Out-of-the-box Garmin 810 Edge
 

Hi All,

Is it possible to use the Garmin Edge 810 out of the box, without registering it, if I have a pre-loaded map data card? When I try to use the map function it says locating satellites for a long time and never acquires/locates any. I know the garmin site says try letting it sit for 3-5 minutes like that and it should connect (if it's the first use).

Thanks,
Red

It is certainly possible. I'd wager your problem is because you're powering up the device indoors and/or in an area where satellite reception is poor. Try powering it up outside and see what happens.

Depending on a number of atmospheric conditions it could take as long as 10 minutes to get an initial GPS lock, A lot of things affect GPS reception. The first use also applies to situations where the Edge has been stored for extended periods of time.

It will take longer to get a useable lock the first time, just leave it outdoors with a clear view of the sky for a little while. Realistically it should be minutes but it depends on a lot of things so give it up to half an hour, do it while you're busy with something else.

You can use it to record your rides (indoors w/o GPS and outdoors w/) and display your speed and other data, without registering it. I'm guessing you won't be able to auto upload rides, pair it with your phone, or use live tracking, until you register it. Maybe update the software, too, I'm not sure.

Hi All,

Thanks for your input/advice. I just mounted it while I took my morning commute and within about 10-15 minutes it locked on a GPS signal. I had sat with it outside for a few minutes yesterday, but to no avail. Luckily it started up this morning. I was worried as I'm doing a century this weekend alone and planned to use the GPS to get me there and back!

Thanks again,
Red

Red, now that you have the initial lock done, it will start up faster. TTFL will be shorter because the Garmin, like nearly all GPS units, downloads location assistance (not the actual name but more descriptive of what it does) on the first lock, it will use that for a period of time and discard it when it downloads a new file in the future. Its a function of the GPS system, not the Garmin itself. It then uses that info to know where to start looking for satellites. On you upcoming century ride it will likely be up and ready to go in less than one minute. One thing to keep in mind, the barometric calibration of the altimeter does take more time and is temperature dependent. So if you are going from a warm car to a chilly start of the ride, take the Garmin out first and let it sit outside on the bike while you get everything else ready. By the time the ride starts, your altimeter will be as correct as possible.

There isn't any "magic" registration requirement for it to work. You don't have to register it at all (you might to get any software updates). You don't even need maps.

People's comments are correct about needing a while to set-up the GPS (it's downloading data from the satellites, which is slow).

That has to be done if it's off for a long while or if you move it long distances with it being turned off. This is a standard GPS thing.

Smart phones can cheat because they can download the information from the internet. Smart phones can also determine rough location using cell-towers and wifi (no GPS is required). That helps to start up the GPS quicker. GPS is provides much more accurate possitioning but it can take a while to start up (once it's started up, it's very fast).

I travel about 200 miles with my bike on the weekends usually. The first time I use the Garmin after having been at the other location, it can take over five minutes to acquire the satellite info. Not always, but most of the time.

What I remember (probably have details wrong) is that satellites broadcast ephemeris data which the receiver uses to maintain lock but if it isn't updated (because the receiver is off) eventually it is stale, and instead the receiver has to download almanac data which has the basic info needed to find every satellite in the constellation but is kind of slow to get.

scott s.
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