Lost GPS signal in Westhampton/Quogue Canal area?

R

Rorschach

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I know this is strange, but it has happened to me many times and wondering if this ever happens to anyone else.

I have a Northstar 6000i GPS (with the latest software version) and a Garmin 478 handheld as a backup. Both of these units consistently lose GPS signal in the Quogue canal between Westhampton and Shinnecock, and generally do not come back or if they do continue to be very spotty for the rest of the trip.

They don't lose signal at the same moment, but pretty close.

Anyone have this happen? I realize this could be two different types of failures - maybe antennae on the 6000i and software on the Garmin. But the similarity in location of the failure is confusing to me.

I was planning to upgrade to a new GPS, but I could not handle it if I bought new equipment and had the same problem.

If any of you have heard of something similar I would appreciate it.

Thanks -

Vic
 
Vic, was this Saturday? I was driving thru the area (Quogue) and my car unit couldn't get a signal. Worked as soon as i got back closer to montauk highway. Sometimes power cycling a device helps restore it to working mode once the unit continually loses signal.
 
UFO was spotted over Bellmore, perhaps it was blocking the satallite
 
Oh no, it works all the time, you don't need charts. Hope you have charts but many bad boaters don't.
 
The last trip was this past Thursday and Sunday on my trip to Greenport and it happened to me in both directions. I have seen this issue for a couple of seasons now. Powering the units on and off does not help.

Yes I have charts and I was not worried about winding up in Bermuda but the equipment failure is still troubling.

Ok I had read of some possible causes like interference from security systems or satellite horizon issues but if no one else experiences these failures I assume it is just my gear.

Thanks all
 
I have the same unit as you and will traverse the area to see if it happens to mine. I did have an issue trying to find a crossing bridge in Quogue on Saturday. My car GPS unit wouldn't work. I chalked it up to the strom that just passed.
 
I had equip failure at beginning of season.
That led me to look for a alternate GPS system (yes I have charts on board)
If you haven't looked into the IPAD nav system as a alternate you should.
For About $550 you get a great alternate system that will do more than just be a GPS and is alot more accurate that any GPS you will have on your boat. The other great part is it is a IPAD, so you can easily take it anywhere, plot your course, then use on the boat. Plus surf internet, play games, email, etc. Can't do that with any Garmin or Rayjunk!

If anyone wants more info, ask me, or I can start a seperate thread.
As I said, I am very happy with the setup and it is now my primary plotter.
 
The USCG and the Military were testing the GPS system this past weekend. I'll try and look up the NTM. I know the USCG was encouraging boaters that lost signal during the test period to report the area and duration of the loss. I believe it was for this past weekend somewhere north of New Jersey.
Unless this happens everytime you travel in this area it was probably the testing done by the military.
As far as MFD's not working when they lose GPS mine still works bringing up charts because it will switch to the position sensor it gives a low accuracy warning. I can also bring the charts up as needed by manually panning the display.
Bill
 
Dave I'm not a fan of i-Pads for anything other then backup navigation the displays on our i-Pads even turned all the way up are very poor in direct sunlight. Also mine required the Bad Elf GPS add on. There is no way a IPad based GPS system can be better then a good MFD system that uses WAAS, GPS and a heading sensor. Unless the IPad is fed off of the vessels position sensor as well. This requires a WiFi to NMEA0183 or NMEA2000 converter and an expensive magnetic position sensor (about $800 to $2k). I have the original i-Pads with WiFi or BlueTooth only.
Bill
 
I don't have direct sunlight on my bridge.
Mine is easier to see as I bought a suction cup stand to sit up on dash.
It's easier to see than my raymarine which is mounted in the dash.
Easier to use because it's touchscreen where as raymarine I gotta fumble with buttons and arrows to move around map.
In my view, the whole ease of use blows it away.
I use the external XGPS150 but again, the accuracy is bar none better than my raymarine.
Plus like I said, I can plot anywhere.
 
I'm not a Raymarine fan either Dave, I use Garmin MFD's (redundant everything) and as long as I keep the charts and firmware updated which can be done easily with Garmins my devices web loader there should be no advantage only accuracy disadvantages using the IPad unless it is tied to a position sensor then it would be equivelant. I have sunlight problems at my helm so the IPads are more or less used to monitor the NMEA2000 buss or they can be used for navigation.
Bill
 
Thanks guys actually I did wind up failing over to my iPad as a third backup - worked great, but I still can't get comfortable with it as my primary. A great device for the boat.

Bill - thanks a lot for the miliary testing reference - that is interesting. The problem does happen pretty much every time I traverse the area which is a few times a year. To me I think it feels like a run time issue - by the time I get to that area I have had the GPS on for an hour or so.

My Northstar setup is pretty dated, so I am planning to upgrade to a Raymarine e125 and HD radar. I just hope I don't have issues on the new system -

Vic
 
I doubt is was your equipment. The same thing happened to us on July 13th on our way to Greenport. We lost our signal after the last 5mph zone heading east and did not get the signal back until I was in the Peconic. I have a Northstar also. This has also happened in the same area a few years back. Very strange.
 
I have the iNavX for the ipad and also the AyeTides Xl tides add-on, works great. But I use my Raymarine C70 and by Garmin 2006 for real navigation. Its nice to have the ipad for a third GPS backup. And so far it is spot on.
 
Dave,
I would be interested in further information on your setup. I have both Iphones & Ipads, and recently have used my Iphone's GPS with the Marina Life APP. I found it to be spot on, and much nicer than my Garmin.. the charts are also more up to date..
 
It's very simple.

First you need a ipad. Wifi model, you don't need 3G.
Second you need nav software. I use INAVX. Some like Navionics which is good too. Depends on whether you like raster or vector charts. Download it from Itunes app store.
Third you need the Dual Electronics XGPS150. Available from Amazon or buy.com $99 is usual cost.
Fourth download the Dual Electronics APP too.
Fifth optional is the suction cup stand from Ebay for $8.

Connect the XGPS150 to the ipad via bluetooth.
It will show your exact location on the chart.

Oh, also the first time you go to use it, connect to internet and download your charts. This way when at boat if you don't have internet you will have the charts.

Works really good.
I also have a cigg lighter charger with 2 usb so I can charge both devices while running for long runs.
 
quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea

It's very simple.

First you need a ipad. Wifi model, you don't need 3G.
Second you need nav software. I use INAVX. Some like Navionics which is good too. Depends on whether you like raster or vector charts. Download it from Itunes app store.
Third you need the Dual Electronics XGPS150. Available from Amazon or buy.com $99 is usual cost.
Fourth download the Dual Electronics APP too.
Fifth optional is the suction cup stand from Ebay for $8.

Connect the XGPS150 to the ipad via bluetooth.
It will show your exact location on the chart.

Oh, also the first time you go to use it, connect to internet and download your charts. This way when at boat if you don't have internet you will have the charts.

Works really good.
I also have a cigg lighter charger with 2 usb so I can charge both devices while running for long runs.

Click to expand...
I was given a Bad Elf GPS for my iPad2 so I am using that with my iNAVX, but it seems to work without it also.
 
I just looked at bad elf.
The XGPS150 is a puck that sits on dash, I think it gets a better view of sky than elf as it can be on dash when you are in cabin.
Price point is the same.
 
quote:
Originally posted by CurrentSea

I just looked at bad elf.
The XGPS150 is a puck that sits on dash, I think it gets a better view of sky than elf as it can be on dash when you are in cabin.
Price point is the same.

Click to expand...


Bad Elf now has the new version somewhat like the XGPS150, but mine was a gift so good for now. If I were not selling the boat, maybe a change / upgrade.
 
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