GPS - a salutary lesson...

[Martyn]

Just dug out the old GPS to program some routes.

The unit is about 5 months old and is Garmins flagship model for serious handheld outdoor use, the GPSmap 62st, with a rrp of £399.99 plus maps.

The unit ran for a bit then the screen just faded and went out. I thought the battery had died, but I got no warnings. Anyway, swapped the battery ...several times. Now all it does is this....

[video=youtube;8o0XvuYa5Ao]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8o0XvuYa5Ao[/video]

Good job it happened at home and not halfway up a foggy hillside.

Never rely on a GPS!!!!

 

[Retired Member southey]

Ooof, that's not good matey, still in warranty?

 

[Martyn]

Ooof, that's not good matey, still in warranty?

Absolutely. In fact this is a replacement as the first one had data transfer issues and eventually the internal maps all vanished. Flaky kit. The old ones were bomb proof, but I have lost confidence in this model.

The main point though, this is a Garmin unit for outdoor professionals - top of the line kit - it supposedly doesnt get better. Supposedly. Dont rely on em folks.

 

[dave53]

you cant beat a map and compass as long as you know how to use them regards dave ps i need lessons lol

 

[Martyn]

The thing is, I've been using Garmin GPS units for years and never had one fail on me - this is the first time - only needs to be once though.

They are great things and far too easy to become dependant on. Dont let it happen.

 

[bilmo-p5]

The thing is, I've been using Garmin GPS units for years and never had one fail on me - this is the first time - only needs to be once though.

They are great things and far too easy to become dependant on. Dont let it happen.

So, might you have relied upon it on a foggy hillside had it not malfunctioned beforehand?

 

[Shewie]

Not good, hope you get it sorted

That's a lot of brass for something that doesn't work, I carry a SatMap as a backup to map and compass but it rarely get's turned on.

 

[ged]

There's probably some 'factory reset' incantation, like hold the power button down for three seconds, say a couple of Hail Marys and then drop it in a bucket of wet compost. I bet it's in the manual.

Even when they seem to be working they need to be treated with suspicion. A couple of years ago when the Lytham St. Anne's Lifeboat was out on a shout, their GPS was telling them they were on the steps of Blackpool Town Hall...

 

[Martyn]

It's pwr+enter+page buttons pressed together. Tried it about 30 times.

 

[Stew]

Be careful! That key combo 31 times is the code for self destruct!!

 

[ged]

It's pwr+enter+page buttons pressed together. Tried it about 30 times.

Sounds like a warranty claim then.

 

[marcusleftthesite]

You should join British Blades,one of the chaps over there works for Garmin I believe,chap called Andylaser

 

[Martyn]

It's magically started to work this morning. I just left it overnight with the batteries out so any capacitors could properly discharge and it seems to have done the trick. Just done a factory reset.

Seems to be working fine now.

 

[Martyn]

So, might you have relied upon it on a foggy hillside had it not malfunctioned beforehand?

Difficult to answer (honestly). I know the rules and always have, but I suspect like many people, I am guilty of being a bit lax sometimes. For example, if I'm going out for the day, I will just stick it in my jacket. More often than not I dont need it, or a map or compass for that matter. But having the gps could tempt me to push things a bit further than I would without. The previous reliability I have experienced with them (my old Garmin GPSmap 60cs has never missed a beat), does tend to build confidence. If you have used something without problems for ages, then you (or I) do tend to drop your guard.

 

[Mikey P]

I've found the Garmin eTrex to be exceptionally reliable all over the world so was sorry to hear about the problems you're having. Hope you get it sorted!