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Paul, those threads appear to deal with a bug or idiosynchracy in one model 
from one source (the Magellan Sportrak) and evn then there is some question 
about whether the problem just revolves around one firmware level or upgrade.

The only solid information that I have found is that a properly functioning 
GPS does not get "all" information instantly. In my literally fevered mind I 
recall that there is a master string which is only broadcast something like 
once every 14 minutes that contains data the GPSes need in order to ensure 
full accuracy. Therefore, any GPS which has just been turned on is 
suspect--simply because it has not necessarily had time to read the full 
string unless it has been running for at least 15 minutes. Let's say 1/2 hour 
in order to ensure the string was read fully and clearly at least once out of 
two passes.

IIRC that string contains the latest correction/update information and "how 
necessary" it is depends on what has changed since the last time the GPS was 
running, if anything. But in the case of my antique Garmin 12XL, I make a 
habit to check the displayed GPS time versus my chronometer time, which is 
usually set to the USNO master source via the internet the night or day 
before. They both hack--exactly--within the 1 second that I consider to just 
be "push the button" timing error.

Given a "known good" GPS and the proper initialization time, I think the 
accuracy of GPS display time is going to be immaterial as compared to 
anything less than having an actual master time source with you. After all, 
it IS obtaining that time display from 16 atomic clocks.

   

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