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Marvin Hlavac
Canada
6817 Posts |
 Posted - 11 juin 2005 : 22:08:22
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Here is German to English translation:
Holux firmware update for the Holux GR 236. This firmware update is not available publicly, since an error when updating may destroy the Gr-236. Note: Only few of over 1,000 of the GR 236 GPS receivers already delivered in Germany benefit from the update and/or are affected by malfunctionings of the old firmware. If your Holux GR 236 functions perfectly, there is no reason to update. The update contains the following fixed:
- BT connection problems
- time for first fix
- quality of fix
- battery problems
To accomplish the update, send us your Holux GR 236 in a sufficiently stamped and insured package. Send to us please only the GPS receiver without accessories or original packing. Mechanically defective devices are not repaired by us. Please contact us by telephone by email or, in order to examine whether such an update is possible for your unit. We will ship your Holux GR 236 back to you immediately after a successful update and functional inspection.
Marvin Hlavac - Toronto, Canada |
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Dat Ei
39 Posts |
Posted - 11 juin 2005 : 22:14:45
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The latest firmware version is V5. All GR-236s, which are shipped at the moment, have this firmware version. Only a few of the first batch need an update.
Regards
Dat Ei
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altden2002
93 Posts |
Posted - 11 juin 2005 : 22:17:41
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I think SIRF, Holux and retailers should do better job communicating which devices are affected and which aren't. I want to buy new sirf3 device, but i would hate to buy new BT GPS and have to send it back for upgrade the next day.
For that reason I have posponed my sirf3 purchase (and advised my friends to do the same) until more info is available. The ball is in Holux's court now.
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Dat Ei
39 Posts |
Posted - 11 juin 2005 : 23:20:46
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As I wrote, there are only a few units of the first batch affected by the problem. In the meanwhile I had a talk to a german dealer about my 3h max. operating time. He gave me the advice to contact my dealer to replace my unit. In his eyes my unit must be faulty. Even under bad circumstances and conditions they achieved 7-9h operating time, and 13.5h under good conditions.
Regards
Dat Ei |
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Marvin Hlavac
Canada
6817 Posts |
Posted - 12 juin 2005 : 00:12:39
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Do you achieve the 3 hours only when you use car charger or also when you use wall charger?
Marvin Hlavac - Toronto, Canada |
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Dat Ei
39 Posts |
Posted - 12 juin 2005 : 00:26:12
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Hey Marvin,
I've achieved the 3h with the wall charger. I'll do a last test before I return the mouse to my dealer and use a battery fully charged by my Nokia mobile phone.
Dat Ei |
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permutations
12 Posts |
Posted - 12 juin 2005 : 06:28:22
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I checked the version of my firmware, and it was 3.3 (3.x - pretty sure it was 3.3). That's why I had ALL the above problems (1-2 hour battery life on a full charge, 20+ minutes time to fix, easily losing the fix).
I had written to Holux about this, and do you think they said ANYTHING about these problems being due to a firmware issue? No. I even specifically asked about a firmware update, and was told this:
"We don’t have plan on updating firmware recently, and end user won’t be able to update firmware at user’s end due to the fact that your unit might become defective during the update process."
This, despite that the device is *advertised* as flashable with a serial cable.
I'm disgusted. I'm glad I returned it for a refund. I'm not impressed with the way they do business.
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Dat Ei
39 Posts |
Posted - 12 juin 2005 : 10:56:41
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I've done a last test and used my GR-236 with a battery, which I've charged with my Nokia mobile phone and the Nokia wall charger. The operating time of the GR-236 with that battery was nearly 2h - too bad. So I can exclude a faulty Holux wall charger or a faulty charge management within the GR-236.
One thing, I've always noticed with my GR-236 is, that it is getting real warm in use. What about the GR-236 of users, that reach 10h or more operating time? Is your GR-236 getting warm?
Dat Ei |
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Marvin Hlavac
Canada
6817 Posts |
Posted - 12 juin 2005 : 16:34:16
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Mine isn't. I never paid any attention to the temperature of the unit because I never noticed anything out of the ordinary, but now I tested it for you. I turned the unit on two hours ago, but I cannot feel any temperature increase. I even opened the battery door and touched the battery itself, but still I cannot feel even a bit of temperature increase.
Marvin Hlavac - Toronto, Canada |
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Dat Ei
39 Posts |
Posted - 12 juin 2005 : 17:27:33
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Thanks Marvin! After all my tests your posting is the last missing piece of my puzzle - my GR-236 is definitely faulty. Shortest operating time, I've read anywhere in the web, although I've tested with different batteries and chargers, and in conjunction with a warm unit, while the ones of other users stay cool. I will inform my dealer tommorow and ask for an exchange or return.
Thanks again!
Dat Ei |
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permutations
12 Posts |
Posted - 12 juin 2005 : 19:16:43
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Mine got extremely hot - I thought that was an element of the battery problem. I returned mine for a refund. It was useless - 1-2 hour battery life, 20+ minutes to fix (and sometimes not at all). I'll buy in 6-12 months when they've sorted this out.
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TimW
309 Posts |
Posted - 13 juin 2005 : 08:23:12
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| sn 51500019 here, pretty sure I was in the first North American batch from Semsons. How does that SN compare to those who also have batt and fix problems? |
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bmwe30is
8 Posts |
Posted - 13 juin 2005 : 08:23:39
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Sorry to hear everyone's troubles with the Holux unit. I purchased mine last week. I believe it came with the new firmware and I've had no problems with the unit.
I've been using iGuidance software, HP iPaq 5550, and a Sandisk 1GB SD card to hold maps.
Just try to add a positive note to everyone's negative experiences.
- Jonathan
HP iPaq 5550 PPC
Sandisk 1gb SD |
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Dat Ei
39 Posts |
Posted - 13 juin 2005 : 09:17:03
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Hey Tim,
I've just shipped my GR-236 for an exchange, but if I remember right my SN was something like 51500259.
Dat Ei |
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Dat Ei
39 Posts |
Posted - 13 juin 2005 : 09:22:34
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Hey Jonathan,
thanks for your sympathy, but a faulty gps mouse isn't a too big problem for me. Everything you can wipe off with money and patience is a small problem...
Have a nice day!
Dat Ei |
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