Garmin Colorado Roller - Rocker Issues

January 23, 2008

Anyone else having problems? On my 2 day old 400t the roller part just does not want to work smoothly. It is kind of herky jerky and sometimes just hangs up. One finger will not do it at all on a consistant basis. Sometimes it starts OK and then hangs. Other times it just will not move without putting a couple of fingers on it.

Unfortunately I don't think firmware revisions are going to help it at all. I guess a phone call to Garmin is in order.

Edited January 23, 2008 by Gob-ler

2.1k · January 23, 2008

The Rockin-Roller wheel does feel a tad chinsy and plasticy and yes, I have noticed it feeling rough from time to time. However, to be fair, it works and its starting to feel more comfortable to me. I wonder though how well this rotary switch will work after two or more years of use? One year?

2.1k · January 23, 2008

There is alot of friction in that little switch, its way more than a simple push button or scroll pad like on the 60CSX. Makes me think that it has to reduce the potential life of the unit.

2.3k · January 23, 2008

To fix this is a simple affair. Just pop the top off the wheel, apply a slight amount of grease and snap the top on again. As new.

A few units had this problem, as far as I know.

January 23, 2008

To fix this is a simple affair. Just pop the top off the wheel, apply a slight amount of grease and snap the top on again. As new.

A few units had this problem, as far as I know.

WOW, A $600 unit and it needs a lube job already, sounds crazy to me . I think Garmin should have kept this puppy awhile longer and got all the bugs out of it. I think it will be awhile till I'll be buying mine :huh: .

Barefoot One & Wench

January 23, 2008

Kind of silly, but make sure your thumb is just on the wheel and not on the side of the case too. When I was trying out the unit at REI the wheel seemed awful stiff and hard to turn, after a while I realized that the wheel is flush with the side of the case and my thumb was 1/2 on the wheel and 1/2 on the case, once I realized that it worked much better. :yikes:

2.1k · January 23, 2008

Apersson in right! The wheel pops off rather easily with a knife blade inserted into the seam. The internal construction has bolstered my view of this switch a little bit. It has a nice seal inside so nothing can get into the electronics. The switch segments (what you feel as a "click") is plastic on plastic, which is why it felt plasticy to me. But the switching part appears to be sturdy. If it ever breaks, pops off or wears out it will only be the cap, which should be an easy and cheap replacement. In other words, the friction is between the cap and the GPS housing and not the actual switch contacts. Good design really! Go ahead and pop the cap off and check it out! Believe me, my heart was pounding too but it comes off rather easily with a little help from a knife.

I would watch what kind of grease you put in there. You don't want to add anything that would eat the plastic, rubber seal, or housing. I would think that a silicone grease (like the spare tubes that come with some water filters) would be a good choice. Not too much though, just enough to thinly coat the plastic.

I can send pictures of the internals of the switch if anyones interested.

5.7k · January 23, 2008

I've played around with different units, and some are definitely stiffer than others. I have no complaints about mine.

--Marky

3k · January 23, 2008

As I was playing with mine this weekend I was wondering how left handed people will like the roller. As a righty it works great for me, one of the main reasons I would buy a Colorado, but as a lefty doesn't the antenna get in your way?

GO$Rs

1.2k · January 23, 2008

Apersson in right! The wheel pops off rather easily with a knife blade inserted into the seam. The internal construction has bolstered my view of this switch a little bit. It has a nice seal inside so nothing can get into the electronics. The switch segments (what you feel as a "click") is plastic on plastic, which is why it felt plasticy to me. But the switching part appears to be sturdy. If it ever breaks, pops off or wears out it will only be the cap, which should be an easy and cheap replacement. In other words, the friction is between the cap and the GPS housing and not the actual switch contacts. Good design really! Go ahead and pop the cap off and check it out! Believe me, my heart was pounding too but it comes off rather easily with a little help from a knife.

