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View Full Version : Lifedrive Bluetooth GPS bug ,any fixes yet?


Dr.House
05-14-2008, 03:10 PM
Hi all ,
im troubleshooting a Lifedrive bluetooth/gps bug.
i have found out by searching that alot of people experience the same thing
and Palm has no answer/fix to this...
The problem is that the gps software looses connection to my Bluetooth GPS receiver after 1-10min and to get it to connect again i have to turn the bluetooth off ,run Flushit to free up memory,restart bluetooth ,connect gps again and it will maybe stay connected again for some min... :(

This happens with GPS software like Pathaway,fugawi etc.

TomTom 5 works perfect ! does not loose connection with GPS receiver.

it seems like alot of people has this same problem and that Palm has ignored it... :(

the closest and best info i have found about this problem is the following from
the Pathaway support forum :


Hey guys. I read this entire thread with some hope, but the hope is gone in the end of it Sad

I'm experiencing the same problem here in Brazil, and it's really something to do with BTLIB driver of Lifedrive.
I've tested many configurations, many "try-and-see" things, and I can give you some hints on how to avoid this problem (sometimes...)

- Reduce track log sizes, increasing the time between points (10 secs or more), and speed about to check points (10 meters I'm using). Of course, this advice only works for cars trips. Explanation: It seems the BT freeze problem has something to do with hard drive updates frequency.
- Install some DB cache cleaner (like FlushIT!). I've noticed that when I clean the cache before running pathaway it doesn't lock BT.
- When you got the problem (freeze), you don't need to reset the device. Turn pathaway gps connection OFF (if you got the no gps response message, it already gone), turn bluetooth OFF (it will take about 30secs to do it), turn BT on again, and restart gps connection on pathaway. Works, garanteed!

That's it. If someone find out the real solution for this problem, please let me know!

So ,please if anyone has some fix for this or some other info ,please respond.

Dr.House
05-14-2008, 03:32 PM
hmmm...i just found this on http://www.pathaway.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=547&postdays=0&postorder=asc&highlight=lifedrive&start=15


Hi,
We have exhausted all attempts at a work-around for bluetooth communications with older Bluetooth GPS devices. There was nothing that we found that reliably maintained communications.

I suggest acquiring a newer chipset GPS which works with the LifeDrive, or replacing the Lifedrive with a more robust PDA.

Really sorry we have not come up with a solution for this. It's very frustrating that Palm is Ok with this bug in the Lifedrive, and provided no support for us whatsoever.

so ,i guess the only solution is to buy a new GPS receiver (have the palmOne).... :(

JavaJiveJump
05-14-2008, 03:58 PM
more robust than the LifeDrive. I'm insulted!

I hope you find a good solution for yourself. I've been thinking about GPS on my LD, but I don't want any hassle. Can anyone offer some advice as to a good GPS system that will work flawlessly with LD? (I don't mind resets/flush to free memory when necessary).

Dr.House
05-14-2008, 04:24 PM
JavaJiveJump , Tomtom navigator 5 works perfect with the LD and the palmone bluetooth GPS receiver.
its only when using other gps software ,like pathway etc. ,that couses the problems.
Wich can be solved using another GPS bluetooth reciever....

Merittman
05-14-2008, 07:57 PM
That's funny. I've been using a Holux 1000 (?) Bluetooth GPS receiver with my Lifeflash, with programs like Earthcomber and Street Atlas. I've had more problems with my receiver than my PDA (battery keeps dying), but I've had no problems with the PDA side of it.

JavaJiveJump
05-15-2008, 12:08 AM
Thanks, doc!

Icecruncher
05-15-2008, 04:06 AM
I was informed of the same problem several years ago when I was getting my GPS.

The newer chipset totally avoids the problem. I have a mobile crossing bluetooth GPS that has never lost the connection on my lifedrive.

I've used it with Mapopolis SD Card and several third party shareware/freeware programs for long trips (20 hour) without any issue.

Dr.House
05-15-2008, 03:38 PM
yes Icecruncher ,a GPS receiver with the "newer" chipset is the way to go if one will use
any other gps soft than TomTom5 on the LifeDrive.

lifedriveUser
05-15-2008, 05:34 PM
Hi,

Bought this a few weeks back...Garmin Part #010-00579-00. Comes with Bluetooth GPS, PC and Palm software, details north america maps...C$158.

Works very well so far..used it around town and on some 100-200km trips...voice prompts are surprisingly loud...maps are good; accuracy is good.

Only minor thing is it seems to take quite a while to get its first fix...sometimes its 20-30 secs...other times >1min...but it could be just general reception issues in built up area rather than the unit itself.

I saw this review http://forum.brighthand.com/showthread.php?t=228687 which is what got me into this...and loved the fact Garmin allows you to download the software (with basic maps) for free to try before you buy... :cool:

This was a much better story than TomTom...who don't even officially support the LifeDrive with Navigator 6. :mad: