Garmin E-Trex

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R

RogerHM

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Oct 5, 2008
62
Grampian 23 Bobcaygeon ON
I think that's the spelling? Legend model: Tried to use it yesterday; it came on for about 2 minutes then the screen went blank, except for a thin blue line running lengthways.
Installed new batteries, and the same thing happened. Also it wouldn't turn OFF, unless I removed a battery??? Checked "Trouble Shoot", nothing there. :confused:
Any suggestions will be much appreciated... Roger, over...
 
M

Mel Elliott

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Feb 15, 2007
47
Macgregor 26D Gautier
Garmin Etrex

That's a fairly old unit. You would probably have better luck on their website.
 
sailaway78

sailaway78

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May 11, 2005
3,431
Seidelman S37 Slidell, La.
Check the archives

Ross had the blue line problem with a Garmin hand held not long ago. Don't remember what he did, but he did manage to get it working. It will be in the archives. Wasn't long ago.
 
caguy

caguy

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Sep 22, 2006
4,004
Catalina, Luger C-27, Adventure 30 Marina del Rey
Mine shuts off too, for saving battery.

Mine doesn't leave a blue line however. The factory default is too short, very annoying. If I remember correctly it can be adjusted. Haven't screwed with it in a while. I only use it for geocaching with the grandkids and as a backup. It came in handy coming back to Long Beach from Catalina once. It is an unfamiliar port to me. When I left Angel's Gate four day earlier I forgot to look back for land marks. When I returned just using a heading I hit my mark but had no idea where in the Harbor was the launch ramp. I manged to locate the Queen Mary with the Venture and subsequently the ramp. The QM as big as she is was hidden behind a stack of cargo bins. BTW: You have to hold the on/off button down for a couple of seconds for it to shut off.I may have the old manual at home. If I do I will PDF it for you and send via email.Frank
 
ITMaster

ITMaster

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Jun 19, 2004
512
Catalina 387 Hull # 24 Port Charlotte, Florida
It will cost you about

$90 to send it back to Garmin and have them refurbish it. In all actuality, you will get a unit back with a different serial number, but it will be like brand new, except refurbished, which in essence is pretty much the same. I looked at the cost of replacement vs. the $90 and opted for the lessor expense.

Good luck, Tom
 
Phil V25

Phil V25

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May 26, 2004
204
Macgregor Venture 25 Trailer Sailor
Garmin GPS new

ITMaster said:
$90 to send it back to Garmin and have them refurbish it. In all actuality, you will get a unit back with a different serial number, but it will be like brand new, except refurbished, which in essence is pretty much the same. I looked at the cost of replacement vs. the $90 and opted for the lessor expense.

Good luck, Tom
Click to expand
You can get a Brand New one for $119 from the GPS Store (sorry Phil, you didn't list any). I would replace mine, if I needed one, with the same one. I have used mine for four seasons with no problems.
 
Tim R.

Tim R.

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May 27, 2004
3,626
Caliber 40 Long Range Cruiser Portland, Maine
Repair not the same as buying new

If you opt to have Garmin repair the unit, they will transfer the serial number for any mapping products you own. If you buy new, they will not.

There are 2 causes for this problem. A firmware upgrade resolves this. Goto the garmin website for the update. you will need a serial cable to connect the GPS to your PC.

Another reason is a cold solder joint. Mine will do this because of a loose connection on the screen. Gently twisting the unit will help.
 
S

Steve W (NY)

Try upgrading the firmware

go to the gamin site and follow the instructions on upgrading the firmware. My older GPS76map was doing the same thing and the firmware fix fixed it.

Take Care,
Steve
 
Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Re: Try upgrading the firmware

Take the batteries out and reinstall them. Then go into the menu and disable WAAS. We had this discussion again just last week. I think it was a thread by Manny this time.
 
R

RogerHM

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Oct 5, 2008
62
Grampian 23 Bobcaygeon ON
Re: Try upgrading the firmware

WOW!! Thanks sooooooo much Guys! I'll follow up with Garmin; I have the PC connection, and I'll try the WAAS(?) thing. The world is great & this Site's the GREATEST! Thank y'all, eh :) Roger
 
ITMaster

ITMaster

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Jun 19, 2004
512
Catalina 387 Hull # 24 Port Charlotte, Florida
Just Found This At Latitude 38 Site

Wassup with WAAS?

October 8, 2008 – Planet Earth
If you've experienced odd problems with your GPS lately, you're not alone. A number of sailors have reported that after booting up their GPS recently, the screen simply goes blank.
According to several cruisers in-the-know, the problem has to do with a recently launched satellite whose software affects GPS units which employ the WAAS protocol.
While we have not yet had confirmation from manufacturers, word on the docks is that the quick fix is for affected users to simply disable WAAS from within their unit's set-up menu. But that's a band-aid approach, of course. The complete fix will occur when users download new software from their unit's manufacturer. However, in some cases, we're told, that software may not be quite ready for distribution. Obviously, those affected should check with their GPS suppliers for a more detailed explanation.
- latitude / at
​
Just thought that I'd pass it along, should take a little of the mystery out of it.​


​
 
Ross

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
ITMaster said:
Wassup with WAAS?

October 8, 2008 – Planet Earth
If you've experienced odd problems with your GPS lately, you're not alone. A number of sailors have reported that after booting up their GPS recently, the screen simply goes blank.
According to several cruisers in-the-know, the problem has to do with a recently launched satellite whose software affects GPS units which employ the WAAS protocol.
While we have not yet had confirmation from manufacturers, word on the docks is that the quick fix is for affected users to simply disable WAAS from within their unit's set-up menu. But that's a band-aid approach, of course. The complete fix will occur when users download new software from their unit's manufacturer. However, in some cases, we're told, that software may not be quite ready for distribution. Obviously, those affected should check with their GPS suppliers for a more detailed explanation.
- latitude / at​

Just thought that I'd pass it along, should take a little of the mystery out of it.​
Click to expand
When I first encountered the problem, (about a year ago), I bought a cable (serial port) to interface my GPS and my computer and downloaded all of Garmins up grades. It didn't help. So on advise from a Garmin phone tech I disabled WAAS and have had no trouble since. I can't detect any difference in the accuracy of the unit but I am not directing artillary fire or doing any land surveying.
 
ITMaster

ITMaster

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Jun 19, 2004
512
Catalina 387 Hull # 24 Port Charlotte, Florida
I'm With You On That Ross

about not serving as an FO for an artillary battery. Strange, I haven't had the problem yet, I'm sure that now I will. I have usually plugged mine in with the serial port connector and gone to their Web Site for an update. I thought.
At least now if I have a problem, I can disable the WAAS instead of even wasting my time with them. Thanks for the tip:)

Tom
 
R

RogerHM

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Oct 5, 2008
62
Grampian 23 Bobcaygeon ON
Re: Just Found This At Latitude 38 Site

Thanks ITM, printed yer advice and will now try to disable WAAS. What I found of interest is that indoors I have NO PROB. But outdoors in a few minutes I'm Blue-lined. Makes sense in my ignorance of things :)

If I can't disable, I'll call Garmin... Thanks again for ALL advice. Roger
 
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