Broken mini-USB port on Navman s90i

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Kookoo

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#48670 16-Nov-2009 22:19

H all.

I have a bit of a problem - the plastic bit which holds the pins on the usb port of my Navman s90i has broken off. The pins, thankfully, are still intact. The unit is out of warranty, so I am wondering what to do now. One option would be to find a male-to-female mini-USB adapter and plug it in permanently, so that when I connect the charger I connect it to the adapter, not the actual port where I can break the pins. Ther problem is that so far I couldn't find a mini-to-mini adapter anywhere at all. It's like they don't exist, and to be honest - I am not surprised, because what would be the use of that?
Another option would be to replace the port, but I have no idea how to do it or who would even be able to do it and charge less than the cost of a new unit.
And lastly, I guess I could find a mini-USB port on a piece of obsolete junk, break the pin holding plastic off and try to fit it on my Navman. Not sure sure if that would not damage the pins, effectively killing the unit.

Can anyone think of any other options?

Hello, Ground!

Niel

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#273913 17-Nov-2009 15:47

You need very good soldering skills and the right equipment (liquid flux etc.). The connector should be available from RS Components (Penrose, Auckland, they do mail order, considered expensive but they should have it or get it fast).

You will have to open it to see the size of the inside of the connector to make sure whatever you fit will fit. But as you do not have the soldering skills, I'd leave it to someone that does. Try a shop that repairs cell phones, they can give you a quote I'm sure.

I'm confident it is an easy job with the right tools. I believe you are in Glenfield; I'm in Pakuranga and can help as long as you are not in any hurry (I have a lot on my plate). I'm an electronic engineer and have the tools at work.

You can never have enough Volvos!

wellygary

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#273946 17-Nov-2009 16:40

You could always go through a couple of type changes to get to your solution

eg male Mini USB to male type A USB, (I am sure there are ones with short cables around)

http://www.dse.co.nz/dse.shop/4b021bcb0013d7182740c0a87f3b064d/Product/View/XH3362

Then, female type A to female mini USB,
http://www.buyextras.com/usbfetomib5f.html

leaving you with a female socket to plug you charger into.

Kookoo

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#274249 18-Nov-2009 15:39

Niel: I believe you are in Glenfield;

Walks out, looks at the front lawn and the deck for hidden cameras... Checks the car. Nothing. Shakes fist at the invisible eye in the sky and walks back in.

Thanks for the offer. I'll try to get by with wellygary's advice first - it actually made me look at it from a different perspective. What I am trying to accomodate for is the miniUSB charger. Instead, I can fit in a minUSB-to-female USB adapter and then use a standard USB charger that is probably sold on every corner, as long as it has the right voltage/amperage.

Thanks!

Hello, Ground!

Niel

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#274322 18-Nov-2009 20:52

Kookoo:
Niel: I believe you are in Glenfield;
Walks out, looks at the front lawn and the deck for hidden cameras... Checks the car. Nothing. Shakes fist at the invisible eye in the sky and walks back in.

Not the first time I get that response. Tracked down a dodgy under-aged TradeMe seller and he lives in Christchurch. And there was the guy wanting to buy my property saying he can not go any higher than 100k below GV, but I knew he was the CFO of Telstra Clear.

Easy, your full name is in your profile, unusual surname, found you in the online Whitepages. Took less than a minute.

You can never have enough Volvos!

tardtasticx

3075 posts

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#274339 18-Nov-2009 22:09

My old motorola Razr v3 came with this adapter that changes the plug to a right angle, i think that will do what you need, because its micro usb and fits in our Navman but im not sure if its big enough for you, its only a tiny little thing but it will let you fix it in there permanently i guess

Niel

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#274380 19-Nov-2009 05:51

Keep in mind there is mini USB A and mini USB B. They have a different shell shape but same pins payout. I think B can fit into A but not A into B, can't remember, might be the other way round. Just be aware there are 2 and it is not as obvious as the standard USB cable.

You can never have enough Volvos!

Kookoo

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#277522 29-Nov-2009 17:29

Ah, the stuff you can find on the cached servers... if you have way too much time on your hands.

Hello, Ground!