Garmin 655 died

[Odell]

So I have only had the Garmin Rhino 655 for 3 years. I've used it about 12 times. It died yesterday when I put it on a charger. Instead of showing 'charging' it just shut off and won't turn back on. Actually it shows the Garmin screen and then just dies.

Of course Cabelas won't honor a $500 dollar piece of gear past 90 days so they are sending me to Garmin. Anyone deal with them? What should i expect? Any chance that its just a battery failure?

Pretty frustrating to have something expensive just crap out.

[Bob33]

After three years they won't repair it for free they will for a flat fee.  Their website indicates it is $140.
www8.garmin.com/support/outofwarranty.html

[ghosthunter]

Have  you tried a AA battery pack?
Could be that your rechargeable battery pack is shot.

If you can get your hands on another power supply for it try that. Maybe barrow one from a friend.

If that doesn't work try some one else's charger.

I have good luck from Garmin in the past as far as service. There are also some over the phone checks They can do with you.

[Odell]

Have  you tried a AA battery pack?
Could be that your rechargeable battery pack is shot.

If you can get your hands on another power supply for it try that. Maybe barrow one from a friend.

If that doesn't work try some one else's charger.

I have good luck from Garmin in the past as far as service. There are also some over the phone checks They can do with you.

Good idea thanks! I'll try that

[ghosthunter]

Any luck?

[Odell]

Any luck?

not yet, I don't have a small enough allen to remove the battery and ran out of time. I am assuming from the directions that I will be able to put AA batteries in, or is that a separate pack I need to buy?

I did try hooking it up to the computer to see if that would do anything but no dice. Hope to have time to mess with it tonight

[ghosthunter]

I think you need a separate pack.
I would just try some one else pack to see if it lights up.

[Odell]

Quick update, after a bit of back and forth with Garmin to try to troubleshoot they are sending me a new battery pack. I don't think it will work as it won't power up when hooked to the computer without the battery but they wanted to try that so we will see... Should be here in a couple days. I don't know anyone with a battery close by so couldn't try that route

[Stein]

Take whatever money it would cost to fix it and by the onX maps for your smartphone.

[pianoman9701]

Take whatever money it would cost to fix it and by the onX maps for your smartphone.

Depending on whether he has enough memory on his smart phone to store map layers, and he has a separate radio, this may or may not be good advice. If you're outside of cell service, you can only access those map layers which you've saved to your phone.

[SuperX]

The rechargeable battery on my 650 went with the same symptoms - also about 3 years after I bought it.  The AA pack is what it took to get it to work.  The replacement rechargeable pack is about 90$

[pianoman9701]

$51 at Walmart.com. http://www.walmart.com/ip/24074233?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227017400121&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40330416032&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=78289383512&veh=sem

[Stein]

Take whatever money it would cost to fix it and by the onX maps for your smartphone.

Depending on whether he has enough memory on his smart phone to store map layers, and he has a separate radio, this may or may not be good advice. If you're outside of cell service, you can only access those map layers which you've saved to your phone.

I have the smallest memory iPhone and can fit more than enough maps along with the normal video, pictures and music.  Once I tried it I couldn't believe the difference.  It's like moving from an Atari to an Xbox.  Buy the $30 map and $30 worth of radios if you need that.

[SuperX]

$51 at Walmart.com. http://www.walmart.com/ip/24074233?wmlspartner=wlpa&selectedSellerId=0&adid=22222222227017400121&wl0=&wl1=g&wl2=c&wl3=40330416032&wl4=&wl5=pla&wl6=78289383512&veh=sem

Thanks, great price! 

[pianoman9701]

Take whatever money it would cost to fix it and by the onX maps for your smartphone.

Depending on whether he has enough memory on his smart phone to store map layers, and he has a separate radio, this may or may not be good advice. If you're outside of cell service, you can only access those map layers which you've saved to your phone.

I have the smallest memory iPhone and can fit more than enough maps along with the normal video, pictures and music.  Once I tried it I couldn't believe the difference.  It's like moving from an Atari to an Xbox.  Buy the $30 map and $30 worth of radios if you need that.

Another problem is its aversion to moisture and the battery life. They can be made fairly water-resistant, but that voids the IPhone warranty. The Rinos are water resistant and the battery life is very long.