Bicycle-> GPSMap60Cx-> Shutoff problems

[+GOT GPS?]

Link to the video where I cause the Map60Cx to shutoff while in my left hand.

->

 

Yesterday I had done a 50 mile trip on my bicycle here in SE Michigan, and the GPS had shutoff with bumps in the gravel roads and sidewalk bumps, causing the GPS to shut off over 30 times in 7 hours of riding.

 

This was my second 50 mile bicycle ride in a couple of weeks, and the previous 50 mile ride the GPS performed well for the first half of the ride then started shutting off with lighter and lighter bumps more frequently.

 

I may actually try another video while on the bicycle.

 

The NiMH batteries had trouble maintaining a charge when full, but these batteries where quite tight in the GPS, but the alkalines were a bit shorter so I had to have some cardboard behind the battery terminals to apply enough pressure, when going over bumps like gravel in the road.

 

There are I believe a couple metal springs between the battery compartment and the main circuitboard in the GPS so these contacts against the circuitboard are what are giving me trouble like what is in my video above.

 

Do any of you have pictures of the insides of the Map60 series showing the metal contacts between the back of the battery compartment and the main circuitboard. Any pictures of the internals are welcomed in this thread.

 

Thanks

[chuckr30]

Your constant bumpiness may have cracked a circuit board. These units are not hardened for such abuse like on a bike. They are made for less bumpy situations like walking, driving, or on a boat.

[freeday]

Hi!

 

Seems to be the same problem. http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=132398

 

The gpsmap60-series is designed for MTB !!!

There are a lot of advertisements in MTB-magazines!!!

 

I thought it is a firmware problem. - Meanwhile i know it is a design problem of the gpsmap60-units and also the etrex-units seem to be similar (look at pic)

It seems to be cheaper to replace some units as to built a better new generation

Most people do not have that problems because it will only happen after some months of heavy use.

 

here are some pics according to the problem and also pics of a insight-view and solutions:

http://img78.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ba...kontakte3lx.jpg

http://www.instructables.com/id/ECIQ88584QEP287H52/

http://www.esnips.com/web/Garmin-GPSMAP-60CS-Inside-Views/

http://home.triad.rr.com/ralloh/Battery%20terminals.JPG

Do not make this mod yourself - contact Garmin to repair the unit

 

And this is the major problem - the unit loses contact on the marked position:

Sorry, i do not know the owner of the picture.

 

A lot of people in europe have the same problem - you are not alone

There were many discussions about that problem on a german forum (http://www.naviboard.de)

Edited August 29, 2007 by freeday

[rwsmith123]

Hi!

 

Seems to be the same problem. http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=132398

 

The gpsmap60-series is designed for MTB !!!

There are a lot of advertisements in MTB-magazines!!!

 

I thought it is a firmware problem. - Meanwhile i know it is a design problem of the gpsmap60-units and also the etrex-units seem to be similar (look at pic)

It seems to be cheaper to replace some units as to built a better new generation

Most people do not have that problems because it will only happen after some months of heavy use.

 

here are some pics according to the problem and also pics of a insight-view and solutions:

http://img78.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ba...kontakte3lx.jpg

http://www.instructables.com/id/ECIQ88584QEP287H52/

http://www.esnips.com/web/Garmin-GPSMAP-60CS-Inside-Views/

http://home.triad.rr.com/ralloh/Battery%20terminals.JPG

 

 

And this is the major problem - the unit loses contact on the marked position:

Sorry, i do not know the owner of the picture.

 

A lot of people in europe have the same problem - you are not alone

There were many discussions about that problem on a german forum (http://www.naviboard.de)

 

One link you gave has instructions to solder in a capacitor to solve the problem. Personally I would just solder a pair of wires from the spring connector to the pads.

[freeday]

One link you gave has instructions to solder in a capacitor to solve the problem. Personally I would just solder a pair of wires from the spring connector to the pads.

Yes, some guys already made this mod - and had no more problems

 

Do not make this mod yourself - contact Garmin to repair the unit

The mod looks like this

from: http://www.gpstracks.nl/forum/viewtopic.php?t=386

 

how to connect

source: http://img78.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ba...kontakte3lx.jpg

Do not make this mod yourself - contact Garmin to repair the unit

 

@GOT GPS?

now, you know why you have no problems with an external USB-power.

Edited August 29, 2007 by freeday

[wsmaal]

it is a design problem of the gpsmap60-units[/b] and also the etrex-units seem to be similar (look at pic)

 

Maybe is the trivial problem solved in the new eTrex H units?

