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Colorado really waterproof?


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My Colorado 300 is dead because some water is entering inside.

 

I don't understand, Garmin says it's waterproof to IPX7 standard!

 

my problem is my warranty... expired since 7 months, I wrote a email to Garmin, I hope that they can replace without charge, because it's a big design problem.

 

I'm not sure that the Colorado is a good buy for a outside use :(

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Wow, I am on the forums a couple times a week and I missed the "3rd" version of the back cover. My Colorado was already replaced once under warranty, so they won't do it a again I am sure, but I am going to ask the nicely tomorrow for just the back cover. I will even offer to pay for it.

Thanks for the link.

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I have never submerged my unit under water but have given it a good soaking now and then without any issues of water entering the unit through the back cover. It's been mentioned some time ago that it's critical to make sure the cover is slid all the way up to top and not to use the latch to properly seat the cover in position as it's meant only to lock the cover in place. I think that's where one is likely to have the potential of a leak. As well,others have mentioned that it's a good idea to allow any water to drain out of the latch area before opening the until as it can hold small amounts which could drain into the unit when it's removed.

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I too am very curious and interested in these other back covers. Anyone have pictures of all redesigned back covers? Does one simply call Garmin and ask them to send you one if you are a Colorado owner?

There is a picture of the new seal in g-o cachers post above. A tell-tale sign would be an orange gasket in the bottom section of the back cover.

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If you get told to return your unit to Raytech in Montreal (authorized Garmin Repair Ctre for Canada), stay on top of them. They take forever to look at a unit.

 

I went yesterday, but as usual, because my warranty has expired, they can't do anything without the permission of Garmin

 

How do you find the direct email address? And yes, I am an idiot ;)

 

 

because I never know if the online form go to the good destination :D

Edited by BeerMan-Qc
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If you get told to return your unit to Raytech in Montreal (authorized Garmin Repair Ctre for Canada), stay on top of them. They take forever to look at a unit.

 

I went yesterday, but as usual, because my warranty has expired, they can't do anything without the permission of Garmin

 

How do you find the direct email address? And yes, I am an idiot ;)

 

 

because I never know if the online form go to the good destination :D

I understand that, but I only have the option of the web based email. What is the correct email address without going through their website?

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The part number for the new battery door is: 011-01742-10. I just ordered it today. It will retail for $20 USD. They are in stock in Olathe, KS. I worked with a Product Support Specialist to determine the part number. I sent them the photo off of this topic. He then sent the picture through a coorporate wide email to determine the part number because none of the product support folks had been told about it yet. He then had me call Tech Support to order it. I called right at 8 a.m. CDT to avoid a long hold time.

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The part number for the new battery door is: 011-01742-10. I just ordered it today. It will retail for $20 USD. They are in stock in Olathe, KS. I worked with a Product Support Specialist to determine the part number. I sent them the photo off of this topic. He then sent the picture through a coorporate wide email to determine the part number because none of the product support folks had been told about it yet. He then had me call Tech Support to order it. I called right at 8 a.m. CDT to avoid a long hold time.

They are sending me one for free.

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The part number for the new battery door is: 011-01742-10. I just ordered it today. It will retail for $20 USD. They are in stock in Olathe, KS. I worked with a Product Support Specialist to determine the part number. I sent them the photo off of this topic. He then sent the picture through a coorporate wide email to determine the part number because none of the product support folks had been told about it yet. He then had me call Tech Support to order it. I called right at 8 a.m. CDT to avoid a long hold time.

They are sending me one for free.

 

I personally think Garmin should send one out to any Colorado owner free of charge if requested. Never mind the fact that it's no different than a car manufacturer's recall.

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The part number for the new battery door is: 011-01742-10. I just ordered it today. It will retail for $20 USD. They are in stock in Olathe, KS. I worked with a Product Support Specialist to determine the part number. I sent them the photo off of this topic. He then sent the picture through a coorporate wide email to determine the part number because none of the product support folks had been told about it yet. He then had me call Tech Support to order it. I called right at 8 a.m. CDT to avoid a long hold time.

They are sending me one for free.

 

I personally think Garmin should send one out to any Colorado owner free of charge if requested. Never mind the fact that it's no different than a car manufacturer's recall.

I asked for a free one and they are sending it. It was no hassle at all.

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Does anybody have a new back cover that they purchased from Garmin. I am now being told that they will not have them in Olathe before next week. This is not what I was told originally.

I just got an email from them today and told me the covers were backordered for a week or so.

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I'm in the UK and have had my Colorado replaced by Garmin this week (I managed to damage it, so it wasn't a warantee replacement). The back cover fits a lot better than the old one (in fact it's quite difficult to get off when I want to change the batteries). I've just looked and I have the "July 2009" SD card seal at the bottom.

