Garmin Edge 500 repair - Worth it?

[jgon286]

I've had mine for over 3 years. Over the last few months though it's been freezing, shutting down and generally creating havoc with logging my rides. To the point where I'll use Strava on my iPhone as a regular backup when it fails after the start of a ride.

It usually works well on my commute in the mornings. I used to stop the ride, and start it up again in the afternoon. This started to muck up and the unit would freeze. Nowadays, I'll log my morning ride (which usually works), but the afternoon ride will, more often than not, freeze or switch itself off. I usually do a soft reset, then a hard reset when that doesn't work.

I've looked at Garmin online and they've quoted an $89 fee to repair it. I don't envisage me being able to afford a new unit anytime soon. I've emptied all the previous activities, updated the software, everything that I think could be done to fix the problem.

Has anyone sent a unit away for repair before? Has it solved your problem?

Appreciate anyone's thoughts.

[celeste boy]

Have a look at the Garmin 200 before you pay for repairs to the 500. You don't get the 3 pages but you get a virtual riding partner to race against which is part of the more expensive Garmins.

CB

[skull]

Have you been deleting the old files?

Anyway, worth it IMO. I don't like the other offerings.

[Strawburger]

Yep, deleting activities usually fixes those problems, including button failures!

[greyhoundtom]

After 3 years it is also possible that the battery is getting a bit tired, this can cause intermittent shutting down and memory storage problems.

[CXCommuter]

Just had my 500 replaced- but due to dropping it down a set of stairs cracking the screen (it still worked though couldn't see anything). $95 shipped replacement for a rehabbed unit - happy camper here.