Wee problem acquiring satellites

[Posh Pete]

Bonjour! So here I am in French France with a hire car. (Fecking Opel Insignia diesel has already broken down three times! Got it going again ...). Anyway, that's another story.

Brought the 2610 with me preloaded with a few routes to make life a bit easier when returning the car to central Lyon etc. only the unit will not acquire satellites!

Any suggestions? (Not the one about binning it and buying a Zumo please.)

 

[Timolgra]

Could be the windscreen in the car blocking the signal, try holding it out of the window if the cables long enough to check.

 

[Fanum]

Some cars (ISTR French makes were renowned for it) have screen heaters or a reflective coating in the front screen which makes the GPS signal very weak.

Try the GPS unit outside the car to make sure it picks up satellites with good sky views, then you'll know it's car related rather than GPS related.

After that, you can either try and reposition the unit so it has a better 'view' by putting it next to a side window maybe, or you can swap cars, or any Froggie equivalent of Maplins/Radio Shack/RS will have an external GPS aerial that will plug in and you can stick the antennae out the window or sunroof, maybe using a bit of double sided velcro or some creative thinking to make it stick

Try it outside the car first though

 

[Schtum]

you can stick the antennae out the window or sunroof, maybe using a bit of double sided velcro or some creative thinking to make it stick

I've never met one yet that wasn't magnetic.....

 

[enabb]

Had same problem in a vauxhall zafria a few years ago...was as said above the windscreen....external ariel sorted it, or hold it out the window

 

[(RIP) andrewgsadv]

Had this problem with my 2820 after flying to Spain, it didn't know where it was. Left it propped on window for 1/2 an hour before it found itself. Have had problems with it and 2160 with Renault kangoo window. Always take external aerial as backup and maps. Getting is part of the adventure though. Had 2 getting lost scenarios. Asked locals for help. Had an ace run around Bordeaux back streets following local lads on mopeds that was fun

 

[Posh Pete]

Yep. It seems to have been the windscreen. Worked when I managed to get it out the door. Holding it out the window may be a problem ( short cable) but we'll see what occurs.