Help with Garmin GPS... GRRRRR

[lewdogg21]

So for CHRISTmas 04 my father bought me a Garmin Rino 110 GPS.  Since then I have attempted to use it a grand total of 5-6 times with disasterous results.  Long story short it eats batteries like kids eat sugar.  It is virtually useless b/c I cannot carry enough AA's to keep this thing fed.  I have tried different brands from different stores and all have the same result.  To be honest the unit will drain the batteries within a day when off and when the unit is on I may get 45 mins of use max. 

I emailed garmin and here was their reply. (my email is first followed by their response)

Original Message-----
From: Lewis Callahan [mailto:lewdogg21@hotmail.com]
Sent: Monday, May 15, 2006 2:35 PM
To: Garmin Technical Support
Subject: Tech support request for Rino 110

Contact Information:
First Name:         Lewis
Last Name:          Callahan
Address:           
City, State, Zip:   , ,
Country:            United States
Phone:             
E-Mail:             lewdogg21@hotmail.com
Product:            Rino 110
Serial Number:      93492874
Software Version:   

Problem:
I received this unit for Christmas and it drains batteries at a highly
unusal rate.  I have purchased new batteries from different stores and they
all last a very short time even when the unit is off.  For example I can
purchase a new pack of duracell or energizer AA's and I will insert them and
they will be drained within a day or so (without turning the unit on).  The
unit is worthless b/c of this since I can't trust it while in the woods nor
do I want to carry 16 new AA batteries every time.  Please reply back with
how I can send my unit in for repairs or preferably a new rhin 110. 

Thank you.

Request emailed to outdoor@garmin.com


Their reply was

Good morning Lewis,

  Thank you for contacting Garmin International. I would be happy to assist
you. From what you have describe, it would appear that your unit is not
functioning correctly, and should be returned to the factory for service.

The flat rate of repair for your unit is $79.00 plus tax , however this
would be covered under warranty for free if it is less than one year from
the date of purchase and the unit has not been damaged.

If you wish to send the unit in for service, please forward me the following
information or you can contact our Customer Service group at 1-800-800-1020
or 913-397-8200 hours are 8-5 CST M-F.

Full Name:
Shipping address:
City, State, Zip Code:
Daytime phone number:
Unit:
S/N of unit:
Description of Problem:
Credit Card # and Expiration date: (If unit is not covered under warranty)
Garmin can create the RMA so that you may include either a check or money
order to cover the repair cost.  We may also bill it to a credit card when
we receive the unit for repair.  Please indicate your preference and include
your Credit card number and expiration date if you choose this option.


(Note: I do not recommend emailing CC information for this is not a secure
site).  You may  call 1-800-800-1020 and select our sales and repair line to
setup the repair over the phone if you wish.


  Thank you for your inquiry and for choosing Garmin. If you need any other
assistance with this, please feel free to call our 800-800-1020 line during
our business hours of 8:00 to 5:00 Central Time, Monday through Friday.

Best Regards,

Casi H.
Product Support Specialist
Garmin International
Fax 913-440-5488
Phone 800-800-1020



I called garmin and was fed the same crap. 
Granted the unit was purchased 1.5 years ago but it never worked to begin with and I kept trying thinking it must be me doing something wrong.  Getting this thing fixed is not the first thing on my mine untill hunting season rolls around.  I'm going to take another stab about getting this thing fixed for free since it was defective in the first place.  I'm not too keen about paying $79 + purchase price for this GPS.  Does anyone have any recommendations?  My father may have purchased it through cabelas so I could take a stab with them too.

Signed,
Frustrated hunter Lewis 


P.S. If you can help please reply or pm me.

[savageT]

Seems to be a heavy parasitic current drain or "short" in your unit.  If you can reach no satisfaction by reading & reviewing the operation manual (VERY IMPORTANT that you note what direction the batteries must be placed into the compartment as in + and - ends of each battery), then try calling their 1-800 HELP line to see if they can go over setup/operation with you.
If that doesn't help, look into bringing it into a local electronics and radio repair technician to find out what is causing the severe drainage.
Good Luck
Jim

[Siskiyou]

I have to agree with SavageT that your Rhino has a defect that is causing an abnormal power drain.  It should not be draining batteries when it is turned off.  According to Garmin you should be getting around 15 hours out of a set of batteries.  You have a number of options.  None of them would make me happy.

(1)    The unit is out of warranty and it places you in a bind.  Return it to Garmin after you get a RMA number with your credit card number.  Hopefully if they find that the unit left the factory defective they will repair or replace it at no cost to you.  Supporting documentation would help in regards to the vendor.  If it was an e-bay purchase you are up the river in most cases.  Enclose a copy of the original sales receipt if possible. 
(2)   SavageT suggest that you take it to a private shop and have it checked out.  Make sure that you have an agreement on cost.  Sending it back to Garmin most likely will be cheaper.  For $79.00 you know that you will receive a working unit back from Garmin.  There are a lot of radio shops around, but how many have the expertise to work on a radio with a gps interface.  I do not know.  I suspect that $79.00 per hour is close to the shop rate for many radio shops.  Some years back I had a government radio tech tell me that many radios cost more to repair then replace based on the hourly rate charged by many shops.

