Garmin III+ acquires sporadically

[KrabbyPatties]

I have been having issues with my Garmin III+ handheld that I've been using for about 9-10 years now. Since grouse season, I've noticed that it sometimes just won't acquire any satellites. I'll turn it on, sometimes repeatedly, and let it sit out in the open for long periods of time and it often won't acquire. Sometimes, I can turn it off and on again and it will start acquiring, other times it just won't. The batteries are fresh and that model hasn't had a software update since 2002. To my knowledge, it hasn't been physically damaged.

The only thing I am aware of that might be related is I had a warning when I first turned it on this fall that said the internal battery was low, but I read that having the unit turned on will charge that battery using the AAs, so I put fresh ones in and just left it on overnight and the message hasn't returned.

Any ideas about what's wrong with this unit and whether I can fix it?

[Big-Al]

I have two suggestions. The first would be when was the last time you updated the software on that unit? That may take care of your issue and you can do it for free on the Garmin site. The second thing I would try is top pull external antenna and clean the contact point. If you have a black carbon looking material that might be the problem. Use a q-tip and rubbing alcohol. Come to think of it, I would try that first.

[leech~~]

9-10 years is a pretty good life span for any GPS. Some people have been having theirs go down after just a few years. It maybe time for a new one?

[MN Mike]

Big Al give's some good tips there since these do have a detachable external antenna.

Also, have you checked the time on your III+, make sure that is set correctly since these units did not get an update after the government changed our DST settings here a few years ago now, that shouldn't be too much of an issue now but it could have definitely been an issue last fall when you were grouse hunting.

Mike

[Big-Al]

Quote:

9-10 years is a pretty good life span for any GPS. Some people have been having theirs go down after just a few years. It maybe time for a new one?

Yes Leech, but this is a garmin.... Might well go another 9-10 years. I have had a III+ for about 15 years and it is still going strong.

[Macgyver55]

I still have a Garmin GPS45 that I bought in 1995 and it still works! I dont really use it anymore but it does work if I need a backup.

[leech~~]

Yes Leech, but this is a garmin.... Might well go another 9-10 years. I have had a III+ for about 15 years and it is still going strong.

Opp's your right! Since I'm starting trouble for everything else. Maybe we need a GPS Shootout as well!!!!!!

[KrabbyPatties]

The second thing I would try is top pull external antenna

Thanks for all of the suggestions. I'm curious about this one--how do I remove the antenna without breaking it? I fumbled with it today, but nothing was obvious.

[MN Mike]

There are some plastic ears that lock it into place, turn the antenna to the correct position, look for those ears to slip thru their respective slots and the antenna will come off.

Here's the directions from Garmin's owners manual on the III+

Basically you turn the antenna straight down and it should come off of the device if the slots are lined up correctly.

[KrabbyPatties]

Got it! Thanks.