A GPS That Just Won't Quit!

If you've traveled with me in the past 6 years, you might know that everywhere I go I take my GPS along. It's a Garmin eTrex - not a fancy GPS - it doesn't have a color screen, camera, loads of internal memory, or anything like that... It does everything I need though, it's basic and it works! I like to keep track of where I've been, mark locations, and do some geocaching too. Being a geography geek, I guess this little device is a good way to keep myself entertained.

My GPS has been all over the place with me, which is apparent from the nearly 194,000 miles I have logged on the odometer. The scratches, dings, and worn plastic indicates an adventurous existence - perhaps with a few dangerous situations. Back in the summer of 2005 it went through Death Valley on a hot (120° F) day in a Subaru Outback with no air conditioning. That incident melted the glue that held the water tight gasket... It's gone on a few canoe trips in the Nebraska Sandhills, no worse for the wear. A few hunting trips in Wyoming involved lots of walking in sub-zero windchills that even made it rather lethargic - not that much different from how I felt afterwards. It's experienced a backpacking trip through the Thorofare of Yellowstone National Park, dozens of hiking trips to the top of mountains, a ride on a jet to Las Vegas - along with a second trip through Death Valley, and thousands of miles of car traveling... Recently, the newest threat has become kids...kids that want to hold the GPS and use it. So far, so good though.

Then, Wednesday morning as I got out of my car and walked into the office, I heard a sickening sound. Something fell out of the pocket on my lunch pail and hit the ground - and it didn't sound good. I turned around to see my GPS laying screen down on the concrete. As I pick up the GPS I noticed the back of the GPS was cracked WIDE open. I gave a little sign of disgust for being so neglectful. The GPS had fallen on it's 'top' and cracked down to the battery compartment. I gently looked it over and then thought - "well, I guess it won't make it to 200,000 miles."

I started keeping my GPS in my lunch pail a few years ago. I could tell it wasn't good to leave it in my car during the days when I was at the office all day. The heat wasn't good for it, and the cold wasn't all that great either. So I just started throwing it into my lunch pail to keep it at room temperature and take care of it. Unfortunately that means it gets beat up a little more from being moved to and from the car, but I think it's better than having it melt or freeze all the time..?

After looking over the damage, I thought I might as well see if it still worked - I doubted it would, but to my surprise it did! I took out my Leatherman multi-tool (which I always have on my belt) and arranged the broken plastic case back to it's proper position. When I got home from work on Wednesday evening, I used some Elmer's Nano Glue and a few clamps and I left it overnight to see what happened...

Thursday morning, I checked things out and the GPS appeared to take the operation well. I did a little cosmetic work with my multi-tool and my GPS is back in perfect working order!

The pictures aren't great, but from what you can see, the glue covers the crack and holds it together amazingly well. I'm very surprised the working components of the GPS didn't break just from the initial fall, but it appears it was built to last! I guess it's just another story to tell!

Another month or two and I should be seeing 200,000 miles on the GPS - I'll be sure to announce that milestone when it arrives. I might sound overly confident in that accomplishment, but I also plan to take a little better care of my GPS after this little accident. I consider myself lucky to have it still working....and I don't intend to press my luck!

Until again

-=Nolan=-