I can appreciate your frustration.  I have a set of binoculars that I purchased while traveling some years ago.  When I realized they had a problem the warranty was almost up, but I was working long hours and never got them sent in.  Now that I have time the warranty is long gone.  One of these days I will toss them in the garbage.

A general suggestion with outdoor electronic equipment is to let it run a lot after purchasing it.  Even if it is powered up and setting on the window seal.  If there is a factory defect it should show up in a relative short time.  Rechargeable batteries are handy for this activity.  It also gives you and opportunity to learn the new toy with the manual in hand.  If you do not have a manual you can normally download one from the manufactures website.

Electronic equipment rapidly becomes obsolete.  If it has a problem get it repair right away.  With some many items being “Out Sourced” there may not be a long-term part supply in the United States. 

http://www.garmin.com/manuals/Rino110_OwnersManual.pdf

http://www.magellangps.com/support/

http://www.lowrance.com/support/rates/rates.asp

P.S.

I sent a gps back to Garmin for repair this Monday.

[lewdogg21]

Thanks guys,

Yeah the batteries were positioned correctly.  I grew up as the tech guy in our house b/c mom & dad werent good with vcr's and all that.  The frustration is immense b/c the manual says to expect about 15 or 16 hours of use in the field.  I guess I will have to suck it up and send it in.  The crappy part is $ is mega tight right now b/c I'm getting married at the end of the month.  By the time I send it in I may  not get it back during deer season.  However that is my own fault for waiting so long.

Hopefully garmin steps up to the plate.....  I'll keep this thread updated so maybe someone else will benefit as well.

[captkev]

 I have the ifinder h2o, and it eats batt. life as well, my solution, is to use the 12v cord when in the truck or boat, and I use rechargable batt's when I do need to use it in the feild, but I don't leave it on either. I only turn it on to set or check waypoints, and then turn it off and fallow a compass.

  That still don't solve the problem of it draining the life when the unit is off... that one's got me stumped.

[savageT]

All good suggestions, I agree.
Open the battery compartment and check the connections to the battery terminals carefully.  Are there any exposed connections other than the usual spring contacts for the negative end and solid button for the positive terminal?  Is there corrosion between any two or more terminals caused from leaking batteries? Try cleaning them with a pencil eraser.
How many batteries does your unit use?  Each battery produces 1.5vdc.  Are they wired in series (minus to plus to minus to plus)?   2 batteries will produce 3.0 vdc.  If there are two batteries in parallel (minus to minus,  positive to positive) then you produce 1.5vdc.
Does your power switch operate correctly?  Do the batteries get warm or hot right away, even with the switch turned off?  This would indicate a direct short telling you there is an internal defect that should be repaired/replaced by the manufacturer.
I believe you said Cabella's sold the unit to your Dad.  I think highly of their customer service and if you will explain to them what you have gone through perhaps they will make it good.
Jim

[savageT]

All good suggestions, I agree.
Open the battery compartment and check the connections to the battery terminals carefully.  Are there any exposed connections other than the usual spring contacts for the negative end and solid button for the positive terminal?  Is there corrosion between any two or more terminals caused from leaking batteries? Try cleaning them with a pencil eraser.
How many batteries does your unit use?  Each battery produces 1.5vdc.  Are they wired in series (minus to plus to minus to plus)?   2 batteries will produce 3.0 vdc.  If there are two batteries in parallel (minus to minus,  positive to positive) then you produce 1.5vdc.
Does your power switch operate correctly?  Do the batteries get warm or hot right away, even with the switch turned off?  This would indicate a direct short telling you there is an internal defect that should be repaired/replaced by the manufacturer.
I believe you said Cabella's sold the unit to your Dad.  I think highly of their customer service and if you will explain to them what you have gone through perhaps they will make it good.
Jim

[darrell8937]

try putting in some fresh batteries and imediatly turning off the radio funcion from the mmenu and see if it lasts longer. I have the 120 and kinda like it ..it is complex and swapped it out for a new one a while ago,, LL Bean has a good waranty. they have a belt clip that hooks to a piece in the rino. this pulled out from the plastic . I like my little etrex better. not fancy, no maps but will get you home.

[lewdogg21]

The last time I contacted them I inquired about if the unit was found to be defective if they would not charge me the $79 and the customer support person decided to treat it as a warranty case and so I paid nothing.  I received a new unit.  The new unit doesn't sap brand new batteries in one day.  So yes my unit was definitly screwed up coming out of the factory.

Case closed.

[S.B.]

When I first got my GPS III, I had trouble getting the clock set? Got on Garmins web page and attempted to follow their instructions. Couldn't get them to work(at least not for me). I had to play with it, till I finally figured out the combination. It still didn't follow their instructions, maybe I'm was just too dumb to know what they're saying?

[Siskiyou]

S.B.  I happen to have the GPSIII+ manual on my computer.  Page 90 of the manual provides the path you need to follow.  Is this the source you found?

The GPSIII and III+ pre-dates my units but they follow a similar process.

You might want to send a PM to member Daveinthebrush.  I believe he has a GPSII or III and he might be able to help you.

[S.B.]

Actually, I found the answer by trial and error?

[Siskiyou]

I am glad you were able to resolve the problem.  Frankly that is how I have learned to use the function on my gps units.  Play with them and see what happens.