[reno380]

I have a friend who owns a 2010 Gl1800 trike, his xm and gps never worked, he finally found the reason why, the antenna wires were cut so he soldered them back together and the xm works fine but the navigation is weird. He programs his destination, let's say from his home, and to wherever he is going, when he leaves the turn by turn is not there, he can drive 50 miles away and gps still shows him at his home. Anyone experience this? What is the fix? He did order the update for the GPS and installed it and still no change. Poor satellite reception is gone, appears to be fine, same as mine but mine tracks my route and his does not.

Ty, John "Reno"

 

[limpy45]

I have read a lot about how the onboard GPS does not work well. Most recommend getting a stand alone unit from either Garmin or your favorite unit mfg. I don't have a 1800 but have used a Garmin 1250 for several years on my bikes. Updates are easy to download from Garmin site on my desk top computer and away I go.

 

[Bryanlj]

Soldering cut gps wires rarely works for some reason, you could try replacement but also possible the gps reciever is bad

 

[AZgl1800]

you cannot cut the antenna leads to a GPS system, it will never work again.

the reason is the Frequency at what the GPS signals are using.... up in the WiFi radio frequency bands....

it is not like cutting a 12 gauge wire and soldering it back together, you just simply ruined the GPS, period.

so, get a Garmin or other GPS

 

[reno380]

Thank you for the replies, I will let him know. I believe he ordered a new GPS antenna since the xm is now working (he soldered that back together as well). I don't know why someone would cut these antenna wires in the first place, he bought this trike in Ft Lauderdale from a dealership but never really noticed this until getting it home and really started looking at it, the xm was the first thing he noticed as he likes his xm radio. He lives up north and the trike stays here in Florida, so this winter is when he actually had a good look at it.

A new antenna seems like it would work, cutting it should not short the GPS unit, should it? It picks up the satellites same as mine. The tracking is all does not work. It located any destination address entered and calculates a route, but nothing else, this is odd.
-=Reno=-
I

 

[AZgl1800]

GPS signals are "Phase Sensitive"
Location is determined by how many " MicroSeconds" different the Timing signals are from 3 or more Satellites.
even a MicroSecond is a huge number for GPS systems, they measure the difference in PHASE of 2 or more signals.

2 satellites will give you a location East/West and Latitude, but it takes 3 Satellite signals to determine North or south of the Equator.

the Antenna and the cable to it, CANNOT be altered in any manner, period.
the slightest malformation of the cable or antenna destroys the accuracy of the system.

The XM antenna "should be" isolated from the GPS antenna system, and the two are entirely different systems.

 

[dgalileo]

Hi. I don't know about the 2010 GL1800, but the onboard Garmin GPS on my 2008 GL1800 airbag is an excellent GPS. The only "problem" is that the screen could be higher resolution. Having the onboard GPS integrated into the comm system is a huge plus. As AZgl1800 said, the antenna and cable have to be undamaged. The GPS receiver almost certainly would not be damaged by cutting the antenna cable. But soldering the cable back together will create a huge impedence "bump" which will degrade the satellite signals greatly. A new antenna/cable should fix the problem with your friends bike. It's definitely worth a try. Good luck.

 

[reno380]

He ordered a brand new antenna and cable to completely replace his old one. Thanks everyone for all your help.
Reno

 

[Peter Goldwing]

my 2008 GL1800 airbag is an excellent GPS. The only "problem" is that the screen could be higher resolution. Having the onboard GPS integrated into the comm system is a huge plus.

I would never buy a car or bike. that has a integrated GPS unless the unit is free.
I select the state then the street and town and the unit finds more then one state with that town. Then I have to select the state again
Many times inputting the destination takes 10 or more minutes. in a few occasions it took me miles from my destination.
Nowadays I use my cell with WAYS or any other apps and verbally input the destination. The maps are always up to date.
I purchased the gizmo so I hook up via blue tooth and hear the direction in my corded helmet. No additional things to charge at night besides the cell. The bikes GPS I can use as an additional video reference without a sound input
Me happy