Hi there folks,
Before I start, I should offer a newbie alert, I think - I've been lurking here for a few days, but this is my first post. I've had a good look around the site and don't think this is an FAQ, but if it is, please point me at the thread I need.
I have just today received my sparkling new Viliv S5 - probably one of the very first in New Zealand, I suspect. The machine itself seems lovely, and has caused no problems so far (apart from the minuscule text hurting my eyes).
Problem is, I've had to order my copy of Garmin Mobile PC software-only Europe edition from England, but it probably won't be here for another week or two, and in the meantime, I have no way of seeing that the GPS (a SiRFstar III, as I recall) in the S5 is actually working. It seems amazing to me that amidst all the stuff they provide with the S5, there doesn't seem to be a single thing that can show off, or even recognize the existence of, one of the stand-out features of the device.
Can anyone recommend something free or inexpensive that I can download that will, at the very least, tell me whether or not the GPS is operational? I've heard of the Franson GPSGate software, and realize I'll probably need it in due course to make Mobile PC work, but is there anything else that might be worth grabbing?
Incidentally, I know I can't add locked maps to the software-only version of Mobile PC (can't believe Garmin were that idiotic, but hey...). Fortunately, I'm only really interested in Europe and New Zealand, and there are some especially fine open-source maps available for NZ.
Thanks in advance for any advice - this seems like a friendly and very worthwhile site.
Before I start, I should offer a newbie alert, I think - I've been lurking here for a few days, but this is my first post. I've had a good look around the site and don't think this is an FAQ, but if it is, please point me at the thread I need.
I have just today received my sparkling new Viliv S5 - probably one of the very first in New Zealand, I suspect. The machine itself seems lovely, and has caused no problems so far (apart from the minuscule text hurting my eyes).
Problem is, I've had to order my copy of Garmin Mobile PC software-only Europe edition from England, but it probably won't be here for another week or two, and in the meantime, I have no way of seeing that the GPS (a SiRFstar III, as I recall) in the S5 is actually working. It seems amazing to me that amidst all the stuff they provide with the S5, there doesn't seem to be a single thing that can show off, or even recognize the existence of, one of the stand-out features of the device.
Can anyone recommend something free or inexpensive that I can download that will, at the very least, tell me whether or not the GPS is operational? I've heard of the Franson GPSGate software, and realize I'll probably need it in due course to make Mobile PC work, but is there anything else that might be worth grabbing?
Incidentally, I know I can't add locked maps to the software-only version of Mobile PC (can't believe Garmin were that idiotic, but hey...). Fortunately, I'm only really interested in Europe and New Zealand, and there are some especially fine open-source maps available for NZ.
Thanks in advance for any advice - this seems like a friendly and very worthwhile site.
Hi Rozbott,
Welcome to Laptop GPS World.
My first though was to suggest to you Garmin nRoute + a free open-source map for New Zealand, but Garmin mobile PC is so much more appropriate for the small screen size of your Viliv S5 than nRoute...
For just testing if the GPS receiver in your Viliv S5 works or not, the GPS Gate idea is a good one. If it works you should see a nice green GPS Gate icon in the system tray near the computer clock.
I'm not sure if there are many free mapping software you could try, but there are various GPS utility programs you could play with: http://www.laptopgpsworld.com/56-up-date-list-free-gps-software
Welcome to Laptop GPS World.
My first though was to suggest to you Garmin nRoute + a free open-source map for New Zealand, but Garmin mobile PC is so much more appropriate for the small screen size of your Viliv S5 than nRoute...
For just testing if the GPS receiver in your Viliv S5 works or not, the GPS Gate idea is a good one. If it works you should see a nice green GPS Gate icon in the system tray near the computer clock.
I'm not sure if there are many free mapping software you could try, but there are various GPS utility programs you could play with: http://www.laptopgpsworld.com/56-up-date-list-free-gps-software
You might try Microsoft's Streets and Trips free 60-day trial version.
It won't show you anything Down-Under but it might confirm if the GPS is functional.
It won't show you anything Down-Under but it might confirm if the GPS is functional.
Hey Rozbott,
1. Go to the list of free utilities that Marvin linked and download two of them -- Easy GPS Tester and GooPS.
2. Use Easy GPS Tester to verify that you have the GPS activated and the system is making it usable.
3. Go to Google and install the latest version of Google Earth.
4. Install GooPS.
5. Use GooPS to connect the GPS to Google Earth.
6. Have loads of fun navigating around the back yard.
...ken...
1. Go to the list of free utilities that Marvin linked and download two of them -- Easy GPS Tester and GooPS.
2. Use Easy GPS Tester to verify that you have the GPS activated and the system is making it usable.
3. Go to Google and install the latest version of Google Earth.
4. Install GooPS.
5. Use GooPS to connect the GPS to Google Earth.
6. Have loads of fun navigating around the back yard.
...ken...
Hey guys,
I'm a noobie as well....
I've tried using the Easy GPS Tester, but it seems like it is not doing anything...
Here is what is says...
Found selected Comm Port Yes
Found device on Comm Port Yes
Device recognized as GPS Yes
GPS Information
Current UTC Time: Unknown
Latitude: Unknown
Longitude: Unknown
Altitude: Unknown
Signal Quality No GPS device detected
Satelites in Use: 0
Satelites in View: 9 Satelites
HDOP: Unknown
Anyone know what to do?
I'm a noobie as well....
I've tried using the Easy GPS Tester, but it seems like it is not doing anything...
