Does anyone else's navigations system display inacurrate positioning at times? Many times, it doesn't even show me as being on the road or the right road for that matter. I guess I just want to know how many people have noticed their GPS being inaccurate. Are there any weather conditions that might bring this on? I have no previous experience with GPS systems.

 

Most likely your experiencing the results of a weak signal. Weather and terrain can affect the GPS signal. You typically need 3 satellite signals to accurately locate your position, but you can sort of do it with two. Next time this happens, notice if you're in a hilly region or parked next to a tall building. Or is it raining out...I have a handheld unit that reacts the same way. If it happens frequently you might have cause for concern and might want to have it checked out. Gut reaction is no problem. If your'e cruising on a clear day on a flat road and still have the problem have it checked out.

 

The only time mine is inaccurate is when I am coming out of my parking garage downtown. The garage and then the buildings block the GPS from seeing the satellites for a short period of time. Once it sees a few satellites it gets back in sync and is ok.

Go into the Diagnostic menus when you see your NAV going off course and see if it can see any satellites. This screen in particular...



BTW, this thread probably belongs in the "Audio and Electronics" forum.

 

It can be inaccurate, if the antenna in the rear deck is blocked (anything put on top of the rear deck will do this, like a sunshade...). Also, if you are in an area of the city with high buildings, in a heavily tree'd area, driving in canyons, this can affect the GPS signals. You need to be in view of a minamum of 4 gps satellites in view to get an accurate fix, for at least 2-3 minutes. Also, the "smart" logic in the Navigation unit will always try to "place" you on the road, and I've noticed that the road I live on isn't in the map database yet, so sitting in my driveway, with 6 satellites in view (the more the better), the navigation will try to place me on a road that's in the map database, but about 400 feet away! (Normal GPS accuracy is +/- 25 feet) That's not GPS's fault, that's the navigation computer trying to be too smart!

 

And how do I get to that screen? I'll observe it more for a few weeks and let y'all know. Thx.

 

Hello GeorgeTSX,

I looked into all the screens (menu, setup & info), but still can't find GPS diagnostic screen like the one you shown us. Could you be so kind to tell us how to get there?

Thanks!

Sam
Newcastle, WA

 

hold map+menu+cancel button for like 5 sec or so.

 

I have the same problem when I leave my underground garage. It will usually show me being 1 or 2 streets away from my actual location for up to 5 (sometimes 10) minutes. It's never been off for more than that.

 

if i remember reading correctly, it takes about 15 min for the system to acquire a signal lock. as always, i could be misremembering.

 

binabink,

Thanks for the info. I just checked, and it show I had 6 satellites on mine.

May I ask how you know about getting into setting? And is there a good reference on other hidden setting like this?

Much Thanks,

Sam
Newcastle, WA

 

there was a thread started a while back about that. they were thinking about trying to do some mod to the dvd and what not. just tried a brief search, but couldn't remember exactly. you might want to try searching over @ clubtsx.com. i know they had the same thing going too way back when.