A couple of months ago I posted about problems I had with my GT-11. After sailing, instead of having one big file, there were many small files of the sailing session.

I played around with the GPS and found it worked fine. However last week it started playing up again. I sailed with it on a very light wind day and could hear it beeping regularly so I checked what its doing.

It chirps then displays "Card Found" then says "New File"

It constantly does this. So this would explain the multitude of files from that day. I changed data cards but that did not make any difference. I then then left the GT-11 on to power it down. Charging it up and it behaves the same, creating new files.

I checked the firmware. Its V 1.62(B1115). This appears to be the latest firmware available on the Mt Best site.

So is it stuffed or can it be fixed?

Is your button protected?

Maybe the button is getting pushed around by the aqua pack (or whatever pack you use).

Received standard procedure is to put a short piece of plastic tube over it just long enough to stop errant button presses.

The card found/new file behaviour is not related to button presses. I tested the gps on the table and it was doing it. The gps acted normally today when tested. So it may be ok.

Mine started doing this.

Chances are it's a bad connection to the card from the little metal tabs that connect to the card.

If you're really lucky you can try bending those tabs down a bit with a screwdriver and maybe it will work.

Or if you're like me you'll go all gung ho and pull the whole assembly apart, desolder the card holder, bend the pins, put it all back together and it won't write to your card at all and you'll need to buy a shiny new GT31.

Ymmv.

My GT-11 also started doing this. It is the result of bad contacts in the card holder. My solution is to use the GT-11 without a card and download data as sbp files using NavilinkII.

I sent a GT11 to locosystech to repair a damaged cardholder .
I think it cost about $55 all up,parts 90cents,labour $20 and the rest was postage.
Still better than buying a new one which I ended up doing anyway so now its the backup unit.

Thanks for the feedback.

It sounds like its on its way out so I may buy a GT-31. In the meantime I'll keep using the GT-11. I'll have to work out how internal storage works.

I've been experimenting a bit and sometimes if the card can't be found I take the card out an put it back in and its found. Maybe putting a bit of glue on the card to make a bit of a hump to force the card contacts down onto the reader could work? I don't mean using the glue as a glue, but as a filler.

I reckon that is a good call Moby.Take the 11 out as well and if you have any issues with the 31 you always have the backup.
I believe the GT's overwrite old files in the built in memory so your last data should be retrievable at a pinch.

Good call on the new unit moby, my old GT11 has found new life as a cycle speedo.
The internal memory holds plenty of data more than enough for a session for a mortal sailor like myself, i did a dump of it onto card from my unit the other day and found it held cycling, SUPing and sailing data dating back a fair way

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Mobydisc said...

Thanks for the feedback.

It sounds like its on its way out so I may buy a GT-31. In the meantime I'll keep using the GT-11. I'll have to work out how internal storage works.

I've been experimenting a bit and sometimes if the card can't be found I take the card out an put it back in and its found. Maybe putting a bit of glue on the card to make a bit of a hump to force the card contacts down onto the reader could work? I don't mean using the glue as a glue, but as a filler.

Rather than glue, try a piece of masking tape. Build up layers as necessary.

I tried the glue, two part epoxy. Guess what? It works! However the next issue is to get the card out of the slot. I'll give it a go with a flat head screwdriver. I thought about tape and considered it this morning but I think glue or some other filler is way to go.