Garmin 305 DOA!

9202 · #1 08-01.-2007

This afternoon, got home from work, filled the tubies on my TT bike, and took my Garmin Edge 305 off charge for a nice after work stress relieving ride.

To my dismay, the Garmin was DOA, dead as a door nail, non functional, kaput! I plugged it back in and it won't even recognize the charger, the charging unit message is not there, the screen is blank and unit will not turn on.

I have owned the Edge 305 for 2 months. The cadence/speed sensor eats batteries every 2-3 weeks, the unit intermittently turns off during rides, and occassionally after charging all night would only last of 5-10 minutes.

Nice unit, but the quality control and reliability suck!

I am sending the unit back for repair.....
In the meantime, I will be searching for something more reliable with HRM and Cadence.

I am VERY diasppointed.

rwinthenorth · #2 08-01.-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9202

This afternoon, got home from work, filled the tubies on my TT bike, and took my Garmin Edge 305 off charge for a nice after work stress relieving ride.

To my dismay, the Garmin was DOA, dead as a door nail, non functional, kaput! I plugged it back in and it won't even recognize the charger, the charging unit message is not there, the screen is blank and unit will not turn on.

I have owned the Edge 305 for 2 months. The cadence/speed sensor eats batteries every 2-3 weeks, the unit intermittently turns off during rides, and occassionally after charging all night would only last of 5-10 minutes.

Nice unit, but the quality control and reliability suck!

I am sending the unit back for repair.....
In the meantime, I will be searching for something more reliable with HRM and Cadence.

I am VERY diasppointed.

I've dealt with all these issues. Garmin tech support is great. I will tell you what they usually tell me:
Here is the last email I got and should take care of your isssues:

Thank you for contacting Garmin International,
I would suggest updating or reinstalling the software on your unit. This
almost always solves battery problems. Here are the instructions:
1. Please go to the WebUpdater webpage by clicking on the following
link:
http://www8.garmin.com/support/colle...t=999-99999-27
2. You will see a link labeled Download, please click on it.
3. You will be asked if you want to Run or Save the file, please click
Run.
4. After the file downloads, you may receive a security warning; if you
do, please click Run.
5. Please select your setup language and click Next (the following
instructions are based on the English selection).
6. You will see a new window; please click Next.
7. A license agreement will appear; please agree to the terms and then
click Next.
8. You will see the destination folder, please click Next.
9. Click Install; the WebUpdater installation will begin.
10. After the installation, please ensure that there is a checkmark next
to Yes, I want to launch WebUpdater now and then click Finish.
11. The WebUpdater program will launch - again, please ensure that your
unit is connected to the computer and turned on.
12. Click Next; you will then be prompted to select your GPS.
13. A new window will appear with information about the update for your
unit, please click Next.
14. A new license agreement will appear, please click that you agree and
then click Next.
15. The unit's internal operating system/software (sometimes called
"firmware") will then be updated.
16. Once the download is complete, please click Finish. The unit is now
updated and ready to use.

If you are still experiencing battery problems, I would then suggest
resetting the unit. Be advised, this may erase all of your user data.
To do so, with the unit powered off, press and hold MODE + POWER until
you receive a screen that reads, "Do you really want to erase all user
data? Yes/No." Select YES and proceed through the startup menus.

With Best Regards,

Damon A
Product Support Specialist
2nd Shift Outdoor/Fitness Team
Garmin International
913-397-8200
800-800-1020
913-397-8282 (fax) Att: Damon A
www.garmin.com

9202 · #3 08-01.-2007

Thanks for the info. Problem is, the unit is dead, when I run the upgrader I get a "no unit connected" message. The unit will NOT power on, download, talk or whine.

kdelong · #4 08-01.-2007

Sorry to hear about your problem. I have nothing but good things to say about Garmin as a whole. They have always gone above and beyond their legal obligations to help me and others that I know. I had a freind who accidently washed her 2 week old Garmin NUVI that she had forgotten was in her coat pocket. She called Garmin to see what she could do about getting it repaired. They had her send it back to them and repaired it at no charge other than return shipping. I had a couple of small software problems that they solved by talking me through them. In my estimation Garmin is a fine company and I will continue to give them my GPS business.

rwinthenorth · #5 08-01.-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9202

Thanks for the info. Problem is, the unit is dead, when I run the upgrader I get a "no unit connected" message. The unit will NOT power on, download, talk or whine.

