Older Garmin Astro's and updating DC 30 collars BEWARE

[cat and bear]

I have an old friend/ hunting buddy, I was speaking with today, and asked him if he had ever updated, his astro and dc 30's, which were some of the first out. He said, no, so doing him a favor, i told him, i would take them home and stop by in an hour and i would have everything updated. Wow

The first collar the light stayed bright, after the update. I finally got it to shut off. I then updated the second collar, and the same thing happened. After speaking an hour with garmin, taking the batteries out for a half hour, to try and reset the collars, resetting the astro. It boiled down to their excuse of, you must have burnt them up, because your friend, never updated them. So for 90 dollars each ,send them in to get fixed. I explained they worked fine before their recommendations, of updates, I also explained the fellow is 72 years old, and didnt understand he had to do this, nor how to. There answer, well, let us know, maybe we can give a little break on the repair cost. Anyone have any other idea's before garmin gets an ear full in the morning?

[nmplott]

With the lack of competition from other manufactures this has become the status quo, a single cheek effort.

[Steve White]

Did they have you, or did you try to re install the software. This sometimes will fix the problem. Is it safe to assume the collars were at room temp before doing anything to them.

Talk to the dealer you got them from. There is a good chance a call from them may help. I am sometimes amazed at what I can get fixed for my customers.

[hounds74]

Do you have to update or leave them alone if they are working fine?

[cat and bear]

[Buddyw]

I've heard of this happening to a DC40 also before and a couple DC30's However it was in the warranty so I don't know what happened.

I had some of the Earlier versions of the collars and didn't have any issues. But I was definitely nervous and cautious about it because I've heard some of these stories.

Unfortunately I'm often not impressed with Garmins Customer Service or Answers for the problems. It all depends on the guy that answers the phone, One day I'll have nothing but Push back and the Next there are no issues and they just have me send them in..

Buddy

[cat and bear]

Thanks Buddy, I just updated two Dc 30's last week with the 3.0 for a buddy and no problems?

[Steve White]

Wish I had a better answer for you. Not a problem I have ever seen, and I have updated 100's of collars for customers. I could see a static charge damaging maybe 1, but not 2.

Just for giggles try to do the updates 1 more time. Maybe it will take. Have had to do a couple as many as 4 times before taking. Since you have been updating things. I am guessing you are using a 220 that is updated.

If it still needs to be repaired. Again I would stress getting your dealer involved. If you don't have one that can help you. Then when talking to Garmin move up the ladder to a supervisor. Squeaky wheel theory.

If it is any consolation. I have burned up many computers doing software updates. Had a lot of them go completely haywire after, and took hours of work, nad reformatting a hard drive to get back to working again. Talking about thousands of dollars in damage, and lost revenue to down time. It stinks no matter how you cut it.

Hope it all works out.

[fredrikl]

Try "downgrading" the software and see if the malfunction is still there.

[Steve White]

There is no way to down grade the software. Unless you have a hard copy of one of the older updates, and know how to load it.

[fredrikl]

[cat and bear]

Thank you folks for idea's, I disconnected the batteries three times let them sit an hour, connected again, and the bright light stays on. One wont even turn on anymore, so I'm sure its fried. Steve thanks for the heads up on computer problems also. I dont think i will be doing favors anymore I feel bad enough i junked his collars, now my laptop is at risk, LOL. Steve i agree dealer support is everything. Being an early unit i will ask him, I doubt he would even know, as he is from the older generation. Heck, i got a hard enough time remembering what i had for breakfast Let alone being 72 years young. See what garmin says today, I've been around this game a long time, and seen all the tricks, yes, i will keep going up the ladder, thanks for the advice.
Ron

[Steve White]

That is the software for the 220 not the DC30!! The only way to get an older version is from one of the engineers. Those files are going to be dcxx files. Not rgn's.

[fredrikl]

[Budd Denny]

, remind me not to let you touch my collars this summer when I come down .