GTN Card Reader

the400kid

the400kid

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The card reader on my 13 year old GTN 750 is giving me problems. Over the past year it's been increasingly difficult removing and inserting the SD card, and even when inserted, many times it can't read the data. To me it feels like the contacts on the reader are bent based on the resistance that I am encountering and the slight "clicking" noise it makes.

Is the card reader field serviceable or does the unit need to be sent into Garmin?
 
The clicking noise is the catch that holds the card in, most likely. When it's in, you push it in a little further and the catch releases. Beyond that I have no idea if it is field serviceable, but I would doubt it. Is there any chance there is a little corrosion on the contacts, either on the card or on the GTN? Do you usually leave the card in or out?
 
Might try something simple first. Old style "electrical contact cleaner" from Ace hardware, WalMart, Harbor Freight might clean it enough to get it working again for you. You might just have a bit of dirt in the slot from all the years of use.

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Also how old is the card or cards that you're using? A new card might solve the problem.
 
WDD said:
Might try something simple first. Old style "electrical contact cleaner" from Ace hardware, WalMart, Harbor Freight might clean it enough to get it working again for you. You might just have a bit of dirt in the slot from all the years of use.

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Oh believe me, I've tried that many times with mixed results. Sometimes it will allow the data to be read (but doesn't fix the binding problem), but most times it doesn't. It's been a crap shoot.
 
the400kid said:
Oh believe me, I've tried that many times with mixed results. Sometimes it will allow the data to be read (but doesn't fix the binding problem), but most times it doesn't. It's been a crap shoot.
Click to expand...

With the contact cleaner, well.. I guess great minds think alike.


the400kid said:
Spent mucho bucks a couple of years ago on a "genuine" Garmin card, no joy.
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The secret is that any card will work. I think it was just that back in the day the card had to be "certified" by Garmin, hence the upcharge. IF you haven't tried a new card in a while, give it a try - not much to loose.
 
WDD said:
With the contact cleaner, well.. I guess great minds think alike.




The secret is that any card will work. I think it was just that back in the day the card had to be "certified" by Garmin, hence the upcharge. IF you haven't tried a new card in a while, give it a try - not much to loose.
Click to expand...
Like I said, I purchased a card from Garmin two years ago and it didn't solve the problem. I still think the contacts have been bent out of shape or misaligned after all these years. The unit was one of the first off the line in 2011 and has a low serial number.
 
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