Busted button on Garmin GPS72

[Tony Cross]

The Enter button on my aged Garmin GPS72 handheld has fallen out. I still have the button but the flimsy bit of rubber or plastic that was holding it in place has failed. It still works if I drop the button in the hole and press it but if you hold the GPS at any angle other than horizontal it falls out!

I've tried gluing it back but with little success, it needs to be a very flexible glue to allow the button to move. Has anyone had the same issue and solved it?

I probably need to get a new handheld GPS anyway so it's not the end of the world.......

 

[Stork_III]

The Enter button on my aged Garmin GPS72 handheld has fallen out. I still have the button but the flimsy bit of rubber or plastic that was holding it in place has failed. It still works if I drop the button in the hole and press it but if you hold the GPS at any angle other than horizontal it falls out!

I've tried gluing it back but with little success, it needs to be a very flexible glue to allow the button to move. Has anyone had the same issue and solved it?

I probably need to get a new handheld GPS anyway so it's not the end of the world.......

Had a similar thing with Garmin 12XL. I think all the buttons are formed integrally as part of the sealing gasket. Not repairable without whole gasket assembly.

 

[elton]

Have you tried a hot glue gun? Hot glue remains flexible when cold.

 

[garvellachs]

Ask Garmin - their after sales service is very good and charges reasonable in my limited experience.

 

[TQA]

I would try Silicone.

Alternatively if you can drop into Admiralty Bay Bequia I have one that is US to cannabalise.

 

[FairweatherDave]

I have the same problem and have tied a small plastic stick (a Nintendo DS "pen") on and just poke the hole when I need to. Annoying though for it to happen.

 

[William_H]

Or perhaps just a bit of selotape or packing tape or similar which will hold the button in but allow it to move in yet stop it falling out.
good luck olewill

 

[Tony Cross]

Thank you for all the suggestions!

I've not tried a glue gun but I'll give it a try.

I have tried silicone, it worked for a couple of days and then fell out again.

Sticky tape is a bit messy I think.

I've heard elsewhere that Garmin's after sales service if good but the GPS is over 8 years old now and I think I'd rather spend money on a new one.

The stick is a good idea, I'll bear that in mind for when I eventually loose the button.

Thank you all again.

 

[FairweatherDave]

Hi Tony
I've been using my stick for 3 years...... very reliable bit of kit!! You end up just poking all the buttons with it instead of just the hole. I was annoyed when it happened but I am well over it now and would not want to replace it as it is such a solid bit of kit, plus the little accessories like the mount and the cable to connect to PC add up the cost. I also have a Garmin E trek for cycling/walking but so much prefer using the 72 interface. Dave

 

[nigelmercier]

I think all the buttons are formed integrally as part of the sealing gasket. Not repairable without whole gasket assembly.

Ask Garmin - their after sales service is very good and charges reasonable in my limited experience.

It's a no-brainer - contact Garmin for a replacement membrane. You may even get it free.

 

[Tony Cross]

It's a no-brainer - contact Garmin for a replacement membrane. You may even get it free.

Thanks for that, I've now contacted Garmin.

 

[alant]

Thanks for that, I've now contacted Garmin.

Are you still practicing your Astro Tony?

 

[Tony Cross]

I've had a response from Garmin, their main part of their email is as follows...

Thank's for your email I will be happy to help. The keypad for the GPS
72 isn?t something which can easily be replaced. The unit can come back
to Garmin to be looked at. There is a fixed rate repair cost for all
repair/replacements for units that are out of the 12 month warranty
period. The repair cost for the GPS 72 is £30.00.

The £30 does not include the cost of the new keypad nor the shipping cost to and from Crete (where I am) of course. I've thanked them for their prompt reply but respectfully declined their offer of a repair. I'm first going to give my glue gun a go and if that fails I'll resort to "the stick". I'll also see whether Santa is up for a new handheld this year...

Thanks again everyone.

 

[Tony Cross]

Are you still practicing your Astro Tony?

Ummm, no. Sorry. SWMBO doesn't like being out of sight of land for long now so there's not much point. It was an extremely interesting and very useful course though. Thank you!

 

[FairweatherDave]

Thanks for the outcome details Tony. Wish I was in Crete, even without a dodgy GPS button. Brrrrrrrrrrr

 

[Tony Cross]

Thanks for the outcome details Tony. Wish I was in Crete, even without a dodgy GPS button. Brrrrrrrrrrr

Today we have blue skies with a few fair-weather cumulus clouds, 20 deg C and not much wind - that's rare at this time of the year, it's usually blowing a hooley. We even have the first cruise ship of the season in Agios Nikolaos at the moment. Summer is just around the corner.

 

[FairweatherDave]

Think I might pop over and hand deliver one of my very delicate high tech plastic sticks.....