Problem: Belkin CF BT, Belkin BT GPS, Axim X5 advanced, Windows Mobile 2003

ashti · 10-12-04, 12:56 AM

I purchased a Axim X5 advanced in 2002. Upgraded to Windows Mobile 2003 when the upgrade CD was released by Dell. I was happy using the PDA for non-online and mostly note-taking and task-managing and scheduling, with tons of ebook reading.

I got bit by the GPS bug last month. Purchased a Belkin BT GPS and a Belkin CF BT. I got them today. Very gleefully, I followed instructions and loaded the BT software for the CF BT because the built-in BT software from WM 2003 didn't recognize the Belkin CF BT. I noted that there were two COM ports, Inbound COM 9 and Outbound COM 8.

I loaded local maps from the Belkin CD for BT GPS. Then I fired up the Belkin BT GPS and paired it successfully with the Axim X5. When I started the mapping software, there were no satellites seen on my GPS. I went outside and sat there, configuring this thing and trying to get a hold on the satellites. No luck.

The BT status shows that the BT GPS is connected. But no data is flowing, either from or to. Most depressingly, the BT keeps getting dropped every few minutes. This is getting to be depressing.

Help!!!

JakeRich · 10-12-04, 09:15 AM

Did you set the Mapping software to look at the com ports? What Baud rate is set? Normally GPS uses 4800 baud. You can leave the BT rate at the default, but set the software to look at COM9, 4800. If your software shows it, look to see if the data stream is coming in from the GPS.

ashti · 10-12-04, 04:40 PM

Originally Posted by JakeRich

Did you set the Mapping software to look at the com ports? What Baud rate is set? Normally GPS uses 4800 baud. You can leave the BT rate at the default, but set the software to look at COM9, 4800. If your software shows it, look to see if the data stream is coming in from the GPS.

The strangest thing happens every time I try to use the mapping software to look at the COM ports!!! It scans, and the bluetooth connection gets dropped, and the software reports that no GPS bluetooth was found! I've tried this many, many times and did this using different ways to pair the BT GPS and the Axim... before, during and after. No difference. The COM port is set to COM 9 (Inbound port). The BAUD rate is set to 4800.

Also, why does the BT connection get dropped every couple of minutes? Is it that since there is no data flowing, it shuts off automatically or something? And why does the BT connection get dropped when the mapping software is scanning the COM ports?

Any help would be welcome. The question I'm pondering is about where the problem lies... in the BT GPS or in my Axim?

ashti · 10-12-04, 06:48 PM

Originally Posted by ashti

The strangest thing happens every time I try to use the mapping software to look at the COM ports!!! It scans, and the bluetooth connection gets dropped, and the software reports that no GPS bluetooth was found! I've tried this many, many times and did this using different ways to pair the BT GPS and the Axim... before, during and after. No difference. The COM port is set to COM 9 (Inbound port). The BAUD rate is set to 4800.

Also, why does the BT connection get dropped every couple of minutes? Is it that since there is no data flowing, it shuts off automatically or something? And why does the BT connection get dropped when the mapping software is scanning the COM ports?

Any help would be welcome. The question I'm pondering is about where the problem lies... in the BT GPS or in my Axim?

The exact same problem was replicated with another identical Axim X5. Now, how do I figure out where the problem lies... in the Belkin BT GPS or the Belkin CF BT card?

ashti · 10-13-04, 06:37 PM

After confirming that the Belkin CF BT card functions well, the conclusion I drew was that the Belkin BT GPS was defective. I have sent back the unit.

After some searching, I decided to go with the Fortuna Clip-on BT GPS receiver. The fact that this unit now ships with Xtrac v2.02 made me decide on this unit rather than try my luck with another Belkin BT GPS receiver.

Unfortunately, only after placing the order did I realize that the Fortuna unit does not ship with any software for navigation. I'll have to rely on MS PocketStreets for my navigation, I suppose.

Any comments/suggestions?

jhansman · 10-13-04, 06:55 PM

I sure hope the Fortuna works for you, because it's the same receiver as the Belkin. Perhaps the newer firmware will hold the BT connection, but I have had no success getting my X30 and the Belkin staying connected. Belkin says it's an issue with their receiver and WM2003SE, but who knows? This is all beginning to feel like a black art to me....