Garmin GPS128 Not Acquiring Satellites

[JeffBoath]

Hi, I have an aging Garmin GPS128, it's worked fine since I got the boat but now all of a sudden it won't acquire a signal, it's functionality seems fine other than this. I've checked the antennae as best as I can and all appears ok. any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. I realise these are no longer supported by Garmin so it may be a throw away job.

 

[Ripster]

Sometimes, these smaller units can take a long time to make their Sat acquisition. Leave it on for at least an hour or maybe longer.... you may find it starts working again. I had a Lowrance that did this from time to time, but always worked in the end.

 

[Trundlebug]

I had exactly the same problem with my Garmin 120 - even older than yours.

From reading previous threads on this it seems to be a common problem that when they get old the antenna just stops working as effectively.

Therefore three options:-
1. Buy a new antenna if you can (not sure they're still available though)
2. Replace and upgrade to modern chartplotter (which is what I did)
3. Follow advice given by Garmin tech support, which I now can't remember clearly but involved holding a button down for x seconds when powering up. This cleared all previous memory but eventually manages to locate satellites after 20-45 minutes. That worked a couple of times for me but was such a pain I eventually went for option 2. More expensive, but much more convenient and effective.

 

[Sandy]

How long since it was last powered up?

 

[elton]

Leave it powered up in an open space for a couple of hours. Highly likely it's lost the almanac.

 

[NickRobinson]

""I realise these are no longer supported by Garmin so it may be a throw away job. ""....

Don't bin it- people buy them-

http://www.ebay.co.uk/sch/i.html?_t...garmin+128&_nkw=garmin+128&_sacat=0&_from=R40

Where's 'up North'? My G128 is in Fleetwood if UR close enough to bring your display on board to try my antenna. (There'll be peeps in your marina with one.)
Nick

 

[DigitalYacht]

It's normally the antenna that fails on these and not the main unit. Worth trying to replace. There's an article here on different types which might help http://digitalyacht.net/2014/03/14/replacing-a-defective-gps-antenna/

 

[JeffBoath]

Thanks for the thoughts so far, Nick, my boat's in Blyth so a bit of a trek to Fleetwood but thanks for the thought.
Jeff.

 

[NickRobinson]

Thanks for the thoughts so far, Nick, my boat's in Blyth so a bit of a trek to Fleetwood but thanks for the thought.
Jeff.

Especially without a GPS... :encouragement:

N

 

[lustyd]

It's probably just the internal battery needs replacing, there are several threads with photos and explanations how to do this if you search the forum

 

[prv]

Buy a new antenna if you can (not sure they're still available though)

The originals may or may not be, but there are compatible ones for sale brand new on eBay. I bought one last year and it works fine. They're sold for use in cars (with what GPS unit, I'm not sure) so I don't know what the waterproofing situation is, but I mounted mine under the side deck (just tucked it into a loose flap of headlining) so it's in the dry anyway.

I also bought a secondhand GPS128, and it came with what sounds like the same problem. As suggested, leaving it powered up for half an hour with a clear view of the sky allowed it to repopulate its internal almanac and start working again. Notably, trying the same thing on my patio (overshadowed by two stories of house) did not work, so the full sky view really does matter.

Pete

 

[Cymrogwyllt]

Is it in 'indoor mode?' If it is it will not look for satellites.

 

[sailinglegend420]

It's probably just the internal battery needs replacing, there are several threads with photos and explanations how to do this if you search the forum

That was my problem.

If it's memory goes each time it is switched off it tries to find the satellites for its country of origin - ???? - Japan. Then it starts looking around the globe till it eventually finds the closer ones and logs in. So each time it's turned off it will have the same problem.

 

[Danbury]

Have a look on the back... make sure it's not the 'Boeing' version... apparently, they have some known issues with locating position data.

 

[coopec]

Leave it powered up in an open space for a couple of hours. Highly likely it's lost the almanac.

I have been given the same advice. In fact I was told if you leave them off for some months they lose the ability to find satellites.
I had problems with one of mine so I left it out all day and when I came back in the evening it had picked up seven satellites. Once they pick up one satellite the others follow very quickly.

 

[KellysEye]

As said above replace the battery and leave it powered up in an open space for a couple of hours. Highly likely it's lost the almanac, before doing anything else. Don't bother with a chart plotter you need to carry the charts as backup.

 

[lustyd]

you might like to to carry the charts as backup.

There, fixed that for you.

 

[JeffBoath]

Thanks for all the welcome advice, it seems that when I distil it all down, the probable best option is to fit a new battery and leave to re-populate it's almanac. Any ideas on where I'd get the battery?

 

[Pye_End]

Thanks for all the welcome advice, it seems that when I distil it all down, the probable best option is to fit a new battery and leave to re-populate it's almanac. Any ideas on where I'd get the battery?

Second the battery change.

You will need one with tabs on. Think it is a 2032 eg. http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-CR2032-...rElectronics_Batteries_SM&hash=item4ac5ce4fce

 

[JeffBoath]

Great stuff, thanks.