Really need help-Colorado300

[+charnila]

When going to a waypoint or a geocache the gpsr works fine in the truck. When I stop and get out the screen freezes up, north pointer, direction to cache, compass, everything. If I stand there for 2-4 m, inutes it will finally sort itself out and everything works fine. I have done resets, have 2.9 software, tried compass on and off, calibrated compass and altimeter. I am in geocache profile and have lock on road turned off. this is my third unit, one new, one refurb, and one new all with the same problem. I have talked and talked to Garmin and while they are polite and try to help they don't have a clue.

 

Anyone have any ideas? I'm desperate

Thanks

[+Tequila]

Are you moving and it is still frozen?

 

I had a lot of difficulty in the early days of the CO but I am pretty sure Garmin fixed that with firmware. I have moved on to the OR and can't be sure.

[+Tequila]

BTW, be careful on Garmin CO exchanges. A friend recently got one from Garmin and it had an extremely low serial number. They are obviously recycling the older units that were exchanged for OR's etc.

[Grasscatcher]

Plugged in and running on external power in the truck?

 

If yes,.... it has to switch from external power mode to battery power mode and re-aquire "its brains".

[+splashy]

I like to try things; the point is, is it the voltage switch, or usb pole short?

 

Kill the motor and take the key out, is the gps still working ok?

 

With the key in, take the lighterplug out, keep the usb in the gps, gps still working ok ?

 

Pull the Usb STRAIGHT out the Gps, gps ok?

 

Power down the gps disconnect power on.

[+Red90]

Can you check both the unit and GPS firmware. Should be 2.9 and 2.8

 

This should not happen.

 

Try with a hard reset and a single cache on there. It could be related to a certain cache?

Edited April 1, 2009 by Red90

[+Butano]

I have the same problem with mine. I have the latest software. I think one version of the software did make it better, but it isn't fixed. If I am in a situation I need it faster, I will just power cycle it and it seems to work. But definitely not the way it should be.

[+Cacheoholic]

Funky SD card? It’s seems very strange that all 3 units act the same. I’m just trying to think of what could be common with all 3 units. If this is the case, try it without the SD card. What about the 12 volt power supply?

[+charnila]

Thanks for the replies. The gpsr is on battery power and screen is frozen whether I am moving or standing still. I'm not sure but I think it unfreezes quicker when I stand still

 

cacheoholic,

No SD card

Edited April 2, 2009 by charnila

[+g-o-cashers]

What does the satellite reception/EPE look like when this is happening? Is WAAS enabled? What are your routing settings in the geocaching profile?

Edited April 2, 2009 by g-o-cashers

[+charnila]

Satelllite reception is good, the routing is as follows;

guidance method

off road

 

calculate routes for

car/motorcycle

 

avoid

on(u turns)

 

off road transitions

auto

[+charnila]

Sorry, WAAS is not enabled.

Edited April 2, 2009 by charnila

[+charnila]

What stumps me is this doesn't seem to be a common problem yet I have had it with 3 units. I have not added anything except GPX files and have even tried different ones in case one was corrupted

[+g-o-cashers]

Which maps are you using and what are your map settings?

 

[Wouldn't it be nice if you could send me the geocaching.gpf file on you Colorado and there was a simple PC based tool that allowed me diff my configuration with yours?]

[+charnila]

g-o-cashers,

Thanks for your input. Because of my problems I have added no maps, just a few gpx files. My map settings are;

 

Orientation

track up

 

Auto zoom

on

 

Detail

normal

 

Lock on road

off

 

Go to line

bearing

[+Red90]

As asked earlier, is the GPS firmware up to date (2.8)? Have you tried a hard reset?

[+charnila]

Thanks Red90,

I have 2.9 installed and I have done a hard reset with no improvement

[+Red90]

Thanks Red90,

I have 2.9 installed and I have done a hard reset with no improvement

 

No, not 2.9, that is the unit firmware. I'm talking about the GPS firmware. It is different.

 

Do this:

To determine your current installed Software and GPS Software Versions go to Setup>System>Options>Software Version. You should see a screen that looks like the image below which will display both your Software and GPS Software version number.

Edited April 2, 2009 by Red90

[+charnila]

Sorry,

It says "gps software version 2.80"

[+g-o-cashers]

There aren't too many people out there using a 300 with just the basemap -- have you tried with maps? I wonder if it has something do with that? Seems unlikely to me. BTW, your other settings look fine.

 

Does the issue manifest itself with every cache/waypoint you navigate to?

 

Does it only happen when you navigate in your car and transition to walking?

 

Do you change profiles when exiting the car or are you in Geocaching profile the entire time?

[+StarBrand]

I have a Colorado 300 bought in early feb 2008. Never had to send it in for anything.

 

I use the Ibycus USA maps on it but have never seen what you are describing. I usually just leave it Geocaching profile. Seems unlikely you would see the same issue on 3 different units. Walk us through how you load caches and go about caching - maybe somebody will spot something.

[+Red90]

I have never seen this as well. I switch profiles, don't switch profiles, use car power, use batteries....nothing causes this. On occasion there is 5 second "freeze" when leaving the vehicle, but never more than that.

[+Tequila]

Does the problem happen with geocaches AND regular waypoints????

[+charnila]

First of all I want to thank everyone for their help. This happen with geocaches, waypoints or just traveling in map mode and happens every time I transition from car to walking.

Now for the good news. We went out caching this morning and I became increasingly frustrated by the way my unit was acting so called Garmin for the 3rd time in two days. As usual the rep was courteous and after listening to my problems talked to his supervisor. The supervisor said that they are aware of this problem and while it is not very common their engineers are looking for a fix. They are trying to bring in units with this problem to work with so they are taking mine back and will be giving me a new Oregon 300 so at this moment I'm a happy camper.

Once again thanks to everyone for the help, I sure appreciate it.