals displayed on the satellites are 36 and above.
I did initialize my module by selecting the region I was in. The only reason I can think of is that I tried first during a bad weather.
Anyway, my GPS works fine now (even better with the upgrade ).
Again thanks for your support.

Registered: Aug 2000
Location: Germany
Posts: 116

dtranhuu,

you are always welcome. Good that you managed to get a 3D Fix.
Enjoy your companion.

Take care
Chris