Colorado 400 rock n roller wheel missing

[+Oggies]

I went to use my Garmin Colorado 400i yesterday and found that the rock n roller wheel had popped off. Nowhere to be found.

It must have got caught and pulled off when it was clipped to my pack as I don't believe it was loose because I hadn't removed it before as it is only a couple of months old.

I only need a replacement wheel and don't want to return the whole thing to Garmin to replace for $99US as I am in New Zealand and with freight etc. is ridiculous. I just need a spare wheel. It is useless without it.

Does anyone know how I can go about getting one or if you have a unit for spares I could purchase, I can't cache without it now.

 

Many thanks....Mark

Edited May 22, 2010 by Oggies

[flyjazz]

Try going to the Garmin.com website and creating a profile where you can regisiter your unit. You can then contact them through the site and request they send you a replacement. Garmin is generally very helpful and you may end up getting it for free.

[+Oggies]

Try going to the Garmin.com website and creating a profile where you can regisiter your unit. You can then contact them through the site and request they send you a replacement. Garmin is generally very helpful and you may end up getting it for free.

Ok, thanks for the suggestion. I registered and submitted a report to support. Hopefully I'll get a reply shortly. Thanks for the suggestion, I'll keep you posted.

[+fegan]

...I can't cache without it now.

 

Actually, you can.

 

I remember a video (perhaps on YouTube?) where somebody was demonstrating cleaning or repairing an issue with regard to the rock n roller wheel...they were using something to activate the control while the wheel was removed. It either had a small metal object, or a small magnet, attached to it...and that activated the control. I would try first with something metal...then try a small magnet. At least you'll be able to use your GPS while you wait for the replacement part.

 

Good luck!

[+splashy]

Maybe this?

But it's no solution.

Edited May 22, 2010 by splashy

[+Red90]

It is a magnet.

[+humboldt flier]

It is a magnet.

On the subject of magnet:

If I recall, as a former owner of two Colorados, wasn't there a magnet within one of the recesses on the back side of the wheel. If the OP has a missing wheel, there may also be a missing magnet.

[+fegan]

Maybe this?

But it's no solution.

 

Yes, that's the video I was talking about!

 

I'm not claiming it's a permanent solution, please re-read my post. The OP said he couldn't use his GPS without the wheel...that video clearly shows it can be used without the wheel while he's locating a replacement.

[+sTeamTraen]

Apologies for bumping this topic... I just found it via a Google search and it's been really useful.

 

In my case - and I know of two other people with the same issue - the problem was that the inner part of the wheel has come completely free of the outer part. The thin rubber skin which holds the two together had started to tear, and after a while the tear had gone all the way round. So for the best part of a year I've been juggling with this - the unit was out of warranty and, like the OP, I feared being told to send the unit back, paying half the price or more of a GPSmap 62 ,then renegotiating the unlock code for all the maps.

 

Anyway, last week I cracked and called Garmin France, and the guy said "No problem, send me a photo and your home address and I'll send you a new wheel". That hasn't arrived yet, but I was feeling confident today... apparently too confident, because I lent my unit to an 11-year-old kid on a group walk. I showed him how to be careful and keep his thumb on the wheel, but he got cache-happy, went skipping along, and the inner wheel got lost somewhere in a 60'x60' field.

 

It's a public holiday tomorrow, and my spare GPS is on loan to a colleague from work. So I was really looking forward to finding a few caches. I got googling and found this thread, and the video. So I got out a pen, and tried to do what the person in the video is doing. But nothing happened.

 

Then I put 2 and 2 together. Somehow, the pen in the video is magnetic. So I got hold of a very small magnet - a 1/8"x1/8" chip from an old hard drive magnet - and superglued it to the end of an unsharpened pencil.

 

Bingo! I'm not yet as proficient as I was with the wheel, but it's not bad. In fact in one way it's better: when the inner wheel was slipping around unattached, it tended to move slightly when I clicked, and sometimes this movement was enough to cause the selection to move to the next item on the menu - not good when you're answering an "Are you sure?" question, especially if it's "Are you sure you want to do a factory reset?". Now, by moving the magnet which is on one end of the pencil and clicking with the eraser end, that risk is eliminated.

[+splashy]

Maybe you can find a knob of a radio or similar, that fits inside the hole.

But if I remember well, I was able to simulate the wheel with my finger, or whatever, it did the switch thing without a magnet.

[+Team Dennis]

BUMP!

