I'm having issues that I understand others are having as well. I don't think there is anyone out there with an N810 that quickly connects to GPS. Mine rarely connects ever after searching for 10+ mins. So I'm starting this thread to hopefully collect some tips that people use to help their GPS link up.

My first connection ever took a good 20 minutes. I was actually driving when I let it set up. It finds the satellites first...then takes its time locking into three or four of them.

Subsequent uses of the GPS has it locked in about 4 minutes after activating it. So for now, I turn on the GPS as I head out the door to the car. By the time I get into the car, its locked in.

I use the 'map' program that came with the N810.

You must have a long walk to your car. My problem is that the GPS is never ready when I need it and that means I have to modify my lifestyle to fit my device, rather than it servicing my needs. I now carry my Holux M-1000 around with me everywhere...because the GPS units in my N95 and N810 don't cut it. The GPS on the N810 is embarrassingly poor performing and this fact is getting around to those who read reviews before purchasing. Unfortunately, the general buying public just sees the bullet point on the side of the box or the paragraph blurb direct from Nokia's marketing department on sites like Engadget. I am convinced that many features such as the camera get thrown into the tablets just for marketing sake, with no resolute intention to implement those features well on either the software or hardware side of things.

Same here but N800, can not get a lock on in less than 30mins. Total kak.
Yes the Bluetooth GPS box is fine with other devices, OS2008 re-flashed far too many times now!!
Garbage software interface.

I think the problem is the poor GPS hardware they use in the N810. For me it was one of the main buying reasons. However, I am very disappointed with the GPS.

Install bt-plugin to see if the problem is with your N810 unit, gps chip or navigation software.
Old N770 work just fine with bt gps devices.
What you call fix is internal application run by bt gps device.
So you can easily find out if your bt gps device already got fix, identified by flashing a led.
So test your N810 against external bt gps device first to see everything works fine than switch to internal gps chip/gps software.

Darius

i have an n810 , and the longest lock on time ive ever had outside or in a car is about 1 min 45 secs.... hell i once got a lock on in less than a minute in the middle of a thunderstorm

Few points what peoples tend to forget, when they use this miraculous GPS technology with Sirf III synonym in their minds. So, when powering GPS up, it's important to understand few facts which really help GPS receiver to perform well and produce valid fix;

1. GPS needs to get clear view to sky (handheld device is always in secondary role, when compared to bluetooth devices, which can be put far front in car).

2. This view should no be blocked by moving GPS receiver around, or wondering by yourself in view of satellites. Some window material is also very efficient to block these GPS signals. This becomes an issue, when GPS is used with old ephemerides data, since downloading ephes from satellites takes continuous, non interrupted flow of GPS information frames, each 30 s long. This is typical 'fast guy' syndrome, when user looks at display of device for few seconds and while it seems that nothing is happening, he takes devices and shakes it (at least) while wondering why Nokia crap is not working.

3. Keep receiver still. Driving and wondering around keeps blocking that very important phase of ephe downloading and it's very likely that it will never succeed.

4. When you have spent over 4 hours (or so) without GPS on, you have to understand that satellites in view and old ephes are non valid for warm start. Keep this in mind.

I'd like to point out that people need to realise that the GPS in the n810 is never going to be as good as an external GPS, however:

1. If you have your N810 positioned just off the windscreen of your car, (I swapped the holding bit with the stuff from my n800 nav kit :-) ) then it should pick up GPS signals far far quicker.
2. If you use GPS a hell of a lot or need to seriously rely on it, it is worth buying a good external bluetooth GPS
3. The internal GPS really struggles inside, if I use an external bluetooth then it picks up my location immediately.

Cheers,

Malc

DO NOT MOVE until it achieves lock.

Every time I walk out of my house and try to get a lock while walking it takes up to 10 minutes to lock.

If I set it on my porch while I put on my coat it locks in a minute if it's not been "moved" a long distance.

Example of long distance, drove 200 miles with it off, it took a loooong time to lock on next morning.

Example of short time - last used two days ago, put it on my porch at 0952, achieved lock by 0953.