Do this, it works:

...if you are still experiencing battery problems, I would then suggest
resetting the unit. Be advised, this may erase all of your user data.
To do so, with the unit powered off, press and hold MODE + POWER until
you receive a screen that reads, "Do you really want to erase all user
data? Yes/No." Select YES and proceed through the startup menus.

It sucks to lose your personal info, but this should reboot everything and get you going.

A note about the webupdater and firmware, it is for Windows only. I use a Mac and don't get a lot of features or updates. I have chosen to use Montebello's Ascent along side Garmin's software.

9202 · #6 08-01.-2007

Thanks again for the help.

Followed the instructions to reset....still nothing. Almost as if there is no battery or the unit just completely died. It is only 2 months old, so I assume that Garmin will replace it.

Kind of a pain, I have a club TT race this weekend and really need the HR and Cadence features. I think I will may pick up second unit tomorrow.

Thanks again, we tried.

rwinthenorth · #7 08-01.-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9202

Thanks again for the help.

Followed the instructions to reset....still nothing. Almost as if there is no battery or the unit just completely died. It is only 2 months old, so I assume that Garmin will replace it.

Kind of a pain, I have a club TT race this weekend and really need the HR and Cadence features. I think I will may pick up second unit tomorrow.

Thanks again, we tried.

They're a great company and will take care of it. Good luck on the TT.

USCswimming · #8 08-02.-2007

I thought you had to hold down the power & mode button together, then hit the reset/lap button? Atleast this is how I have gotten mine to reload 10-15 times. If this doesn't work, than that sucks.

9202 · #9 08-02.-2007

Spoke with garmin today. They ran through some things with me, tried to reset again, nothing happened, so the unit has been shipped back. They said once they receive it, the repairs will take 10 days.

Thanks all for the help.

BioWheel · #10 08-04.-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9202

Spoke with garmin today. They ran through some things with me, tried to reset again, nothing happened, so the unit has been shipped back. They said once they receive it, the repairs will take 10 days.

Thanks all for the help.

Same with my 305. Can't get it to turn on and Garmin walked me through trying to get it going but nada. Sent mine back and hope to get it back soon. Was also told 10 days.

bioWheel

9202 · #11 08-04.-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by BioWheel

Same with my 305. Can't get it to turn on and Garmin walked me through trying to get it going but nada. Sent mine back and hope to get it back soon. Was also told 10 days.

bioWheel

Yikes an epidemic of 2.

Well, I am racing this weekend, so I mounted the Polar CS200CAD from my road bike, great computer but I miss the Garmins clean display. I will say that on this morning's training ride the HR monitor of the Polar never dropped out like the Garmin does and no weird or strange readings.

9202 · #12 08-13.-2007

Today I received a brand new Edge 305 from Garmin. The note that was received with the package stated that the unit I sent back was in fact DOA. Garmin replaced the defective unit with a brand new unit.

Interesting, my original 305 was never accurate with respect to elevation. The new unit was spot on when I fired it up.

I scanned for the cadence/speed sensor and it worked perfectly. Hopefully, the new unit will last longer than the first one did.

Thanks Garmin.

byte_speed · #13 08-13.-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by 9202

Today I received a brand new Edge 305 from Garmin. The note that was received with the package stated that the unit I sent back was in fact DOA. Garmin replaced the defective unit with a brand new unit.

Interesting, my original 305 was never accurate with respect to elevation. The new unit was spot on when I fired it up.

I scanned for the cadence/speed sensor and it worked perfectly. Hopefully, the new unit will last longer than the first one did.

Thanks Garmin.

I asked the phone rep if I needed to dismount my cadence unit when the main unit took on water, he said "No, just send the diplay unit". When I got it back (about 10 days including the 4th of July), they sent me a complete new unit with cadence, so I now have cadence on both bikes.

Also, there is a $75 rebate for units bought between June 1 & Nov 30 as long as you have the bar code and receipt (online printout OK).
http://www.powerbar.com/Newsletter/?source=10075107