Baller Keith_Menard Posted August 8, 2018 Baller Share Posted August 8, 2018 One of my ski buddies upgraded to 9.12 from a pre-star gazer system. I am at 9.0 and the course times can be a little sketchy and the lock time is: https://photos.app.goo.gl/CtvPSctz1krzhWhj7 Is that normal? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller keithh2oskier Posted August 8, 2018 Baller Share Posted August 8, 2018 I don't think mine takes that long to lock into GPS after turning on. Call PP Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Tom351 Posted August 8, 2018 Baller Share Posted August 8, 2018 Mine locks within a couple of seconds- do you have the receiver (puck) on the dash or underneath? If under- then it may be worth trying it on top. If you already have the receiver above dash then I would call PP. Side note: I have a buddy whose old boat will not run perfect pass at idle (because of low voltage) but as soon as you start pulling a skier the display comes on (from alternator RPM/voltage increase) and his locks GPS before we get up to speed every time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skiboyny Posted August 8, 2018 Baller Share Posted August 8, 2018 Nope Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller hemlock Posted August 8, 2018 Baller Share Posted August 8, 2018 My 9.12 takes about the same time. The puck is on top of the dash, underneath the windshield. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BraceMaker Posted August 9, 2018 Baller Share Posted August 9, 2018 @Tom351 he needs to repair his viltage regulator. Or an overdrive pulley is great on boats that need more juice from an idle but test goood revved. Another thing would be run the power off a separate switch such that you dont always power cycle between passes. Will reduce waiting Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Ski_Dad Posted August 9, 2018 Baller Share Posted August 9, 2018 Does it take that long every start or just the 1st one of the day? I know my 6.5ng will act wonky if my voltage is low. Menu + Up - there is some voltage tests in there. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Keith_Menard Posted August 9, 2018 Author Baller Share Posted August 9, 2018 First one of the day is the longest...none are as quick as my ski partners boat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BraceMaker Posted August 9, 2018 Baller Share Posted August 9, 2018 I havent seen the no gps logo since my first usage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller UWSkier Posted May 1, 2019 Baller Share Posted May 1, 2019 @"Keith Menard" did you ever sort this? On my v9.12 system, I'm consistently seeing 30+ second lock times on restart. Swapped pucks and same issue. Removed zBox and same issue. There's a little rechargeable battery inside the puck that's supposed to remember where it is in the world when it's turned off for a short while. Seems like they won't charge on my system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Keith_Menard Posted May 1, 2019 Author Baller Share Posted May 1, 2019 I haven't tried it since I upgraded to 9.2. I will let you know if it changed anything. The first lock is usually the longest...I don't know if it's because I trailer or the puck is old. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Windsurfnut Posted May 2, 2019 Baller Share Posted May 2, 2019 I just upgraded from SG WB edition to 9.2 3 event with Zbox and I've noticed that it takes a lot longer to lock on then SG WB did. We skied it on the weekend and it didn't seem to interfere with our passes though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Windsurfnut Posted May 2, 2019 Baller Share Posted May 2, 2019 I didn't know about the rechargeable battery. I had just reinstalled my battery after winter storage so there is a good chance that feature was dead. I'll have a look again this weekend now that the system has had power for awhile. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller UWSkier Posted May 2, 2019 Baller Share Posted May 2, 2019 @Windsurfnut the rechargeable battery in the puck is only charged when the PP system is energized. That's usually why the first start of the day takes a while to lock, but subsequent locks are supposed to be near instant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Windsurfnut Posted May 2, 2019 Baller Share Posted May 2, 2019 @UWSkier - good to know! Likely why locking on never interfered with our passes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller VONMAN Posted May 3, 2019 Baller Share Posted May 3, 2019 The last couple of weeks I've noticed that my Star Gazer GPS lock times have changed from always on to 30 seconds. Puck is on the top of dash. Any ideas? Ernie Schlager Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller BraceMaker Posted May 3, 2019 Baller Share Posted May 3, 2019 @Windsurfnut its not much of a battery - it keeps the clock times accurate. From a dead cold condition the puck has no knowledge of where its at - Garmin specs 45 seconds to lock. From a "warm" condition where the puck has been powered up Garmin lists 38 seconds. Once you're up and running should be <1 second. