[iMacMan]

Doesn’t sound right at all. We’ve “lived with” the Nuvi 350 for about a year with no complaints. The performance has been outstanding. FWIW, the unit needs to “see” 3 satellites to find its location — 4 or more (of the 27 in the constellation) is better.

Where do you have it located — the front windshield is where ours is, but it will work fine just held in your hand or sitting in your lap. I’ve used the Garmin handheld GPS units for years — inside a boat. Never needed an external antenna, but, again, its mounted near a windshield, so it can “see” at least a third of the sky at all times.

[Squawk 8888]

It could be the car itself interfering with the signal. Some units can be connected to an external antenna mounted on the roof of the car so if you can get one it should help. Do you get a clear signal when you take it out of the car?

[sportutegrl]

I have a 3 year old Magellan and have only noticed loss of signal when in a garage or inside my house. I love my "Maggie" and even bought one for my mother for Christmas this year. (Don't tell her, it's a suprise).

It runs on a battery, car charger or an ac adapter, but it loses signal inside a building.

[MindBender26]

Remember that one bird doesn’t do you any good. Need minimum of two to fix 2d position and three to refine 2d and get basic 3d.

[DouglasKC]

Do other people have better experience with Tom Tom or another manufacturer?

I bought a tomtom a week ago and have used it almost every day to get used to it in a couple of different vehicles. It very rarely drops the signal and even then for only a few seconds. One place it drops is parking right in front of my house...which makes sense. I love it.

[Calvin Locke]

I saw a article headline on spacedaily.com yesterday that the Dutch company Tom Tom is under investigation by the EU.

[pbear8]

TomTom has been really good and has rarely lost satellite contact. When it has, it has been brief. We've taken TomTom across the desert and into big cities and have had good results.

Hope yours works out!

[SGCOS]

here's your problem

&^)

[fireforeffect]

Satellite are in high orbit, around the equator (not quite but close). The further north you go the closer the signal gets to the southern horizon. Trees, buildings, and children on tricycles can affect your signal if you are far enough north.

Power lines, the roof of your car, and the local air force base (or just the navigation aids at the local air port) can also affect your signal. Power lines too. Also cell towers that are real close. Something to do with that 0.4 mW signal from 200 miles up.

ALWAYS remember, GPS lets you get lost with a high degree of confidence.

[AmericaUnited]

Some units do have a newer GPS receiver chip that is much better. I’ll go to a online estore like www.tigerdirect.com and look at the various customer reviews of the different units. Quite revealing...

[Liaison]

Your Magellan must have the updated positioning/ outage information of the satellites and must be able to see 4 satellites at a time from constellation in order to give you proper 4 dimensional location for your unit. Being able to see 4 satellites gives you X-Y-Z axis coordinates and time so your GPS Receiver can update and give you proper positioning, navigation, and timing. Also having updated map data is critical in a format that the unit can read properly.

Other issues: GPS signal bounce can put you in the wrong location. If your GPS has been off for a long period of time, 24-48 plus hours, it can take 10-30 minutes for your GPS to rebuild the GPS constellation almanac (where the each satellite is in its orbit )before it can give you a proper location and be able to guide you on your way:

FIX: Either keep your unit constantly on with a unobstructed or limited obstruction view of the sky or put it outside 30 minutes before you begin traveling. It needs time to acquire information before the unit can help you get where you are going. Physical obstructions and terrain masking will always play havoc with signals not much you can do except do your best to understand the effects and don't get to upset with the GPS. Its only as good as the system limitations.

[comet13]

I have a Nuvi 200 and don’t experience any of the issues you are reporting. In fact once i get lock, i have rarely lost it, not counting parking garages, of course.

[IllumiNaughtyByNature]

I use my Verizon Wireless phone with the VZ Navigator option for $9.99 cents a month. It updates maps etc. every 30 days. Works great for a sales guy on the road all the time. Since I have verizon wireless service anyway it was a natural fit. And it can be turned on and off without affecting the contract.

Hope that helps.

[NonValueAdded]

I refuse to buy or even use a Tom Tom product simply because of their commercials.

[CholeraJoe]

I have a Garmin Street Pilot and the only time I lose satellite reception is when I’m in a parking garage.

[OSTATE]

I’ve have a Garmin 2720 which I use both in my car on on my bike and I’ve never experienced any problems with it whatsoever.

I won’t go anyplace without it. It is so valuable when you’re in big cities and 8 lanes of traffic bumper-to-bumper and have to be in the inside or outside lane to make an exit and you don’t know which one. It will tell you a mile or so ahead.

I also have friends who have the Lowrance and they are very pleased with it.

[BurbankKarl]

Garmins are very reliable. My guess is some type of interference with the windshield.

[Malsua]

I’ve got a Garmin Extrex Legend.

Had a Nuvi 350, it got stolen.

Just got my Nuvi 750 this week.

I don’t have any of the problems you’re having. That said, all the units I have had use the High Sensitivity chips. The 200w doesn’t.

That said, the quality of the receiver is only in how fast it gets the sats and how accurate it is. Once latched on, it shouldn’t drop unless you’ve view to the sky is obstructed.

What is the vehicle you drive? Some have a coating on the windshield which can block some signals. Attach it to a side window, see if it does the same thing.