GPS for christmas

[+seekerfamily]

So I have had 4 garmins since I started caching. The most recent was a Garmin colorado - had one stolen, replaced with purchase on e-bay. The newest one has frozen up and will not load past the loading maps screen - so its time for a new GPS. Looking for cachers that have used multiple GPS units - suggestions, what do you uee, do you like it, would you purchase it again, problems, etc...

Thanks for all input.

seekerfamily

[+Red90]

All the modern Garmin handhelds work fine. It is a personal choice which one YOU will like. It is best for you to go and look at them in person.

 

The Colorado is probably easily fix-able though.

[+Viajero Perdido]

The newest one has frozen up and will not load past the loading maps screen - so its time for a new GPS.

Uh, I don't see the logic there. There are ways to un-freeze Garmin units. Removing the memory card, try that. Doing a hard reset, try that. Googling around, try that.

 

I know they want you to spend spend spend, but I'm telling you, you shouldn't have to.

[+Team DEMP]

Have you checked out and tried what is referenced in the thread at http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=300528 ?

 

Have you contacted Garmin support?

 

For me, I'm getting a Oregon 700, replacing a Garmin 76cs from about 2005.

[+GrateBear]

The newest one has frozen up and will not load past the loading maps screen - so its time for a new GPS.

Uh, I don't see the logic there. There are ways to un-freeze Garmin units. Removing the memory card, try that. Doing a hard reset, try that. Googling around, try that.

 

I know they want you to spend spend spend, but I'm telling you, you shouldn't have to.

I used the same excuse a couple of years ago--old unit froze, and nothing I did could get it working again, so as it was black Friday, ordered a new one. Some time later, I decided to call Garmin about the old one, and they guided me through a hard reset. It worked, and I am now the happy owner of two working Garmins! I have no complaints

[+seekerfamily]

Thanks for the suggestions, have tried to reset - holding the buttons - it asks are you sure and then freezes if answer yes, have tried no memory card, with and without batteries. The computer will not recognize the unit when attached to computer. Needs a new rock-n-roller wheel (currently taped). I am not about buy, buy, buy but enjoy geocaching and currently it is a pain in the butt with much older GPS and entering all coords by hand, no descriptions of cache - coords only.

Seekerfamily

[+seekerfamily]

Does anyone have the info on the reference thread that connects to the wiki?

[+JohnCNA]

The newest one has frozen up and will not load past the loading maps screen - so its time for a new GPS.

Uh, I don't see the logic there. There are ways to un-freeze Garmin units. Removing the memory card, try that. Doing a hard reset, try that. Googling around, try that.

 

I know they want you to spend spend spend, but I'm telling you, you shouldn't have to.

I used the same excuse a couple of years ago--old unit froze, and nothing I did could get it working again, so as it was black Friday, ordered a new one. Some time later, I decided to call Garmin about the old one, and they guided me through a hard reset. It worked, and I am now the happy owner of two working Garmins! I have no complaints

 

Sometimes this is the best way to get an upgrade expenditure past those who hold the family purse strings.

[+msrubble]

Does anyone have the info on the reference thread that connects to the wiki?

 

Garmin Colorado Wiki: Miscellaneous

 

The earlier thread suggested you look at questions M11 and M12.

[+Red90]

Try different cables and computer. Hold pressure on the connector when booting. The units are very sensitive to the specific cable. I've had ones that act like yours and using a new Garmin cable fixed the problem. The USB connections on the Colorados are troublesome and you may need to clean and then add pressure to the connector. A genuine Garmin cable is best. Last option see M12 above.

[+mikeD]

I am in the same boat as you, stuck on map load screen

Rang garmin uk

This is what they sent me

I am using a garmin oregon 750t

 

The fix hasn't worked so will be phoning again Monday

This advice above is fairly generic

I think I have loaded a corrupt map to the device not a card

Tried different pc, cables nada!

 

This may be of help to you

Mike

 

 

========

 

I refer to your recent enquiry concerning the above.

 

I would recommend performing a soft reset while the device is connected to a computer. Please follow the instructions in the attached user manual [Page 16]

http://static.garmin.com/pumac/Oregon_7xx_OM_EN.pdf

 

If this fails I would recommend performing a Boot Block:

 

Mass storage devices typically appear as a drive on your computer, allowing easy access to data on the device regardless of operating system. Occasionally, the device may not appear as a drive. To troubleshooting an outdoor USB mass storage device that is not being recognized by the computer the following steps can be performed.

 

If the device is not recognized as a drive:

 

- Ensure device interface option is set to Garmin Spanner or Garmin Serial1

- Answer Yes to any prompt to enter mass storage mode

 

If device is still not recognized after one minute, the steps below will be necessary.

