Garmin GPS stops working
Submitted: Tuesday, Aug 25, 2009 at 00:00
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bobclog
Hi there, I have a garmin Etrex vista HCx, which was chewing through batteries so I hooked it up to a USB cigarette lighter socket. After using it for a couple of weeks everything went fine. However last week it was working fine and then just stopped. I removed it from the cradle and 12 v power and replaced the dry cells with new and it started to work. I then plugged it back into the 12v power and it turned off. I removed it again and it started on the batteries. However each time I connected it up to the 12v ciggy plug it turned off. After several goes at swapping it finally gave up the gost and will not turn on at all. I have checked the batteries and they are full volts (1.5). this unit is only just over 12 months old. Any suggestions.
Reply By: Member - joc45 (WA) - Tuesday, Aug 25, 2009 at 08:45
Tuesday, Aug 25, 2009 at 08:45
I recall that the warranty on Garmins sold by GME have a 2-yr warranty in Aust. With this technology, there's not much you can do to fix these things outside a properly set up
test facility.
I can sympathise - I still have an old GPS2+, and decided to update the internal software, carefully following the instructions. All was going
well, as the screen indicated first software connection update, deleting data, then "comms failure". That was it! From then it wouldn't talk, and neither could GME get it to talk. And it was out of warranty. In the end, they offered me a re-furb unit with later software for about half what I paid for the original. So I still have it but as a backup.
Gerry
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380393
Follow Up By: bobclog - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 14:05
Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 14:05
Hi there and thanks for your comments. I bought the unit on ebay form Simons Megastore. I have tried the net to see if I can get contact details to find out what warranty they supply, but can not get contact details yet.
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647908
Reply By: JohnF56 - Tuesday, Aug 25, 2009 at 14:56
Tuesday, Aug 25, 2009 at 14:56
The thing with Garmin and their batteries is annoying. I have a garmin GP72. After a lot of mucking about, similar to your story, in the end, I discovered the issue is that the batteries have to be properly connected.
When I plug into the 12V, it sometimes worked, or not. The batteries get loose, and the unit will switch off, even though it's plugged into the 12V. I discovered this whilst off-road, and with all the bumping about, the batteries got loose in their cage, and the unit stopped working.
I solved the problem, by simply opening the cover for the batteries, folded a thin sheet of cardboard a couple of times, and shoved it in over the batteries, and under the cover lid, and snapped it back in, to hold the batteries firmly in place.
Never had a problem since.
So much for manufacturer designs.
AnswerID:
380435
Follow Up By: bobclog - Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 14:09
Wednesday, Aug 26, 2009 at 14:09
Hi there JohnF56, thanks for your comments. Not sure about your unit but the batteries in the etrex vista are very firmly in place and are actually hard to insert and remove as it is a tight fit. Good
check to do, but I am sure that is not the issue.
Thanks for your help.
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