Help! My "splashproof" GPS is not splashproof. How does one handle this problem, or is it insoluble? I have a Garmin GPS II, supposedly splashproof. In use, it sits on the foredeck of my kayak. When I use it, I take care not to roll or to do extreme leans. Shortly after I recieved it, the unit became inoperable. Changing the batteries, I noticed that there were several drops of water in the battery compartment, and one battery terminal had corroded slightly (suggesting that water had gotten into the battery compartment previously, as well). After the usual frustrating merry-go-round with the Garmin FAQ site, a few e-mails to Garmin, and a rather frustrating phone call to them, I was awarded a RMA number, authorization to return the unit for repair. When I got the unit back, the work slip said Garmin had "repaired gaskets, upgraded software" (though the software version on the returned unit has the same version number as it did before return). Last Thursday I took my first "long" paddle since the unit was returned, 12.3 nmi in almost flat calm conditions, no sea. No rolls. No significant leans. Probably no significant moisture except drips from the paddle onto the GPS. Saturday when I tried to use the unit again, it was inoperable. There were *many* drops of water in the battery compartment. I left the unit in the sun to dry, inserted new batteries, and it works normally again now. How does one use one of these things on a kayak, if you can't even get water droplets on them? Putting them in an Aqua-safe bag pretty much renders them useless, since you can't read them through the plastic of the bag, and you can't work the function keys through the bag either. A Zip-lok bag might work, but then how to affix the unit (the Zip-lok bag, or whatever) to the deck reliably? I think I have to give up on Garmin repairing the unit. It's difficult to get permission to return it, the "technical representatives" I finally reached was a surly fellow, and at least in this one case, the "repairs" haven't done anything to solve the problem. Any advice???? - Bill Hansen *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
G'day Bill - Look - I don't really understand the list policy on this - I am really just answering your question here - but how does one do this without appearing self promotional - and why should it not be if I am try to help - Sooooo........ "A disclaimer - yes I do sell these, but I am on the other side of the world to many of you so doubt it is going to do me much good". I think that if you use one of the Aquapac Brand Radio or GPS dry packs you will be OK. We use these routinely on our commercial guided tours and on big expeditions for our GPS equipment, radios and other electronic gear and they work fine. The buttons on the GPS are easy to use through the soft case and it is simple to see through the clear plastic. Best of all - your GPS will float if it comes off the deck!! With the cell phone cases the claim is there is only about 3% attenuation through the plastic, and that seems to be correct. For an example of them have a look at our Web site: http://www.kayaktours.com Under "Online Store in the left side panel, click on Accessory Sales, Click on "Welcome to the Shed", click "Gear to Keep your Gear Dry" and click on Dry Bags for Cameras, Radios, GPS and Cell Phones". These are a good product and you should be able to get them in the US. Do a search under "Aquaman' - the company in the UK which sells them - and you should be able to source a US dealer. Regards - Wayne Langmaid Central Coast Kayak Tours - only a step away from Sydney, Australia http://www.kayaktours.com Bhansen97_at_aol.com wrote: > Help! My "splashproof" GPS is not splashproof. How does one handle this > problem, or is it insoluble? > > I have a Garmin GPS II, supposedly splashproof. In use, it sits on the > foredeck of my kayak. When I use it, I take care not to roll or to do extreme > leans. > > Shortly after I recieved it, the unit became inoperable. Changing the > batteries, I noticed that there were several drops of water in the battery > compartment, and one battery terminal had corroded slightly (suggesting that > water had gotten into the battery compartment previously, as well). > > After the usual frustrating merry-go-round with the Garmin FAQ site, a few > e-mails to Garmin, and a rather frustrating phone call to them, I was awarded > a RMA number, authorization to return the unit for repair. When I got the > unit back, the work slip said Garmin had "repaired gaskets, upgraded > software" (though the software version on the returned unit has the same > version number as it did before return). > > Last Thursday I took my first "long" paddle since the unit was returned, 12.3 > nmi in almost flat calm conditions, no sea. No rolls. No significant leans. > Probably no significant moisture except drips from the paddle onto the GPS. > > Saturday when I tried to use the unit again, it was inoperable. There were > *many* drops of water in the battery compartment. I left the unit in the sun > to dry, inserted new batteries, and it works normally again now. > > How does one use one of these things on a kayak, if you can't even get water > droplets on them? Putting them in an Aqua-safe bag pretty much renders them > useless, since you can't read them through the plastic of the bag, and you > can't work the function keys through the bag either. A Zip-lok bag might > work, but then how to affix the unit (the Zip-lok bag, or whatever) to the > deck reliably? > > I think I have to give up on Garmin repairing the unit. It's difficult to get > permission to return it, the "technical representatives" I finally reached > was a surly fellow, and at least in this one case, the "repairs" haven't done > anything to solve the problem. > > Any advice???? - Bill Hansen > *************************************************************************** > PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List > Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net > Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net > Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ > *************************************************************************** *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
