Garmin DC 40

[Kenneth]

With all the issues hunters are having with the DC 40s, is Garmin doing anything to change the problems (I would think that they would want to), or are they not getting enough feed-back (negative or positive) from folks who have the DC 40s?

Ken

[Steve White]

Yes, they are, and have been working on the problems. It has been software glitches causing most of the problems. There have been several updates since the 40' s came out correcting the problems. There seems to be fewer complaints since the updates. Some may have not done the updates yet. So the problems have not been corrected for them.

[Buddyw]

I disagree,

I tend to think the software updates are hiding the problems, not so much fixing the problem. I think the problem is the GPS antenna is on the bottom of the receiver and it's getting a weaker GPS signal.

Even on Garmins update page it say's it Fixes and causes better tracking in Weak GPS signal.

Now call me a dummy, but To me the Problem is "the weak GPS signal" not being able to track in it is a consequence. Now Good On Garmin, Of coarse I want them to track better in a Weak GPS signal and do the best they can with what signal they have. So the updates are good for them and definitely recommended... But How about let's address the Weak GPS signal, Not Cover it up calling them software updates. the software is just allowing it to track in the weak GPS signal much better.

Most people don't notice the Weak GPS signal with the updates anymore, But My belief is it's still there, Garmin just updated the Software so You don't notice it as much, Think about it, how were people finding out about the Weak signals before?? (I'll give you a hint.. the Software) So fix the software.. And that creates less complaints.

Just my two cents.. I'm sure one day I'll be forced to sell the DC40's when there isn't any other options, but as long as there are DC30's I'm personally sticking with them.

But Garmin Lost allot of respect with how they Dealt with this DC40. They have a captive audience no competition, and Unfortunately they don't care to listen to their customers.

Buddy

[Steve White]

Buddy, You may be right, but I am going to disagree as well. My reason for this is.

The GPS signals of today in no way compare to those of even a few years ago. Just a few years ago. You could not get a signal if you were not in the complete open. Even if you had the GPS in your vehicle window you could not get a signal. For many years the Lowrance Global Map 100 was the top handheld unit. Needed a external antenna for it to work in a vehcile. The humming bird unit I have currently is useless unless the antenna is in the open. It is only 3yrs old. Now we can get a signal from inside the truck, dog box, and house. I cannot be sure, but will guess a dogs neck is not as dense as the MI roof on my house. So the satellite signal should be able to reach the reciever a lot easier. Also there are many more satellites in the sky at any one time now. Although I can certainly see where a problem can and does occur in the mountainous areas. Since the only sattelites that could be seen are the ones directly overhead if you are in a canyon. I believe it takes at least 2 to get a position fix, and 3 to get a 3D fix. Only 2 will result in your being able to track, but will show a question mark that moves. Until the 3rd is recieved you will not see the icon as it then gives the elevation. Not 100% sure if 1 satellite is enough to track, but I will check. Either way when one loses the icon the fear sets in!

We are talking about some real technical stuff here now. I will have to check on this stuff more to be sure my arse is not smoking. I have my doubts though that Garmin would put a less sensitive reciever on the new collars. Perhaps, as companies do some strange things to cut costs.

Either way I guaruntee you all. Garmin is watching these boards, and is working on the issues. Perhaps not in the time frame we want. Yet, they are listening, watching, and working on things. This I know for a fact!!!

[Buddyw]

It's 3 positions is minimum for a location and 4 satelites for a elevation or 3D fix. But these are using allot of satelites, Like I said before on a good tracking day your tracking 10 or more satelites, these DC40's will work great.. It's those days that your having a hard time keeping 3 that they have weak signals.

I'm pretty sure the reciever is the same I've never broken apart a DC30 GPS antenna since it's sealed in the Box, but I've seen the DC40 antenna, It's just mounted sideways and on the bottom of the collar. Shooting through the dogs neck is only half of the equation.

Another question the antenna is shooting sideways out of the dogs neck not straight up. My question is How well does the Antenna recieve upside down, (or behind it) that is a question I don't know but when a dog turns it head 180 degree's the antenna just turned effectively upside down in a matter of seconds.

I just hope Garmin tested all this stuff out.. I get the feeling they didn't check it out very well and have been trying to come from behind to catch up to some of these issues.

Buddy

[Nolte]

[quote="Steve White"]The GPS signals of today in no way compare to those of even a few years ago. Just a few years ago. You could not get a signal if you were not in the complete open. Even if you had the GPS in your vehicle window you could not get a signal. [quote]

I don't know about this Steve. I've ran a mapping GPS in my truck for a long time and never used an external antenna. The only GPS I remember having issues linking up was an old Gamin 12XL from way back. A handfull of times it couldnt' find satellites. Sure the others since then have taken a little while to link up at times, but not real often. It seemed to happen if I didn't run it for a couple months.

I think any GPS links up quick when it's pretty new. It's after it's been bounced around for a few years hunting/fishing that issues start to happen. It's amazing that any of them run at all after the abuse they get put through.

[Buddyw]

Also to answer your question about things getting better.There are also more satelites in orbit now than before.

In 1990-97 there were only 10 satelites (10 total available)
1997–2004 there were another 12 availible (22 total availble)
2005 -2009 there were 8 more added. (30 total availble)

Even with 30 satelites in the Sky, only a handful are visable in the sky since they rotate around the earth.. to use when your using your GPS. It's the 5 satelite days that you need to pick up 80% of the available satelites that I suspect cause most of the problem..

Here is a photo that gives an example of how it works. The black dots are the ones that are visable at the given point on earth.

ConstellationGPS.gif (485.5 KiB) Viewed 3696 times

Not so much the Hardware. That's where handicapping the DC40 is a problem.



So naturally things are going to get better since there are more satelites visable at any given time. the New GPS systems are using more channels to try and talk with more satelites at the same time.

So it's a two front combination of both Better GPS's and More Satelites available. It's not just the GPS getting better.

[Steve White]

you just might be surprised if comparing the older gps units to the new ones. I have had 5 in my garage at one time. The lowrance Global map 100, an old green Garmin mod 60, My hummingbird on the boat, And old magellen and the Astro. Just a garage, but still has the MI roof. Only 1 ever got a signal. The magellen and lowrance could not get a signal in my tree covered driveway. Took awhile, but the others did eventually get a signal. Some of them older ones were only 8 or 12 channel receivers though.

It's rare to loose signal on the astro around here, but I don't go all the places the dogs take them collars.

[Coloradobawl]

so i am about to buy the astro and it comes with one dc-40. with all the problems lately with the 40 i will also be buying 2 dc-30s and was wondering if the dc-30s will still pair up to the gps unit?