Registered: Sep 2013
Location: KY
Posts: 644

I have a Garmin 320 and I have noticed the last 3 times I have used it that it is eating batteries when it is turned off and not in use. Last night we hunted, at the start of the hunt I put a fresh set of batteries I just had taken off the charger in it. We hunted about 4 hours I turned it off and just a minute ago I checked it and the batteries are dead. They were showing full charged when I turned it off. I made a point to check because the last 3 times I have used it it has done this. I have 3 sets of rechargeable Duracell batteries and it has done this on all 3 sets. I can put a new set in it and turn it off and the next day they are dead anyone else had this problem and if so how did you fix it? Also I have noticed since I have updated my dc 30 and 40 it has been super hard to get the 320 to pick the collars up and once they do they are in and out and drop signal for no reason. A few times after about 15-20 minutes of trying to get them to pickup I have had to delete them and add new dog to get them to pick up anyone have any clue what that's about? Thanks for any and all help.

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Registered: Aug 2009
Location: Hoyt Kansas
Posts: 426

eom

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Registered: Jan 2012
Location: Goshen,Ohio
Posts: 2679

I use the 320 and the same batteries.Heres what I have found.Not sure why but most rechargeable battery's don't hold energy when not in use.You can't leave them in your Garmin and so they need to be freshly charged before each use.Tracking has been much more difficult since everything has greened up.I bought 2 long range antennas today and had huge improvements in range and pick up.Hope this info helps.

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Registered: Sep 2013
Location: KY
Posts: 644

I don't think you guys understand what I'm saying. I can put brand new batteries in it tonight and not even turn it on and in the morning they are dead. It shouldn't be using battery power and it not even being used. It hasn't done this before and everything is up to date on software. I may give Garmin a call on Tuesday I'm sure they are out of the office for the holiday. I have been using Garmin's for a little over 2 years and have never seen one do this before. Ah' it's still under warranty so all is good.

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Registered: Not Yet
Location:
Posts: N/A

Know exactly what your talking about but there nothing that can be done for a problem like that by answering your question.

Q--You instal new batteries and the unit is off and they run down.
A--There is a short somewhere in the Astro that is allowing current flow. Most people don't have the experience to fix something like this without causing more damage from improperly taking the Astro apart.

Q--How do I fix it.
A--Could be dirt or moisture on the board. Could be component failure. Could be you had a battery go bad and leak corrosive gas around the top battery contact points. Take batteries out and look real close at the two top contacts for any color change.

Q--Any other wild guesses?
A--Take antenna off and see if batteries still go down.

Q--I have experience taking one apart.
A--Then open it up and examine board. Do some circuit testing if you have more experience.

Q--Heck I ain't or can't do all that.
A--Like you said, call garmin and if under warranty they will fix you up. If not they will still fix you up but is will cost some. Before you ever call them UPGRADE it as that is the first thing they say to do.

Have a Happy Holiday Weekend.

Since you have a couple days before you call garmin plug it into your car charger and let it run for a day or so just in case it is just a little moisture. Might clear it up.

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Registered: Sep 2013
Location: KY
Posts: 644

Thanks Bruce, I was hoping you would chime in on this one. It just started doing this the last 3 times I have used it. I will try some of the things you stated to try and see what happens. I'm not going to take it apart or anything. I wouldn't know what to look for if I did and I just bought it toward the end of December so it's still under warranty. I just checked the other day and it has the current version of software. I may just reinstall it to see if that makes any changes.

Last edited by hootowlman on 05-25-2014 at 02:40 PM

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Registered: Sep 2013
Location: KY
Posts: 644

Well I just got it out and looked over a few thing that Bruce was talking about. I put a fresh set of batteries in it and reinstalled the software on it again. I think I may have found the issue with it eating batteries. Always before I had to hold the power button down to get it to turn on. Now if you barely touch the button it will power on. I think the power button is messed up on it. Thanks for the help Bruce. I'll give Garmin a call on Tuesday and see what they say.

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Registered: Jan 2011
Location: Rockmart, Ga.
Posts: 2652

I had a garmin up until maybe 2 or 3 years ago. Sold it. Getting another one now. I think back then i had a 220 with a dc 30. How much harder is the 320 to use than the 220 and how much better range should i get ?

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Registered: Sep 2013
Location: KY
Posts: 644

The 320 and the 220 are laid out the same. They just made a few improvements in the 320. As far as range I hunt the steep mountains and deep hollows of eastern KY and I can get around 1.3 - 1.5 miles on the dc 30 in most cases. With the dc 50's I have gotten over 2.5 miles a couple times. I couldn't tell you about flatter terrain I have never hunted outside these mountains.

Last edited by hootowlman on 05-26-2014 at 01:08 AM

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Registered: Jan 2012
Location: Goshen,Ohio
Posts: 2679

I got the 320 with dc40s.I tried out 2 different long range collar antennas yesterday.The test was in rolling hills.One collar lost signal at 3.5 miles.The other collar lost signal at 10 miles.My receiver also has long range plastic antenna.I was impressed!When it was stock it reached 2.5 miles with the leaves off.

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Registered: Jan 2011
Location: Rockmart, Ga.
Posts: 2652

I hunt some steep places around here and with one I had back then I would lose signal at around 600 yards sometimes and often at .5 or. .6 miles. I'm looking forward to this new one.

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Registered: Jan 2004
Location: North MO
Posts: 2353

quote:

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Originally posted by Jason Baldwin
I hunt some steep places around here and with one I had back then I would lose signal at around 600 yards sometimes and often at .5 or. .6 miles. I'm looking forward to this new one.

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Registered: Sep 2013
Location: KY
Posts: 644

Idk Stock I was getting right around a mile or a little better on mine in East Ky. I forgot to mention I am running long range antenna's on the 320 which it comes with stock and on my collars which the dc50's come with stock I am getting 2.5 and over. I had to buy the long range antennas for the dc 30 and dc 40. Just my opinion but to me the dc 40 collars are JUNK. I have had several even with long range antennas they are ALWAYS the first to lose signal.

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