[+Train_Man]

Wow I can't believe a company as good as Garmin would use contact pads rather than wires. I personally like the sounds of the capacitor idea . I tried the squeeze test on my 60CSx and it was fine, but I'll have to try one of these mods if I ever get problems

[freeday]

Maybe is the trivial problem solved in the new eTrex H units?

Insight pics of the new eTrex H series would be welcome. - I think they did not change it.

[+SparkyInCali]

I had the same problem on my 60csx when mounted to motorcycle I ended up just opening the case and bending the tabs back a little more so they would apply more pressure and have had no problmes for 6-8 months now

[wsmaal]

I think they did not change it.

 

Maybe the European eTrex H series are provided with contact wiring because they are much more expensive then the US models :-) F.i. the eTrex Legend Hcx costs in the US about 150 Euro and the cheapest in EU/NL 330 Euro. Serious; I think too that Garmin did not change it.

[freeday]

I think they did not change it.

 

Maybe the European eTrex H series are provided with contact wiring because they are much more expensive then the US models :-) F.i. the eTrex Legend Hcx costs in the US about 150 Euro and the cheapest in EU/NL 330 Euro. Serious; I think too that Garmin did not change it.

2 cables for 160 Euro - - cable for selling

[freeday]

I think they did not change it.

 

Maybe the European eTrex H series are provided with contact wiring because they are much more expensive then the US models :-) F.i. the eTrex Legend Hcx costs in the US about 150 Euro and the cheapest in EU/NL 330 Euro. Serious; I think too that Garmin did not change it.

2 cables for 180 Euro - - cable for selling - only 120,- Euro

[+SteveOr]

Hi!

 

...

And this is the major problem - the unit loses contact on the marked position:

Sorry, i do not know the owner of the picture.

 

A lot of people in europe have the same problem - you are not alone

There were many discussions about that problem on a german forum (http://www.naviboard.de)

 

Woo hoo, that's my GPS! Check this link.

 

I was on the first day of a 350 mile bike trip and at major bumps the screen faded out and the unit powered off. Extremely annoying. After much frustration thinking it was the battery contacts, I learned the problem was internal. My simple solution was to take the unit apart and apply some mineral oil to the contacts. Some suggested contact lube like that used on EKG contacts and such. But since I didn't have any of that lying around the house I used the nearest equivalent.

 

After nearly a year I've had no problems. I figure it isn't a permanent solution but since I know how to disassemble the unit, it won't be a problem if and when it starts up again.

[freeday]

Hello SteveOr!

 

Yes, it is your picture. GREAT PIC!!

Sorry, i saved it on my disk and did not remeber that it is yours.

I hope it is ok for you to share it one more time to help the people to find a workaround for that curious garmin-problem.

 

(If not, please let me know and i will delete it)

[+GOT GPS?]

I bought some jewelers screwdrivers back on saturday the 1st, and took apart the Map60Cx, and because the grip part of the screwdriver was not wide enough, it made it harder to remove the screws, so at least three screw posts had shattered. I needed a wide grippy handle so as not to damage the Map60Cx, but now the damage is done. I took a flathead screwdriver to bend the prongs back, but the only problem was that after removing the six screws it was still like trying to open a clam(not very far). After bending the prongs back, I had to scotch tape the GPS back together after only 4 screws went in all the way. Pieces of the screw posts had fallen out.

 

This GPS has always been a BIG HEADACHE, and always had power issues with cheaper batteries where the battery meter at the top of the screen would bounch up and down and shut off alot. Bought a new Map60CSx on the 2nd and there is a big difference where the new GPS keeps going on batteries that would fail in 3 hours or less than the older Map60Cx.

 

Map60Cx = Bad GPS (of course I had bought this just as it came on the market)

Map60CSx = Nice GPS

 

Going to call Garmin on what I can do with the Map60Cx that it is next to being toasted (lightly toasted)

[freeday]

do you have the same FW + GPS-FW on both systems?

[+GOT GPS?]

do you have the same FW + GPS-FW on both systems?

YES

 

-

My Map60Cx has always had issues with power, even before the bicycling troubles, it even has had Problems with lots of elevation gain and losses on flat running tracks, where TopoFusion would show me lots of elevation gain and losses. Map60CSx has had no issues so far, being only 2 days old now (in my hands). Map60CSx has a Born-On-Date of 6/24/2007 23:20:31 as indicated on the tracklog from the factory. Bought it at REI at $349 minus $39 (dividend).

 

Map60Cx: The Power issues when new may have been Receiver related, and Garmin even wanted my GPS back to look at, back in early 2006, but for some reason, I did not send it in, like a dummy.

