Condensation in Garmin units !

TheBlackPearl · 07 July 2013, 20:05

I have several Garmin products & I am having problems with internal condensation.
I am on my second VHF and a second mapping unit both of which also
mist up.
Am I alone or is this a Garmin problem?

Garmin are happy to replace faulty units but there replacements seem to be no better!

Any advise.......

Thx

rossymtb · 07 July 2013, 20:36

If its any relief my cycling GPS units do it to (supposed to be water proof ixp7 or what ever they call it) Clears after a hour in the warmth but still not the point

willk · 07 July 2013, 20:41

I'm not sure that I've seen a Garmin VHF that didn't fog up badly in direct sunlight. Shame really, they seem very good otherwise...

* Direct sunlight being in short supply here...

gotchiguy · 07 July 2013, 23:12

Our VHF 200i does it, as do the GMIs to a lesser extent

thomas · 08 July 2013, 07:14

My old Garmin 3006 plotter used to fog up, would clear itself not long after I took the cover off. I had a new GPSmap 451 that did the same, never bothered me so never thought to return them.

I also had problems with new Mercury Smartcraft gauges and regular ones.

Erin · 08 July 2013, 08:46

Common problem. My 3006 also did it. Problem solved by moving to touch screen which has a bonded screen and nowhere for condensation to settle and affect the view. Bear in mind that waterproof is not the same as vapour proof. The Garmins have a small vent hole with a goretex membrane behind to allow for pressure relief when they heat and cool.

Downhilldai · 08 July 2013, 19:56

My Garmin 3006 also did this. I had a bit of a moan about it to the guy on the Garmin stand at the boat show and he 'fessed up that it was a known problem that was now sorted. He swapped my unit foc, and the replacement has been fine since.

Mollers · 08 July 2013, 20:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by Downhilldai

he 'fessed up

Did you poke him in the eye first?

Burtox · 12 July 2013, 18:52

Ummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm............ Garmin

I'm on my fourth VHF 3x100i 1x200i
Fish finder misted up then the screen went black when it was left on the boat in -10 degrees Celsius.
When I bought the Garmin GPS I stuck some tape over the rear breather whole and its been fine.

I also got hold of an advanced version of silica gel which holds in the moisture and never releases it. I Stuffed it in the 200i which appears to have cured the VHF misting screen problem. A VHF with a misted screen is bloody useless.

Having ranted on Garmin to be fair have been spot on with here customer service and replaced the faulty units.

diverdad · 12 July 2013, 19:25

I had a similar problem with my fishfinder and chart plotter. After several calls to Garmin I now keep them both in the airing cupboard, it is always very warm and dry.

The chart plotter did mist up the other day in direct sunlight but not very much and for only a short time. I was able to read the chart all the time.

The Black Pig · 12 July 2013, 20:08

I was just about to order a garmin 451 chart plotter, now I'm not so sure after reading this

alystra · 14 July 2013, 12:55

I have a GPS Map 550. At the risk of putting a hex on it, I have had no problems with misting at all.

Once had a problem with a stuck ' - ' button which made the thing beep continuously and shrank the chart. Found the problem by poking all the buttons. Hasn't stuck again.

I think it's a super piece of kit.

Leapy · 14 July 2013, 21:25

Quote:

Originally Posted by alystra

I have a GPS Map 550. At the risk of putting a hex on it, I have had no problems with misting at all.

+1

Downhilldai · 14 July 2013, 22:08

The Garmin 3006 that was replaced has been fine ever since, as has the 550S that I've had for over 3 years, so I think Garmin may have solved the misting up problem.

willk · 14 July 2013, 22:22

Not in their VHFs!

redshift · 08 November 2016, 10:14

I had a Garmin 200i in my Ribeye that fogged all day. Ribeye replaced it with another but that did the same thing. I have a friend who has had exactly the same with two 100i's.

I gave up after the second and replaced with an ICOM M506 instead. These are not much more expensive and also give you AIS which then shows targets on your plotter.

Shame - Garmin's plotters are great but avoid their VHF range.

jeffstevens763@g · 08 November 2016, 13:57

plotters great/radio misted and packed up

redshift · 08 November 2016, 14:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeffstevens763@g

plotters great/radio misted and packed up

Yes I agree re plotters Jeff - I have the Garmin GPSMap 751xs and it's awesome. No fogging and easy to read in any light conditions.

Maximus · 08 November 2016, 17:43

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshift

Yes I agree re plotters Jeff - I have the Garmin GPSMap 751xs and it's awesome. No fogging and easy to read in any light conditions.

Maybe they've improved...I've had absolutely no problems with VHFs or Plotters fogging...Great pieces of kit!
Unlike Smart Guages on occasion...doesn't effect preformance though