[Paddlewise] Used Garmin eTrex???

I had a similar experience to what Jack mentions, where my eTrex took a
tumble in the water during a landing and subsequently the unit failed to
work.  I was able to get a refund, but it was still a hassle.  ALSO:
Garmin says the contacts (the ones used to hook the GPS to your computer)
are gold-plated.  If so, it must be about one molecule thick, since even
without being submerged, but only coming into contact with salt spray, I
found green corrosion coating the contacts.  Before I knew they were
(supposedly) gold-plated, I took a little screwdriver to scrape the
corrosion off in the hopes of getting connection and probably scraped
whatever trace of gold was on it clean off.  Incidentally, does anyone know
whether Garmin will send a replacement unit in this situation?

Evan
Woodinville, Washington

>>>>>Date: Fri, 25 Jan 2002 23:11:55 EST
From: JCMARTIN43_at_aol.com
Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Used Garmin eTrex???

> BTW, I have checked out the submersability of Garmin's unit by going for
a
> swim in the surf. I rinsed it in fresh water and it works fine. I now put
it
> in a baggy for surf launches and landings, but otherwise take it out and
> just keep it in the pocket of my PFD.
>

Abandoning my lurk at the scan of eTrex!  My luck with that unit was not as
positive.  Splashing with salt spray and probably some water shorted out
the
batteries and disabled the unit.  Twice.  I returned it to West Marine with
all the corrosion intact, and suggested --- in writing --- that they not
perpetuate Garmin's misstatement about "submersibility".  They will admit
that the unit will not work after submerence of virtually any kind, but, if
you can find new batteries, completely dry the inside of the battery
casing,
and then get it back together during a severe attack of clapotis, you have
no
problem.  See, Garmin will say, the electronics survive!  BS --- it's false
advertising, and they should cease and desist.  An unbagged eTrex is a
light
paperweight once it's wet.  Not worth the money.  Just plain not worth the
chance that it won't work when you really need it.

End rant: resuming lurk.  Two months to graduation.

Jack Martin<<<<<

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