Garmin 440 fritz/stabilization question

[saltydawgrod]

I have a 2006 440 series on my Intruder, and it seems the constant jarring and rattling has taken its toll, even though, as you can see, it's not really even a true flat bottom boat. I am having it cut out, lose satellites, lose power. All connections seem solid. I know offshore boats take a pounding more than my boat...it seems more of the quick "rattling" back and forth that may be killing it?

Is there anything that I can do to minimize the jarring? Will I need to replace or can a Garmin tech dept. test it?

[ShellbackCVA59]

I have a 17 foot tiller steer boat, which is my main ride. I also have a 22 foot walkaround that doesn't get much use, so I transfer my electronics back and forth by having spare power cords and transducers. I have my electronics mounted on a piece of synthetic cutting board which has velcro on the bottom. Each boat has velcro on it also, so I just ripppp it off one boat and mount it on the other. I have found the velcro mounting really absorbs alot of shock. Never had it break loose on the boat, but I don't trailer with it that way. Just an idea to cushion some of the shock. I run a Garmin 498C and never had an issue.

[XV2PS]

See first whether your power system is OK and connection pins are not oxidized, and maybe try to update the software.
That would be IMO a first step.

[sandyda]

It really sounds like you have conditions that challenge wiring: Disconnect the power cord for the GPS and attach a digital voltmeter. Run over a few wakes and see if it doesn't catch a few serious voltage drops. It's even more important to assure good support of all wires in a small boat. There might be some fraying where a cable goes through a hole, or some corrosion in a connector, or a few broken strands at a crimp. It might even be a less-than-death-grip battery lug!