Author Topic: Magellan Sportrak (Read 1663 times)

opus · « **on:** January 15, 2006, 12:08:59 PM »

This one is about 3 yrs old, have used it about a dozen times.

When I turn it on, it stays at the last place I used it. In other words, when I turn it on, I expect within a few minutes to give me my altitude, compass, etc. It doesnt, it stays at the altitude it happened to pick up last time.

Shouldnt this give me the ifo I want after it aquires a signal? Why is it not doing anything??

Siskiyou · « **Reply #1 on:** January 15, 2006, 03:56:28 PM »

If I interpret your post correctly your unit is not active on a regular bases. A couple of suggestions. Start it up and place it in a open location where it can obtain Satellite locks. After it locks up on three or four Satellites leave it in this position for a half hour or more. Give it time to update it's internal almanac. This data will be downloaded from the Satellite signal.

If the last place you shut it off is different then your start-up location plus it has been a period time since that last start-up the unit needs to find itself. The more infrequent the use I suspect the longer the start up time.

I do not have a SportTrak but the elevation reading on my Garmins, and the Humminbird do not require movement. The compass pointer does require movement. Have you changed the compass pointer from a compass pointer to a pointer of interest(waypoint) pointer?

The Sport Trak is noted for it's accuracy in the field. Go back and review the manual and the options. Check the setting to insure they are proper for your location. You might check and see if your software is up to date. You can do this at the Magellan website.

Hopefully one of our Sport Trak users can help you out. I just checked the Magellan website and found that they have drop the Sport Trak product lines as of December 2005.

PA-Joe · « **Reply #2 on:** January 16, 2006, 08:09:41 AM »

When you turn your sportrak on it adds a new point to your last or prior position when you turned the unit off. Go to the menu and "Clear track". This will delete you prior data if you have not saved it and it will restart your current location as Point 1.

Siskiyou is correct. If you do not use it that often you have to start it and let it recalibrate itself and update almanac data files. Maybe 5-10 minutes.

opus · « **Reply #3 on:** January 16, 2006, 11:42:15 AM »

Ok, I will try it for a while and see if it locks on. I thought it would pick it up rather quickly. Hasnt been turned on for months.

Thanks!

opus · « **Reply #4 on:** January 16, 2006, 03:32:29 PM »

Bingo, that was it. Thanks again.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #5 on:** January 16, 2006, 08:39:55 PM »

I am glad that you have it working. As a footnote to update the WAAS almanac takes about 30 minutes from a good location.

For Garmin owners while their gps are WAAS capable they do not come with a loaded WAAS almanac. Before you can take advantage of a WAAS signal you need to enable the WAAS option and download the almanac from the Satellite signal. You know you have it when you start getting a letter D in the Satellite signal strength bars on your Garmin gps. After downloading the WAAS almanac do not expect to recieve a WAAS lock in many outdoor locations.

Ninty-nine percent of the time I leave WAAS disable. It cuts battery life and I am not trying to land an airplane in the fog.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #6 on:** January 17, 2006, 01:36:14 AM »

I also leave WAAS disabled on my unit. I've heard the units use more battery as they are constantly trying to find the WAAS signal when it's not present. Constantly searching, using processor and other, limited hardware recources in the receiver. It's my understanding that WAAS has only been installed at a few of the major airports. Not sure about this, but will see what I can find out.

Siskiyou · « **Reply #7 on:** January 17, 2006, 08:48:29 AM »

I have noticed an upgrade in WAAS reception in the last year. This may have to do with the tweaking of the WAAS software package in space and the ground stations. But these are "ridgetop" improvements. I did some field testing last fall. While on high ridgetops with a view to the horizen I recieved a good WAAS signal. But when I dropped off the ridge top the WAAS signal guickly disappeared.

I have read that testing is currently being done on the WAAS satellite launched last fall and it is expected to be operational in October 2006. The signal from this satellite is suppose to be stronger.

But the recreational gps user pays a price. Many times there is no return (value) because the unit eats up the battery looking for a signal that is not there. That is also energy that could be used in locking up with a non-WAAS satellite. So the question is does having WAAS enabled in some cases decrease gps accuracy? Rather then getting a lock on a weaker fourth satellite, from your position the gps continues to search for the unattainable WAAS signal.

