GPS-Buddy CONNECT FAQ

Below is a list of questions with provided answers to help with any issues you may have setting up or using your GPS-Buddy CONNECT device.

GENERAL - POWER - GPS RECEIVER - GARMIN NAVIGATOR

How do I turn on my Connect?

• Your Connect needs to be plugged in to a vehicle's cigar lighter socket to turn on.

How do I turn off my Connect?

• The Connect will automatically switch off thirty minutes after you unplug it from the cigar lighter socket.
• To turn off your Connect immediately, press the reset button on the side for two seconds, until the GSM LED turns red. The Connect will turn off within a few seconds.

I have plugged in my Connect, but my Connect does not function correctly (GSM light stays red, and GPS or NAV LED do not light up when I connect the external GPS or Garmin? Navigator)

• Your Connect's battery needs to be charged. Please refer to the instructions below to charge the battery.

How do I charge my Connect's internal battery?

• Plug the Connect into the car cigar lighter socket with the engine running for at least two hours
• Do NOT connect the external GPS or Garmin? while charging
• While charging, the GSM LED should be lit (red or green). If the GSM LED is off, it means that your Connect is not being charged. Probable causes include:
  
  
  1. The Connect is not properly inserted in the vehicle's cigar lighter socket, or the socket does not provide an adequate fit for the Connect's plug.
  2. The car cigar lighter socket is not powered. Many vehicles only provide power when engine is running.  Please turn on the engine.

• When the battery state of charge is very low, the Connect may feel warm while charging. This is quite normal, but should not last for longer than 30 minutes. If the Connect feels warm to the touch for longer than 30 minutes, disconnect it for at least 15 minutes until cool, and repeat the battery charging procedure

I have plugged in my external GPS receiver, but the GPS LED stays off.

• Make sure you have properly inserted the GPS receiver all the way in the mini jack connector on the Connect.
• Your Connect's battery may need to be charged. Please refer to the Power section of the FAQ for instructions.

I have plugged in my external GPS receiver, but the GSM LED is red.

• It is normal that it takes up to 20 minutes to get the first GPS fix with new GPS receivers, or if you first use the GPS receiver at a completely different location ( for example in a different country) since the last time it was used. If you haven't travelled a long distance, however it should not take more than 3 minutes to get a valid GPS fix, indicated by a green GPS LED.
• It is also completely normal for the GPS LED to turn red momentarily when passing through an area with poor satellite visibility; such as in tunnels, under bridges, in underground parking areas or metropolitan areas with tall highrise buildings.

I have plugged in my external GPS receiver, but the GSM LED stays red.

• Make sure you have placed the GPS receiver in clear view of the sky, preferably on the middle of the dashboard or attached to the windscreen with the suction cup.
• In some vehicles, the windscreen design may interfere with GPS signal reception. In this case we recommend that you place the GPS receiver in a different location in the car. The base of the GPS receiver is magnetic, so you can safely place it on the roof of your vehicle for optimal results.

How do I prepare my Garmin™ Navigator for use with my GPS-Buddy Connect?

• The GPS-Buddy software is factory installed on all compatible Garmin™ models:
  
  
  • Nüvi 300-series
  • Nüvi 600-series
  • Nüvi 700-series
  • C500 and C300 series
  • StreetPilot series
  • Zümo series
• Just connect your Garmin? to the Connect using the appropriate cable, and the software will pop up on the Garmin's? screen, ready to use. Make sure you have updated your Garmin™ Navigator with the latest firmware to ensure optimal results.

I have plugged in my Garmin™ Navigator to my Connect, but the Garmin? does not get power. The NAV light is not lit, and the Garmin? shows the message “The serial device is not responding.”

• Make sure the data cable is properly connected to the Connect and the Garmin?.
• The car cigar lighter socket may not be powered. Many vehicles only provide power when engine is running.  Please turn on the engine.
• The Connect may not be properly inserted in the vehicle's cigar lighter socket, or the socket does not provide an adequate fit for the Connect's plug.
• Your Connect's battery may need to be charged. Please refer to the Power section of the FAQ for instructions

I have plugged in my Garmin™ Navigator to my Connect and it gets power but it is not connecting. The NAV light is not lit, and the Garmin? shows the message “The serial device is not responding.”

• Make sure the data cable is properly connected to the Connect and the Garmin?.
• Disconnect the Garmin™ Navigator from the Connect, and switch it off. Then connect the Garmin™ Navigator back to the Connect and wait a few seconds.
• Your Connect's battery may need to be charged. Please refer to the Power section of the FAQ for instructions.

Is there a limit for messaging or other communications?

• No, all data traffic – including messaging and all other communication features in the GPS-Buddy software on the Garmin? – are included in your Web Services subscription. A one-year unlimited full-access subscription is included with all new Connects.

Do I have to connect the external GPS when I have connected a Garmin™ Navigator?

• Some Garmin™ Navigator models can feed their GPS information to the Connect. These models are:
  
  
  • Nüvi 600-series (only with software version 4.20 or higher)
  • Nüvi 700-series
• When connected to any of the above models, the Connect will automatically receive its GPS location information from the Garmin™ Navigator if the external GPS receiver is disconnected.
• It is recommended to always connect the external GPS to ensure continuous accurate data, especially when your Garmin™ Navigator is switched off or disconnected.