Inside the "Ranga" GPS

[vnx205]

Ever wondered what is inside the GPS that several of us have bought to install Garmin, Tom Tom, Igo8, Igo Primo and/or OziExplorer etc?

Well here is the answer.



I had a need to open mine because after it had performed faultlessly for ages, I managed to wear out the power switch. I'm not sure if it was just bad luck or whether I had pressed unnecessarily hard on the button on the top or whether it just gave up after being clicked about a thousand times. (I have played with it a lot, installing and modifying various skins.)

On a recent trip, the GPS refused to turn off. When I did manage to turn it off, it then refused to turn on. All the symptoms suggested that the power switch was inoperative, so when I got home, I pulled it apart.

The problem was in the two switches that are about 6mm long and sit under that rocker switch on the top.



The right hand one which is used to return to the main menu was quite loose even though I hardly ever use it. The one on the left is the power switch and it was no longer making contact.

The problem seems to be that the switches are located by two pegs and are glued in place. As far as I can see the contacts on the switches are not soldered to the PCB as access is impossible. They seem to rely on the switch contacts just resting on the connection on the PCB. Pressure on the power button would probably encourage the switch to tilt very slightly on the two pins so that contact was maintained or possibly marginally improved. Maybe that system only works for a certain time or can only handle a certain amount of pressure.

I had visions of replacing the setup with two external switches with wires soldered to the connections on the PCB. However the original switches are so tiny that I didn't think I could do that and I couldn't find any replacement switches that were anywhere near small enough.

So plan B is to glue the switches back the way they were originally and to insert a piece of rubber the right thickness so that when the cover is screwed back on, it will exert a small amount of pressure to keep the switch contacts touching the PCB.

I'll let you know how it goes.

My reason for this long explanation is that it is possible that the whole problem was caused by my pressing unnecessarily hard on the button so that the switches were dislodged just enough to stop the contacts touching the PCB.

So if you have a "Ranga" GPS, it might be a good idea to ensure that you apply just enough pressure to activate the click and no more. The over centre click you can feel in the switch is a function of that tiny 6mm switch, not the button.

[101RRS]

Because of the crappy standard suction cap and subsequent vibrations the power socket on mine developed a whole bunch of dry joints - so I have mine apart a few times - you have to be careful with the speaker wires when it goes back together and it can cause issues.

I had a new power/usb port soldered in at the local kiosk at the Mall that fixes phones.

Garry

[vnx205]

I promised a progress report on my attempts to fix the power switches.

What I have to report is that things were going well until the phone rang.

I successfully refitted the right hand switch that is used to return to the main menu. I glued it back in place and it seemed to be working.

I was doing the same with the main power switch and was in the middle of epoxying it back in place when the phone rang. I made the mistake of trying to pick up the phone with one hand while I held the switch in place on the GPS with the other. Something slipped and the screen fell down and pulled on the flexible PCB and pulled it free from the socket that is hidden under that large flat panel.

I really didn't have the time just at the moment to investigate whether I can get access to reconnect it, so I decided it was time to get a new one to make sure I could find my way to the 10th anniversary celebrations.

I have been very happy with the "Ranga" unit and think they are exceptional value for money. However, Dealextreme delivery times are sometimes a bit slow so I found another source that promised quicker delivery. I also decided that even though the 5" model is probably great for most people, that I could probably benefit from a slightly bigger screen as I often struggled to read some of the text on the screen.

So I ordered a 6" model on Thursday night and it arrived on Monday. I find that the 6" screen is a bit kinder to my tired old eyes.

It is still a YF unit, so what I have learned about installing OziExplorer and IGo Primo and personalising the "Ranga" unit is also applicable to this one. However, the main menu does not need the upgrade because it uses quite a different UI, a bit like an iPhone.

So far it looks like a good unit. Time will tell if it turns out to be as good as the "Ranga" unit.

There are so many to choose from. I thought 7" might be a bit big, so this is what I bought. It is slightly dearer, but it is bigger, has 128 RAM and about twice the battery capacity.

6" HD CAR GPS 128 RAM + AV-IN + FM + 4GB @ 2011 MAPS | eBay

I will have a go at getting access to the socket on my old one when I have a bit more time.

[101RRS]

Are the power sockets at the side or indented like the Ranga Special?

Garry

[vnx205]

At the side.

Why do you ask?

[101RRS]

I am looking for a GPS to put in the top cubby hole in my RRS - I bought a 7" one that fits but I forgot about the space needed for the plugs - 7" screens are not real good and seem to lack the contrast and brillance of the smaller units - as a result I am looking for a 6" unit to put in the slot with "indented" power etc ports.

Cheers

Garry

[vnx205]

The power cord supplied with this one is straight, so it adds about 35mm to the width. The right angle one supplied with the "Ranga" unit adds 10mm, so even with the old power cord, the total width is 170mm wide.

[jonesy63]

FWIW, I have the YF 6" GPS from Dealextreme - which is very closely spec'ed to this one. (My one doesn't have A/V in and is 500MHz instead of 533). The build quality is pretty good - apart from the windscreen mount. I had to araldite that back on last weekend. With the 90 degree power (USB ) plug, it would fit in the cubby on my D3 dash. Now have to use the windscreen mount in the D4.
Cheers,
Rob