At least for today and from this position I answered my own question. I have the external, amplified antenna connected to my 76C gps. The location is not good. The antenna is mounted to a window with a porch roof overhanging, the view of the sky is blocked on two sides by the house. Two large oak trees block most of the remaining sky.

The satellite reception bar keeps changing. Currently with WAAS enabled it shows five good satellite signal bars, but no WAAS reception. When I had the WAAS disabled it was showing six stronger satellite signals. But wait a minute, it is starting to recieve a WAAS signal from this stationary position. Satellite #47 is flickering in and out. This weak signal would quickly be lost by a change of position. Anyway I feel this has very little value for the guy out there beating the brush for a buck. Antenna cords and bucking brush do not go together.

When I am running around in the mountains WAAS is of very little value to me. This could change when more sattelites are in place.

PS. I quickley lost the corrected WAAS signal and it did not return. Old #47 disappeared.

opus · « **Reply #8 on:** January 17, 2006, 08:53:20 AM »

Well now that we are talking WAAS, think it would be adventageous to disable mine? I am in the mountains, if that at all matters. Unfortunately, my GPS knowledge is that of cardiovascular surgery.....slim.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #9 on:** January 17, 2006, 10:50:28 AM »

I spent an hour or so reading about WAAS this morning........The major correction is in altitude but if you can receive the signal you'll gain a few feet in the horizontal plane. WAAS was put into place for the FAA and is quite useful if your flying a plane......

The accuracy gain from say 13 feet with 6 or seven sats would go to about 7 feet with WAAS enabled, locked up, and receiving the signal.........for the most part, if I can get within 13 feet I'm ok........a fisherman might benefit when trying to anchor on structure, but for the average hunter trying to find his truck or tree stand, there is little if any advantage. Your batteries will last a bit longer with it disabled. The early problems with Garmins WAAS units were they slow the unit down when trying to change screens and doing other functions but for the most part have been much improved with the later firmware.

I'd say if you need it, and can get it, use it........If you can't then disable it and free up some resources for other functions.......JMO....VC

opus · « **Reply #10 on:** January 17, 2006, 12:39:59 PM »

After all that, I guess there is no way to disable WAAS on a Sportrak.

*sigh*

Siskiyou · « **Reply #11 on:** January 17, 2006, 12:56:36 PM »

opus: I believe there might be away. In my reading I have found refrence on how to disable it in Magellan or some Magellan models. The unit new out of the box has WAAS enabled. I will keep my eye out for the "how" and posted it. I have read a lot of items on Magellan units so it maynot pop to the surface in a short time. But I will do some checking.

opus · « **Reply #12 on:** January 17, 2006, 12:59:17 PM »

I actually read of one way, but it was no recommended and it could lock the unit up. I am not really looking for a hack, but if there is a fool proof way, I'll go for it.

Thanks

Siskiyou · « **Reply #13 on:** January 17, 2006, 01:26:21 PM »

You have a good unit. My suggested best way is to live with it. Have a couple sets of rechargeable batteries, and replace them in the unit as needed. Safe and not sorry!

opus · « **Reply #14 on:** January 17, 2006, 01:29:38 PM »

I can do that too.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #15 on:** January 18, 2006, 01:51:42 AM »

The new units running the latest firmware don't have much of a problem if WAAS is enabled but not being received........from what I'm reading.....not from my experience.......

If your unit is running ok.....then I wouldn't worry with it.....

I've got a Garmin e-trex legend which is 2 or 3 years old........probably matters more on the older units than on the new designs.......

I did take Siskiyou advice and bought a couple of sets of rechargable duracell nimh batteries........best advice I've had regarding GPS.......these batteries are rated in Mah or milli amp hours.......I bought a set of 2050 mah which runs my unit about 12 hours.......I also bought a set of 2250 mah batteries for the same price, and get 14 to 16 hours with them.......I understand the 2500 mah batteries are out but I haven't seen them in the battery store yet......the point being, get the higher mah if they are the same price.....

I was turning my unit off and on while in the wood to save batteries......now, I just let it run all the time.......

Thanks Siskiyou....!!! :grin:

Siskiyou · « **Reply #16 on:** January 18, 2006, 07:56:01 AM »

Your welcome, VictorCharlie.

