I have a Garmin Nuvi satnav which holds all my favourite addresses and history etc and I prefer using it than the inbuilt satnav - which I find rather 'clunky'. The Garmin is also 'updated-for-life' and has a good live traffic system too.Trouble is that the Garmin constantly struggles to acquire satellites through the heated (and coated??) windscreen on my Metropolis. It was always OK with the old TD4 HSE. Is there a fairly simple work-around for this please? Have tried a couple forum searches but can't find anything on this. I've decided to stop being a good example and will now just be a terrible warning.....
2008 TD4HSE - gone but much loved.
2014MY SD4 Metropolis - very much loved.

I had (still have & it works) a Garmin Drive Smart 61 7inch & it was having increasing problems acquiring satellites. So bought a new one, 65, it has started doing the same thing.

I have read but have not tried this thoroughly, is to give it a 24 hour charge off the mains.

My issue is that I barely use it for months on end, or basically when we go to the outback.

Don't have a heated windscreen or coated. Procrastination, mankind's greatest labour saving device!

Acoustic insulation ARB TPMS 3xARB air compressors After cooler Air tank On-board OCD pressure air/water cleaning Additional 50L fuel Carpet in doors ABE 2x1kg Waeco 28L modified fridge Battery 4x26ah Solar 120w Victron MPPT 100/20 DC-DC 18amps 175amp jumper plug Awning 6x255/60R18

Heated on my dynamic - there was no reference when I ticked the option for this as to it being coated MY14 Kahn Converted Dynamic - Fuji White Ebony/Pimento Interior
MY15 Xenon Headlight Conversion

MY17 RRS SVR - Estoril Blue Cirrus/Ebony 🪣💺’s

I have a Garmin Nuvi in my 2007 HSE, windscreen is heated but I don't know if there is any coating on it.

Anyhow, just suggesting is the Garmin software updated (via Garmin Express) to the latest version for your Nuvi? May help with finding the satellites?

Garmin also do external antenna kits, obviously depends on which Nuvi you have.

https://buy.garmin.com/en-GB/GB/shop-by-ac...as-p0.html

theglassman wrote:

Is there a fairly simple work-around for this please? Have tried a couple forum searches but can't find anything on this.

I have the sat nav by the left hand side of the das consul and run the wire along the bottom of the windscreen to the bottom right corner and it works fine. Common sense isn't very common.
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2007 Land Rover Freelander2 I6 hse Auto

I had a problem with a VW factory sat nav failing to find satellites. Two out of eleven IIRC. A new magnetic antenna from eBay sorted the problem. All for 6 quid.

TooBlue wrote:

theglassman wrote:

Is there a fairly simple work-around for this please? Have tried a couple forum searches but can't find anything on this.

Exactly where do you have it mounted at the moment?

The best place is bottom right of the windscreen nearest to drivers window, assuming RHD vehicle.

Have you tried using Waze on your phone?

If that works OK then the Garmin is at fault.

I use Waze and Tomtom on my phone in a holder with no issues.

I cannot fault my hse sat nav 10yrs old,never updated ,allways gets me there and back home

Built in nav is ok as a backup, but the routing is rubbish.

My Garmin sits on the far left of my dashboard and seems to work perfectly, although I use the FL2 Satnav for navigation normally, I use the Garmin for (actual) digital speed, speed limit reminders, and traffic (speed) cameras. The Garmin also has lots of on line functions via my Garmin phone app, (it even remembers where I left my car and displays route back on my mobile!)

Slightly off subject - I find that the shortest/most direct route setting on Satnavs find you some very interesting narrow unkempt lanes as short cuts, that make me glad I have a FL2 and 4 wheel drive. Although after only achieving a few miles in the next half hour or so, I give in and chose the quickest route setting.

Click image to enlarge

The built in satnav is good for lane positioning when exiting tunnels as your position is updated by steering and speed inputs producing a calculated position when satellites are lost and is very accurate, great when transiting Paris, against it is basic on information, no speed display or speed limit information and it can calculate some very interesting routes when avoiding motorways some times requiring a number of waypoints to force it to go where you want to go.
The Nuvi is better a producing routes without the need for waypoints but can be slow to pick up satellites after tunnels and can give false positions in areas of tall buildings causing large jumps on the screen, I found the best position is the bottom centre of the windscreen, that gives the aerial the largest area of reception due to its curvature and slope. my PC is slightly to the right of Genghis
2012 HSE SD4 In Orkney Grey now gone, best car ever.

"The built in satnav is good for lane positioning when exiting tunnels as your position is updated by steering and speed inputs producing a calculated position when satellites are lost and is very accurate"

I can testify same. Here in SA where we live we often travel through a very long tunnel with long curves when en route to inland camping sites. The FL2 satnav is actually brilliant in extrapolating position when satellites are lost compared to our Garmin Nuvi. After entering the tunnel the Garmin just plots a straight line at the last recorded speed while upon leaving the tunnel the FL2 satnav is about spot-on with position. 2013 SD4 SE (hers)
2013 SD4 HSE (mine)
Ex: 2008 D3 V8 HSE
EX: 2000 D2 TD5

Carel Kriek wrote:

"The built in satnav is good for lane positioning when exiting tunnels