Troubleshooting your NAVMAN

Choose your question from the list below and link to the corresponding Troubleshooting section.

For this question:

Read this Section:

Where do I start? What do I need to do before I can use my NAVMAN GPS receiver? Section 1: Installing Software
When I put the NAVMAN on the back of my iPAQ I get the error message: "Unknown Card in Card Slot" on the screen. Section 1: Installing Software
When installing the Navman drivers I get the message: "Failure to Load Opt Pack dll"Section 12: Errors installing drivers
In Site Mate I get the error message: "No GPS Data Received" at the bottom of the screen. Section 2: Configuring iPAQ for NAVMAN GPS
In Site Mate I get the error message: "Unable to Open Comm Port for GPS Data" at the bottom of the screen. Section 3: Configuring Site Mate for NAVMAN GPS
In Site Mate I only get the coordinates 000 00’ 00.000" by 000 00’ 0.000 Section 4: Zero Coordinates
My NAVMAN worked before, but now I get an error message. Section 5: Resetting the iPAQ
I have turned on WAAS, but it turns off when I leave the GPS Setup program. Section 6: WAAS Problems
I have turned on WAAS, but the Differential light (the tower icon) does not turn on in Site Mate. Section 6: WAAS Problems
The GPS Setup program keeps switching back to Com 4 (or GPS 1) after I have changed it to Com 8. Section 7: Com 4 / GPS1
Site Mate stops on a coordinate or stops outputting GPS suddenly. Section 7: Com 4 / GPS1
I have a 3800 series iPAQ and have not been able to get GPS. Section 8: 3800 series iPAQs
Other GPS software that also uses the NAVMAN does not work since I have installed the NAVMAN drivers for Site Mate. Section 9: Conflicts with other GPS software
I am getting coordinates, but they keep changing even though I am not moving. Section 10: Position Accuracy of the NAVMAN
I have tried everything and it STILL does not work! Section 11: Contacting Farm Works support

Section 1: Installing Software

A. Site Mate Software Installation:

First install Site Mate onto the iPAQ following the normal installation procedures.

B. NAVMAN Software Installation:

  1. Connect and synchronize your Compaq iPAQ with the desktop computer. 
  2. Insert the Farm Works CD into your CD drive. 
  3. The installation program should start automatically. If not run the file Setup.exe from the CD. 
  4. Select the Install button to begin the software installation wizard. 
  5. To install the necessary drivers and configuration utility to the iPAQ, select NAVMAN Drivers & Utilities from the list of items to install. 
  6. You will have the option of installing the NAVMAN Drivers & Utilities and the Compaq iPAQ ROM 1.77 Upgrade. Do NOT install the ROM upgrade unless prompted to do so at the end of the installation process, or if you are sure that the ROM version on the iPAQ is less than 1.77. If you are prompted to install the ROM upgrade, repeat steps 1-5 above and select Compaq iPAQ ROM 1.77 Upgrade. Follow the installation instructions as prompted.  
    NOTE: If your iPAQ model number is 3700 or higher you should NOT install the ROM upgrade (even though the ROM version may be less than 1.77). 
  7. Finish the installation wizard and check the iPAQ for any additional steps. 

    After installing the software you are ready to Configure the iPAQ for use with the NAVMAN (Section 2).

Section 2: Configuring iPAQ for use with the NAVMAN

  1. Put the iPAQ into the NAVMAN GPS sleeve. 
  2. Close out of Site Mate (if it is running) by selecting File then Exit.
  3. On the iPAQ, click on the Windows icon in the upper left corner of the screen. Select Programs then GPS Setup.
  4. In the GPS Settings window, tap on the GPS Comm Settings button.
    The settings should be:
    Com Port     = Com 8
    Baud Rate = 57600
    Data Bits = 8
    Parity = none
    Stop Bits = 1

    Tap the OK button. 
     
    Note: If you are unable to make changes in the GPS Settings program, read the instructions in Section 5, Resetting the iPAQ.

