Sending Burned up Astro to Garmin

[Rebel3]

I have burned up a second garmin in the past 3 months, both of them brand new. I run way out of the Garmin Freq. and only use the handheld antenna and am very careful not to be close to the radio when I talk, also I run on low watts. 3 other guys have truck mount antennas hooked to there garmin I have not had a problem in two years. So I am dumbfounded on how im burning them up.
But im sending in my Garmin and they said that they would repair it or give me a refurbished one. I have heard that the refurbished ones dont have the range a new one has and are junk. Can anybody confirm that? or what have others experienced with refurbished Garmins?

[Nolte]

What I've found is that you rarely "burn" one up. At least I or thet guys I hunt with haven't. What does happen is that when you connect/disconnect the antenna there is a weak point in that connection. So if you overtighten that it eventually wears out and then you can't get any range.

I have noticed that with nearly all of them you start to lose range after time. It's gradual but very noticable if you compare them side by side with a new one or a good one. I think it's just the way it is and pretty typical with any electronics I've ever had that a guy brings hunting. They are either bouncing around in a truck or being beaten by brush.

If the range isn't good enough any more, call up Garmin and send it in. They will give you a RMA# and charge $125 I think. Like you said they'll send you a refurb but just test it out to see how good it works. If it's not acceptable, get in touch with them and get another one until you get one that works. It seems that some guys just get one that is super tuned or something. They can get range way better than any I've had and I haven't figured out a way to swap mine for theirs without them knowing.

[Rebel3]

Thanks for the info, someone sent me a pm telling me about the antenna connection and that makes perfect sense because the only difference between me and the other guys I hunt with is Im constantly changing antennas and they have a gamin for the truck and one for the woods.
Can a guy repair that by himself? im guessing that would void the warranty

[zachvu]

Like Nolte said, keep sending them back until you get a good one. My in-laws that we usually hunt with have gotten some refurbs that were absolute junk, and some that worked really well. Also, make sure they know how much you've spent on them...the customer service person we spoke with was dumbfounded when she heard that we had 11 collars, two units, and all sorts of toys for them!!

[Nolte]

Can a guy repair that by himself? im guessing that would void the warranty

If it's under warranty, send that sucker back. It won't cost you anything but you will get a refurb. If it's not under the 1 year warranty there was a guy over on UKC forums that had a guy who could repair them cheaper than Garmin. If I find the contact info I'll post it.

[blackpaws]

on the top of the unit where the threaded antenna post is, there is a small nut at the base of that post that you can tighten with a socket. i cant remember the size but when you figure out what size it is, tighten it up a little bit. this will make the threaded post a little more sturdy. be careful not to tighten it too much as you will break it right off. just snug it up every so often.