Garmin 305 - Hit a bump and it powers off
 

Anyone have this problem? Went on a 40 mile ride today and the unit turned off 3 times from hitting small bumps. We're talking 1 inch rise in concrete at 20-25 mph, not giant pot holes. Each time I stop and power up. Does anyone know what will happen if I power up while moving, will the calibration be way off if I do this. It is pretty annoying to have to stop to power on.

I had the same issue. I don't remember where I saw it, but someone posted a web page with instructions for soldering the connection causing the problem. I think it was referenced from one of Garmin's user forums. I recently upgraded to the 705 so didn't try the fix. Me and solder guns don't mix.

It is a fairly common problem for people to have. Once it starts happening, it happens with increasing frequency. I had over 20,000 miles ridden on mine and never had a problem.

One person I met on a ride once had an earplug under his Garmin. It turns out he had the problem, and putting the earplug under it dampened the vibrations enough that it didn't happen to him anymore. YMMV.

Garmin powering off
 

I had the same problem with my 305, which I had working for a good couple of years without problems prior to this, and it does worsen over time. I would not recommend trying to open up and fix the unit, if at all avoidable, since this may void your warranty. If you still have it under warranty, as mine was when it occurred, you can contact Garmin directly for a repair order number. Their customer service was excellent for me. I sent out the defective unit to somewhere in Kansas I think and had a new one in under a week. It has been flawless again since I installed it. Good wishes with this.

^^^ I've heard they are pretty good about fixing it even if it isn't under warranty. You may have to pay something but nowhere near replacement cost.

Everybody I know with a garmin computer has had this problem. They've all called garmin and gotten replacements.

I guess, I'll send it back. I'm somewhat data addicted and I don't want to ride without it. This unit is actually a warranty replacement that only has about 400 miles on it. They didn't charge me anything for the replacement. I hope the same holds true again. Was hoping there was an easy fix.

It is a design flaw. Hope they fixed it in the 705 :twitchy:

As noted by others, I had this problem and sent my unit in. Garmin got me a new unit pronto.

I've gotten 2 replacements. The second replacement is failing now. Invest in a couple of rubber bands and it solves the problem. I'm going to see if they will comp me for the cost of a 305 in a 705 upgrade.

Been happening on mine now for about a month. Just don't feel like being without it....but I guess I need to get it out soon.

Mine was out of warranty and it cost me $99 and my heart rate monitor won't work with the new(refurbed) unit

i am currently awaiting my fourth 205 from Garmin. yes- fourth.

the first three were under warranty- this last one, i missed by a week. they sold me an "out of warranty replacement" for $80. its been 10 days and still have not seen it.

every time i called Garmin with this problem, they made no reference to ever having heard of this problem. they had me reset the unit, update software, etc. and finally allowed it to be sent back.

others i ride with have had the same unit for years and never had a problem with it.

thanks for posting this question. i was begining to think i was cursed:twitchy:

It sounds like there's an echo in this room. :)

My first unit started powering down after about 15 months and 11,000 miles. Garmin sent me a refurbished unit for $72 shipped. It started powering down after 2.5 months and they sent me another refurb unit for free. I'm torture testing this third unit as we speak.

Obviously, their QC on the 305 is crap.

The best QC in the world can't correct a design flaw. I just hope its fixed in the 705. I haven't heard any issues with it yet. I have about 5K miles on mine so far.

I think they may have.. The 705 feels a lot more solid, and the biggest improvement for me is the *gasp* screws (torx) holding the thing together. I guess only time will tell.

I would second (3rd, etc) the comment not to take it apart, and to just return it.. I took my 305 apart to fix the problem, which i was successful at.. until i got caught in a sudden deluge..and apparently my repair wasn't as waterproof as i would have liked. Oh well.. excuse to but new 705. (Lovin' it btw)

Just to be clear, do you folks have the edge or forerunner?

I have had no problems with my forerunner 305 (knock on wood), but I only have about 2,000 miles on it.

As far as signal acquisition, I turn on my forerunner 305 when I'm coming out of the parking garage at work in the evening, rather than waiting for it to get a fix (which takes forever in the concrete jungle where I work). Although it will sometimes take as long as a mile to get a lock, it doesn't throw off the resulting trace except for making it shorter.

this is great... and I thought I shut it down by mistake the 2 times it happened in the last 2 weeks... oh well I will have to stop putting off getting the 705... my 305 is 3 years old with 15000 miles on it.. got my money's worth... will have to get the 705 and than send the 305 back to be fixed...

and I thought I was finished spending for the summer...

FWIW, everyone I know with a 705 has also had this problem until they've gotten them replaced at least once. Their experiences don't make me all that inclined to shell out big bucks...

That's not encouraging, but I'm glad that I have not had the problem with either my 305 or 705. Maybe it's the carbon stem :innocent:

My first one used to power down, but then due to totally unrelated stupidity on my part I put it through the washing machine. I was forced to shell out for a replacement (Garmin were kind enough not to charge me full price for my stupidity) which has worked like a dream for the last 18 months.

rescan for the HR strap...it should recognize it. my new one did the same thing until i rescanned it.

mx

Agreed. Poor choice of words.

As I said above, my 305 powered down twice in two weeks, that is until today... powered down twice today... will order the 705 and take my chances... at least I will have a spare for when the other needs repair.. hopefully the 705 has been improved.. now I will have to seriously think about a power meter for next season..

I've had one replacement for a defective button on the edge 305, worked well and strong battery. My replacement had a crappy battery, and turns itself off every now and then. Also the sensitivity to satellites doesn't seem to be as good either.