Today was the second time my new GT-31 has frozen within probably 3 weeks. I know this has been discussed before, but apart from taking the thing apart (which I've just done) and disconnecting battery, or letting battery charge down, is there any other method to unfreeze. After first freeze I reloaded latest firmware V1.2 (B1405x) but that doesn't appear to have helped.
My GT-11 never froze and this is starting to pi55 me off as I had a rather decent session (well decent by my standards
) this afternoon testing my new venom. I notice also that with a freeze the GT-31 doesn't save any session info to either the SDcard or data logger. I have now turned off buzzer and increased Speed Genie to 30 knots but don't think this has anything to do with it freezing.
Also, just wanting to know how many GT-31 users have had this happen and what do locosys suggest (or is it head in sand policy from them?)
In the 3 or so years I've had it my GT11 has only frozen once. But that's still a worry, not sure if it's an inherent machine problem or just stray cosmic rays interfering with the software.
Have you tried invoking the warranty?
i stopped buying gps thingies when the cost started to overtake potential fin purchases.
If it keeps freezing on the water why don't you just turn it on every day and then document how long it takes before it freezes, by keeping the display on the total time?
After a week or so you should have fairly strong documentation the unit you have is faulty and then advise the retailer. They should send you out a replacement under warrantly after you send your GPS in to them.
Make sure you sit the gps down in one spot when you turn it on and give it time to lock onto the satellites if you just turn it on and go out it increases the chance of it freezing.
It is unusual but not unheard of. There seems to anecdotally be less freezing issues with the GT-31 than the GT-11. I have 3 x GT-31's and a custom proto GT-35 and have only had one instance of freezing that happens last week on the oldest one. I let it run flat and it came good but hadn't recorded anything. I am also having a problem on that unit with connection to the computer to update the firmware so it has gone back to Locosys for repair.
I didn't have any freezes with my 3 GT-11's but a few others I sail with did.
i was trying to dry out water that got in through the waterproof housing and buggered up the display. 
My GT-11 will freeze if after turning it on it puts up a "travel long" question and I don't respond quick enough. Surprisingly it used to ask this question if I just launched from the other side of the river. (normally if you go 100-200ks it will request a cold start) yet when I went to SP (3000ks) it didn't ask "travel long"???
I think the satellites are moved depending on US military needs and if your Navi gps can't find them quick enough it freezes.
I haven't had a problem for a while but when it was a prob it seemed like every second time I used it... so hopefully it will sort itself out itself.
Could it be the memorycard acting up ? It would be an easy and cheap piece to replace to test if it is the source of the freezes.
my BGT-11 runs great after 2 years but i always double zip lock bag it and then inside a large waist aquapac so it stays 110% dry
update firmware / keep superdry / use real mem card (buy from dick smith or JB, i've given up on ebay too many fakes) / format mem card in the device / make sure button isn't getting squashed by case (use foam washer around it)
microwave sounds deadly! seen what happens to a CD in there after 1 sec?!
i also setup as per the "roo" article on seabreeze with all the logging per second with NMEA sentences and all the fields setup... but getting familiar with it is also key, so you know what it likes to do before you hit the water.
all that said, i realise you said 31 not 11... hopefully it's firmware then! all the best with it.
In similar verbal expression to that video of Elmo spinning out some time back -f#%k, F#%k F#%k F&%king stupid GT-31 (3rd freeze this afternoon).
Even put a new Sd card in it as well. Time to invoke the warranty.
Hey Sausage,
Was it fully charged up? I'm starting to think that it's to do with low battery levels.
Fully charged after Saturday's sail, so I don't think battery was low. It's still on and showing no signs of dying (probably stay on for 4 days now).
Anyone out there who can repair a GT-11 circuit board? It only needs a really small chip on one corner I think.
Hi,
Mine just froze up for the first time this afternoon. What do I do now? Should I just leave it on all night and let the battery die down? I'm not to keen on pulling it apart as I am about as techinically competent as a four thumbed monkey with a sledghammer
Gt 11 one freeze
Gt31 2 times
run down, recharge then all ok.........shouldn't do it though,
electronics.....never gonna catch on....
....lucky they don't fly aeroplanes on it!
Lyn first used hers Oct 31st....she used it 19 times and it froze Dec 14th.
used it 3 times ..froze Dec 20th..used it 5 times..froze Dec 30th.
We swapped cards ...My sandisc has never froze in over 1 year..she used it twice and it froze Jan 7th. ....Altogether used 29 times and it froze 4 times.
Takes about 2 nights to thaw out.
I used her Toshiba card now about 4 times and a few on the bike and no trouble.
On firmware subject....I was running Version 2 B1405x on both units but loaded
Ver 3 B1123t about xmas. The MtBest site is a bit ambiguous about which is the latest firmware. Anybody know for sure??
I turn them both on at same time and in same sequence giving them plenty of time.
We have obtained the OK to return it for swap, but it has worked last two sessions and if it keeps going, will keep it. I think we will soon know.
Thanks for the advice everyone. I drained the battery last night and charged it up this morning. Just fired it up then, and it is back to its normal self again. I have been using the unit for over a year and this is the first time it has frozen up, HOPEFULLY the last!