Edited September 4, 2007 by GOT GPS?

[+GeoScooter1]

do you have the same FW + GPS-FW on both systems?

YES

 

-

My Map60Cx has always had issues with power, even before the bicycling troubles, it even has had Problems with lots of elevation gain and losses on flat running tracks, where TopoFusion would show me lots of elevation gain and losses. Map60CSx has had no issues so far, being only 2 days old now (in my hands). Map60CSx has a Born-On-Date of 6/24/2007 23:20:31 as indicated on the tracklog from the factory. Bought it at REI at $349 minus $39 (dividend).

 

Map60Cx: The Power issues when new may have been Receiver related, and Garmin even wanted my GPS back to look at, back in early 2006, but for some reason, I did not send it in, like a dummy.

 

My 60CSx was just sent back to Garmin for power issues that others having been having (according to a search on did on this forum). I purchased mine in late January and about one month ago, it became nearly impossible to turn on---took about 10 punches on the switch to turn it on. Now, I am having problems getting it to turn off which usually results in me removing the batteries. I have found if I can't turn it on after numerous attempts a wait of about 2 hrs usually results in better luck. This almost sounds like outside temperature issues, but it does this if it has been in the house all day.

 

I just sent it back today so we shall see what happens. Glad I still have my old Magellan SporTrak Map. I never had any problems with it.

[+SteveOr]

Hello SteveOr!

 

Yes, it is your picture. GREAT PIC!!

Sorry, i saved it on my disk and did not remeber that it is yours.

I hope it is ok for you to share it one more time to help the people to find a workaround for that curious garmin-problem.

 

(If not, please let me know and i will delete it)

 

Problem? Not at all. The photo was posted to help people who were bothered by the same issue. Funny thing is when I first saw the photo I wasn't even sure it was mine until I checked my previous posts.

 

GeoScooter1

I had a similar power button issue. After a really hard fall, the power button was unresponsive. I ended up taking the unit apart probably a dozen times in search of a remedy. I concluded the problem wasn't in the actual button as pushing the tiny one on the circuit board posed the same issues. I could get the unit to work properly for a little while and then it would just stop working again. I vaguely remember also reloading the firmware and doing a hard reset. Eventually the problem went away. It happened in the dead of winter so maybe it was moisture/condensation related.

[+seaf20]

man, that's some crazy stuff... i saw the video... are you sure you don't have some sort of implant on your left hand that might be causing this???

Edited February 7, 2008 by seaf20

[sakko]

I'm about to buy a Etrex Legend HCx do you think I will have problems on my bike? I could put it in my backpack for less shock...

[DavorF]

Maybe is the trivial problem solved in the new eTrex H units?

 

New eXtrex have problems with original bike-mount, it's seems that they are too heavy, and with lots of vibration on bike there is a real possibility to break back cover.

Edited February 7, 2008 by DavorF

[cruzbike]

I'm about to buy a Etrex Legend HCx do you think I will have problems on my bike? I could put it in my backpack for less shock...

 

I've used my etrex legend for 5 years now on my mountain bike and for the past year I have had to resort to clipping it to my camelback due to constantly turning off with bumps. I fought it for a while, putting shims made of inner tube strips in between the gaps of the battery cover. This worked for a while, or maybe I just thought it did. Anyhow I miss seeing my stats in front of me during my rides, but at least I have my data to review afterwards. I'm really digging the "trail.motionbased" website for reliving my rides! You have to checkout the "dot race" where you can enter your ride from different dates and see a race against yourself.

 

Cheers!

cruzbike

[+GOT GPS?]

Funny seeing my old thread get dug up from the past, about my messed up 60Cx.

 

I have not sent in my old 60Cx that I bought in Feb 2006, and it is still sitting in it's original box. This GPS was messed up from day one, with power issues and seemingly good batteries dying in the unit. My Map60CSx, purchased on Sept 2 2007, from REI, is working without flaw since that date. I have a weather application on my cellphone, and I grab the latest Barometric pressure reading from the cellphone, and the 60CSx works purfectly after that. Also I sometimes average my possition, then use that elevation to calibrate the barometric pressure. The 60CSx is so much more stable, than my old messed up 60Cx that I still have not gotten fixed, which would cost me between $160 to $175 to get fixed. Garmin may still have on record my original phone call of the problem in early 2006, so hopefully I can call them tomorrow about that GPS.

 

This experience is like the Colorado problems, where the early buyers are the ones more likely to have Colorados with buggy hardware and software.

 

going to get the old 60Cx fixed then get that one back in use as a backup, or for my sister or friend of mine.