Garmin 182c map problem

Hightower · 09 August 2012, 20:05

I know this is old tech in the fast paced world of chartplotters but I've been having problems with the unit reading map data from the memory stick. I had this on another 182c about 4 years ago and Garmin told me it was cheaper to sell me an exchange unit for £120. I doubt they'll do the same this time around, so I guess I'd like to hear from someone who's had the same problems as me and if they found a solution.

Firefly · 09 August 2012, 20:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

I know this is old tech in the fast paced world of chartplotters but I've been having problems with the unit reading map data from the memory stick. I had this on another 182c about 4 years ago and Garmin told me it was cheaper to sell me an exchange unit for £120. I doubt they'll do the same this time around, so I guess I'd like to hear from someone who's had the same problems as me and if they found a solution.

Phone Garmin 02380524000, select 1 and then 3 or maybe 4 (marine tech support). Ask them for the cost of a return to base repair and they should offer you an upgrade to current model at the return to base fixed cost. (A lot less than the retail price)

JW

Hightower · 09 August 2012, 21:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Firefly

Phone Garmin 02380524000, select 1 and then 3 or maybe 4 (marine tech support). Ask them for the cost of a return to base repair and they should offer you an upgrade to current model at the return to base fixed cost. (A lot less than the retail price)

JW

I've come across the service instruction form from the last time I had it replaced, it's dated October 2008 so just under 4 years old. The original one was bought at the 2004 LBS so they seem to have a 4 year old life expectancy

I'm going to phone tomorrow them anyway, so fingers crossed.

Hightower · 10 August 2012, 08:57

Just phoned Garmin. Just as I thought, they can't help me. Looks like I'll be looking for a replacement

DM · 10 August 2012, 10:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hightower

Looks like I'll be looking for a replacement

Check in system information to see what version software the unit is running and then check on Garmins website to see if it's up to date. Reloading a newer version or even the same version can iron out bugs.

Also, remove the data chip and give the contacts in the chip and in the unit a clean.

Hightower · 10 August 2012, 11:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by DM

Check in system information to see what version software the unit is running and then check on Garmins website to see if it's up to date. Reloading a newer version or even the same version can iron out bugs.

Also, remove the data chip and give the contacts in the chip and in the unit a clean.

I went though this 4 years ago and it didn't help and just this morning I've used electrical contact cleaner on the data chip to no avail, I've also got the latest update, the last and most recent one was in 2007.

Garmin seem unwilling to repair the unit as they say it'll cost me more than a new one and seeing this has happened now twice on 182C's I would have to say that this is an inherent fault that only appears after 4 years of use.

I've got a backup Raymarine A65 chartplotter installed in the console on the passenger side and I can use that as my primary navigation, I just need to fix the depthfinder issue with it.

DGR · 11 August 2012, 07:59

What's with the 4 year Garmin lifespan?

My 2004 GSMAP 188c lost the ability to 'see' satellites in 2008 - Garmin were unable to help - everything else worked fine.

Replaced it with a GPSMAP 298 (same connections, so I could use the existing transducers etc) - works fine until 2012 - and now it's exactly the same again!!

Anyone got any clue whether you can perform some sort of hard/total reset with a Garmin to see if it might clear the problem? Otherwise it looks like unit no 3...

Hightower · 11 August 2012, 09:09

Wow, what a coincidence! Reminds me of the British car industry in the 60's and 70's where they would build in mud traps to rot the car and limit the life span.

Hightower · 11 August 2012, 12:51

After painstakingly writing all my GPS waypoints down I did a system reset. Still doesn't work. I can conform I have the latest update too. So I've run out of options with this unit short of stripping it down and having a look inside myself.

Time to concentrate on the Raymarine and get that fully working.

Thanks for all your suggestions

Bern Hanreck · 11 August 2012, 20:09

My Garmin 182C is almost 10 years old with no such problems ( says he , touching wood ) !

Hightower · 11 August 2012, 22:32

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bern Hanreck

My Garmin 182C is almost 10 years old with no such problems ( says he , touching wood ) !

Do you want one for spares just in case?

Hightower · 12 September 2012, 17:21

I've had a chance to strip out the circuit boards etc today and see if I could identify what the problem was. What I found was a multi pin connector one half fixed to the top cover the other to a circuit board connected to the top cover. Obviously where the two parts are fitted the plastic cover flexes a little either though hot and cold days or vibration this has fractured the soldered connections which is the only means of fixing the connector to the board. This IMHO should have been a ribbon connection so a cock up by Garmin at the design stage.

I've resoldered the connection and applied a little hotmelt in an attempt to sure up the connection and so far things are looking promising.

Having now replaced this unit with a Raymarine I'm now split between keeping as a spare or selling it on and giving someone a chance of buying a cheap chartplotter.

Pete7 · 12 September 2012, 18:15

Andy, I would sell it on cheap on here. Someone just starting out on a limited budget might be very grateful for a cheap GPS for a couple of years.

Pete

A1an · 12 September 2012, 18:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete7

Andy, I would sell it on cheap on here. Someone just starting out on a limited budget might be very grateful for a cheap GPS for a couple of years.

Pete

Yep... Moi!

Hightower · 12 September 2012, 20:44

OK that surprised me! I've already had a few PM's inquiring about purchase.

I have decided that I will part with it, however as I've only just repaired it today I'd like to soak test it till the weekend. It was on for 11/2hrs this evening, but not wanting to sell someone an unreliable unit I'll test it some more over the coming days.

It'll come with the GPS Aerial, Sun Cover and a chart of the Solent area (from Past Selsey to at least Portland) and Northern France. Not too sure about channel islands but I'll check.

It's very clean and has had a screen protector since new, it also connects has NMEA so will connect to your DSC radio.

I'll post some pics later.

Hightower · 12 September 2012, 22:00

To be up front I'm showing 3 photo's of the inside of the 182. The first is after I had re-soldered the plug, the second is showing the Card holder loosely in position and the third two small dollops of hot melt either side of the connector.