GARMIN GPS50 - why doesn't it work?

[bbilly]

GARMIN GPS50 - why doesn\'t it work?

Hi,
I dug out my old (but hardly used) GPS50. It wouldn't turn on so I tried with new batteries and it is definitely dead. Could it be the lithium internal battery that needs changing (don't think so - if the batteries are new it should at least turn on??). It has only been used a few times. Is it worth sending for service? Any recommendations for a cheap (lat/long) GPS. Is it worth the dosh for a portale chatplotter and any recommendations.

Thanks in advance

Will

 

[Swagman]

Re: GARMIN GPS50 - why doesn\'t it work?

Funny but found same results when I pulled out our hardly used 3 YO Garmin 76 from the spare room last week.
Stupid me did not think to ask why on the forum but just binned it.

Got a rebuilt Garmin 72 for close to £100 with warranty etc off the web.
If you really want to know where let me know and I'll look up the bill.
JOHN

 

[LORDNELSON]

Re: GARMIN GPS50 - why doesn\'t it work?

Put in your new batteries, switch on and leave for about an hour. If nothing happens contact garmin and ask their advice, if it does start working it should be ok.

 

[bbilly]

Re: GARMIN GPS50 - why doesn\'t it work?

Horatio,
You say "switch on". It doesn't switch on that's the prob. Do you mean just put in the new batteries and wait for an hour or so and then try and switch on?? Sorry if I sound "too precise" but I appreciate any feedback - so thanks.

 

[dmayes]

Re: GARMIN GPS50 - why doesn\'t it work?

Electronic equipment today is usually driven by a program. This looks at the "on" switch to see if the device needs to be started up. This program is kept "alive" by either an internal battery or by a rom that does not need power. Both decay over time, the internal batteries run out of charge, especially if not recharged by the replaceable power source and the roms also decay if not kept refreshed. This means that you lose the program that starts the device up. It either needs reprogramming or replacing. Probably cheaper to do the later.

 

[Guest]

Re: GARMIN GPS50 - why doesn\'t it work?

If it DID switch on but stayed searching - then leaving it on for as long as possible to update its almanac will give it a new lease of life .... my Magellan Meriden from same vintage did this. BUT if it does not switch on at all - then its an internal battery problem.
You may be able to change it yourself via a Maplins replacement cell ? or ask Garmin .... they are actually very good people to talk to .... but note that its still an old piece of kit that only uses 8 sats and it is not parellel sat lock - it sequences through them unlike more modern GPs that are 12 ch parellel jobs.

As I'm an old sod who had a GPS50 myself at one time and am actually upset that I let it go witha boat - keeping the lesser Meridien ..... I would probably try and resurrect the old thing .... !! /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[LORDNELSON]

Re: GARMIN GPS50 - why doesn\'t it work?

Sorry about the vagueness. I meant (a) place the batteries in the GPS (b) push the switch to "on" (even if you get no display) (c) wait about an hour. By the time an hour is up you should have a screen display,if not, check with Garmin. Hope this helps.

 

[bbilly]

Re: GARMIN GPS50 - why doesn\'t it work?

DJ,
Think you're right. It's still dead. Look's like the ROM has failed after leaving the unit with no batteries the lithium backup ran out of power and the software has vapourized. Grrrrr only used it for a short while.

Thanks to all

 

[tugboat]

Re: GARMIN GPS50 - why doesn\'t it work?

I had a Garmin 75 some time ago - despite the high battery consumption it was a great piece of kit and very similar to the 50. Garmin have a really good customer service record and it is definitely worth giving them a ring before you bin the unit, to see if they still support the 50.

 

[JerryHawkins]

Send it back to garmin

If the many previous posts re Garmin customer service are anything to go by, you stand a fair chance of Garmin simply sending you a new GPS by return. Whatever model in their current range is similar to your old one.

If they don't - well, you haven't lost anything except a couple of quid postage!

If you do send it back - please let us all know the outcome...

Cheers,

Jerry

 

[bbilly]

Re: Send it back to garmin

Jerry,
I spoke to Garmin Service and they confirmed that if the backup battery runs out it needs to be sent back to be re-programmed BUT the GPS50 is no longer supported so it can only be trashed.