New GPS issues - does the boat needs to move to in order to get the first fix?

[sgel]

Hi All,
I removed an old 0183 Garmin GPS and connected a new Simrad GS25 GPS to my existing NMEA 2000 network (I have Garmin 5212 chart plotter and two Gramin GMI 10 instruments). Although I can see the new GPS in the device list and on the sky view I can see at least 10 satellites with green bars (in all 3 devices), It doesn't show the location / I don't get a fix.
I called Garmin support, and the guy told me the that I didn't get a fix since I haven't moved yet, and only after ill move the boat it will start updating and ill get the first fix.(he was very confidence). Does it make sense?, since I am on the hard it will take me a while until I could test this theory...
I would appreciate your insights,
Thanks
Sgel

[smac999]

No. It will fix at dock. That’s rediculus.

[Brian.D]

Garmin are idiots. Like smac999 said, you do not need to be moving to get a fix. It sounds like a configuration problem with you equipment. Even though you "see" everything, maybe the sentence being sent by the GPS is not the right one for the chart plotter to interpret. Check you configuration especially the communications link between the two devices.

[ScubaTyke]

I tested my plotter with built in GPS in my friends garage 3000 miles from my boat and 50 miles from the sea.

Having to move the unit to get a fix makes no sense whatsoever.

[sgel]

Thanks Guys! That what I thought... I also called Simrad and they said that since the plotter shows the satellites, their GPS unit should be ok, and perhaps it indeed some sentence issue. I tried going over the configuration but couldn't find anything useful, ill keep looking. (btw I choose the Simrad gs25 and not the Garmin one since it have built in compass, and the plotter does show the direction correctly)

[sgel]

Originally Posted by ScubaTyke

I tested my plotter with built in GPS in my friends garage 3000 miles from my boat and 50 miles from the sea.

Having to move the unit to get a fix makes no sense whatsoever.

Totally agree!

[sgel]

Can the Simrad gps be faulty? perhaps its sends only the "Satellite in view" PGN but not the "Position data"?

[thomm225]

So you don't believe the tech you talked to on the phone but do believe a few folks on an internet form with limited to no technical experience?

And now you are thinking the unit might be faulty?

You might want to move the boat before going too much further. Just sayin.....

[Dsanduril]

Take a look in the 5212 at the "preferred sources" (and maybe the "speed sources") configuration items. There may be a setting there that is telling the Garmin gear to use the old 0183 data. IIRC (but from memory, so may need to consult a manual):
Configure->Communications and
Configure->Preferences->Navigation

It's a long shot, but the only thing I can think of that would have the Garmin ignore the new data.

[Edit] I agree that there should be no reason you need to move to get a GPS fix, but if it's not too much trouble with the cabling, you can always "move the boat" by moving the antenna.[/Edit]

[sgel]

Originally Posted by thomm225

So you don't believe the tech you talked to on the phone but do believe a few folks on an internet form with limited to no technical experience?

And now you are thinking the unit might be faulty?

You might want to move the boat before going too much further. Just sayin.....

I am just trying to cover all the variables, and sometimes someone with similar setup that encounter the same issue, can point to the right direction. I used many gps unit (in different instruments) and this is the first one that act like this.

and btw regarding "believing the tech", being a tech guy myself I know we are not always right

[sgel]

Originally Posted by Dsanduril

Take a look in the 5212 at the "preferred sources" (and maybe the "speed sources") configuration items. There may be a setting there that is telling the Garmin gear to use the old 0183 data. IIRC (but from memory, so may need to consult a manual):
Configure->Communications and
Configure->Preferences->Navigation

It's a long shot, but the only thing I can think of that would have the Garmin ignore the new data.

[Edit] I agree that there should be no reason you need to move to get a GPS fix, but if it's not too much trouble with the cabling, you can always "move the boat" by moving the antenna.[/Edit]

Thanks!, I looked on other menus but haven't thought of checking the speed setup, ill try that

[ScubaTyke]

Originally Posted by thomm225

So you don't believe the tech you talked to on the phone but do believe a few folks on an internet form with limited to no technical experience?

And now you are thinking the unit might be faulty?

You might want to move the boat before going too much further. Just sayin.....

Interesting assumption with your "limited to no technical experience" there don't you think

[StuM]

Originally Posted by ScubaTyke

Interesting assumption with your "limited to no technical experience" there don't you think

He's also assuming that the Garmin Helldesk support person is a "tech".

[hoolie]

Originally Posted by StuM

He's also assuming that the Garmin Helldesk support person is a "tech".

... and is clued up on the detailed workings of a Simrad GS25 GPS

[Cadence]

Originally Posted by StuM

He's also assuming that the Garmin Helldesk support person is a "tech".

Good question. He may have had someone reading a go no go chart off a screen. Cheaper to pay than a tech and can be outsourced to who knows where.