  5. In the GPS Settings window tap on the Start Configuration button option. This may take a few seconds to initialize. Once it has initialized, the DGPS Settings, Power Settings, and NEMA Output buttons will be enabled (will not be grayed out).
  6. Tap on the DGPS Settings button. Select either WAAS Correction or No Correction. Tap the OK button. 
  7. Tap on the Power Settings button. Select the Full Power option if WAAS is being used or if the unit will be connected to external power. If you are not using WAAS and want to conserve battery power, select the Trickle Power option. Tap the OK button. 
  8. Tap on the NEMA Output button. In the NEMA box the default values of GGA=2, GLL=0, GSA=0, GSV=0, RMC=0, VTG=2, and MSS=0 should be fine. If the values have changed, tap on the Default button to reset the default values. Tap the OK button. 
  9. Tap the OK button to exit the GPS Setup program. 

After configuring the iPAQ you are ready to Configure Site Mate for use with the NAVMAN (Section 3).

Section 3: Configuring Site Mate for use with the NAVMAN

  1. On the iPAQ, tap on the Windows icon in the upper left corner of the screen. Select Programs then Site Mate. 
  2. In Site Mate, select GPS settings from the File menu. 
  3. The GPS Settings box is used to configure how the program will be creating maps. In the Source tab select the option GPS Receiver on Com Port.  
  4. Go to the COM tab to enter the settings for your GPS receiver:  
    Com Port = Com 8  
    Baud Rate = 57600 
    Data Bits = 8 
    Parity = None 
    Stop Bits = 1 
  5. Tap on the OK button. You should now be receiving GPS data. If you are getting error messages instead of GPS coordinates, try resetting the iPAQ (Section 5).

Section 4: Zero Coordinates

The first time the NAVMAN is used (or if it is not used for a long period of time) it will take time for the receiver to acquire a position fix and display accurate coordinates. The receiver should be outdoors away from any overhead obstruction, for up to an hour (normally only a few minutes) to give it time to acquire a position fix. After you have the signal, the NAVMAN will remember your relative position in the world and will not require as long to acquire a position fix in the future (a few minutes at the most). 
 

Section 5: Resetting the iPAQ

If you are not receiving GPS after Configuring the iPAQ (Section 2) and Configuring Site Mate (Section 3) or if you are unable to make changes in the GPS Setup program, try resetting the iPAQ. Resetting the iPAQ is like restarting a desktop or laptop computer. To reset the iPAQ: 

  1. Close out of Site Mate by selecting File then Exit (if it is running). 
  2. Remove the NAVMAN sleeve from the iPAQ. 
  3. On the bottom of the iPAQ unit push in the RESET button with your stylus.  Note: The RESET button is not labeled, but it is a small black hole just big enough for the end of your stylus, located to the right of the USB connection on the bottom of the iPAQ. 
  4. After the iPAQ resets, reconnect the NAVMAN to the iPAQ. 

If you disconnect the NAVMAN from the iPAQ while Site Mate is running you may need to reset the iPAQ. Make sure you close Site Mate (by selecting File then Exit) when you are not using it. 

Also, if you run Site Mate and the GPS Setup program at the same time, Site Mate will not be able to receive GPS signals. If you think the two programs may be running, but you’re not sure, reset the iPAQ and all programs that are running will be closed. 
 

Section 6: WAAS Problems

The WAAS Option in the GPS Setup program does not stay enabled after the iPAQ is turned off:

The NAVMAN has an internal rechargeable battery that allows the unit to store the GPS settings as well as the last position received. If this battery is not charged, the DGPS settings will not stay on when the iPAQ is turned off. To ensure that the battery is fully charged, leave Site Mate running with the NAVMAN attached for about two hours. It is best to leave the unit in the iPAQ cradle so it has an external power source. Once the battery is charged, it will stay charged through normal use, unless the unit is not used for an extended period of time. 


