Unit doesn't like being knocked about on bike mount

TRWALLIS · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 04, 2008 Posts: 3

Having taken delivery of my Satmap, Active 10, I was really looking forward to my cycle ride home to test out the new unit.

How disappointing I was to find that 5 minutes into the ride it froze. Crying or Very sad

It froze a further 10-15 times on the way home, each time I had to remove the battery to restart the machine and wait for the GPS to lock on before proceeding.

I tried various things to try and work out what the cause might be.

1) Not using the SIM-card maps
2) Turning off the logging
3) Reducing the back-light
4) Making sure I had a good strong GPS single from multiple satellites before proceeding.

What I seem to have discovered is that the unit just can’t take the knocks of being attached to my bike. If you treat it with kid-gloves, it’s fine, but as soon as it gets any knock or the vibration through the bike, it freezes up.

I suspected it might be being caused by the badly fitting rechargeable battery pack I’d purchased with the unit, so this morning I tried the standard AA cells, but this no difference, other than being slightly quicker and easier to reset as you just have to pop out one of the cells.

What I need to understand is, “Have I got a dodgy unit” and therefore getting a replacement will solve my problem, or is the unit just not up to the job of being attached to a bike and used in the way it’s being advertised and prompted?

I've read on this forum about software lock-ups and freezes, but wasn't aware of anyone was experiencing any physical issues with the device.

mikealder · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 2:46 pm Post subject:

That sounds like a faulty device to be honest, although have you tried using the device with no SD card fitted at all? and does it still lock up? - Mike

robs1972 · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 2:59 pm Post subject:

Well.....the longest ride I've done whilst having the unit mounted to my bike and in use for the whole ride is 131 miles....and it froze twice....at about 50 miles and then again at 95, and the second of those I was about to change the batteries anyway so they didn't go in a long section of country lanes in the dark.

So if yours is going with such frequency then perhaps something is lose inside and you should get an exchange.
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jonesbach · Regular Visitor Joined: Jun 07, 2008 Posts: 185

TRWALLIS · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 04, 2008 Posts: 3

I tried with out the SD card and the unit still locked up.

The rechargable battery pack rattles around inside the unit, so wou;dn't be surprised if before long the connects went, but I don;t think this is the case at the moment, becuase the screen stays fully illuminated.

On one occassion the screen did break-up in a funny way. It seemed to go all strippy and then went blank and then came back fully illuminated, but by this time, the unit had frozen and none of the buttons worked. Confused

Seems strange that if it was a connection issue that the screen still shows the information and it doesn't just go blank (or blue as it's an MS O/S Laughing

)

TRWALLIS · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 04, 2008 Posts: 3

mikealder · Posted: Fri Jul 04, 2008 4:01 pm Post subject:

I put a small strip of foam down the side of the battery to stop it moving about as the wires don't look to sturdy to be honest. Whilst I have never broken a battery cable I have heard from others that have so decided a DIY solution would be best applied before it broke.

As you have tried it with the card out I would give SatMap a ring, they will want to know the serial number which is located under the battery "ACT100UK01234567" and the software version which you can get at by powering it up then select "Settings/ About" and it should say "Version 1,16" or similar. They might offer you a download to upgrade the device which will re-install the software or just swap the unit for another one.

You can contact them on 0845 873 0101 They are a helpful bunch who will undoubtedly rectify this problem quickly - Mike

jonesbach · Regular Visitor Joined: Jun 07, 2008 Posts: 185

I believe it has been designed for a specified voltage that remains reasonably stable over the discharge period not necessarily that pack Confused

. For example, the Lithium Energizers tend to overvoltage when first installed and low capacity AA drop off as they discharge and not all cells can deliver the full voltage when under load.

I don't think I made myself clear in my last post -

PloddinPedro · Regular Visitor Joined: Mar 25, 2007 Posts: 229

J-K · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 20, 2008 Posts: 59

I've had it cycle mounted over ground so rough I ended up with a headache for three weeks afterwards... but the SatMap was fine! In fact I've never had it freeze once (hope I'm not speaking too soon.)

I use the Li-Pol battery pack without any extra padding or anything.

If I'm just recording a route to check where I've been I sometimes keep it at the top of a rucksack where it is less vulnerable. I've done this since reading someone's post stating that their unit had become damaged in an accident.

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