RIP Garmin

redjeepǃ

I'm just back from a ride where I got caught out in what the met office like to call an 'intermittent shower, sometimes heavy'. However it wasn't just heavy it was torrential and when I got back there was a big water bubble under the face of my Garmin 305.

I feel like I'm about to lose a training partner. One that's accompanied me everywhere for the past 5 years.

Does anybody have any good ideas on how I could dry it out ? I've now got it in a zippy bag full of uncooked rice in the airing cupboard as I read on the Garmin forum that the rice helps suck the moisture. If this doesn't work then does anybody know if you can open it up and reseal it ?

BrandonA

I feel for you. My Garmin 800 suffered a similar fate a few weeks back due to one last soaking on a ride.

My device took some time to finally die (the issue was the USB would not work and therefore could not upload rides). To prolong the devices life I used to put it in the airing cupboard overnight. I also put it in the oven on one occasion at a very low heat (my Dad originally did this to my iPhone one time - I thought he was joking when he said it put it in the oven - it wasn't until an hour later that I found it in there).

I used my 800 dying as an excuse to buy a newer model. Hopefully you'll be able to do the same.

redjeepǃ

Thanks BrandonA.

I reckon I'll leave it for 24 hours sat on top of the hot water tank in it's bag of rice and if there's no change I'll pop the back off and try again (been searching how to do it). If that doesn't fix it then I'll be looking for a FR 220 or 620, but feel that I need to wait for a respectable time to grieve first.

blackpoolkev

I had some condensation in my Garmin 200 about 3 months ago. Although it worried me at the time, it didn't affect the operation of the device.
I just kept using it hoping the moisture would disappear, which it did. Mine is about 3 years old and now seems fine.

neal1984

BrandonA wrote:

I feel for you. My Garmin 800 suffered a similar fate a few weeks back due to one last soaking on a ride.

My device took some time to finally die (the issue was the USB would not work and therefore could not upload rides).

This happened to my 800 too. I was lucky as it was still a week in its warrenty and Garmin replaced it.

ktuludays

believe it or not but putting it in the fridge for 24 hours will also work. i have done this on numerous waterlogged electronic eqpt and it almost always works

flowrate

I revived a phone using Revivaphone, but when I looked at the contents it only seemed to contain Isopropanal.
( Alcohol) I bought some of Amazon for about half the price for twice as much.

I understand that it is corrosion that water creates that causes the problems as opposed to the liquid.

Might be worth a go if the rice does not work.

colinsmith123

OP, you have PM

Old_Timer

You've done the best thing with the rice and sealed bag, just keep it shut down and sealed up for a good bit. Hope this works for you, it saved our son's phones a few times. this is why I keep my android phone in a zip seal plastic bag while riding, too expensive to let it go down. Let us know how the drying goes, please.

Sprool

I've used the rice and a low oven heat a couple of times to revive a soggy garmin (and a watch). As the rice is hygroscopic (likes to suck in moisture) its good to leave the rice in a mild oven for an hour to dry out completely before burying your garmin in it. Then once its dry and warm leave sealed overnight.

curto80

Before u chuck it bear in mind Garmin operate an out of warranty replacement program whereby for things like water damage they will replace the unit for £50. I have replaced my 305 three times since 2006. It's usually quick and easy, but you have to call ahead. Do a quick google and you should find the details.

neal1984

Curto80 wrote:

Before u chuck it bear in mind Garmin operate an out of warranty replacement program whereby for things like water damage they will replace the unit for £50. I have replaced my 305 three times since 2006. It's usually quick and easy, but you have to call ahead. Do a quick google and you should find the details.

They quoted me £70 something when I called before I pointed out that it was under warrenty. It's a good option if you are not confident of being able to fix it.