Bill - The web site is http://www.aquaman.co.uk In the US I think you can get a hold of them at 1-800-551-0966 Hope this helps you out - I do not think that you will be disappointed. Regards - Wayne Langmaid Central Coast Kayak Tours - only step away from Sydney, Australia Bhansen97_at_aol.com wrote: > Thanks for the tip on Aquapac for storage. I did access your website, and the > Aquapac looks like a very good product. Unfortunately when I searched for > "aquapac" using Yahoo, all I could find was a type of marine insurance > policy. The Aquasafe marketed in the USA is similar, but the plastic is too > heavy to allow operation of GPS controls, and it's a translucent blue, which > does not permit the GPS display to be read. > > I know that Aquapac is not available through West Marine or through the usual > paddling catalogs we get in the USA. > > As soon as I get more time I'll search for "Aquapac" using Hotbot, Inforseek, > Altavista, and other search engines. If it's available here, I'll find it. > > Bill *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
>> >How does one use one of these things on a kayak, if you can't even get water >droplets on them? Putting them in an Aqua-safe bag pretty much renders them >useless, since you can't read them through the plastic of the bag, and you >can't work the function keys through the bag either. A Zip-lok bag might >work, but then how to affix the unit (the Zip-lok bag, or whatever) to the >deck reliably? I've always used my Garmin 38 in a SEE-THRU drybag. It's clear plastic and I have no difficulty reading the display through it. And I have no difficulty pressing the buttons through the plastic. JP *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
My experience with Garmin has been excellent..no problem getting an RMA. On the other hand, I own a 12CX, and prior to that the 12XL and 12. All a totally sealed and waterproof format. I don't thing the 2/3 form is reliable for use in a Kayak. As the temperature changes within the unit it will suck up water. I think what happens is that the unit sits on the deck, heats up and then a wave breaks over it, cooling the unit and creating a vacuum which draws in water around the battery (in your case antenna) gaskets. A dry bag is a must for a 2/3 in my opinion. Make sure you have no corrosion on your battery terminals. If it's stopped working once, it will happen again. cya -----Original Message----- From: owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net] On Behalf Of Bhansen97_at_aol.com Sent: Sunday, May 30, 1999 9:27 PM To: PaddleWise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subject: [Paddlewise] Leaky GPS Help! My "splashproof" GPS is not splashproof. How does one handle this problem, or is it insoluble? I have a Garmin GPS II, supposedly splashproof. In use, it sits on the foredeck of my kayak. When I use it, I take care not to roll or to do extreme leans. Shortly after I recieved it, the unit became inoperable. Changing the batteries, I noticed that there were several drops of water in the battery compartment, and one battery terminal had corroded slightly (suggesting that water had gotten into the battery compartment previously, as well). After the usual frustrating merry-go-round with the Garmin FAQ site, a few e-mails to Garmin, and a rather frustrating phone call to them, I was awarded a RMA number, authorization to return the unit for repair. When I got the unit back, the work slip said Garmin had "repaired gaskets, upgraded software" (though the software version on the returned unit has the same version number as it did before return). Last Thursday I took my first "long" paddle since the unit was returned, 12.3 nmi in almost flat calm conditions, no sea. No rolls. No significant leans. Probably no significant moisture except drips from the paddle onto the GPS. Saturday when I tried to use the unit again, it was inoperable. There were *many* drops of water in the battery compartment. I left the unit in the sun to dry, inserted new batteries, and it works normally again now. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
> A dry bag is a must for a 2/3 in my opinion. Make sure you have > no corrosion > on your battery terminals. If it's stopped working once, it will happen > again. Neither my GPS III or III+ ever had problems from splashes. They have ridden in a mesh pouch on my deckbag may times without problems. I very rarely have to go into the battery compartment though since I use external power. Looking at the seals of the battery compartment has me wondering how long they will last though.... Woody *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.gasp-seakayak.net/paddlewise/ ***************************************************************************
This archive was generated by hypermail 2.4.0 : Thu Aug 21 2025 - 16:32:59 PDT