I have purchased the 2500 mAh Energizer's at both Wal Mart and Sam's Club. I have had good luck with the Energizer's.

It looks like I will be buying some more. Granddaughter #2 camera eats batteries. Grandma brought the camera home to do a little test. It was loaded with fresh alkaline batterys. I suggestioned Grandma downloaded the manual from the Internet. Surprise the manufacture recommended using it's rechargeable battery which came with the camera or mAh batterys. It said not to use alkaline batterys in the camera.

I am looking at buying a 12-pk. #2 will get four batteries and I will use the reminder. My orginal lower power mAh batteries are four or five years old. They are fine for a couple mile walk, or testing gps functions at home, but as more storms roll in I rather have the 2500 mAh batteries over the old 1600 and 1800 mAh batteries.

I have my gps units fired up a fair amount of time at home, using different functions with the manual handy. Right now it is trying to lock up on WAAS Satellite #47. Yesterday was the first time Satellite #51 tried to come up. It did not succeed. I understand that some people are starting to see a test signal for Satellite #63. I could not afford the price of the Alkaline batteries I would burn in my learning process. A buddy who depends on Alkaline batteries is always suffering from dead batteries. He trys to get the most out of them, he'll savaging some out of a flashlight or some other item around his house.

I do not recommend Lenmar mAh batteries.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #17 on:** January 18, 2006, 08:56:30 AM »

My oldest grand child is 5.......my daughter complains about the number of batteries his toys go through......tells me most of the toys use C batteries so I'll probably pick up a set of those.........

I have the AC/DC adaptor which is really an AC that outputs to a cigar lighter female connection....I then hook the DC cable to the GPS and run it in the house on that........the problem with it is you can only move the length of the cable......

back to the rechargeables......the duracell came with a fast, 1 hour charger.....what charger and how fast are you charging your batteries? Cost for 4 2050 mah batteries and charger was $35 and change at batteries plus......frankly, I haven't looked at Wally world......don't get in there much but did pick up some clearanced mossy oak cammo and another fixed hunters view tree stand........they were practically giving it away......

Also picked up a box of .35 remington at the same time...didn't look at the box but when I got it home it was 150 grain psp's.........I've got a marlin lever with tube mag........anyway.....took them to the range today and shot them single shot just to get rid of them.........they shot pretty darn good......5 shots off the bench at 50 yards.......1 1/2 inch.......that's with a ghost ring set up and no sight........they shot about an inch lower than the 200 grain loads..........I'd saved some milk jugs......filled with water and was hitting those standing, freehand at 100 yards consistantly.........seems close enough for deer hunting........VC

Siskiyou · « **Reply #18 on:** January 18, 2006, 04:44:59 PM »

I need to write prices down when I am in the stores. Wally world carry's the Energizer's four 2500 mAh batteries with a 30 minute charger for $27-29.00. Wally world also has a kodak charger and kodak 2500 mAh batteries for a few more dollars. I think it was at Wally World where I spotted a Sanyo charger(4-hour) with four batteries for a few more dollars. The batteries were 2300 mAh with a charger and cost still a few more dollars.

Sam's Club prices are better. But the same outfit.

Marlin lever actions surprise people with there accuracy. A friend has a Marlin .35 Rem. It is a one shot rifle on deer. I like my Marlin 30-30. It would be nice to have a 35 Rem. but I do not know what I would do with it. While most of my deer are taken at close ranger, I always find myself glassing distant ridges.

I need to keep the eye out at for a couple pair of camo pants at Wal Mart. I should have bought them last year when they were 1/2 price.

A few years ago we set up granddaughter #1 with a charger and batterys. The assumption is #1 and #2 can share the charger. The good news is that #3 camera takes a special re-chargable camera battery.

Those kids own me.

victorcharlie · « **Reply #19 on:** January 21, 2006, 07:52:00 AM »

Bought 4 new 2500 Mah...duracells......charged them last night.....started the GPS this morning.......I've had to cycle the other ones a few times to get the max life out of them. I wonder how long the 2500 will go in the legend?

?.......my guess is 18 hours........ :grin:

Siskiyou · « **Reply #20 on:** January 21, 2006, 09:32:57 AM »

18 hours would match be close to what I recieved from fully charged 2500 mAh batteries. I am glad you puchased another brand and posting your results.