I have the older version of the etrex legend bought about 4 years ago. I am having problems in that it will no acquire satellites (says it is searching....). Is there a way to reset the unit so that it will acquire satellites? Thanks,
Do the following: 1 - Make sure you have fresh batteries in the unit and turn the unit on. 2 - Check the GPS date and Time. On the Main Menu at the bottom of the screen, you can see a date and time. If the date and time are not current, then the clock is your problem. You will have to wait for the almanac information to be updated. Details are below in a later section. 3 - Make sure your GPS is in the Normal Mode and not a demo mode. Verify other systems settings. Go to the main menu and click on Setup icon. From the Setup screen, access the System screen icon. Verify the following settings: GPS: normal WAAS: Enabled Language: English or your choice. Battery: Set according to your battery types. 4 - Check your GPSs Version Software. Go to the main menu and click on Setup icon. From the Setup screen, access the System screen icon. From the System screen, access the sub-menu icon in the upper right bar. Select "Software Version" from the list. Verify the actual software version for me. The latest version available for the eTrex Legend is version 3.90 dated March 2008. http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=711 Update the unit using this latest software and using Garmin's Webupdater. http://www8.garmin.com/products/webupdater/howtoinstall.jsp If that won't work, use the following download page to access the latest software updates per units. http://www8.garmin.com/support/blosp.jsp 5 - Resetting your GPS clock and almanac information Next you may need to acclimate your unit to a new date and time (almanac information). If you had your unit off and without batteries for over a month since you last accessed satellites, then your clock and almanac information may be incorrect. Even Garmin acknowledges this problem after software updates and the problem with accessing satellites. They state: "unit data including alamanac information may be incorrect or cleared. Back up all user data before upgrading. After installation is complete, place unit with a clear view of the sky for 15-30 minutes to re-acquire almanac data. " I know of no way to reset the clock using the GPS menus. All I can suggest is that you do the following: A - turn the unit on and wait 5 minutes or so for the "Poor Satellite Reception" screen to appear. See page 7 of the owner's manual. B - Set the "new location" to your area using the map when the "poor satellite reception screen" appears. Be sure to use the "map" option and not the "automatic". C - Set the GPS outside with a clear view of the sky. Check on it every 10 minutes. When the "Poor Satellite Reception" screen appears again, then click on "Restart Search". The "Restart Search" option is used when the date provided in the GPS is not today's date. (See page 7 of the Owner's manual for an example) Legend Owners Manual: http://www8.garmin.com/manuals/eTrexLegend_OwnersManual.pdf D - Once the GPS can track 4 satellites, then the clock should reset and you should be fine. This process could take up to an hour. I have had this problem with my eTrex Vista and eTrex Legend (both backup GPSs) and resolved it by having the clock reset. In fact, I just tried my eTrex Legend today after not using it for many months and storing it without batteries and it had this same problem. I followed the steps above to fix the problem. This took about 35 minutes.
Thank you, thank you & thank you. My etrex has been all around the world with me for nearly 6 years now and never missed a beat until I needed it in Laos PDR lost in the jungle. I had given up hope of ever using it again but was loathe to throw it away. Your system for rebooting the etrex was spot on the money and I'll continue to use this little unit in conjunction with my new 62s.
Thanks a million times zinnware ! I had 102 way points in my Etrex and had been adding those points to my new Lowrance depth finder. It was easy finding the points with my Etrex then viewing the brush on my depth finder then creating a new way point on my depth finder. Then my Etrex could not find the satellites. I have all my way points written down in small note books with good descriptions, I thought were good descriptions. Without the Etrex working a lot of the descriptions sounded too much the same, I will work on that some. I followed your instructions and on the first try early yesterday morning Etrex found the satellites. Went fishing and it worked great again. I had taken the batteries out and left it setting in a bowl of rice for several days is the reason it quit working. Thanks again !
Thanks a million times zinnware ! I had 102 way points in my Etrex and had been adding those points to my new Lowrance depth finder. It was easy finding the points with my Etrex then viewing the brush on my depth finder then creating a new way point on my depth finder. Then my Etrex could not find the satellites. I have all my way points written down in small note books with good descriptions, I thought were good descriptions. Without the Etrex working a lot of the descriptions sounded too much the same, I will work on that some. I followed your instructions and on the first try early yesterday morning Etrex found the satellites. Went fishing and it worked great again. I had taken the batteries out and left it setting in a bowl of rice for several days is the reason it quit working. Thanks again !
×
If it hasn't been used in a long time it could take up to 30 minutes to get positioning. Get a clear view of the sky and let it set at least 30 minutes. If that doesn't work antennae connection is bad. Its not a software issue.
I encountered a similar problem, in which the screen of the GPS etrex vista went blank and then vertical lines appeared.
The solution:
1. Update. Connect GPS to the computer, turn it on (be sure to save files you need using Map Source), be online (internet), go to the Garmin website, download updater.
2. Open the back cover, remove the batteries, adjust the coil spring and the metal clip connectors to make the batteries tight in the chamber.
Turn on the GPS again and then give the unit strong pats on the sides and it will work. Note: Continue to pat until the screen displays the data and information you need.
×
Is there an online etrex tutorial
I had a similar problem. The antennae had become detached and had to be sent for repair. Since the repair it's working perfectly.
9,727 views
Usually answered in minutes!
My Etrex Vista says its locating satellites and will not go any farther. It obviously sees the satellites as it will show them on the satellite screen. There are no other problems. I updated the software over the internet hoping for a fix but no luck
Mike
Can power up my Vista, shows satellites, and coordinates. cannot navigate away from the page or power it down. have to remove the batteries to shut it off. keeps going back to the same spot, and cannot get out of the satellite aquisition page.
Help
I have an Etrex Legend and have also just found, after 3 years use, that I can't get a satellite fix. The satellite screen shows lots of satellites but no fixes (when they go black) so the GPSr doesn't work out where it is - any idea what the problem is?
will not lock on satellites , except one at a time.
My etrex will not acquire sattelites. Attempted to start with new location, but still will not track.
Same problem. It's just searching and tracking. No satellites show in the azimuth ring, but I do get a lot of black bars on the signal scale. After 30 minutes on the roof of my building at the airport I still get 'locating'. I haven't been 'ready to navigate' in over 2 weeks.
×