{"id":5577,"date":"2012-01-30T08:11:04","date_gmt":"2012-01-30T08:11:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.studionewmedia.com\/blog\/?p=5577"},"modified":"2012-01-30T08:12:41","modified_gmt":"2012-01-30T08:12:41","slug":"garmin-etrex-30-toggle-guard","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/studionewmedia.com\/blog\/index.php\/2012\/01\/30\/garmin-etrex-30-toggle-guard\/","title":{"rendered":"Garmin eTrex 30 Toggle Guard"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>I recently picked up a Garmin eTrex 30 GPS.\u00c2\u00a0 It’s a good GPS for a good price, is easy to add maps to via a microSD card “slot” (not really a slot), and uses standard AA batteries or AA-sized lithiums or rechargables.\u00c2\u00a0 The one thing that quickly became apparent while it was knocking around in my pants cargo pocket or chest rig pouch was that the lack of any key lock feature led to a random display every time I pulled it out, or random waypoints logged or\u00c2\u00a0purposely recorded ones\u00c2\u00a0deleted.\u00c2\u00a0 The offender in this case was the multi-function toggle on the face of the unit.\u00c2\u00a0 This toggle makes the navigation of the non-touch-screen eTrex very easy and intuitive, but it is easily actuated when the unit is on and put inside or against something.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>My first solution was a piece of 1.2mm LDPE sheet with a hole for the toggle held onto the faceplate with 2mm double-sided foam tape.\u00c2\u00a0 This worked fine to prevent the toggle from being accidentally actuated, but the 11mm hole was\u00c2\u00a0a little small to use the toggle with gloves on.\u00c2\u00a0 The final version is made from 1mm\u00c2\u00a0Kydex held in place with 1mm 3M automotive trim tape courtesy of Root.\u00c2\u00a0 The toggle opening is 14mm and has a 1.5mm collar to further\u00c2\u00a0recess the toggle.\u00c2\u00a0 The larger diameter opening necessitated a small “wing” on the right side to provide a surface for the mounting tape.\u00c2\u00a0 I contoured the wing to\u00c2\u00a0clear the printed “light” and “back” nomenclature on the case.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Briefly, to make the collar, make a jig consisting of a wood block (old formica-surfaced countertop scrap works\u00c2\u00a0good, or masonite glued over lumber) with a blind hole 6mm (1\/4″) deep that is the outer diameter of the collar.\u00c2\u00a0 Place a heated piece of Kydex over the jig topped with the foam forming piece, then clamp in vise to form a protrusion.\u00c2\u00a0 When the Kydex cools, remove it and cut the top of the protrusion off to leave the collar.\u00c2\u00a0 Cut the outside shape of the guard plate and relieve the edges, then heat the wing and upper edge of the plate to form it to the top contour of the GPS unit.\u00c2\u00a0 Protect the surface of the GPS unit from scratches with masking tape during the entire process.\u00c2\u00a0 Clean all surfaces with rubbing alcohol, let dry, and apply the tape to the underside of the guard.\u00c2\u00a0 Carefully install guard.\u00c2\u00a0 The tape is incredibly sticky, so you have one chance to put it down.\u00c2\u00a0 If you put it down wrong, you may have to carfefully heat the Kydex and peel it away then roll the tape off the GPS and start all over again!<\/p>\n

Difficulty: moderate to high<\/p>\n

Tools required:<\/p>\n