In a message dated 8/5/2002 11:36:37 AM Eastern Standard Time, staehpj1_at_yahoo.com writes: > Recommendations, observations, or comments? Not directly ... actually another question: I've been using a Garmin eTrex Venture for a couple of months. It works well and as advertised. (My only bug bear is the apparent fact that you have to buy a whole relatively expensive Garmin software package even if you only want the little bit that allows you to download "tracks" from the unit to the PC.) Over the last two weeks I noticed that when there were drops of water on the screen and the unit was in full sunlight, there appeared areas of condensation on the inside of the screen -- or between two layers of the screen at least. Is this a common problem? Is it worth discussing with Garmin? Best regards, Ralph Ralph_at_PouchBoats.com www.PouchBoats.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
FoldingBoats_at_aol.com wrote: > (My only bug > bear is the apparent fact that you have to buy a whole relatively expensive > Garmin software package even if you only want the little bit that allows you > to download "tracks" from the unit to the PC.) If that's all you need, then there are several free software packages available for download. One is EasyGPS (http://www.easygps.com/default.asp) and another is G7toWIN (http://www.gpsinformation.org/ronh/). If you also want to display your tracklog superimposed on satellite photos of the US (very neat) - you can download Doug Cox's USAPhotoMap program free of charge at: http://jdmcox.com/ . I would only recommend getting Garmin's MapSource products if you have a Garmin unit that supports maps since no 3rd party software will let you download maps to your GPSr. > Over the last two weeks I > noticed that when there were drops of water on the screen and the unit was in > full sunlight, there appeared areas of condensation on the inside of the > screen -- or between two layers of the screen at least. Is this a common > problem? Is it worth discussing with Garmin? Probably worth discussing with them while it's still under warranty. I've never noticed any signs of internal condensation in my GPSr and it's a model that's not even rated as waterproof. (I keep it in a waterproof pouch for kayaking but it's been through a few showers while hiking and bicycling.) *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
Ralph wrote: > I noticed that when there were drops of water on the screen and the unit was in > full sunlight, there appeared areas of condensation on the inside of the > screen -- or between two layers of the screen at least. Is this a common > problem? Is it worth discussing with Garmin? I've sent the following letter to Garmin Technical Support. In my experience, they answer question quite quickly. I'll keep you posted. Niels. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Dear sirs, On an email discussion group, someone asked the following question: > I noticed that when there were drops of water on the screen and the unit was in > full sunlight, there appeared areas of condensation on the inside of the > screen -- or between two layers of the screen at least. Is this a common > problem? Is it worth discussing with Garmin? I've seen exactly the same on the 3 Garmin units I've owned: Twice a 12XL and once an Etrex. The first unit I've returned to you and was replaced (Excellent service!) but I couldn't be bothered to return the other two. Still, I am curious where this condensation is coming from, if all units are filled with the same humid atmosphere and if it might harm the unit. I will forward your answer to the discussion group: "Paddlewise", consisting of a couple of hundred seakayakkers around the world. Thanks in advance, Niels Blaauw. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
As far as I know ... Paddlewise should be around the 800 subscribers at the moment ... a couple of four hundreds, actually ... ;) Fernando Lopez Arbarello *** KAYAK ARGENTINA *** http://home.earthlink.net/~kayakargentina -----Original Message----- From: owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net [mailto:owner-paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net]On Behalf Of Niels Blaauw Sent: Lunes, 05 de Agosto de 2002 06:01 p.m. To: Paddlewise Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] GPS Question, the next one > ... I will forward your answer to the discussion group: "Paddlewise", >consisting of a couple of hundred seakayakkers around the world. > >Thanks in advance, > >Niels Blaauw. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
From: <FoldingBoats_at_aol.com> > Over the last two weeks I > noticed that when there were drops of water on the screen and the unit was in > full sunlight, there appeared areas of condensation on the inside of the > screen -- or between two layers of the screen at least. Is this a common > problem? Is it worth discussing with Garmin? I've seen this on my five year old 12XL and always ignored it - no problems so far. I've also seen it numerous times in my watch (waterproof rating 200 ft) and it hasn't been a problem either. The air in the unit isn't going to be perfectly dry and condensation can form under the right conditions. If left to its own devices, the internal humidity will return to normal. If the drops you see are anything bigger than a fine mist on part of the screen, I'd be concerned. Don't forget that leaving a GPS on the deck in the sun is going to make it pretty hot - I'm more concerned about the effects of this heat than on the effects of the water (mine's in a Aquapac GPS/cell phone drybag). I keep the GPS in the knee tube and pull it out only occasionally. For my one week trip in northern Georgian Bay, I left it home and used map and compass. I believe the GPS is a backup device and not a primary navigation device - but that probably puts me in the minority. The only time the GPS gets significant use is geocaching or when I'm playing with it in the car on a trip. Mike *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
I have had a condensation problem with my Etrex Vista. I have always kept it in a waterproof bag and I think that may be part of the problem. The "waterproof" bag is one of those with the roll down top from Voyageur and like all roll down tops it is more splash resistant than truly waterproof and if it gets splashed alot, a little humidity eventually works its way in. If this humidity builds up it seems to force humidity into the GPS. It got to the point with mine that the front cursor botton did not work properly. I could get it to work by rinsing with fresh water, then that didn't work. Recently I've dowsed it with tuner cleaner and it is working again. I have had some luck operating it without the "waterproof" bag and will continue to try it that way. Nick At 2:04 PM -0400 8/5/02, FoldingBoats_at_aol.com wrote: > Over the last two weeks I >noticed that when there were drops of water on the screen and the unit was in >full sunlight, there appeared areas of condensation on the inside of the >screen -- or between two layers of the screen at least. Is this a common >problem? Is it worth discussing with Garmin? > >Best regards, >Ralph -- Nick Schade Guillemot Kayaks 824 Thompson St Glastonbury, CT 06033 (860) 659-8847 *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
>(My only bug bear is the apparent fact that you have to > buy a whole relatively expensive Garmin software package > even if you only want the little bit that allows you > to download "tracks" from the unit to the PC.) Hello paddlewisers, been a long while since I've contributed anything to this list, but I still lurk in the corners now and again. Hello to anyone who remembers me! I use GPS utility: http://www.gpsu.co.uk/ with an etrex. Compatible with most GPS receivers, distributed as shareware at US$40 to register the full version, and does everything I require and more. I have no affiliation with the company, I am just a very satisfied user and would recomend it - won't cost anything to download and try. HTH Cheers Colin 57º19'N 2º10'W http://www.abdn.ac.uk/~ltu006/ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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