I would watch what kind of grease you put in there. You don't want to add anything that would eat the plastic, rubber seal, or housing. I would think that a silicone grease (like the spare tubes that come with some water filters) would be a good choice. Not too much though, just enough to thinly coat the plastic.

I can send pictures of the internals of the switch if anyones interested.

Let's see those pics, please.

5.7k · January 23, 2008

As I was playing with mine this weekend I was wondering how left handed people will like the roller. As a righty it works great for me, one of the main reasons I would buy a Colorado, but as a lefty doesn't the antenna get in your way?

GO$Rs

I never thought of that (being a righty as well). I tried it using my left hand and it seems fine. The antenna seems recessed back enough so that it isn't in the way for me to hold the unit comfortably and use the roller.

--Marky

3k · January 23, 2008

Let's see those pics, please.

I didn't even need to use a screwdriver/knife. Just pull away gently with your fingernail.

Here's a shots, the black thing is the rock'n roller button upside down:

And one more, the blue is the inside seal, it is a pretty clever design:

GO$Rs

January 23, 2008

Not an operational problem, but I've been carrying the Colorado in my pocket for a week and the ridges in the Rock 'n' Roller are a major lint trap.

January 23, 2008

Looks like a clever design indeed.

From these pictures I just can't understand how the rolling "translates" into the unit.

January 23, 2008

To fix this is a simple affair. Just pop the top off the wheel, apply a slight amount of grease and snap the top on again. As new.

A few units had this problem, as far as I know.

Hello Garmin... I lost my wheel, during a regular greese job... what how old is the unit ...just over a year? You are kidding me... I have to send it back with a check for how much?

:yikes:

January 23, 2008

Looks to me like magnets in the popped off part perform the 'switch' action. Similar to a rechargeable toothbrush I imagine?

2.1k · January 23, 2008

Ahhh! The silocone lubricant has worked! It feels much better!

January 23, 2008

Ahhh! The silocone lubricant has worked! It feels much better!

Apologies in advance, but you know, you're really leaving the door wide open here for am off-colour innuendo. Something to do with "body temperature" comes to mind...

Edited January 23, 2008 by ObeliskAG

2.3k · January 24, 2008

That's all in your imagination, as a reader!!

I know this has been taken care of, but maybe a few units went out before the fix was implemented?

January 24, 2008

"I know this has been taken care of, but maybe a few units went out before the fix was implemented?"

A lot of knowledge there apersson850. By the way, exactly what is the fix your talking about here?

January 24, 2008

So how do you guys like the wheel really? Is it a pain to go through the extra motions to find say "mark waypoint", "page" , "menue" etc etc which is a button on the 60 series. The wheel kind of reminds me of the rino series with the click toggle switch thing which i found horrible to use. I have real reservations of the rocker/roller switch but may be unfounded.

I have no problem with the 60 series buttons at all.

Thanks

January 24, 2008

I've played around with different units, and some are definitely stiffer than others. I have no complaints about mine.

--Marky

Phew! It's a good thing I knew I was in a GPS forum here and not something else. Am I the only one who kinda' chuckled after reading this one?

January 24, 2008

I've played around with different units, and some are definitely stiffer than others. I have no complaints about mine.

--Marky

Phew! It's a good thing I knew I was in a GPS forum here and not something else. Am I the only one who kinda' chuckled after reading this one?

I was actually wondering the same thing reading through the whole topic. All the lubricant, stiff units, and not .... well you get the picture.

2.3k · January 24, 2008

As I said, the reader's imagination is to blame here, as it's pretty obvious that the wording was just a coincidence.

Regarding the wheel, they did some changes to the design, to make the wheel work better.

5.7k · January 24, 2008

Regarding the wheel, they did some changes to the design, to make the wheel work better.

Since I was the first to buy one at my REI, I would be interested if there was a way I could tell if mine was the old design or the new design.

--Marky

2.3k · January 24, 2008

I see. I don't know. I only have the first version.

January 24, 2008

I see. I don't know. I only have the first version.

Would you mind to post a picture of it?

