I Want to Punch My Garmin Zumo 450 In the Face… Again

Zumo 450 - not working againIf you happen to be playing along at home and following closely on some of my travel photos – like stalkerazzi close – you may have noticed that sometimes the GPS isn’t powered on when I’m traveling.

Sometimes this is intentional. But, sometimes… it isn’t. It is during the latter times that I want to punch my Zumo 450 in the face.

I’m not certain what the magic combination of actions is for the electronic hate machine to decide it will stop working. But, based upon my research I’ve come to the following hypothesis: It happens when it feels like it.

  • If you leave the GPS in the cradle on the bike – it may or may not turn on the next time you hit the power button.
  • If you take the GPS out of the cradle – it may or may not turn on when you hit the power button.
  • If you try the GPS in a different cradle –  it may or may not turn on the next time you hit the power button.
  • If you plug the GPS in to your computer – it may or may not turn on.
  • If you really “need” the GPS – it may or may not turn on when you hit the power button.

However…

I have discovered a fix.

  1. Go on a riding vacation to a far away place.
  2. Use your smartphone and its GPS feature to locate an auto parts or hardware store.
  3. Walk to said store and wait around for it to open.
    Please note: This step must take at least 45 minutes and delay your desired departure time for the day’s ride.
  4. Buy a set of allen keys that includes one the diameter of a hair.
    (that you didn’t bring on vacation with you, natch).
  5. With your newly purchased allen wrench, remove the Zumo 450’s battery for a second and then button the GPS back up.

Now, hit the power button.

VOILA! The GPS will “magically” turn back on.

*Important*

While this will get the Zumo 450 working it will not fix the feeling of wanting to punch it in the face.
*****

Yes, my Zumo 450 is old and discontinued. And no, I do not “need” it to navigate. It just becomes a matter of principal that drives me up the wall when the flippin’ thing decides it doesn’t feel like working.

I wish I could say that it was just my particular unit that was possessed by the devil but unfortunately another Zumo 450 owner tipped me off to just removing the battery to reset it.

And so, my saga with the GPS continues…

Fuzzygalore

Rachael is the whimsical writer behind the 20+ year old Girlie Motorcycle Blog. As a freelance blogger, she is on a mission to inspire laughter, self-examination, curiosity, and human connection. Girlie Motorcycle Blog can be found on several Best Motorcycle Blog lists.

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8 Responses

  1. Sounds like Garmin needs to add a reboot button, perhaps a very large red one on its face that can take a punch.

    Your unit’s problem sounds like a software issue, but I had to do this to prevent vibration-induced battery contact problems: http://www.tiltedhorizons.com/2010/10/cheap-fix-for-gps-shut-down.html

  2. Phil says:

    I’m having similar desires to hit Garmin software in the face. I think it’s time for me to buy a Tom Tom so I don’t get arrested for Garmin Battery.

  3. OG says:

    Is this the ONE area where my Charlie Brown luck doesn’t apply? I have only had one ‘random die, pull battery’ event in the entire time I have owned my 450. I do keep the micro allen wrench in my kit just in case….too bad it doesn’t fix the inherent navigation funk that all GPS units share.

  4. GLantern says:

    I have the same Garmin and it does the same exact thing that yours does. And it is “fixed” by doing the same thing as well. I always keep a set of allen keys with me though because of the Duc and it’s character, I guess I am fortunate to never have to do the early morning wait for the hardware store to open.

    I find punching the unit in the face very satisfying though, it is a tough unit!

  5. Adrian says:

    Hmm, I should start telling my boss I don’t feel like working right now.

  6. DUC748 says:

    I’m pretty sure on one of our trips I did your reset for you having already stumbled upon it myself. I always keep that allen key with me when taking the Zumo. 😉

  7. George says:

    I only have a cheap GPS, it’s only used when I’m lost or need to get to a place fast 🙂
    I once traveled with a group with 3 zumos and they all had nothing but problems, one time I had to use my cheapo GPS to guide us because the zumos were insisting on following a road that was closed 🙁

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