Here is what is says...
Found selected Comm Port Yes
Found device on Comm Port Yes
Device recognized as GPS Yes
GPS Information
Current UTC Time: Unknown
Latitude: Unknown
Longitude: Unknown
Altitude: Unknown
Signal Quality No GPS device detected
Satelites in Use: 0
Satelites in View: 9 Satelites
HDOP: Unknown
Anyone know what to do?
kohari,
You need to get outside so the GPS receiver can see the satellites. Set the S5 in a spot where it has an unobstructed view of the sky, run Easy GPS Tester, grab a big mug of your favorite beveridge and relax for a bit.
If this is the first time you've tried to use the receiver it's doing a "cold start". That means it needs awhile to figure out where it is. This can take up to thirty minutes with some receivers the first time. How long it takes depends on the quality of the receiver and on how good a view it has of the sky. Doing a cold start in the house with even a top quality receiver is a recipe for frustration.
...ken...
You need to get outside so the GPS receiver can see the satellites. Set the S5 in a spot where it has an unobstructed view of the sky, run Easy GPS Tester, grab a big mug of your favorite beveridge and relax for a bit.
If this is the first time you've tried to use the receiver it's doing a "cold start". That means it needs awhile to figure out where it is. This can take up to thirty minutes with some receivers the first time. How long it takes depends on the quality of the receiver and on how good a view it has of the sky. Doing a cold start in the house with even a top quality receiver is a recipe for frustration.
...ken...
My experience so far is similar to Kohari's... I installed Simple GPS Test, took the unit outside, and ran the program. Told it that the GPS was on com1 at 9600bps and it found it OK. Switching to the "NMEA data" tab, I could see NMEA strings coming in from time to time, so things were clearly working, but after almost an hour and despite 10 satellites being in view, it hadn't managed to acquire even 1 satellite.
Later on, I'll go to a nearby park with the unit and see if having more sky available helps it to build its almanac, but I have to say I'm a bit shocked... Perhaps I've been spoiled by my Garmin 60CSx (which acquires in 10-15 seconds when warm, and in under three minutes from cold), but I'm starting to wonder if I've paid a lot of money for a lemon here - its ability to do GPS was the primary reason I bought it, but at least from what I'm seeing so far, it's not promising.
Later on, I'll go to a nearby park with the unit and see if having more sky available helps it to build its almanac, but I have to say I'm a bit shocked... Perhaps I've been spoiled by my Garmin 60CSx (which acquires in 10-15 seconds when warm, and in under three minutes from cold), but I'm starting to wonder if I've paid a lot of money for a lemon here - its ability to do GPS was the primary reason I bought it, but at least from what I'm seeing so far, it's not promising.
Others have confirmed the GPS works. It think it is a SirfStar III all in one chip so you should get lock in under 10 minutes even from a cold start. It seems strange that it sees satellites but won't sync. Download a copy of GPS Gate and see if it can see and lock to it (green symbol).
Terry
Terry
OK, a bit more information here. I suspect that "Simple GPS Test" is broken or a bit buggy (I'm a software developer by trade, so I feel reasonably comfortable with this type of diagnosis). It reports no device and unknown location, but there are what look like valid NMEA "GPRMC" sentences showing up in the "NMEA data" tab. Based on what I know about my locale from my Garmin 60CSx, the lat/long components of those sentences look correct.
I find myself wondering if Simple GPS Test has a problem with Southern hemisphere readings (i.e, S/E instead of N/W) and that that's what's preventing it from recognizing the position being reported by the GPS... ?
In any event, if I ignore the front page of GPS test and manually decode the NMEA data, it looks like it's now managed to build its almanac, and seems to warm start in 30-45 seconds, which is OK.
Thanks to everyone for their tips and tricks, by the way!
I find myself wondering if Simple GPS Test has a problem with Southern hemisphere readings (i.e, S/E instead of N/W) and that that's what's preventing it from recognizing the position being reported by the GPS... ?
In any event, if I ignore the front page of GPS test and manually decode the NMEA data, it looks like it's now managed to build its almanac, and seems to warm start in 30-45 seconds, which is OK.
Thanks to everyone for their tips and tricks, by the way!
I don't think it is a Southern Hemisphere issue because I get the same result as you from "Simple GPS Test" in the Northern Hemisphere. Maybe this "Test" requires a lot of NMEA data to build its initial 'fix.'
Sorry about creating the hassles and confusion with my suggestion to try Easy GPS Test. I've never left it run long enough to see what happens with a location fix. All I ever wanted, and all I've ever used it for was to verify that the GPS was there.
Once I saw those "Yes"es I was done with it. Never bothered to wait to see what would show up below. I just shut it down and went on to playing with actual nav software, knowing where to point the software.
I have purchased GPSGate Express many months ago so I use it for such tests now. It's so good at automatically finding any GPS that is attached that I don't usually bother with anything else anymore just to verify that the GPS can be seen and what port it appears on.
I hope this hasn't caused anyone too much concern.
...ken...
Quote:
Found selected Comm Port Yes
Found device on Comm Port Yes
Device recognized as GPS Yes
Found device on Comm Port Yes
Device recognized as GPS Yes
I have purchased GPSGate Express many months ago so I use it for such tests now. It's so good at automatically finding any GPS that is attached that I don't usually bother with anything else anymore just to verify that the GPS can be seen and what port it appears on.
I hope this hasn't caused anyone too much concern.
...ken...