Re: [Paddlewise] eTrex "submersibility"

Dave Kruger wrote:

> Garmin is not alone in this -- many will recall the "VHF wars" discussed here
> some months ago.  I suspect the bottom line may be that almost any battery
> compartment which allows the user to replace the batteries (read:  "uses
> alkalines or other non-rechargeable batteries") is prone to water entry.
> Exception:  small-volume/heavily gasketed compartments like the one on my
> Pentax WR-90, which has withstood water entry for four seasons so far.
>

I don't get it.  I started thinking about it on my vacation.  I've always been able to
buy the argument, supporting Garmin and others, that the $3.00 parts (batteries)
are expendable, but the $$$ parts (electronics) are waterproof.

On vacation, I thought about my Minolta camera, brought along for snorkling.
Waterproof to 15 ft, period.  Batteries (small door) and film compartment (much
bigger door than the battery compartment of any GPS/VHS whatever that we've
been discussing).

So what's the big deal with these electronic gadgets?  The camera just has a
big O-ring around the film door.  Why can't they do the same with the other
devices' battery compartments.  Those doors are smaller than the film door
on my camera.  The engineer in me says - can do... if they had the will.

No more support - they _should_ be waterproof!

> A letter-writing campaign, *directed toward Garmin's CEO,* might be the most
> effective tactic.

We're a small market - that's why so few waterproof gadgets exist.  I'd like the
to go after Nokia, Motorola and other cell phone companies - I've seen blocks
of salt last longer in water than their products.  And these "portable" units are
plenty fragile.

Mike (who's grumpy - see my other post).

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