 

- Ensure device battery is fully charged

- Disconnect device from computer

- Power device off

- Press and hold the POWER button

- Plug device into computer

- Wait until device is recognized by computer, it may take up to 30 seconds for device to be recognized as a drive

- If prompted, install USB device drivers

- Release appropriate button(s)

- Backup device to http://www.garmin.com/basecamp to backup device

- Right-click on device drive

- Click Eject

- Disconnect device from computer

- If required, insert batteries into device

- Power on device

 

Your device should now function normally

 

If this fails I would recommend cleaning the charge contacts on the unit and charging accessory:

 

The following non-abrasive substances can be used to clean the contacts:

 

- Rubbing alcohol/Isopropyl (Recommended method)

- Eye glass cleaner

- Electronic screen wipes

- Pencil eraser

 

I would also strongly recommend trying to replicate this at another computer.

 

If there is anything else I can help you with then please let me know. Alternatively you can search for a solution here: https://support.garmin.com/en-GB/

 

If you would like to see our Christmas Garmin Gift Guide please click this link: http://explore.garmin.com/en-GB/holiday/

 

Kind regards,

 

Max

 

Garmin Europe

 

______________________________________________________________

 

PO Box 392 | Southampton | SO40 0FW | UK

 

T: 0808 238 0000 | F: +44 (0)23 8052 4004 | www.garmin.co.uk

 

Registered office: Liberty House, Hounsdown Business Park , Southampton , SO40 9LR , UK . Registration no. 2724437 VAT Reg. No. GB568 6978 58

[+seekerfamily]

Thanks for all the help. With miked's suggestion I actually got the GPS to be recognized by the computer for the first time in 7 months. It says the file is empty but that is progress. I would like to try a master reboot but the file as suggested for M12 could not be opened unless I am missing something. Does anyone have that file - the colorado mass storage zip is the only file that is clickable and the message I get is it can't be read.

 

Thanks,

 

Seekerfamily

[+geodarts]

Thanks for all the help. With miked's suggestion I actually got the GPS to be recognized by the computer for the first time in 7 months. It says the file is empty but that is progress. I would like to try a master reboot but the file as suggested for M12 could not be opened unless I am missing something. Does anyone have that file - the colorado mass storage zip is the only file that is clickable and the message I get is it can't be read.

 

Thanks,

 

Seekerfamily

 

The M12 advice was retrieved from the internet wayback machine archive, which does not save the files embedded in the link. I have successfully used that procedure twice on separate units as a last-ditch method. The first time, Garmin sent me the correct .rgn file to reinstall the firmware into the gpsr -- it might have been with a Colorado that I had at the time. I do not know if you have contacted Garmin or if the Colorado is now beyond any kind of support for them to provide you with the right file. I did not find the .rgn file doing a quick google search, which is not to say that it is not to be found, and perhaps someone here has a copy of it. But I did find links to a Colorado firmware .gcd file, a utility to convert such files to the .rgn format, and the executable program to update the gpsr. I am not sure if I still have the latter .exe file or not. If Garmin support cannot help you, you might try tracking these down and see if it works for you.

Edited December 19, 2016 by geodarts

[+seekerfamily]

Just want to ask again if anyone has a file to use to do a master reboot - talking to garmin support they only suggested the reset where you hold the 2 softkeys when booting - have tried at least a dozen times - it asks are you sure you want to do this and when answer yes the screen freezes. Thanks for any help

Seekerfamily

[+Red90]

All of the standalone installers are here: http://gawisp.com/perry/colorado/

[+Red90]

See here to get the old style updater.exe and convert GCD to RGN. http://www.gpspower.net/software-tools/210024-garmin-updater-exe-v-2-8-0-a.html

[+mikeD]

Merry Xmas to all

Update on my ' bricked' 750T. Only 4 months old

Spoke to garmin again, no actions possible to recover.

They have sent me a new one!

Mike

[+seekerfamily]

Again thank you everyone but now I am totally lost - at best i can get the computer to recognize a removable disk but not garmin - if try to open - no files found. The GPS power website looks like it may be helpful but is way beyond my understanding.

Seekerfamily

[+Red90]

The GPS power website looks like it may be helpful but is way beyond my understanding.

Seekerfamily

 

You just need to register and login to their forum to download the file. It is no different than any other forum.

[+seekerfamily]

Registered on the forum yesterday - installed most recent usb drivers again

Installed the updater finally last night once got if figured out

Installed recovery tool 3 yesterday

Installed one other - forgot name right now

The problem is that they won't recognize the GPS when connected - at best I have had it say garmin and FAT32 but no files can be found - usually will only say a removable disk and not identify as garmin.

I have not been able to search the garmin for any files as it will not identify it as a garmin

[+seekerfamily]

received e-mail from garmin support - reply was based on my info the device is defective and they no longer support the Colorado so no help there but can get a discount on a new model if send the old one in.