Garmin GPS - Quest and "Lost Satellite Reception"

Author

Quest and "Lost Satellite Reception"

Andrew

2008-03-25, 10:33 am

Have had my Garmin Quest for slightly less than 2 years. But now, almost
daily receives "Lost Satellite Reception" often while driving - occurs
multiple times per hour in differing types of weather, terrain, etc. so I
suspect the unit.

Anyone have words of wisdom? I thought I once read something about the
hinges of the antenna on the back of the unit wear over time. Perhaps a
complete system reset make sense? Else, do you folks have confidence in my
sending the unit back to Garmin to fix it would be the best course of
action? It's hard to believe in less than 2 years use (not being abused)
the unit is failing fairly consistently.
--
-------------------------------------------------------------
Regards -

- Andrew

Jack Erbes

2008-03-25, 10:33 am

Andrew wrote:
> Have had my Garmin Quest for slightly less than 2 years. But now, almost
> daily receives "Lost Satellite Reception" often while driving - occurs
> multiple times per hour in differing types of weather, terrain, etc. so I
> suspect the unit.
>
> Anyone have words of wisdom? I thought I once read something about the
> hinges of the antenna on the back of the unit wear over time. Perhaps a
> complete system reset make sense? Else, do you folks have confidence in my
> sending the unit back to Garmin to fix it would be the best course of
> action? It's hard to believe in less than 2 years use (not being abused)
> the unit is failing fairly consistently.

Here is a link to a series of posts on a forum that describe the problem
and one guy's solution for it. That has some good photos with it too:

http://www.badweatherbikers.com/bue...html#POST769570

The Quest is a good receiver, it looks like the antenna is a little
prone to problems from vibration and from moisture getting into the
antenna connector.

If you get that apart and clean it up, fill the jack and plug with
dielectic compound before put it back together and then wipe away the
excess. That will probably go a long ways toward the problem reoccurring.

Jack

peter

2008-03-25, 12:33 pm

On Mar 25, 5:08 am, Jack Erbes <jacker...@roadrunner.com> wrote:
> Andrew wrote:
>
>
> Here is a link to a series of posts on a forum that describe the problem
> and one guy's solution for it. That has some good photos with it too:
>
> http://www.badweatherbikers.com/bue...4.html#POST7...
>
> The Quest is a good receiver, it looks like the antenna is a little
> prone to problems from vibration and from moisture getting into the
> antenna connector.
>
> If you get that apart and clean it up, fill the jack and plug with
> dielectic compound before put it back together and then wipe away the
> excess. That will probably go a long ways toward the problem reoccurring.

Agreed. The antenna connection does appear to be a weak point in the
design of the Quest. Another option, besides disassembly and cleaning
as described above, is to get an external antenna for it. Good
antennas are available for well under $20 (GPSgeek on eBay is one
source). That also lets you locate the antenna separate from the unit
where it can get the best reception, albeit with the disadvantage of
an extra cable that can be inconvenient.

Andrew

2008-03-25, 10:33 pm

peter wrote:[color=darkred
]
--
-------------------------------------------------------------
Regards -

- Andrew

ABLE_1

2008-03-25, 10:33 pm

I had the very same problem and found the web link listed below.

Please be advised that if you perform the procedure as in the link then read
on.

> http://www.badweatherbikers.com/bue...html#POST769570

Please look at the forth(4th) picture down. See the small black thing with
the little nipple. That is the hinge point on the opposite side from the
antenna jack. It also performs the ratchet action to position the antenna.

This small device has a small spring behind it in its cavity. If it "pops
out" it is know to go among the missing and should be consider very elusive
to locate after being seperated from the antenna.

The truth be told I believe that it has very small legs and once it hits the
floor it will run from any light source and will hide for weeks on end.

Once it is gone it is gone.............................................

I have worked out a solution but it is rather crude. Not sure how long this
solution will last but it has been working for about 3 weeks now.

If you following the above and are very careful the solution will not be
required. However if the other issue happens find yourself a compressible
foam ear plug. The type that is use for hearing protection that is on a
plastic string. Cut the foam portion off the string. Tightly roll the ear
plug into a rod form and stick it into the hole in the antenna. Once it is
in as far as it will go cut off so that there is a protrusion of foam by
about 3/8". Then reassemble the antenna to the Quest and put the end cap on
compressing the foam as you do. Do not concern yourself with any excess
that may ooze out.

That is about it. Good luck and I hope this helps someone.

Have a good day.

Les

Andrew

2008-03-26, 7:33 am

ABLE_1 wrote:

>
> Les

Les - thank you VERY much for this post, and I wish I had read it before
taking the antenna off last night becuz what happened to me is EXACTLY what
was described. I heard a "pop" and things came out of the antenna
assembly....I didn't realize I was now missing a spring, except that when I
put the antenna back on, indeed it doesn't "rachet" and no longer stays in
the horizontal position.

I thought when I found the little black piece that is what I felt hit my
hand, but now I fear that it was the spring which I don't see anywhere.

I will indeed do your procedure about the ear plug assuming I don't find the
spring now that I know to look for it more closdely.

I hope mine doesn't sprout legs!

--
-------------------------------------------------------------
Regards -

- Andrew

Andrew

2008-03-26, 7:33 am

Andrew wrote:
> ABLE_1 wrote:
>
>
> Les - thank you VERY much for this post, and I wish I had read it
> before taking the antenna off last night becuz what happened to me is
> EXACTLY what was described. I heard a "pop" and things came out of
> the antenna assembly....I didn't realize I was now missing a spring,
> except that when I put the antenna back on, indeed it doesn't
> "rachet" and no longer stays in the horizontal position.
>
> I thought when I found the little black piece that is what I felt hit
> my hand, but now I fear that it was the spring which I don't see
> anywhere.
> I will indeed do your procedure about the ear plug assuming I don't
> find the spring now that I know to look for it more closdely.
>
> I hope mine doesn't sprout legs!

Found the spring on the floor! Again, thanks Able. I will attempt to send
a note to the original poster of the instructions indicating to be careful
when disassembling the antenna and account for all the 'pieces'. As I said,
it would have been good to know what parts to expect to be where during
the disassembly process.

--
-------------------------------------------------------------
Regards -

- Andrew

ABLE_1

2008-03-26, 10:33 am

Andrew,

Congrats on finding the little sucker. I was going to say that if you did
not find it I have mine and we could swap........................ Well
maybe not.

When mine popped out it hit my leg as well. The spring was right where I
expected it to be. I did test drops of other similar items to see if they
would lead me to the hiding place.
But Noooooo they didn't have any little
legs..........................

As for the guy that posted the original solution is my guess that got lucky
and did not see a potential problem.

I am happy for you. Again Congrats.

Les

"> Andrew wrote:
>
> Found the spring on the floor! Again, thanks Able. I will attempt to
> send a note to the original poster of the instructions indicating to be
> careful
> when disassembling the antenna and account for all the 'pieces'. As I
> said, it would have been good to know what parts to expect to be where
> during
> the disassembly process.
>
> --
> -------------------------------------------------------------
> Regards -
>
> - Andrew
>

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