GPS in an E46

[Durlaker]

So, my Garmin unit is failing to find sattelites in the vehicle and this is what they have to say about it.

If your vehicle has a protective coating on its windshield or electronic devices which interferes with the device receiving signal, your device may not be able to acquire satellites in this environment.

-》Some vehicles are equipped with special windshields that may contain metal in the glass (metal oxide) that prevents the GPS device from having a clear line of sight to the satellites. Windshields with solar ray glass, solar tint, heated, or heat-reflective windshields, and insulated or Insta-Clear glass may also affect satellite acquisition.

--》》If you suspect this to be an issue, try taking the device outside of the vehicle with a clear view of the sky for 3-5 minutes so that the device can acquire satellites. If your device loses satellites once moved back into your vehicle, this is most likely the reason.

https://support.garmin.com/en-US/?fa...Type=noProduct

So it seems to be a nonfixable issue. Does anyone here use a GPS unit in their vehicle with consistent success?

[eeeks]

Ives Garmin devices in my e46 with no issues. Will the unit acquire satellites outside of the car? Where do you have the unit mounted.

I used to have mine mounted low on the drivers side...

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[Durlaker]

Yes, it worked fine in my 2017 Subaru Outback and if I try using it outside the car (holding it out the window... not practical though).

I have the unit mounted by the air vent to the right of the steering wheel.

[eeeks]

Have you tried other placements in the car... What model Garmin?

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[MarcoZandrini]

Get Google Maps. Jsssh!

[Durlaker]

Have you tried other placements in the car... What model Garmin?

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

It worked fine today, comes and goes, for the entire drive. Typically I keep the windows open on my drive but I closed the vent where the unit is placed. Considering the fans have been off, not sure if that helped any.

I wonder if there is some mild/minimal impact that occurs with the vehicle and the fact that the unit is over 2 years old and sits in the car regardless of temp (-40s to over a 100).... is the cause.

Anyhow, I'm considering just buying a new GPS unit and seeing if that helps. You know, barring a miraculous change in consistent performance. Still not sure why it's flawless outside the vehicle or in other vehicles.

The unit itself is similar to this one but has traffic updates as well.
https://www.target.com/p/garmin-driv...s/-/A-50974110

[Raddee]

Try mounting the unit near the rear view mirror, if that's practical..

[jc1kz]

just for fun buy another brand gps or borrow one and see if it is your cars windscreen, if the other one works then it may be defective and (if new) have it reset to factory by Garmin.... these things are so inexpensive now that just replacing it is more convenient. On the other hand if you have a phone just use your media and make it a hot spot and use google maps on a tablet ot the phone.....just my 2cents....

[Durlaker]

My coworker has one she uses in her car, (Tom Tom I think) I'm considering a week long swap and seeing how it goes.

The current one comes and goes which is agonizing.

Not sure on the cellphone idea and the cost of a data plan that big!