Syncmaster

I came across a Gamin Edge 500 on the road today during my ride. No one else around. Looks like it was either dropped very badly or it was dropped then run over with something.....

Some cracks in the glass on the top, and the LCD is shot. All rainbow colored.

First of all, did anyone lose a Garmin Edge 500 today in NY outside the city?..... if I can return it to the original owner, that would be ideal, but like I said, no one was around. If not.....

I plugged it in and it still seems to power up. Has anyone dealt with Garmin to get a new screen, or found a 3rd party supplier of screens I could install on my own?... Not sure what Garmin will say since I'm not the original owner. Maybe they'll replace the screen for a price... calling them later today but didn't know if anyone had experience replacing Garmin screens.....

Thanks

Syncmaster

I don't know much about them, but this just dawned on me: is there a way to plug it into my computer and read any info off of the device? Maybe I can find the original owner that way? I plugged it in but it doesn't show up as an external device.

Beaker

An Edge 500 should show up as a USB hard drive. If your computer doesn't show that, it may be toast.

You could try calling Garmin customer service and read off the serial number, they might be able to help contact the owner.

HMF

good idea. You could probably get the GPS data off of it, then put up "Found" posters on the street where the ride originated. Or just go door to door.

Syncmaster

I had to download and install the proper drivers for it to show up. It's showing up now as an external device so I guess that means it's still functioning.


Any thoughts on how I'd get the GPS data off of it?

Gluteus

You need some software for the computer to recognize the device
https://www8.garmin.com/products/communicator/

Syncmaster

Thanks. I tried it out a little while ago and it's now recognizing the device so I assume it's still functioning. Not sure how to use any of the data on the device though.... if I wanted to use it to help locate the original owner.

simonaway427

Go to garmin connect website, upload the ride to it and it'll show exactly where he lives - assuming he pressed start in his driveway

Syncmaster

Thanks! This was what i was looking for. However, looking at what comes up, there are only 2 recorded rides on it. One from 3 days ago and it's only 2 seconds long... with no distance traveled. And one from a little while ago when I must have pressed the start and stop buttons while tinkering with the device....

no leads yet... I'll call Garmin.

eugenek

Even if no distance was traveled, it should still contain GPS coordinates of where it was started.

I'm not 100% sure about 500, but I took apart a 305 a few months ago. If 500 is built the same way, it should be straightforward to open it and to remove the cracked LCD. If you can find a dead 500 with a functioning LCD on Craigslist or eBay (or even here), you should be able to swap LCDs and glass screens. Then you'll just need to re-seal it carefully (use superglue, take care not to get any on the outer surfaces) and you have yourself a working unit.

If you can't find the owner and you can't get it fixed, I'll take it off your hands for $20.

Syncmaster

This is all I see from that ride 3 days ago on Garmin Connect. I don't see any maps or any where to look at GPS coordinates... sorry, not familiar with the interface or if it is supposed to look different. Any hep here?

eugenek

Hmm, yes, there should be a map there. Maybe it was recorded when the unit didn't have satellite reception, say, in a subway?

Beaker

or it's just that they (or you) accidentally hit "start" without having achieved a satellite lock. It's less than 2sec so clearly not deliberate.

Honestly, I find the trying to dig into this persons' GPS files a little creepy; just call Garmin and if they can't help, I'd adopt it and get it fixed.

Syncmaster

Perhaps.... If I I turn it on, press the start button, just have it in my pocket and go walk around the block with it, should it record my "ride?" Maybe that's a better way of seeing if it still works?...

TrojanHorse

When you plug in the garmin, it shows you the serial # of the unit. I know I registered mine when I set it up as part of logging into garmin connect - surely Garmin can do a little legwork for you.

Syncmaster

Really?... Not like I'm going to plaster this guys address all over the web. Just trying to get some help on how I can get it back to him. Seems like it's a lost cause though. Now I'll be trying my best to see if I can get it working for ME, so I can use it.

Beaker

I've had to call Garmin support for a few different issues over the years, I just think that will be more definitive than trying to examine the other persons activity files.

Syncmaster

Fair enough. I'm going to call them now.

EDIT: NVM. Looks like their customer service is only open weekdays. :-(

achoo

No you don't.

It should show up as a mounted USB drive or two. Under the directories "Garmin/History" on one of the drives you should see some TCX files along the lines of "YYYY-MM-DD-HH-MM-SS.tcx".

AlphaDogg

Is it weird that I read that in my head as "year-year-year-year, month-month, day-day, hour-hour, minute-minute, second-second?"

Syncmaster

Tried out the garmin walking around town a bit. Tried to manipulate it to start tracking my "ride" without actually being able to see the screen.... was able to have it show up on the maps when I got back. Seems functional!

Just need to get a working LCD in there now....

JaceK

Actually you need to call Garmin customer support, give them the serial number, and let them contact the rightful owner. It is registered to the owner, and you really can't use a GPS once they realize it is missing and report it, Garmin will shut it down. I would of reported mine, had I lost it, to prevent exactly what you are doing... stealing.

byte_speed

Garmin will replace/fix the the unit for a cost, there is no spare parts.

I had a similar incident with my 500 (run over by car), they quoted me $89 for a replacement (as near as I can recall). They took pity on me and reduced the price since mine was nearly new. Good folks at Garmin.

Juan Foote

Crazy responses, like this, drag this place down. You have to be out of your mind if you actually think this guy is "stealing" something that he found, on the ground, and has written a whole post on the possibility of locating the owner through the GPS, and/or calling Garmin (who are closed on the weekend). Overreact much?

DropDeadFred

hey! thanks for finding my garmin! mail it along with the 100 dollars I lost in the same area!