Poor GPS Signal

Submitted: Friday, Dec 13, 2024 at 08:05
ThreadID: 149292 Views:766 Replies:6 FollowUps:3
I’ve been using ExplorOz maps on my iPad Pro for at least the last two years and use it whenever we travel away to track our trips away. For all this time the iPad has been mounted on a RAM mount attached to our windscreen.

Recently however we are continually getting a poor GPS signal message, and lose our position on the map as well as speed and position display.

Does anyone have any explanations please. Track logs with straight lines all over them is not ideal.
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Reply By: ExplorOz - David & Michelle - Friday, Dec 13, 2024 at 08:59

Friday, Dec 13, 2024 at 08:59
Sounds like the GPS receiver is faulty. You can try connecting an external one instead to test this - eg a Garmin Glo which uses bluetooth.
Michelle
David (DM) & Michelle (MM)
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AnswerID: 646940

Follow Up By: Tony W - Sunday, Dec 15, 2024 at 06:21

Sunday, Dec 15, 2024 at 06:21
Or a simple free test to fo download a GPS app that tracks or shows signal strength. If the problem is hardware-related, then both apps should be equally affected.

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Reply By: Peter_n_Margaret - Friday, Dec 13, 2024 at 09:46

Friday, Dec 13, 2024 at 09:46
I had a HEMA device that had a similar (but different) problem with GPS reception. It was being interfered with by another devise. I separated them and the problem went away.
Cheers,
Peter
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AnswerID: 646941

Reply By: Member - JA1 - Friday, Dec 13, 2024 at 11:04

Friday, Dec 13, 2024 at 11:04
Process of elimination:
- GPS unit on the out
- interference from other devices
- poor visibility of satellites due to location/weather
- multipath effects (signal bouncing off water, glass or metal etc.)
- I want a new toy so told the wife our unit is failing
AnswerID: 646942

Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Friday, Dec 13, 2024 at 11:29

Friday, Dec 13, 2024 at 11:29
.
“- I want a new toy so told the wife out unit is failing”
And she answered…. “So is our marriage”!
Cheers
Allan

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Reply By: RMD - Friday, Dec 13, 2024 at 16:04

Friday, Dec 13, 2024 at 16:04
Howfree
Have you recently, ie, about the time this problem arose, fitted another device to your vehicle, had the windscreen replaced or any other changes which seem irrelevant?
Friends of mine had a CX5 Mazda nav unit stop working. It was eventually found to be a ciggy plug power supply to a DASH CAM unit. If plugged IN while engine started. The Mazda checked everything and decided something not right with electrical signals and sopped the Nav system. OK though, if engine was started and DashCam plugged in AFTER startup. Crazy hash from the CHINESE unit was the culprit.
AnswerID: 646945

Reply By: Howfree - Friday, Dec 13, 2024 at 16:51

Friday, Dec 13, 2024 at 16:51
Thanks everyone for those responses. It’s made me think that it may have been happening since I acquired an iCheck TPMS which sits on the dash near the iPad.
I’ll check it out and report back. Cheers
Melbourne Vic. Land Rover Disco 4, Sunseeker Desert Storm ATX

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Reply By: Member - Andrew W44 - Saturday, Dec 14, 2024 at 19:26

Saturday, Dec 14, 2024 at 19:26
G’day Howfree,

Interesting you should note this as I am now experiencing the same issue with my ipad mini 6. GPS acquisition and tracking all fine until a week ago. This also coincided with an Apple software update so I have been blaming that.

If I shutdown the ipad and restart, the acquisition and thus accuracy returns.
Clear view of sky with no obstructions.

Cheers,
Andrew Ward

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AnswerID: 646949

Follow Up By: Howfree - Sunday, Dec 15, 2024 at 16:05

Sunday, Dec 15, 2024 at 16:05
Thanks, I’ll check that one out too. I do a cold reboot quite regularly but who knows…
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