January 24, 2008

(duplicated due to server error)

Edited January 24, 2008 by niemeyer

January 24, 2008

(duplicated due to server error)

Edited January 24, 2008 by niemeyer

January 30, 2008

I've played around with different units, and some are definitely stiffer than others. I have no complaints about mine.

--Marky

Phew! It's a good thing I knew I was in a GPS forum here and not something else. Am I the only one who kinda' chuckled after reading this one?

I was actually wondering the same thing reading through the whole topic. All the lubricant, stiff units, and not .... well you get the picture.

I play with only my unit :mad:

January 30, 2008

As I was playing with mine this weekend I was wondering how left handed people will like the roller. As a righty it works great for me, one of the main reasons I would buy a Colorado, but as a lefty doesn't the antenna get in your way?

GO$Rs

While I'm not a lefty, I use my left hand to run my Colorado without any problems. The antenna is a help, IMHO. I've tried using it several time with my right hand but like other have observed, it tend to be cumbersome and jerky at times. Using it left handed allows me to maintain a consistant "angle" on a Roller wheel. One side of my thumb lightly touches the antenna while the pad of my thumb is on the wheel itself. :mad:

February 9, 2008

(duplicated due to server error)

I have seen several posts of this nature on this forum. I have an idea!

Delete Post???

What's wrong with that? Demerits?

After reviewing my own post here, I see no option for deleting a post. Unbelievable! (No. I'm not talking about the Colorado now.) I can't believe that these forums don't have a feature to delete a post if the author feels fit.

I have another idea: It's how you get the fuzzy boxes to appear on video when you're being filmed. Let me try that!

iilii you buddy! (Will this get my post deleted? )

Edited February 9, 2008 by LifeOnEdge!

5.8k · February 9, 2008

I've played around with different units, and some are definitely stiffer than others. I have no complaints about mine.

--Marky

Phew! It's a good thing I knew I was in a GPS forum here and not something else. Am I the only one who kinda' chuckled after reading this one?

I was actually wondering the same thing reading through the whole topic. All the lubricant, stiff units, and not .... well you get the picture.

Umm...no, why don't you post those pictures??

5.8k · February 9, 2008

That struck me too, about relying so heavily on a moving part. but it seems the moving part is only external, so all should be fine with that. I guess the next step is to see if you can poke and prod the thing into working with the wheel removed?

February 9, 2008

Apersson in right! The wheel pops off rather easily with a knife blade inserted into the seam. The internal construction has bolstered my view of this switch a little bit. It has a nice seal inside so nothing can get into the electronics. The switch segments (what you feel as a "click") is plastic on plastic, which is why it felt plasticy to me. But the switching part appears to be sturdy. If it ever breaks, pops off or wears out it will only be the cap, which should be an easy and cheap replacement. In other words, the friction is between the cap and the GPS housing and not the actual switch contacts. Good design really! Go ahead and pop the cap off and check it out! Believe me, my heart was pounding too but it comes off rather easily with a little help from a knife.

I would watch what kind of grease you put in there. You don't want to add anything that would eat the plastic, rubber seal, or housing. I would think that a silicone grease (like the spare tubes that come with some water filters) would be a good choice. Not too much though, just enough to thinly coat the plastic.

I can send pictures of the internals of the switch if anyones interested.

You don't even need to use a knife, as a matter of fact, I wouldn't, due to possibly cutting the unit or wheel. Simply clasp it with your fingernails and pull it off. It's easily done and you don't risk damaging the unit.

February 9, 2008

HOW TO:

http://video.google.de/videoplay?docid=209...h&plindex=1

3k · February 9, 2008

Cool,

I'll add it to the FAQ. BTW is the seal behind your rock'n roller not blue or is it just the quality of the video? Mine is a relatively bright blue plastic.

GO$Rs

February 9, 2008

it is not my video - i just found it in the www

Edited February 9, 2008 by freeday

2.3k · February 9, 2008

Considering the white balance (or rather lack of) in the video, it's not too surprising if the colors are all off.

