JayBros
Well-known member
Yesterday I grabbed my 590 off the Spyder to upload a route from BaseCamp to the device. When I normally do such, after I see the route has been successfully sent to the Zumo, I disconnect the device, manually turn it on and wait for the screen to tell me that a new route has been found, do I want to import it. I select “Yes,” and the new route is added to the library of routes in the GPS’s internal memory. This latest time when I went to turn on the Zumo I discovered that the small rubber On/Off push button pad had dried out and cracked over the years and I could not power up the device. Aw, S**t! Naturally Garmin isn’t going to have a replacement rubber On/Off button for a seven year old, perfectly functioning GPS. That took only one phone call.
Next best choice for a solution and to protect the guts of the Zumo from moisture necessitated a trip to the “stuff” pile in the garage where I found a piece of 3/8” oak dowel was a darn close fit. Cut off a small piece and test to see if it would serve as a push button On/Off expedient. BINGO! Almost right on the money. There was just a little slop between the Zumo case and the diameter of the dowel, easily fixed with a couple of turns of electrical tape on the dowel to close the tolerance between dowel and GPS case. Next, drag out the Dremel tool and a cylindrical sanding bit and carefully grind the outboard end of the dowel so it was perfectly flush with the outside of the GPS case. A couple more pieces of electrical tape and the dowel was safely and securely seated in place of the worn-out rubber On/Off button. It’s easier to turn the GPS on and off too. I may try to find a piece of round rubber stock that I can install in place of the wooden dowel and maybe be able to seal it in place with a bit of latex caulk, but the dowel will at least get the Spyder and me through SITO.
Zumo 590/595 owners, watch out for that rubber On/Off button as your GPS tacks on the years.
Next best choice for a solution and to protect the guts of the Zumo from moisture necessitated a trip to the “stuff” pile in the garage where I found a piece of 3/8” oak dowel was a darn close fit. Cut off a small piece and test to see if it would serve as a push button On/Off expedient. BINGO! Almost right on the money. There was just a little slop between the Zumo case and the diameter of the dowel, easily fixed with a couple of turns of electrical tape on the dowel to close the tolerance between dowel and GPS case. Next, drag out the Dremel tool and a cylindrical sanding bit and carefully grind the outboard end of the dowel so it was perfectly flush with the outside of the GPS case. A couple more pieces of electrical tape and the dowel was safely and securely seated in place of the worn-out rubber On/Off button. It’s easier to turn the GPS on and off too. I may try to find a piece of round rubber stock that I can install in place of the wooden dowel and maybe be able to seal it in place with a bit of latex caulk, but the dowel will at least get the Spyder and me through SITO.
Zumo 590/595 owners, watch out for that rubber On/Off button as your GPS tacks on the years.