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I'm in the UK and have had my Colorado replaced by Garmin this week (I managed to damage it, so it wasn't a warantee replacement). The back cover fits a lot better than the old one (in fact it's quite difficult to get off when I want to change the batteries). I've just looked and I have the "July 2009" SD card seal at the bottom.

Crid, is there still a gap where the top of the cover, meets the silver part of the Colorado, or did the finally eliminate that gap?

Edited by flattie
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Crid, is there still a gap where the top of the cover, meets the silver part of the Colorado, or did the finally eliminate that gap?

I'm not sure if you mean the back or the front. My old one had a fairly large gap on the front where the battery compartment cover went along the bottom under the screen - even if I pushed it up as far as it would go. It was almost as if the cover was incorrectly shaped.

 

The new one is a much more snug fit. There is a slight gap all the way round (not much more that the thickness of a fingernail) and it's pretty uniform. Much more satisfactory. My only complaint is that it's really tough to get it off when I want to get at the batteries. I think it's the gasket around the battery compartment itself causing the difficulty because it's only the first 1/2 inch when getting it off (or last 1/2 inch when putting it on). Maybe it will loosen up a bit after a few battery changes.

 

I literally received this unit from Garmin today, but I'm not sure if it's a refurb or a brand new unit. It was a complete boxed unit with carabina, cable, CD, the works. I only sent my damaged unit (minus carabina), which is what they told me to do. The number is in the range 16911????, if that gives any clues about the age.

Edited by Crid
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Crid, when I had my unit exchanged for a refurbishment a long while back, the sent a new one. It is really at their discretion. It was also nice to recieve a new caribiner and cable as well. You are describing exactly what I meant to say. This is great news. On my unit, I went to the local auto part store and bought a package of silicone di electric grease. This is usually used on the ends of spark plug wires. I put a very light film of grease on the gasket around the battery cover, and a slight film on the "rail" of the battery cover. Do not use too much, a small drop of this stuff could cover a football field. Using the silicone based grease is safe for the rubber o-ring, unlike oil based lubricants like Vasoline.

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I think it's 9 digits. Mine starts with 16911. The number is inside the battery compartment.

 

Mine came direct from Garmin UK. If this is a brand new version, shops may still be stocking the old version.

 

The firmware and GPS software on mine was 2.90. I haven't tried putting 2.95 beta on it yet.

 

Edit: My old one started with 16904.

Edited by Crid
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Received the new cover tonight. I have to say that I am a bit disappointed. The gap around the front and rear edge is still there, and it is much harder to snap the rear lock closed. I tried the new cover with and withouth the original o ring around the SD slot. No differnce there, so for now I will leave it. I did notce that the silver colored spine is much tighter on the black back piece that the original. I have came to the conclusion that this is the way it is going to be with the Colorado.

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Unless they radically changed the design of the back cover the cover was never intended to make a watertight seal with the back of the unit. If I dunk my Colorado I get lots of water back there. The waterproof seal on the CO is between the back cover and the o-ring around the battery compartment and the SD card slot. As long as water does not get in the battery compartment and SD card slot you are all set. At least with the limited testing I've done with mine I've never seen a problem.

 

That said it seems like the new cover improves the seal with the SD card slot o-ring, is there any difference in the back cover where it seals around the battery compartment o-ring? That was where I was reading about o-rings that got rolled back allowing water to get into the battery compartment.

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That said it seems like the new cover improves the seal with the SD card slot o-ring, is there any difference in the back cover where it seals around the battery compartment o-ring? That was where I was reading about o-rings that got rolled back allowing water to get into the battery compartment.

 

The o-ring on the battery compartment does not seem to roll up. It does catch at the very top of it, and I just press it down before I slide the cover all the way up. Can someone tell me if you still use the original SD slot o - ring with the new cover? I am still amazed how some of the covers seal better around the outside edge than others. Granted as G O Cashers stated, this is the waterproofing seal, but it does help keep "muck" out of there.

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That said it seems like the new cover improves the seal with the SD card slot o-ring, is there any difference in the back cover where it seals around the battery compartment o-ring? That was where I was reading about o-rings that got rolled back allowing water to get into the battery compartment.

 

The o-ring on the battery compartment does not seem to roll up. It does catch at the very top of it, and I just press it down before I slide the cover all the way up. Can someone tell me if you still use the original SD slot o - ring with the new cover? I am still amazed how some of the covers seal better around the outside edge than others. Granted as G O Cashers stated, this is the waterproofing seal, but it does help keep "muck" out of there.

 

Garmin sent me a replacement back cover and I too have the same question about the SD card slot O-ring. Should and does it need to be removed. My guess is yes,but I defer to those that know better. I noticed something unusual about the new cover,it has a very small hole in it that lines up exactly with where the SD card would be positioned. Call me an idiot,but wouldn't that let water into the unit or is it there to somehow equalize pressure(See picture in post #11)?

Edited by flyjazz
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