+Airmapper Posted January 2, 2006 Share Posted January 2, 2006 I have a Lowrance AirMap 500 (i-Finder Pro w/ Aviation features.), and a Garmin GPS 72. The AirMap has failed me 3-4 times, but the GPS 72 has not. (Yet.) This experience just brings a question to mind, does a more complex unit have more problems than a simple one. I would think that the more complex unit, that interfaces with a computer (through transferring files via SD card) would simply have more opportunities to fail. The Garmin GPS 72 has never been linked to a computer (Cause I haven't bought it a cord yet.) but has also never failed me. It is a simple unit, therefore having less "guts" and supposedly fewer chances for corruption. So basically my question is: Does more advanced mean more problems, and vice versa? Quote Link to comment
+hogrod Posted January 2, 2006 Share Posted January 2, 2006 I would say the answer to your question is no. just compare a explorist 100 and a 600, the less features of the 100 are not going to make the unit have less chance of having errors, actually this comparison the 100 would be more likly to fail. why you ask? because if a bug is discovered with both units the 600 could receive a firmware update, and since the 100 has no pc connection you would be stuck with a bug. I have use many different gpsr and really could only see a unit with sensors(compass and barometer) having more problems. map data could become corrupt but that would be fixed by uploading the area again. a better queston would be what do you mean by failed? did the unit loose signal or did it die on you? Quote Link to comment
+Alan2 Posted January 2, 2006 Share Posted January 2, 2006 Only the mfr's because of their waranty poilicy could give us a better handle on relative repair rate between models. But they're not talking! Beside that I agree with hogrod that electronically, equipmnet complexity shouldn't matter too much. Most of the "thinking" goes on in one chip anyway. It's the mechanical parts that fail - like the the operational buttons or the cable connectors get dirty, the screen broken, case leaks, altimeter's pressure port gets clogged, etc. Electronics unless it fails right away is usually good for years and years. Quote Link to comment
+GOT GPS? Posted January 2, 2006 Share Posted January 2, 2006 Complexity of Hardware and the software is at issue, when a product is rushed to the market place, but a GPS, Like the Garmin 12 XL that has been on the market since 1997 or earlier, is a very reliable GPS unit. Funny how you can still buy these antiques , which date back to the time of the Magellan 4000XL 12-Channel GPS that I had. The more stuff that is jammed inside a GPS like sensors, the more that could go wrong, so that is why I have a 60C and not 60CS, but the Meridian Platinum was the best Magellan I've ever owned, and never gave me any trouble. Geoff Quote Link to comment
arthurking83 Posted January 2, 2006 Share Posted January 2, 2006 I think it's luck of the draw with electronics! My Lowrance AccuMap Sport hasn't given any trouble in 10 years, but my magellan 2000 didn't either in the same period, nor my Meridian in the last 6 months........... But my TV did! Unpacked the 60kg monster on my own! Hit it very hard various times to get sound working, on my own! Re-packed it, on my own! Took it back, and got the replacement the same day, on my own?? The second(same unit) has been running for a year, no problems! Why? Just the luck of the draw!! Quote Link to comment
+GOT GPS? Posted January 2, 2006 Share Posted January 2, 2006 I think it's luck of the draw with electronics! Unpacked the 60kg monster on my own! Hit it very hard various times to get sound working, on my own! Re-packed it, on my own! Took it back, and got the replacement the same day, on my own?? The second(same unit) has been running for a year, no problems! Why? Just the luck of the draw!! At least you didn't try the hammer method right into the screen, then it really would have been hard to exchange at the store. Quote Link to comment
+GrnXnham Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 (edited) So basically my question is: Does more advanced mean more problems, and vice versa? Tough question. I don't believe that there is any hard data out there comparing GPSr reliability. I think all you can get here is anecdotal evidence of reliability, which may or may not be accurate. Edited January 3, 2006 by GrnXnham Quote Link to comment
+GOT GPS? Posted January 3, 2006 Share Posted January 3, 2006 (edited) Better shock protection is really needed on those AirMapper GPS units, and any GPS with a memory card. Electronics can get defective when the GPS unit is dropped or shocked too much, and a connection in the electronic circuitry may break. This can even happen if the GPS is shocked too much before you even get the GPS from the store. Here is my list of defective GPS units: Magellan 4000XL <---- Just the battery door, POOR DESIGN. Magellan ColorTrack <---Early shipment suffered from internal components broken away from the case. Etrex Vista <--- Never got a good signal, probabley due to bad solder connection in the antenna. Garmin GPS III <---- Bad connection to basemap, and it went poof on the first day. Others were software issues. Edited January 3, 2006 by GOT GPS? Quote Link to comment
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