>>>>Date: Mon, 5 Aug 2002 14:04:58 EDT From: FoldingBoats_at_aol.com Subject: [Paddlewise] GPS Question, the next one 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?<<<< -------------------- Regarding downloading tracks -- there are other software products (some are free- or share-ware) that will do this for you at no cost. I use GPS Utility (http://www.gpsu.co.uk/) which is free unless you get the full-featured version. I believe Ossie Explorer (I think that's what it's called) will also do this. Regarding eTrex battery life and condensation leaks -- I recently returned from a 7-day kayaking trip in the Nootka sound area and got by with one set of alkaline batteries on my eTrex Summit (the unit with the electronic compass but no charts), though I don't keep the GPS turned on all the time (maybe it was on 25% of the time). When I did have it on, I had my compass turned on the whole time, but kept the unit in "battery-saver" mode which seems to make a big difference. I don't find the eTrex electronic compass to be very reliable, so I usually just take the bearing from the display screen and use that with the compass on my kayak deck. However, based on your comments about it being a battery drain, I will probably turn the compass feature off and save further on batteries. Regarding leakage, I tried the trick someone on this list mentioned (sorry, whoever you are, your name escapes me) about using electrical tape around the battery compartment (since I find it awkward to use, kept in a bag). Worked great. Despite one quick dunking and lots of splashing -- no water at all got in the battery compartment. If you do that, I recommend buying the more expensive "professional grade" electrical tape. BUT -- I also have just a bit of condensation on the screen (the part that IS supposed to be immersible). It seems to go away quickly as it warms, but it bugs me nonetheless. Evan Dallas Woodinville, Washington *************************************************************************** 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 use an Etrex Legend and have found that although my battery compartment stays dry, the contacts for the PC cable or 12 volt adaptor cable, seem to pick up some corrosion from the salt air and/or occasional dunking. Any tips for this problem? Steve Holtzman ----- Original Message ----- From: "Evan Dallas" <Evan_Dallas_at_notes.ntrs.com> > > I tried the trick someone on this list mentioned (sorry, > whoever you are, your name escapes me) about using electrical tape around > the battery compartment (since I find it awkward to use, kept in a bag). > Worked great. Despite one quick dunking and lots of splashing -- no water > at all got in the battery compartment. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Steve Holtzman wrote: >>>> I use an Etrex Legend and have found that although my battery compartment stays dry, the contacts for the PC cable or 12 volt adaptor cable, seem to pick up some corrosion from the salt air and/or occasional dunking. Any tips for this problem?<<<< I've had the same problem, despite Garmin's specs that claim the contacts are gold plated. If so, it must not be much more than a molecule thick! Unfortunately, I dealt with the corrosion by scraping the contacts with a small screwdriver -- which worked, but probably scraped what little gold was put on the contacts in the first place. Evan Dallas Woodinville, Washington "Steve Holtzman" <sh_at_actglobal.ne To: <paddlewise_at_paddlewise.net>, "Evan Dallas" <Evan_Dallas_at_notes.ntrs.com> t> cc: <FoldingBoats_at_aol.com> Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] Misc GPS questions 08/05/2002 02:44 PM *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Evan Dallas wrote: > I've had the same problem, despite Garmin's specs that claim the contacts > are gold plated. If so, it must not be much more than a molecule thick! > Unfortunately, I dealt with the corrosion by scraping the contacts with a > small screwdriver -- which worked, but probably scraped what little gold > was put on the contacts in the first place. Evan, what I have done is to rub the contacts with a lead pencil. I read somewhere that the graphite can help restore the connections. What I'd really like to do though is find an easy fix that will keep the problem from getting worse. Steve Holtzman *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Steve Holtzman" <sh_at_actglobal.net> wrote: >> Evan Dallas wrote: > I've had the same problem, despite Garmin's specs that claim the contacts > are gold plated. If so, it must not be much more than a molecule thick! > Unfortunately, I dealt with the corrosion by scraping the contacts with a > small screwdriver -- which worked, but probably scraped what little gold > was put on the contacts in the first place. Evan, what I have done is to rub the contacts with a lead pencil. I read somewhere that the graphite can help restore the connections. What I'd really like to do though is find an easy fix that will keep the problem from getting worse. >> That's a new one on me. I had always understood that one should use the __eraser__ end of a pencil on the contacts, to clean them. The rubber eraser is a gentle abrasive. I have used this technique on battery terminals, flashlight bulbs, computer plugins, etc., and it seems to work. YMMV. -- Dave Kruger Astoria, OR *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
When I was in the army, a long time ago in a galaxy far far away, I used to clean the contact points on our radios with a pencil eraser. The foil from a cigarette pack works well too if you can get it in the small space where needed. Jim (lucky they never threw me in federal prison for being stubborn) et al I had always understood that one should use the > __eraser__ end of a pencil on the contacts, to clean them. The rubber eraser > is a gentle abrasive. I have used this technique on battery terminals, > flashlight bulbs, computer plugins, etc., and it seems to work. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
(Moderator's Note: Content unaltered. Excessive quoting (i.e. headers/footers/sig lines/comments from previous posts, etc.) have been removed. Please edit quoted material and list footers when replying to posts.) Dave, That's what I tried first, but I was still unable to get a good electrical contact and it was refusing to communicate with my PC. The graphite trick worked---but it still looks like the contacts are getting worse just from exposure to salt air. Sure wish, Garmin would use a better method than a rubber plug to protect those contacts. Steve Holtzman ----- Original Message ----- From: "Dave Kruger" > I had always understood that one should use the > __eraser__ end of a pencil on the contacts, to clean them. The rubber eraser > is a gentle abrasive. > flashlight bulbs, computer plugins, etc., and it seems to work. *************************************************************************** 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/ ***************************************************************************
Hi all, (try all this at your own risk, by the way) I know there exist contact cleaners/lubricant/protection products that should prevent oxidation of contacts. I don't know any particular brand names although "Electrolube" showed up in a quick internet search. Best check at a well stocked electronics (parts) store, and try the most "gentle" one available. Just make sure you don't use an agressive type of contact cleaner, I have bad experiences with one I think was called Kontakt 60, by a Dutch company. I once used that on a cassettedeck's switches, and on the long term it only made matters worse (the switches went green with copper oxide). Perhaps you can try coating the contacts with just a tiny amount of vaseline to prevent oxidation. Or just put a large blob in between the contacts and the rubber flap to seal off water entirely (this gets messy and you'll need to clean this when you want to connect something, and it also might affect the rubber or the plastic of the unit, so again, use at your own risk). regards, Kees *************************************************************************** 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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