My GPSMAP 66i won't maintain a satellite fix

Referencing this thread - My GPSMAP 66i won't maintain a satellite fix

I've not had the occasion to use my relatively new 66i too much but each time I have, the unit has failed too maintain a satellite fix. At the same time the watches I have Fenix 7, have recorded the activity without any difficulty. Simply put, anytime I looked at the 66i it would tell me it had lost satellite connection. I would have thought the 66i would stay connected to satellites better than my watch. I have checked and checked the settings. I have left the 66i outside for hours to ensure any almanac data was updated. I have synced with Garmin Express. I have all the latest software updates applied but still it struggles. Needless to say, trying to follow a course is virtually impossible as the device is rarely able to position me along the course I am trying to follow.

How do other people's units fare under tree cover when compared to a watch? Is the connection to satellites maintained?

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0 jlg2 over 2 years ago

My 66i never reports lost GPS satellite except when I'm in a building at or below ground.

0 Dr Phil over 2 years ago in reply to jlg2

Hmm. This is what my 66i recorded - https://www.strava.com/activities/7374582443

and this on my F7 - https://www.strava.com/activities/7359255266

And Garmin Connect shows something entirely different for the 66i - connect.garmin.com/.../9075563979

I'll see what Garmin have to say.

0 jlg2 over 2 years ago in reply to Dr Phil

I couldn’t see what you posted on Strava. I assume it was a track. Do you know how to post a .gpx file? Why do you think the 66i failed “to maintain a satellite fix”? Can you be more specific?

0 twolpert over 2 years ago

You can try a factory reset. This loses all user data on the unit. It also requires you to repeat the outdoor portion of activation.

If that does not help, or if you don't want to do that, open a support ticket. As noted elsewhere, the 66i should not report loss of fix except in challenging conditions. Definitely should not do so continuously when outdoors.

0 Dr Phil over 2 years ago in reply to jlg2

I have no idea why the 66i would have failed to maintain a satellite fix. The device was in a front facing pocket on my running vest. The majority of the run was under tree cover but, given that my F7 maintained connection it's hard to understand why the 66i did not. I would not consider the environment overly challenging for the 66i; assuming of course it would/should have better ability to connect to satellites given its size compared to a wrist watch. All I know is that when I looked at the 66i there was a message telling me that it had lost satellite connection (or words to that effect).

activity_9075563979.gpx.zip

0 reinhardz over 2 years ago in reply to Dr Phil

Hi,

I'm sorry that my answer doesn't refer to your question. It is just a common remark regarding posted photos and other data on platforms like Twitter, Whatsapp, Strava etc. Please note that not all forum members are also members of the mentioned platforms! Therefore the chance of getting help is much bigger if data like photos, files, tracks and so on are provided on platforms which everybody can access without registration.

Just my 2 cents

reinhardz

0 Dr Phil over 2 years ago in reply to reinhardz

Thank you.

0 jlg2 over 2 years ago in reply to Dr Phil

The explicit message that the 66i had lost satellite connection is what I was wondering about. In my opinion as a 66i user, if you are getting that message after being outdoors for several minutes, then there is something wrong with your particular device. I cannot think of any settings that would cause that. I would call support. Hopefully, the device is under warranty.

0 skyeye over 2 years ago in reply to jlg2

Lost sats comes up very frequently when Galileo is switched on. My devices are under free sky on a roof and lost sats comes on and off. Galileo OFF and all is quiet. Have 3 units 66i and all behave the same.

0 6618149 1 month ago

I bought a 66i in July 2024 and have the exact same issue. Recorded activities on the 66i frequently have long straight lines where satellite tracking failed compared to my Epix Gen2 which records flawlessly. Did you ever find a solution?