Bought RNS 510 on ebay but can't get it working

[HumbleGT]

Bought RNS 510 on ebay but can't get it working

Mhh...good thread. Great that everyone contributed and resolution was achieved.

I've a unit that keeps losing signal or takes ages to lock on to the right location! I'm now leaning towards GPS antenna placement being the issue.

Question...I've often heard people talk in here if a number of satellites their units lock on to ...where on the units pages will I find this information?

Thanks

[HumbleGT]

Bought RNS 510 on ebay but can't get it working

Ah...Maps--> GPS Viewer mayhaps!

[Ryan_R]

When on the map screen press the Map button again and some extra info will popup - will tell you how many satellites you've locked onto in there.

Replacing the antenna sounds like a good bet.

[mythik]

I've had a client with this exact issue and replacing the fakra antenna fixed the issue. I ripped the broken one apart to ascertain what the hell was wrong and the internal wiring in the lead was broken. They appear to be cheap and nasty so mileage may vary. Beware!

[jords]

Bought RNS 510 on ebay but can't get it working

the GPS antenna that came with mine lasted about 2 months before it started playing up. Took anywhere between 10 and 90 minutes to lock onto the satellites.

I eventually replaced it with another one and its performed faultlessly for 9 months. I replaced it with a Garmin branded one from ebay. It was no more expensive than the others, less than $25 delivered. I know it may not actually be a Garmin, buying from China, but moral of the story is, if you're having trouble locating satellites, and you have tried the antenna in different locations, then replace it.

[HumbleGT]

Bought RNS 510 on ebay but can't get it working

When on the map screen press the Map button again and some extra info will popup - will tell you how many satellites you've locked onto in there.

Replacing the antenna sounds like a good bet.

Hey Ryan, yes, I figured it out.

With regards to my issues if no GPS lock on, now solved.

Took the HU off and tried to locate my antenna. Couldn't as its deeply embedded behind the dash. Anyhow, I bought another off the 'Bay and it cost about £8GBP... Money well spent as the GPS is now locking on immediately.

Good experience having to take the unit/console apart...in prep for replacing the HDD in the rns510 with a PATA SSD drive.

(Slightly off topic...just did a retrofit of an armrest too...forums are great place to learn).



So to recap for anyone stumbling across this in years to come...
If your satnav is struggling to lock on to GPS satellites...9 times out of 10 the likely weak link is the GPS Antenna. Replace it with a suitable equivalent which can be sourced cheaply from eBay or any other stockist and lastly and probably most importantly...placement for the antenna is key

I put mine directly under the top centre vent in the dashboard supported by Velcro.

Job done!!!