OpenStreetMap
I had to take the GT-31 to bits again today, as it froze again. This is quite annoying, especially as I'm in rural Thailand where jewellers' screwdrivers are not easy to come by. And I had a whole day's exploration of Bangkok on the SD card. Luckily, I had split the day into 4 files, so I only lost the last file. I might even be able to retrieve that data from the internal flash memory, given a bit of time to fiddle with the NaviLink program.
I think I can see a pattern in the two freeze incidents that I have experienced so far. The unit seems to freeze if I use it without recharging the battery for a few days. The battery symbol on the display looks like about 90% full, but I suspect that this is a lie: the almost-full symbol actually means "on the brink of death". So from now on I am going to recharge it every day, regardless of what the battery symbol says.
Discussion
Comment from Pink Duck on 26 December 2009 at 10:52
I use the GT-31 too, though haven't experienced the freezes you mention. However, I have had data loss on power loss with the memory card logging option. I nearly always recharge it fully via USB after mapping trips in readiness for the next :)
Comment from amapanda ᚛ᚐᚋᚐᚅᚇᚐ᚜ 🏳️🌈 on 27 December 2009 at 17:27
I have a BGT-31 and I've experienced the freezing you mention. Once or twice I've left it and it'll turn itself off when it runs out of power, sometimes i just take the back off and take out the battery.
Comment from JeffB on 28 December 2009 at 05:05
@Pink Duck: Yep, sounds like frequent recharging is the way to go.
@rorym: I've never had the patience to let the battery run down. How long does yours take? Perhaps the Bluetooth module consumes more power, because my GT-31 seems to go on forever.