Explorist 500, Defective?

[+SonicJenNtheZ's]

Well on startup it seams to be good, tracks 8-12 sats, no problem. I get a fix and the unit will work for an hour or so, but then it loses fix easily, and has a hard time keeping sats. I was with a friend with a sport trac... her's held sats all day!!!

 

Anyone else have an issue like this? Any suggestions?

[+CondorTrax]

You may have to have th ex500 "refind" it's almanac of satellites.

1. Go osutside and find a spot that allows you clear view of the sky. Avoid tree cover and buildings.

2. Restart the GPSr from the Menu-Preferences screen.

3. Once you've set-up the GPSr to your area let it sit outside for about 20 min or so.

 

This allows the almanac of satellites for your area to be memorized by the GPSr.

This should improve tracking.

[+embra]

If CondorTrax's suggestion doesn't do it, it might be worthwhile to clear memory/all and then go through the same process. That sometimes clears out a cobweb or two.

[+SonicJenNtheZ's]

I cleared all my tracks and routes today and after that it seamed to get a fix and track... I was thinking that might have been a fluke, though. I didn't get to play long after it fixed sats, but i will be able to play with it more tonight.

[+SonicJenNtheZ's]

After another day of no fix'ing, I reset everything. I set it in my driveway... I have 2.5 acres and there are no buildings in the area... clear sky... left it there for an hour and it didn't even locate any sats!!! I sent in a survice request with Magellan, so I am just waiting on them to return my request.

[+Night Stalker]

I had a similar problem with my first Garmin 60CS. I eventually sent it back and it was replaced with a unit that actually worked.

[+embra]

I cleared all my tracks and routes today and after that it seamed to get a fix and track... I was thinking that might have been a fluke, though. I didn't get to play long after it fixed sats, but i will be able to play with it more tonight.

This statement has me wondering if you deleted these things individually rather than using the menu/preferences/clear memory/all command or the hard reset (from the power off position press and hold simultaneously GOTO + OUT + POWER). These latter steps not only clear memory of data stored, but also return the unit to factory default settings.

 

If you did try the menu approach, it wouldn't hurt to try the hard reset, too. If you've done both, I'd be inclined to give up on it, too.

 

Leaving the unit out for an hour was a generous allocation...if you are feeling less patient on any subsequent trials, I think you can confidently quit after 15 or 20 minutes if you're not seeing any results.

[+SonicJenNtheZ's]

should I send it back to the place I bought it, or Magellan?

[+Team Cotati]

Give it one more chance, then if issues remain, return it promptly. Return it as specified by the seller from whom you purchased the unit. Good luck. "Cache on Garth!!"

[+SonicJenNtheZ's]

I tried the restart as suggested... 30 minutes later, nothin... it is packed up and headed back to compuplus as per their directions... just in time too.

[+CowlesCachers]

Sure wish this thread was here on the 14th when I bought the explorist500 from the same dealer. I will report back on how mine works.... At least it is already shipped so they don't just send me yours..

[+bones10]

I got one from the same dealer, and it appears to be ok. I watched it track my position into work the first morning I had it.

 

- bones

[+sorlipm]

Hey, i have a 600 and its working great after i did the upgrade. Can anyone tell me how to upload geocaches from mapsend, it only does waypoints and Pois

Try the upgrade and seee if that works

[vagabond]

I tried the restart as suggested... 30 minutes later, nothin... it is packed up and headed back to compuplus as per their directions... just in time too.

Thats where I bought my 500 in july and its found almost 900 caches with no problems, and its even better with the latest firmware

[+SonicJenNtheZ's]

yeah, it's not a dealer issue, I think I got a lemon. It was wierd it started tracking fine at first, then got worse... and worse and now it won't even locate itself!!! On the purchase side, Cumpuplus was great. It appears they will be great with the exchange too, but we will see in a couple days!!!

[+CowlesCachers]

I got my 500 from Comp-U-Plus yesterday. Everything seemed to be fine until I installed a SD card, then it wouldn't power up. I put it in my friends Meridian Color and it worked fine. I put his card in my 500 and again it wouldn't power on. Sent an email to Comp-U-Plus. I will let you know how it works out.

 

On the purchase side, Cumpuplus was great. It appears they will be great with the exchange too, but we will see in a couple days!!!

Did you get your unit back yet? Did they make you pay to ship it back?

 

Edited for spelling and added quote.

Edited January 24, 2006 by CowlesCachers