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Topic: GPS device sluggish in high latitude areas? (Read 247 times) previous topic - next topic
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GPS device sluggish in high latitude areas?
Hi all,
We're traveling in the Washington Northern Cascades area around Mt. Baker. Our Garmin has become extremely sluggish in establishing a route after entered, very slow in updating location as we drive, and even the graphics are loading very slowly.

I'm thinking the higher latitude we are traveling in might have this effect. I've heard these devices can do this, but just want to confirm with others if it has happened to them.

Thanks,
David G.
2005 MB
Re: GPS device sluggish in high latitude areas?
Reply #1 –
I've never had any problem like that. I am currently at 8000+ feet and mine works fine (Garmin Nuvi) which is about 5 years old but have the latest software installed.
Jerry Galang
Meridian, ID 83646
Re: GPS device sluggish in high latitude areas?
Reply #2 –
Altitude is not the problem. Latitude is what I'm wondering about. Do these devices falter when being used near the Canadian border?

David G.
2005 MB
Re: GPS device sluggish in high latitude areas?
Reply #3 –
Quote from: David Gardner  - 
Hi all,
We're traveling in the Washington Northern Cascades area around Mt. Baker. Our Garmin has become extremely sluggish in establishing a route after entered, very slow in updating location as we drive, and even the graphics are loading very slowly.

I'm thinking the higher latitude we are traveling in might have this effect. I've heard these devices can do this, but just want to confirm with others if it has happened to them.

Thanks,
David G.

Hi David,
Our Garmin was acting the same way after 3 years of use. I tried updating maps, firmware, etc. Finally called customer service who could not fix it either and they told us it would need to be sent in for repair or exchange. You may want to call them at (800) 800-1020. Hopefully you will have better results than we did.
Greg & Victoria
2017 Mid-Bath  “Nocona” towing a manual 2015 Forester
Previously a 1985 TK
SKP #61264
Re: GPS device sluggish in high latitude areas?
Reply #4 –
Greg, that's a little disconcerting to hear. I've been checking out some of the settings and have turned off the 3D view. This seems to have sped things up considerably, but I'll keep working on it.

David G.
2005 MB
Re: GPS device sluggish in high latitude areas?
Reply #5 –
Quick answer: in theory, latitude should be no problem for any GPS device. Unlike TV satellites, which are parked high over the equator and thus are increasingly difficult to "see" as you travel further toward the poles, GPS satellites--dozens of them--are in low earth orbit and are constantly moving. Your device should be able to see several at one time from any place on Earth.

Of course if you're driving through Manhattan with skyscrapers on every side, or in a deep canyon with rocky walls surrounding you, your GPS device may have trouble seeing enough satellites to get a reliable fix. But what you're describing--a device that is "sluggish in establishing a route after entered, very slow in updating location as we drive, and even the graphics are loading very slowly"--probably has nothing to do with GPS signal strength or your latitude. My best guess is that it's a software problem--caches overflowing, memory leaks, or the like--and in any case, it's going to have to be fixed by Garmin.

Incidentally, Garmin's latest update to the Garmin U.S.A. app on my iPads and iPhone has caused screen display problems (improperly located controls, black areas in maps, etc.), and their POI database continues to fall further and further behind Apple's and Google's. Today my Garmin app--with the very latest 1.7 GB maps just installed!--was unable to find the Sandia Casino, a huge and long-established Albuquerque business. That's just pathetic. I think the company is going downhill.
Andy Baird
2021 Ford Ranger towing 2019 Airstream 19CB
Previously: 1985 LD Twin/King "Gertie"; 2003 LD Midbath "Skylark"
Re: GPS device sluggish in high latitude areas?
Reply #6 –
Quote from: Andy Baird  - 
Of course if you're driving through Manhattan with skyscrapers on every side, or in a deep canyon with rocky walls surrounding you, your GPS device may have trouble seeing enough satellites to get a reliable fix.

Also, traveling in an area with tall trees on either side, as the OP probably is currently.
Linda Hylton
Re: GPS device sluggish in high latitude areas?
Reply #7 –
Thanks Andy and Linda,

It acts this way even in wide open areas. Usually, in areas of trees or other obstructions, garmin would tell me it lost sat connection. Still seems to be working more normally since turning off the 3-D map rendering, but it probably needs servicing.

David G
2005 MB