thcri Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 When I purchased my Garmin E-Trex Vista I purchased the cigarette adapeter also. I have used the adapter probably a total of ten times and this week-end it quit. I have checked the fuse, tried it in other power sources and it just doesn't work. I took my multi-meter and there is voltage going into it but none leave the little circuit board. My question is, is there a less expensise place out there to buy one? My personal opinion of the Garmin one is that it is built cheap. I have looked at some cell phone chargers that I thought I could change ends but none are the same voltage. So what ever help in finding a Generic would be appreciated. I don't mind paying Garmins $40.00 price if it was built a bit better. Thanks murph Quote Link to comment
+quakemap Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 I saw one in Cirquit City today at approx $36 http://www.quakemap.com - redefining Easy... Quote Link to comment
+PDOP's Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 Have a look at Pfranc or try Ebay PDOP's GPS Pages Quote Link to comment
+shegget Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 Have you tried contacting Garmin and asking them about it? They may decide the part was defective and help you out... can't hurt to try. Quote Link to comment
STREETSEAL & G.I. Jane Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 Try Going to a wal-mart or radio shack and getting a selectible voltage output cig adapter, they are used for cd players, cell phones etc, they have several voltage ranges up to 12vdc. cut and splice the end for around $15. Quote Link to comment
+jollybgood Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 I thought I should mention this just in case. I had the exact same problem with my new cig adapter for my GPSV. Tried everything -- no juice. I was about to toss it when a buddy of mine decided to take a look. A flick of his finger nail and BINGO -- it worked. The problem? The list spring-loaded tip on the end of the mail connector had been pushed into far and had stuck. By moving it slightly to the side so it cleared the hole it extended again. If it doesn't extend it can't make contact. So it might pay to check. It's the sort of thing you won't even notice unless it's pointed out to you. Jolly R. Blackburn http://kenzerco.com "Never declare war on a man who buys his ink by the gallon." Quote Link to comment
+GeckoGeek Posted September 14, 2003 Share Posted September 14, 2003 If you have to buy take a look at GPSGeek Quote Link to comment
+alchemist2000 Posted September 15, 2003 Share Posted September 15, 2003 I have had great success with gpsdiscount.com. Alchemist2000 Quote Link to comment
+GLM Posted September 15, 2003 Share Posted September 15, 2003 Contact Garmin. I have had very good luck in their service department. I have an old GPS II+ that they fixed "after warranty" but didn't charge me. It was the problem of intermittently powering off. Gary Quote Link to comment
+Desert_Warrior Posted September 15, 2003 Share Posted September 15, 2003 On the other side.... if you decide to trash it, I would like to have it. No, I have one already. But if I take it apart, and I can see how it is made, perhape this won't be a problem for the next one. After all, parts is parts... and it must be a regulator of some type. Mike. Mike. Desert_Warrior (aka KD9KC). El Paso, Texas. Citizens of this land may own guns. Not to threaten their neighbors, but to ensure themselves of liberty and freedom. They are not assault weapons anymore... they are HOMELAND DEFENSE WEAPONS! Quote Link to comment
+GeckoGeek Posted September 15, 2003 Share Posted September 15, 2003 Desert_Warrior: If you nose around your local Radio Shack you may find some cell phone cigarette adapters they are letting go for $1 or so. They contain a small switching power supply and a little resistor swap will make it work on most any voltage you want. I was planning do doing that to build my own adapter until I found I could buy an assembled unit for the price of the plug I needed..... Quote Link to comment
+apersson850 Posted September 15, 2003 Share Posted September 15, 2003 I made my own from the beginning. I bought the p-franc connector at $4. Then I converted an old car power adapter for an obsolete Ericsson analog mobile phone. That adapter was originally 7 VDC, but I stepped it down to the required 3 VDC for my eTrex. Anders Quote Link to comment
thcri Posted September 15, 2003 Author Share Posted September 15, 2003 Based on seeing the quality of the Garmin I really don't think I want another one of them. I had lots of trouble with it and ended up taking it apart and fixing many times. To me it just seemed cheap. Yes, GPSDiscount has one for $24.95 and that is the cheapest I have seen. I have a cell phone adapter that has 3.5volts to it and looks much more durable. I wonder if the 1/2 volt higher would be too much for the Vista to handle. When dealing with that low of voltage I believe that can make a difference. murph Quote Link to comment
+GeckoGeek Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 quote:Originally posted by Anders.:I made my own from the beginning. I bought the p-franc connector at $4. $4??? I thought the suggested was $7, or is that just for the eTrex/Geko type? Or will they go that low? Quote Link to comment
+GeckoGeek Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 quote:Originally posted by thcri:Yes, GPSDiscount has one for $24.95 and that is the cheapest I have seen. Try GPSGeek for $11 plus about $5 S/H. Quote Link to comment
+Wandering Palms Posted September 16, 2003 Share Posted September 16, 2003 I agree with PDOP's try Pfranc. $15.00 that includes shipping, he takes Paypal and ships the same day you order. Got one from him about 6 months ago and it works perfect. SEEING THE USA.......ONE CACHE AT A TIME Quote Link to comment
+webscouter. Posted September 17, 2003 Share Posted September 17, 2003 I bought mine from gpsgeek and really like it. I got the combo cable for 13.20 Quote Link to comment
+apersson850 Posted September 18, 2003 Share Posted September 18, 2003 Well, it was actually SEK 40, but with the current exchange rate vs. the dollar, that's about $4. Anders Quote Link to comment
mingho Posted September 19, 2003 Share Posted September 19, 2003 Hi Murph. I am with Gilsson Technologies. We are the largest manufacturer of Garmin compatible GPS acessories. We offer the eTrex Cigarette Lighter Adapter for $10.98, eTrex PC/12v Power Combo Cable for $13.20 and eTrex PC Cable for $7.45. It is guaranteed to work perfectly with your eTrex GPS. These prices are significantly below Garmin OEM prices. Your can see pictures of our cables at http://store.yahoo.com/gilsson/cables.html Please email us at sales@gilsson.com or toll-free at 877-GPS-GEEK if we can be of service. Thanks ! Happy Navigating ! Ming Quote Link to comment
thcri Posted September 23, 2003 Author Share Posted September 23, 2003 Ming, I have been out of town for a few days but I am going to order the one that has the cigarette adapter along with the PC cable. That way I can have a PC serial cable at work and at home. Thanks for the information murph Quote Link to comment
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