Help - My new etrex Legend is defective (?)

[ChiefPig]

Sorry for the duplicate post but I figured more people read this section...

 

I just got a brand new eTrex Legend yesterday and took in on a field test today (and found my first cache!) My unit turned off a few times while I was walking on the trails with the unit hanging on my neck with the lanyard. After I discovered this problem, I tried giving the unit a light tap at the back while it was on and it turned off sometimes too. I figure the batteries/terminals are loose inside the compartment.

 

Is this still a common problem with the Legend? Is this a problem with all etrex models? If I exchange my unit for another Legend would I most likely encounter the same problem? Should I just look into another model or brand of handheld GPS?

[firefyt911]

I have a Legend and have had no problems. I would try exchanging it for another. check to see that you battery cover is on tight, it is on a 1/2 turn to lock the cover.

[ChiefPig]

Ok, I'll return my unit tomorrow. Hopefully the next one won't have the same problem.

 

Thanks!

[+BrownMule & Jackrabbit]

This is still a common problem with the etrex line as far as I know. You can try getting a new one but it is easily fixed by bending the battery connections outward into the battery compartment making the batteries fit tighter.

 

_________________________________________________________

On the other hand, you have different fingers.

[Files Family]

Mine had a similar problem and was addressed by this software update.

 

Just d/l it yesterday and haven't had a chance to test it yet.

 

Hope that helps you.

 

Files Family

Tulsa, Oklahoma

[+2CacheSharks]

It might be a bad one, mine has never done that before.

 

We used to be directionally challenged, now we have a GPS, and are high-tech directionally challenged. At least now we know where we are when we are lost.

[+CraZy Cache]

Try updating the software before you take it back. My friend had a similar problem and the updated software fixed it. Currently most Legends are shipped with 3.2 and on July 30, 2003 3.4 came out that addressed the following issues:

 

Updated French translations.

Improved WAAS/EGNOS satellite selection algorithm to select the satellite with the most beneficial corrections given the unit's current position. A unit will not use a WAAS/EGNOS satellite if the unit's current position is outside of a given WAAS/EGNOS satellite's service volume.

Improved external power detection.

 

The last one could be your issue. When external power is detected (as via a cigarette lighter) and then pulled off from external power, you only have 30 seconds before it shuts down. There is a message that says you must press a button within 30 seconds if you want to go to battery power. Evidently, Legends were having problems knowing whether or not they were connected to external power which is why they were shutting down so much. Give it a try, if it doesn't work, I would take it back! Go to:

 

http://www.garmin.com/support/download.jsp

 

Then select eTrex Legend. Hope this helps...I love my Legend. I upgraded as soon as I got it and before I used it so I don't know if it helped or not.

 

CraZy Cache!

[ChiefPig]

Thanks for all the responses.

 

I did upgrade the software to 3.40 yesterday (before taking it geocaching this morning) since I was having that "external power loss" problem right out of the box. I don't think I get that message anymore. I was playing with my unit for 2 hours yesterday at home after the software upgrade without getting the shutting down message.

 

I really think it is a case of the batteries losing contact when it gets slightly bumped.

 

I'm kinda disappointed to hear that there is a possibility that all etrexs have this loose battery problem. I mean a outdoor hiking/navigation product like this should withstand slight bumps while hanging on a lanyard!

[Bobthearch]

Several people at work have bought various eTrex models with no problems. And that's after months of rugged use.

 

I think you should send it back, and I bet you won't have the same problem twice in a row.

 

Best Wishes,

Bob

[+junglehair]

I was starting to have that problem after a year of pretty heavy use. I ended up giving my old Legend to my mom to use, and bought myself a new one (another Legend). I still think it's a great unit.

 

I would recommend returning it for a new one if the update to the firmware didn't solve the problem.

 

-Junglehair

 

I thought I was wrong once, but I was mistaken.

[+Planet]

I had the probelm, and was told about the battery connections. I just give them a little bend now and then, and it's fine. When I got it I got it from Circuit City and bought a lifetime warranty on it. If those battery terminals go I certainly hope it's covered. They said even if I run it over with my car they'll give me a new one. The warranty came not from Garmin, but from Circuit City.

 

Cache you later,

Planet

 

So many caches, so little time.

[+fly46]

I've noticed when I let go of mine and just hang it around the neck that I lose the satelites. The quirks of the technology that we have.

[ChiefPig]

Ok, I have returned my unit during my lunch hour and I now have another new Legend. It is obviously from a different batch cause this one has an older software 2.38 compared to the first one that I got which had 3.20. I guess I got last years stock but still NIB though. I'll ugrade my software to 3.40 first thing when I get home.

 

Hopefully this unit does not fail me! If this one still has the power problem, I think I'll just get a refund from the store and get myself a GPS V Deluxe.

 

Just a side note: I got an email from Garmin tech support suggesting the use of Brand Name alkalines instead of "possibly smaller" generic ones. I used a pair of generic alkalines on the first unit (I don't see why I have to pay 2x for batteries that don't last 2x compared to generic ones). I'll use the same batteries on the new unit. If the problem happens again, I'll switch to the copper top before deciding to return the Legend again.

 

Thanks again for the replies!

[bigcritter]

I just bought a new legend yesterday, and I've barely turned it off since. I've tried everything on it since with none of the problems that you've mentioned. I totally love mine so far, and can't wait to get the Mapquest CD with all the street data, etc.

[DiverMan]

Hi All,

 

I Have the Legend and I love it. I have not had any problems at all. I have noticed though (not just with the Legend, but with everything that takes batteries) that you get what you pay for. I prefer Duracell (no, I am not a salesman ). You will also notice that as the batteries "wear" a bit, your accuracy will drop.

 

Have a great day!!

 

DiverMan

 

Dive Down, Dive Deep

[+briansnat]

Never had the problem with my Legend, but my Vista has shut off on a few occasions. But I stress a few. Maybe 3-4 times in several hundred hours of use.

 

"You can't make a man by standing a sheep on his hind legs. But by standing a flock of sheep in that position, you can make a crowd of men" - Max Beerbohm

[ChiefPig]

Well, it is nice to know that my problem seems to be an isolated one and there is a big possibility that I won't encounter the same problem on the new replacement unit. *Fingers crossed* *Knocks on wood*

[+Firehouse16]

I noticed this problem with mine sitting on the dash while driving. I'd look and it would be off. It might be the connection, it's only done it 3-4 times in 40+ hrs of use.

 

Anyone know how to check which version I have? Is the upgrade easy? I haven't even thought about hooking it up to my Win2K machine yet. I've only had it 5 days now.

 

Thanks,

 

Firehouse16 (Dave)

[ChiefPig]

The upgrade to 3.40 (Legend) is easy to do. takes a few minutes only and the download file is pretty small. I upgraded my replacement unit from 2.38 to 3.40 successfully. I even upgraded the first unit from 3.20 to 3.40.

 

You can check your software version by going to the main menu -> setup -> system -> (drop down menu) software version

[+Firehouse16]

Thanks Pig! Mine's 3.20. I'll upgrade soon, one thing at a time I figure. This is all Greek to me, but I'm enjoying the hell out of it. I'm a GeoCaching Fool now!

 

Firehouse16

[ChiefPig]

No problem. The upgrade would probably get rid of the ocassional shutting down "problem" for you.

[+Genoist]

i had this problem with my venture. i corrected it by putting a small piece of foil under the battery to create a tighter connection. It only did this when i was using nimh batteries (which are smaller), not when using alkaline. i heard somewhere that garmin will send you a spacer thing to put in the battery compartment if you call them.