 

I have a Colorado 300 which has the same Rock N' Roller wheel as the 400. My wheel popped off the other day but luckily after retracing my steps for an hour I was able to find it. The magnet was even still there but the wheel had gotten very dirty. When I cleaned it up the magnet popped out but luckily I was able to spot it before it washed away. So I called Garmin and they said they could replace it...if I mailed my GPSr to them and paid them $99.00 + postage! They said I could not simply buy a replacement part and have it shipped to me, even though I can't imagine the part costing more than $10.00.

 

Needless to say I declined their offer as I'm going to try to glue things back together AND I am not going to spend that much money on this unit when I can go out and get a brand new Oregon 450 from REI for $300.00.

[+JJnTJ]

Team Dennis, I'm somewhat local to you and I also have a 300, if you need to look at a working one.

[+Team Dennis]

Team Dennis, I'm somewhat local to you and I also have a 300, if you need to look at a working one.

 

Thanks for the offer, but I have had the thing apart many times before to clean the wheel out. Speaking of which...

 

UPDATE!

 

I have some really good non-expanding glue so after cleaning the wheel out as well as I could I took a toothpick and put the tiniest amount of glue on the backside of the Rock N' Roller and then used an unfolded paperclip to put that tiny magnet back into place. After letting things set up for 10 minutes I carefully tried to remove the magnet from the roller pad but it was stuck there nice and tight. SUCCESS!!! I fired up the GPSr and that Rock N' Roller pad works as smooth as the day I bought it. Looks like I won't be getting that new Oregon anytime soon! (knock on wood...I am not in any rush to drop $300 anytime soon!)

[gallet]

I've had my colorado for 5 years now and the rock n' roller wheel has the knurls on the the knob worn down to the point where it is difficult to get any purchase on it and I need to use my thumb and forefinger on either side of it to get enough torque to turn it.

 

So it's not just a lost wheel that can cause this problem. I might try a complaint through the Australian consumer protection laws if I have no luck from Garmin.

[+Red90]

I might try a complaint through the Australian consumer protection laws if I have no luck from Garmin.

Huh? If something wears out after 5 years, well past the warranty period, on a device that has not been made for years, you want the government to fix it for you? Very sad.

[BMW JEDI]

I might try a complaint through the Australian consumer protection laws if I have no luck from Garmin.

Huh? If something wears out after 5 years, well past the warranty period, on a device that has not been made for years, you want the government to fix it for you? Very sad.

 

Exactly. Socialism is a disease. Get help man!

Edited March 27, 2013 by BMW JEDI

[robertlipe]

Moderator note: Gallet asked a question and the last two posts are not helping to answer that question. I know nothing about the consumer protection laws in Aus, but it's entirely possible they require repair parts to be made available for some time even once they're out of manufacture. Let's please focus on actually helping your fellow posters instead of berating them or continuing along the socialism path.

[+Red90]

With all due respect, Gallet did not ask for any help that I can see.

 

I can guarantee that if he sends his unit to Garmin along with money, they will fix it. Alternatively, he can use Google to find third party repair places.

[BMW JEDI]

Moderator note: Gallet asked a question and the last two posts are not helping to answer that question. I know nothing about the consumer protection laws in Aus, but it's entirely possible they require repair parts to be made available for some time even once they're out of manufacture. Let's please focus on actually helping your fellow posters instead of berating them or continuing along the socialism path.

 

With all due respect, Gallet did not ask for any help that I can see.

 

I can guarantee that if he sends his unit to Garmin along with money, they will fix it. Alternatively, he can use Google to find third party repair places.

 

Exactly, Gallet was only whining about reasonable and normal wear for a device of this kind and age.

 

Now, speaking poorly of socialism apparently will get Groundspeak moderator attention, as we all know where Groundspeak is based, in the land of never ending rainbows and magic unicorns.... and 'Puff the Magic Dragon..."

 

They like to call it 'Freemont'.

[yogazoo]

I'm pretty sure it was the thinly veiled bloviating that triggered a moderator.

 

If it's not polite to talk politics or religion at family gatherings it's not appropriate on a Geo-caching forum either.

Edited March 28, 2013 by yogazoo

[gallet]

Actually I'm not "whining about reasonable wear and tear", the knurls have worn down after 5 years, I don't have a problem with that. I'm just whining that I have to pay $150 for a $2 plastic part that I'd be happy to pay $20.