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller DonT Posted May 3, 2019 Baller Share Posted May 3, 2019 @VONMAN -I've experienced the same thing from the start of the season (aka the last 3 weeks). Puck is also on top of the dash - in front of the window. Nothing has changed of any substance. I'm going to call PP today, seems a common thread right now across too many people to be a coincidence. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ MISkier Posted May 3, 2019 Baller_ Share Posted May 3, 2019 I saw the same thing with my ZO (old dual pucks) a couple of weeks ago. Took a while to get the lock when I de-winterized. I wonder if something changed with the satellites that the old antenna doesn't like (i.e., has to spend more time negotiating for a signal). The worst slalom equipment I own is between my ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller UWSkier Posted May 3, 2019 Baller Share Posted May 3, 2019 You other guys with issues, try this. Press Menu and Up, then press Menu until Diagnostics is highlighted. Press up arrow. Press Menu to System Logs. Press up arrow. How many "GPS Errors" do you see? Make note of that, then check again after a few days of use. Shouldn't be seeing any. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Windsurfnut Posted May 4, 2019 Baller Share Posted May 4, 2019 Ya, something is up. Taking too long to lock on. No errors in the diagnostics menu. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller UWSkier Posted May 8, 2019 Baller Share Posted May 8, 2019 Supposedly there was an update to GPS satellites. The guys at PP are telling me that every GPS puck sold in the past few years requires at least 15 minutes of continuous use to download some "almanac updates" or something to that effect. This is per Garmin. PP's testing indicates this may not be a sufficient amount of time. However, the puck I sent back to them after being powered on for 20 mins straight seems to be locking in immediately... Mystery continues. I'm surprised the ZO guys aren't seeing this same problem. Will update if PP gets to the bottom of this as I know others are affected. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller_ MISkier Posted May 9, 2019 Baller_ Share Posted May 9, 2019 @UWSkier, read my post from May 3 in this thread. Since the club boat arrived, I haven't had my boat out for a couple of weeks. So, I don't know if there is still an issue. The worst slalom equipment I own is between my ears. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Windsurfnut Posted May 20, 2019 Baller Share Posted May 20, 2019 Anyone seeing any improvement? I had mine on for over an hour yesterday, plus a number of 1/2 hour sessions. No improvement yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skiboyny Posted May 20, 2019 Baller Share Posted May 20, 2019 Seems like the information that @UWSkier got from perfect pass was accurate. For the first time ever took my boat out from hibernation and had no GPS lock. Seems like that lasted for 20 minutes over a couple of different times out. Once it locked back to normal behavior. Locked as soon as the system is turned on. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller mjump Posted May 21, 2019 Baller Share Posted May 21, 2019 Had an issue with my puck. Called pp and they walked.me thru any issues. Things are good to good. Locks in quick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Lieutenant Dan Posted May 21, 2019 Baller Share Posted May 21, 2019 All 3 StarGazer / ZBox boats at our club are having the slow lock issue this spring. @mjump Do you recall what the PP guys had you do to improve this? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller mjump Posted May 21, 2019 Baller Share Posted May 21, 2019 @Lieutenant Dan they said my puck has a battery in it to save your location. The battery was not recharging. So it would take several minutes to lock in. I replaced the puck and back in business Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller aspski Posted May 21, 2019 Baller Share Posted May 21, 2019 Just had the Wake edition S installed on my Sunsetter last week. It never took more than 15 seconds for it to lock this past weekend. I wonder if your geographical location has anything to do with the lock time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Lieutenant Dan Posted May 25, 2019 Baller Share Posted May 25, 2019 FYI...Hot off the press from Perfect Pass: May 2019 Re: Garmin GPS Units Slower to Lock It became apparent in April of this year that the Garmin 5 Hz GPS units in circulation are taking longer to “lock” after being powered up than in previous years. Initial delay to lock on a new boating day will take one or two minutes, but after key off & back on they normally take up to 38 seconds. In previous years, you may have noticed that after a brief key off the GPS would lock faster than the current time of 38 seconds +/-. Garmin has advised us that the satellite system changes require new “Almanac Data” updates to allow for faster starts and this updating is not happening automatically on older versions. For most PerfectPass customers, a start time of 38 seconds or less is more than adequate and is not an issue that would affect their use of the product. For any customer that performs a lot of key offs in-between passes or sets and finds the re-lock