SmartKey Interference with Aftermarket GPS?

sambagrrl07 · 07-15-2007, 01:21 PM

I just took delivery on my new 2007 Touring Prius, which came with the SmartKey System. While driving home from the dealer, I tried to use my Garmin nuvi 350 to navigate, but it recalculated the route every few seconds and could not seem to figure out where I was. The nuvi had been used with no problems in an ancient Toyota Camry, so I doubt the problem lies with the GPS.

I had the nuvi mounted on the front windshield in the center.

Has anyone else had this problem? Would moving the GPS help? Or does the SmartKey transponder interfere so much that I will have to get an external antenna?

qbee42 · 07-15-2007, 01:27 PM

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE(sambagrrl07 @ Jul 15 2007, 01:21 PM) [snapback]479138[/snapback]</div>

Quote:

I just took delivery on my new 2007 Touring Prius, which came with the SmartKey System. While driving home from the dealer, I tried to use my Garmin nuvi 350 to navigate, but it recalculated the route every few seconds and could not seem to figure out where I was. The nuvi had been used with no problems in an ancient Toyota Camry, so I doubt the problem lies with the GPS.

I had the nuvi mounted on the front windshield in the center.

Has anyone else had this problem? Would moving the GPS help? Or does the SmartKey transponder interfere so much that I will have to get an external antenna?
[/b]

I will be surprised if the SKS has anything to do with your problems. Just to be sure, you can turn off the SKS by pressing the button under the steering wheel.

It's more likely that you are getting interference from the electrical system. You may need a choke in the power lead.

Tom

biphnest · 07-15-2007, 01:30 PM

My Nuvi 350 works fine in my 2006 with smartkey.

rigormortis · 07-15-2007, 03:42 PM

its been my expierence that SiRFstarIII are more suspectible to inference then previous antenna/chipsets. try relocating the unit away from the suspected source of the interference, or get like what you suggested a external antenna or some kind of cable. i have a SiRFstarIII for my laptop, the ms streets and trips 2007 module, and if i connect it directly to my laptops usb port i cant get anything out of it. if i use the included cable, then everything is fine.

also worth mentioning is that during initial power up, SiRFstarIII may require a 5 minute window to acquire the signal. you must remain motionless during it.

JayGoldstein · 07-18-2007, 04:56 PM

My nuvi 350 is mounted on top of the MFD. I've had no problems with the unit in the month I've owned it. BTW, do you have the antenna positioned parallel to the road surface?

Try phoning Garmin's support line and reporting your symptoms. I found their advice very helpful when the StreetPilot i5 I used to own began to take a very long time to acquire satellites. I was told how to reboot the system. That solved my problem. Hopefully, something as simple as that can solve yours.

unknownone · 07-18-2007, 05:21 PM

Hi,

I have the Nuvi 350 mounted to the Top left side of the MDF. There is a nice flat area just before the MDF to mount it.. I haven't' had any problems with it and the sks. The only time, I had it do the recalculating was when I missed a turn. Could it be because the SKS receiver is in that hump thing you attached the Nuvi to? Also isn't it dangerous to have the nuvi mounted there? You have to take your eyes off the road to look at the Nuvi.

Only bad thing about the Nuvi 350, the suction cup mount detaches when the sun heats up the car inside.

07-15-2007, 01:30 PM	#3
biphnest Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 36 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: N/A Package: #8 Thanks: 5 Thanked 2 Times in 1 Post Friends: 0	My Nuvi 350 works fine in my 2006 with smartkey. Attached Thumbnails

07-18-2007, 05:21 PM	#6
unknownone Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 7 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	Hi, I have the Nuvi 350 mounted to the Top left side of the MDF. There is a nice flat area just before the MDF to mount it.. I haven't' had any problems with it and the sks. The only time, I had it do the recalculating was when I missed a turn. Could it be because the SKS receiver is in that hump thing you attached the Nuvi to? Also isn't it dangerous to have the nuvi mounted there? You have to take your eyes off the road to look at the Nuvi. Only bad thing about the Nuvi 350, the suction cup mount detaches when the sun heats up the car inside. __________________ 2007 Silver Prius With Option #2 & Add On Alarm

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07-15-2007, 01:21 PM	#1
sambagrrl07 Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 1 My Car: Model: Package: Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 0	I just took delivery on my new 2007 Touring Prius, which came with the SmartKey System. While driving home from the dealer, I tried to use my Garmin nuvi 350 to navigate, but it recalculated the route every few seconds and could not seem to figure out where I was. The nuvi had been used with no problems in an ancient Toyota Camry, so I doubt the problem lies with the GPS. I had the nuvi mounted on the front windshield in the center. Has anyone else had this problem? Would moving the GPS help? Or does the SmartKey transponder interfere so much that I will have to get an external antenna?

07-15-2007, 03:42 PM	#4
rigormortis Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: san jose, ca Posts: 1,313 My Car: 2007 Prius Model: Package: #5 Touring Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Friends: 1	its been my expierence that SiRFstarIII are more suspectible to inference then previous antenna/chipsets. try relocating the unit away from the suspected source of the interference, or get like what you suggested a external antenna or some kind of cable. i have a SiRFstarIII for my laptop, the ms streets and trips 2007 module, and if i connect it directly to my laptops usb port i cant get anything out of it. if i use the included cable, then everything is fine. also worth mentioning is that during initial power up, SiRFstarIII may require a 5 minute window to acquire the signal. you must remain motionless during it.

07-18-2007, 04:56 PM	#5
JayGoldstein Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Posts: 107 My Car: 2006 Prius Model: Package: B Thanks: 0 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Friends: 0	My nuvi 350 is mounted on top of the MFD. I've had no problems with the unit in the month I've owned it. BTW, do you have the antenna positioned parallel to the road surface? Try phoning Garmin's support line and reporting your symptoms. I found their advice very helpful when the StreetPilot i5 I used to own began to take a very long time to acquire satellites. I was told how to reboot the system. That solved my problem. Hopefully, something as simple as that can solve yours.