February 9, 2008

BTW is the seal behind your rock'n roller not blue or is it just the quality of the video? Mine is a relatively bright blue plastic.

It's just the quality of the video...the seal is bright blue on this one too...

February 9, 2008

In other words, the friction is between the cap and the GPS housing and not the actual switch contacts.

The cap contains a small magnet that transfers the movement through the blue seal.

On my movie, I've hidden a small magnet inside the pen, to make it work.

Kinda funny how noone questioned how a plain pen could do the trick :rolleyes:

February 10, 2008

colour corrected.

February 10, 2008

In other words, the friction is between the cap and the GPS housing and not the actual switch contacts.

The cap contains a small magnet that transfers the movement through the blue seal.

On my movie, I've hidden a small magnet inside the pen, to make it work.

Kinda funny how noone questioned how a plain pen could do the trick

How funny! When I watched that movie and the pen was going toward the seal, I said "It doesn't work that way." Then I was amazed when I saw the shortcuts rotate around the display. That explains it.

Why the games though?

September 7, 2008

Apersson in right! The wheel pops off rather easily with a knife blade inserted into the seam. The internal construction has bolstered my view of this switch a little bit. It has a nice seal inside so nothing can get into the electronics. The switch segments (what you feel as a "click") is plastic on plastic, which is why it felt plasticy to me. But the switching part appears to be sturdy. If it ever breaks, pops off or wears out it will only be the cap, which should be an easy and cheap replacement. In other words, the friction is between the cap and the GPS housing and not the actual switch contacts. Good design really! Go ahead and pop the cap off and check it out! Believe me, my heart was pounding too but it comes off rather easily with a little help from a knife.

I would watch what kind of grease you put in there. You don't want to add anything that would eat the plastic, rubber seal, or housing. I would think that a silicone grease (like the spare tubes that come with some water filters) would be a good choice. Not too much though, just enough to thinly coat the plastic.

I can send pictures of the internals of the switch if anyones interested.

I have the same things. I phone to garmin after sales service : they says they return my unit back in " weeks.

Whats about waterproof?

If you send me pictures it will be very nice

alan mail kervanoel@gmail.com

September 7, 2008

As I was playing with mine this weekend I was wondering how left handed people will like the roller. As a righty it works great for me, one of the main reasons I would buy a Colorado, but as a lefty doesn't the antenna get in your way?

GO$Rs

Turns out I'm ambidextrous when it comes to GPSr's. I'm right handed but I preferred more often then not to use the Colorado in my left hand. I could reach and operate everything well except the on/off button to the right of the antenna. Come to think of it I really couldn't grip and use it as comfortably with my right hand. For the power button I always held it in my left hand and pushed the power with my right forefinger. Other left-hander / right-hander mileage may vary.

September 7, 2008

Looks to me like magnets in the popped off part perform the 'switch' action. Similar to a rechargeable toothbrush I imagine?

I believe they use what are called "Hall Effect" sensors. Wikipedia Link

We use them in aerospace to determine positions of rotating mechanisms.

The Cooker

September 7, 2008

Looks to me like magnets in the popped off part perform the 'switch' action. Similar to a rechargeable toothbrush I imagine?

I believe they use what are called "Hall Effect" sensors. Wikipedia Link

We use them in aerospace to determine positions of rotating mechanisms.

The Cooker

I think Hall Effect is only used for the rotational element of the R-n-R and the joystick functions are switches located under the blue teflon seal.

I also wouldn't use anything else but silicone and would clean all areas first and wipe off all excess lubricant which would still leave a thin enough film to make a marked difference in using the rotation function. Lubrication of any kind could pick up dust and could increas wear on bearing surfaces or risk leakage on O-rings. Wipe areas clean after lubing and see if you don't still get a good effect.

Edited September 7, 2008 by Ratsneve

Garmin Colorado Roller - Rocker Issues

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