why does my garman etrex turn itself off while on bumpy roads?

When I bought my eTrex Vista, 3 years ago I noticed while riding my bike the unit powered off every ride. I went to the shop I change the unit but the second unit had the same behaviour. Again changed the the unit. Unit 3 had the same problem: it powers off. I wrote to Garmin and received new pads and contacts. It didn't work. Today the units continues ... with the same problem, on the bike or just on the dashboard. It powers off several times.


I THINK THERE IS NO SOLUTION.

Nakuru
October 2007

This is a common problem. The reason the GPS is turning off is because the battery contacts are making intermittent contact with the batteries during the vibration of riding. Try gently bending the battery contacts inwards towards the battery compartment prior to installing the batteries. You may also want to try putting a small amount of foam between the battery cover and the batteries prior to putting the cover on. Hope that helps.

Bob
August 2007