time of 38 seconds +/- too slow there is a solution. Garmin has recently produced a new V4.2 software version which PerfectPass has acquired which solves this issue and has other enhancements as well. Your GPS Puck can be updated to this version which will increase the Lock Speed. The Puck can be mailed to PerfectPass for this update now or at the end of the season. The update cost is free, only return mailing charges will apply. To Return for Updating: > Send by US Post only to address below ideally in a padded / bubble envelope. > For customs purposes at the post office, state the contents on the form they provide as “GPS Unit returning for Repair. Value $25” > Include your full name, address & phone # and a copy of this letter. > Include a check payable to PerfectPass for $10 to cover return shipping & handling. (US Post) If not, we will call you for CC #. NOTE: No UPS Ground or Fed Ex Ground will be accepted due to additional customs fees. Fed Ex Express or UPS Express is OK. MAIL TO: PerfectPass Control Systems Inc. 14 Trider Cres. Dartmouth, NS CANADA B3B 1R6 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skiboyny Posted May 25, 2019 Baller Share Posted May 25, 2019 Thank you that is great info. I've never had anything but instantaneous gps lock till this year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller UWSkier Posted May 25, 2019 Baller Share Posted May 25, 2019 I should receive an updated puck on Tuesday and will try it out next week. Will report back findings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Ski_Dad Posted May 25, 2019 Baller Share Posted May 25, 2019 just curious, are all the Garmin pucks 5 Hz ? - i know one manufactuer use a 10 hz model which would be twice as fast to update it's location. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller UWSkier Posted May 31, 2019 Baller Share Posted May 31, 2019 Just updating this and closing out my slow lock issue. The puck I received from PP this week with the updated firmware locks in immediately on key on after the first lock of the day. Very happy to have it back to normal. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller MopedMedicks Posted June 1, 2019 Baller Share Posted June 1, 2019 I just experienced this slow lock issue last week. Thought it was a fluke, but noted the lock took 30 seconds plus after each key off to switch skiers. It really confused the stargazer system - had issues holding speed even once it did lock sometimes. I’ll have to send in the puck. Thanks for sharing the success story. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Windsurfnut Posted June 1, 2019 Baller Share Posted June 1, 2019 Just received my updated puck, and lock time is instant. Also feels like a different boat, in a good way. Very happy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller VONMAN Posted August 20, 2019 Baller Share Posted August 20, 2019 I haven't had window of time to send my puck to get updated, but yesterday it was back doing instant GPS locks. After over four months it working, go figure. Ernie Schlager Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Killer Posted August 20, 2019 Baller Share Posted August 20, 2019 I had some issues earlier in the year where it would take upwards of 40 seconds and a few minutes at first start of the day, but for the most part seems to lock much quicker this last week, almost instantaneous when we're already skiing and stop at the end of the lake. I've made no changes to my system either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Ski_Dad Posted August 20, 2019 Baller Share Posted August 20, 2019 that's interesting - My friend has Stargazer 8 and it was taking about 40 seconds to lock each time we started the boat - a couple runs it caught me off guard and I had the skier up to 40 mph :D I gotta check it out this week when we ski - hoping that is fixed Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Ski_Dad Posted August 24, 2019 Baller Share Posted August 24, 2019 was out this weekend on my friends Malibu - it has been taking 40 seconds to lock all year - today it was doing it in 15 seconds tops - can definately live with that ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Justin_C Posted August 26, 2019 Baller Share Posted August 26, 2019 Mine has been locking much faster in the last week or so as well. Must be a Garmin update of some sort? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller dvskier Posted August 26, 2019 Baller Share Posted August 26, 2019 Likewise my StarGazer is acquiring satellites much quicker than previously this summer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller skiboyny Posted August 26, 2019 Baller Share Posted August 26, 2019 Have 2 stargazer boats at our lake within the last week they are locking like they used to. Immediately. Something has changed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller Killer Posted August 26, 2019 Baller Share Posted August 26, 2019 Aliens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Baller GaryWilkinson Posted August 27, 2019 Baller Share Posted August 27, 2019 Let me guess,... your course is in or close to Area 51? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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