GPS QUESTION

[mazda3i]

hI

I just purchased a portable gps system by magellan its the roadmate 500 plus. Now when i put the maps on it and everything. It doesnt show me my destination where i'm currently at, it shows me i'm somewhere else, now is this because right at this moment its cloudy and raining out?

p.s does anyone recommend the roadmate 700 instead? it seems like the 500 doesnt have much for locations.

[micklerlop]

GPS signals are usually strong. I have a pda-based GPS and used it a lot of times in super cloudy conditions and once in the middle of a storm attack and the receptions were just fine. So i dont think weather conditions are your problems. I think it has to do with your navigation software. I am not saying there is something wrong with it but you should somehow reset the map or clear the routing instructions that are in the memory. I have never used a magellan before. Mine is just a HP pda with a CF gps receiver with TomTom Navigation software and map. I find TomTom really reliable... one of the best out there i think.

[beinkken]

I agree, i have a magellan sportrac and it is great in all weather conditions. I think it must be the software you are using.

How many satelites are you tracking when the system is up and running, if you lock on to 3 or 4 depending on the model of gps you have everything is fine with the system.

[mazda3i]

It uses 12 satillites i believe. I returned mine today and got the magellan roadmate 700. This stores all the maps in the device holds 10gb , stores u.s and canada. No software required. I'm going to try it out tomorrow, I was wondering does this take out alot of battery power on the car? how long do car batteries last for usually? I would think more then 3 years but if i use this device does it shorten the battery life? might be a stupid question but i have no clue

[beinkken]

Originally posted by mazda3i@Jul 19 2004, 09:16 PM
It uses 12 satillites i believe. I returned mine today and got the magellan roadmate 700. This stores all the maps in the device holds 10gb , stores u.s and canada. No software required. I'm going to try it out tomorrow, I was wondering does this take out alot of battery power on the car? how long do car batteries last for usually? I would think more then 3 years but if i use this device does it shorten the battery life? might be a stupid question but i have no clue

There are 28 satelites in orbit, but at any given time you need to lock onto 3 of them in order to triangulate your position, the 4th satelite can be used to give your elevation. As for battery life your GPS isn't going to hurt your battery life at all, as long as it turns off when the car does and you don't leave it running all the time.

[mazda3i]

Oh ok thanks for that information, I would like to know do you have on your gps where you can get directions say to gas stations, shopping centers, amusement parks etc . I'm wondering if you had this problem where you enter the destination by name say Six Flags for instance or a Mall and when you click on the name of the destination it gives u the wrong address to get to. It happened to me where i found where i want to go and selected the Malls name and instead of it being in one place i noticed it wanted to go to another place where the mall wasnt even located. I aint sure if u know what i mean but i'll need to call tech support on that issue

[beinkken]

It sounds like your software just isn't up to date, soes this happen to all addresses or just some? Some addresses are wrong on maps and there is nothing you can do about it, but it shouldn't happen very often.