Garmin Oregon GPS Button Repair

thingiverse

Repair method and parts for the buttons on the Garmin handheld Oregon 450 GPS unit. This may work with other similar Garmin models as well. Over the years I have found that the rubber over the side buttons on the GPS units can age or wear causing the button parts to fall out of the unit and to compromise the water resistance of the unit.Print the faceplate and button inserts in PLA or PETG. Print the button cover using TPU or other flexible, durable, filament.Instructions:Remove the rubber covering around the old button holes in the case of the GPS unit. Using an x-acto knife remove approximately 2mm all the way around the two buttons and clear the holes and space in-between the buttons. Hold the unit so that the removed material does not fall inside!Print the faceplate and button inserts. Use a detailed setting on the 3D printer. Insert the buttons from the back of the faceplate so that the flared part of the button is lined up with the notch in the faceplate. Test to make sure that the buttons do not stick, but move smoothly in and out of the faceplate. Sand or gently file if necessary.Test fit the buttons and faceplate to the GPS. Take care that the button inserts do not fall inside the GPS unit. The buttons should rest on the micro-switches on the internal circuit board. Test to feel that they are being actuated when the buttons are pressed and buttons return to the resting position afterwards. If the test fit is good, place a very narrow bead of adhesive (super glue) around the edges of the holes on the GPS and glue the faceplate/buttons in place. Take care to not let the glue get to the buttons and glue them to the faceplate.Print the cover using flexible filament. Test fit over the faceplate and buttons. If the fit is good, use a silicone adhesive to seal the cover over the buttons, taking care that the adhesive does not reach the buttons and glue them to the faceplate.