Gps

[2ski]

Anyone more in the know on GPS than me, just a quick question. Can your GPS unit go bad, per se? Or are they like cell phones perhaps? Where as the technology gets more advanced, your cell phone seems to not go as fast as it used to with its data speeds.

To explain, I have noticed lately that my GPS, a Lowrance iHuntC, takes upwards of 20 minutes or so to lock on to a signal. It used to take a few minutes if that. This fall it took 20/30 minutes in the middle of Flathead Lake with clear views of the sky. Last week I was out hunting for a one week only cow tag. I powered it up before I left town, an hour later it still hadn't locked onto a satellite. I don't think it locked on until I hiked to the base of the cliffs up the mountain. And I randomly had it on the way down. I was in some thick timber, but I didn't used to have that problem no matter how thick the timber. I didn't need it too find my way around. Its not like I was going to get lost, however I did find some nice features that I would've liked to mark. Some springs, a nice wallow. The wallow doesn't really matter that much since its a cow only area but it was still kind of cool to find.

Anyways, I figured I would be getting a new GPS at some point that was more current with all the things you can do hunting wise with it. I bought the iHunt a few years back because I could put a Navionics chip in it and fish and ice fish with it, but you can buy Navionics for cheaper on a smart phone. Plus there is too much data in the new chips to go in a handheld gps. Just wondering if anyone else has had this issue with an older GPS.

 

[Yellowknife]

Hey 2ski,

GPS satellite signal is a lot like least cost networking for computers and server also. They go with the best and least cost route to get the customer a good signal. Sometimes this can lead to extended times. Many of the satellites these lesser companies use are from the bigger satellite companies out there like Garmin. They lease their Satellite air time and frequencies from the bigger satellite carriers. Again this is why I trust and keep using the Garmin as they own and operate a majority of the Satellites that many other carriers use. Well guess what that means for a lesser GPS Company? They are the low end of the totem pole with the satellite Carrier customers having the best and fastest routes and frequencies to acquire the signal.

Dude, you need to check your information. GPS satellites are all run by the Air Force. It's one way communication with the ground, so no need to "rent" time or space. Works the same for everyone.


On the original subject. I've seen a number of GPS units go bad, but that has never been manifested by slow satellite acquisition. No experience with Lowrance though. If you are moving long distances between times that you turn it on, it will take longer to figure out where it is at... but that still should be in the < 5min time frame.

Might be worth trying a firmware update, but sounds like you are ready for a Garmin.

 

[luke moffat]

Yep your right I was just checking to see if others would chime in. and correct =-). Its ran by the Airforce I will correct. =-). That was my answer for Cell Back haul =-)

I think someone needs to loosen their tin foil hat a notch or two