The Differential (tower) Icon in Site Mate does not light up:

If you have configured your iPAQ to use the NAVMAN WAAS signal (see Section 2) but have not received WAAS correction, then most likely there is something interfering with the WAAS signal. Interference may be caused by trees or buildings that are blocking the signal, or equipment (electrical wires, a motor, or the iPAQ itself) that is close to the NAVMAN. Your vehicle cab also obstructs a clear view of the sky, which can block WAAS reception. To correct this problem, Farm Works offers a Re-Radiating Antenna that can be placed away from the interfering equipment (like on the top of your truck or tractor cab) to pull in the WAAS. The antennas can be ordered from http://www.farmworks.com or by calling 800-225-2848.  
 

Section 7: Com 4 / GPS 1

The earliest versions of the NAVMAN drivers used Com 4 (and then GPS 1) as the communications port for receiving the GPS data. This has since changed to address problems with these ports not always being available. The latest versions of Farm Works (v 8.21 and higher) have updated the drivers to use Com 8. If you have installed the new version of Farm Site Mate you will also want to install the new version of the NAVMAN drivers from the Farm Works CD. See Section 1, Installing Software. 
 

Section 8: 3800 Series iPAQs

Some 3800 series iPAQs have a Blue Tooth feature (for wireless network capability) that uses Com 7 and 8 on the iPAQ. Since the default NAVMAN Driver uses Com 8, this causes a conflict in the Site Mate program. To fix the problem you will need to download a new Driver for the NAVMAN from the following web site: http://www.navman.com/support/downloads/index.html. Once this driver is installed, the Com port setting in the GPS Setup program will float to an available Com port, most likely Com 5. You will then need to change the Com settings in Site Mate to this same Com port (see Section 3, Configuring Site Mate). If you are using other software that will not allow you to select a baud rate as high as 57600, then downloading this updated driver from Navman should also allow the other software to work at the lower baud rate.

Section 9: Conflicts with other GPS software

If you are using your NAVMAN with other GPS software (like Microsoft Pocket Streets) the NAVMAN drivers included on the Farm Works CD may not be compatible with this software (if it does not handle baud rates of 57,600). If, after installing the NAVMAN drivers, your other GPS program does not function properly you will need to install a new Driver for the NAVMAN from the following web site: http://www.navman.com/support/downloads/index.html. Once this driver is installed, the Com port setting in the GPS Setup program will float to an available Com port, most likely Com 5. You will then need to change the Com settings in Site Mate to this same Com port and set the baud rate to match the baud rate of your other software (see Section 3, Configuring Site Mate).
 

Section 10: Position Accuracy of the NAVMAN

It is not uncommon for your position in Site Mate to move around on the screen, even though you are not moving. Most likely, this movement is within the expected inaccuracy of the receiver which is 2 meters CEP (WAAS Fix), 5 meters typical (95% probable) on the Horizontal reading and 1.5 times the horizontal error on the Vertical reading. To make sure WAAS is turned on, see Section 2, configuring the iPAQ for NAVMAN.
To measure the amount of the inaccuracy in Site Mate: 

  1. Click on the Configure Tab and select the Display option.
  2. Select the Grid option.
  3. Select the option to Show Grid and set a grid of 10 feet. Click OK.
  4. Zoom in on you position and watch the movement of the position marker in relation to the 10 by 10 foot grid to see how far you are moving. 

    See also Section 6, WAAS problems.
     

Section 11: Contacting Farm Works Support

If you have tried troubleshooting the problem without success you will need to contact Farm Works Support at 260-488-3492 or 260-488-2740. If you are beyond the 30 days of free support you received when you registered your software you will need to subscribe to a support plan ($30 for one month or $150 for a year) to get help over the telephone. If your receiver has never worked you will not need a support plan to get help with your NAVMAN. 

Note: The support technician may ask for your NAVMAN serial number. This number is located on the inner sleeve of the unit and will look something like: 1-0-A-47-0319

 

Section 12: Errors installing drivers

The "Failure to Load Opt Pack dll" error will appear when you try to load the drivers on the Navman. This is a file that is already on the Ipaq, and if "in use" will generate this error. To solve the problem, remove the Navman sleeve from the iPAQ then do a soft re-set on the Ipaq. This should close all programs currently running. You can then install the driver without getting the error.