 

I got the email below but I don't know if they mean they'll replace the entire item for $150 or they'll replace the knob for $150. I shall write for more clarification.

 

For the record for those who seem to be having a high blood pressure day, an item such as this is analogous to car tyres, in that it's rubberised in order to provide the necessary grip to do the job it was meant to do and as such it will wear down. The rubber all over the unit has worn down a bit but that is not necessary for the unit to be functional and as you all know, this part just pops off and clips on.

 

 

Unfortunately, we do not sell/provide any spare parts like the knob you require.

 

This whole device will now need to be replaced.

 

We offer an out of warranty replacement for $149.00.

 

Should you wish to go for this offer please contact Product support 1800 235 822 Monday-Friday from 8:30am-5:00pm Sydney time to make payment.

 

Ok well a little research turned up this...

 

 

4. NEW NATIONAL Consumer GUARANTEES PROVISIONS

 

New national Consumer guarantees provisions (Chapter 3, Part 3-2, Division 1) replace current statutory implied conditions and warranties. The new Consumer guarantees relate to:

Title;

Undisturbed possession;

Undisclosed securities;

Acceptable quality (This has replaced the ‘merchantable quality’ warranty);

Fitness for any disclosed purpose;

Supply of goods by description;

Supply of goods by sample or demonstration model;

Repairs and availability of spare parts;

Express warranties;

Supply of services;

Due care and skill;

Fitness for a particular purpose; and

Reasonable time for supply.

 

And this...

 

Is it reasonable for me to expect garmin to have this particular part available as a spare just a couple of years after it was discontinued. I don't know, I might have to test this. I will argue that the unit itself is designed to last for a minimum of 10 years and I dare say it will be working perfectly in 20 years time as many long time owners of other garmin handheld units will attest.

 

Perhaps the response from Garmin was just made without thinking. I have come to expect this sort of shoddy service from US companies in Australia.

Edited March 28, 2013 by gallet

[BMW JEDI]

It is quite clear they are going to replace the ENTIRE UNIT for $149.

 

Not a bad deal after 5 years of use

 

Edit: Adding, they are making spare parts and repairs reasonably available. You are getting a completely new unit for a fraction of the original cost.

Edited March 28, 2013 by BMW JEDI

[gallet]

It is quite clear they are going to replace the ENTIRE UNIT for $149.

 

Not a bad deal after 5 years of use

 

Edit: Adding, they are making spare parts and repairs reasonably available. You are getting a completely new unit for a fraction of the original cost.

 

No, they are only offering a refurbished unit, which I don't want or need. The one I have works flawlessly, it just has a worn out rock and roller wheel.

 

Seeing as they obviously have this as a spare part, (otherwise they could not refurbish them) my reading of the law is that they are obliged to supply it to me at a reasonable cost. I guess I'll have to test the law. I'll report back.

[+Red90]

Garmin have a one price fix policy, no matter the damage. As I mentioned above, you can get parts through third party repair places.

[+northernpenguin]

When my Rock'n'Roller wheel went I called Garmin and ordered a new one for a couple dollars. Never had the discussion about sending it in, but then again my ask was not for a fix, it was for the exact named part.

 

They initially wanted to charge me something like $100 to ship it to Canada but after a brief discussion that involved them putting it in an envelope and sending it letter mail I had minimal cost. I did not ship my unit into Garmin for the RnR wheel.

[gallet]

When my Rock'n'Roller wheel went I called Garmin and ordered a new one for a couple dollars. Never had the discussion about sending it in, but then again my ask was not for a fix, it was for the exact named part.

 

They initially wanted to charge me something like $100 to ship it to Canada but after a brief discussion that involved them putting it in an envelope and sending it letter mail I had minimal cost. I did not ship my unit into Garmin for the RnR wheel.

 

Thank you for that information, that pretty much nails it for me. I might try and communicate directly with gamin usa. Like Apple®, Garmin will bend over backwards for their US of A customers but will obfuscate and generally take a belligerent stand in Australia.

[colorado-wag]

Hello,

Thanks for all the information on the Garmin rock n roller wheel. I have a Colorado300 which after many years of service had a non functioning RnR wheel. With all the information you collected I realised it was easy to just "pull off" the RnR wheel. When I opened up my Colorado300 the little magnet was laying at the bottom of the waterproof house. I checked the functioning by moving the magnet around. All works fine, I then glued the magnet back in place on one of the four little poles of the RnR wheel assembly. For now it is working smoothly.

Happy geocaching again