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Monday, January 14, 2013

Resurrection?

Not of the 305. 

No, that bugger is d-e-a-d.  Yes, I tried a hard re-set; I even tried two different versions of the hard-reset.  On the charger, it seems to revive itself, but take it off the charger, and it's caput.

After researching all the interweb has to offer about the 305, my diagnosis is that its battery is probably a dud and needs to be replaced.  Garmin will do this if you mail the device to them...for a price.  I contacted customer service and am awaiting a reply from them about maybe having this replacement service waived: The device is not old, I've been a loyal Garmin customer for a long time, I have a blog read by many, many important runners and fellow Garmin consumers ready to cast aside their devices at my behest...

...We'll see what they say. 

Truth is, don't tell Garmin, but either way, it's definitely cheaper to send it in and have it re-furbished/fixed rather than buy a new one.  So, I'm willing to pay their fee if I have to; I just don't want to.

In the meantime, it occurred to me that I never tried a hard re-set on my old 110.  Long time readers may remember by brief stint with the 110: I reviewed it here.  There are things I like about the 110, but a few features I don't.  So, when it started acting finicky (it would work and then not work), I put it in a drawer and began using the 305 that I also had -- I know, I know, mine is a blessed runner's life to have spare Garmins hanging out -- and I never came back to the 110.

Yesterday, after looking at all the re-set info about the 305, it occurred to me that I could try a hard re-set on the 110 and see if I could resurrect that bugger. 

Seems I did. 

Muwah-ha-ha!  Life is in my tiny, but capable fingers!  Watch out, Dr. Frankenstein!  I could be dubbed Dr. Garminstein!

*Ahem, excuse me.* Anyhoo...it turns on.  It seems to be doing its job, but I haven't actually taken it out for a test run yet -- I'll do that this evening -- so I can't guarantee that it has truly been resurrected, but I'm hopeful.

So, that's The Plan, Stan: Send the 305 to Garmin for fixin' and use the 110 in the meantime.

Last thought on this for today: Yes, I have a smart phone; yes, I know there are apps.  But, I find that carrying my phone for running is cumbersome and there's no quick, easy way to glance at any data while running.  I like the convenience of glancing at my wrist as I run to see what I need to see.  That's just me.  We all have our differing preferences, don't we?

12 comments:

TNTcoach Ken said...

LOL, I'll be sending my dead 305 your way soon! Do I what I do and duct tape your phone to your wrist, the convenience of a watch but it's a phone.

Darlene said...

I agree. I have a 205 so far no problems.

Christina said...

I'm telling you , call them. I got nowhere emailing them but one phone call and my dead Garmin was fixed for free!

Christina said...

* and I wasn't even a jerk on the phone. They were just like "OK, send it in", no guff at all!

sl2crmeg said...

Not to try and change your mind...and I'm NOT a rep...but have you seen the Bia? (http://www.bia-sport.com) I told DH I may D-I-E without one!!! They are looking at a ship date in June :)

Blaine said...

I had the same thing happen to my 205 last year. I found a place on ebay that replaced it fast and relatively cheap. I sent it on a Thursday priority mail and had it back and on my wrist by Friday of the following week.

Unknown said...

hooray! sounds like a plan!!

Carly said...

I am glad that they have the option to fix it and I hope you don't have to pay for the repair. It is frustrating when these gadgets die before their time.

B. Kramer said...

Yeah, I don't like watching my progress. I get too out of rhythm when I'm obsessing over time/pace/distance. I just like to go. That iFitness belt works for me, in terms of reduced cumbersomeness. Glad to hear the old Garmin seems to be OK. Cheers!

Carolina John said...

wow, cool! You got the magic touch. Maybe it's all that Miami humidity that's killing the devices? Try a waterproof one next time you have to replace.

Tiffany said...

I hope you get your 305 working soon. I hear you about running with your phone. I hate running with mine b/c my running clothes do not have pockets so I would have to hold it the whole time.

Kevin said...

Hope you were able to sweet talk them into fixing it for free. It definitely sounds like a dead battery