ox801

That sounds really frustrating, especially since chinchillas can be so particular about their routines. Sometimes a new dust bath bowl can feel unfamiliar or even intimidating to them, especially if the texture or shape is very different from what they’re used to. You might try placing the new bowl right next to the old one for a few days, so she can gradually get used to the new setup without losing her comfort zone entirely. Also, double-check that the dust itself hasn’t changed - some brands or batches can feel different or even irritate their sensitive skin. If she’s still not interested after a few days, maybe try gently dusting a small amount on her fur to remind her how nice it feels. Hopefully, with a bit of patience, she’ll warm up to the new bowl soon! That hesitation to use the new dust bath bowl sounds like it might be more about the change itself than the bowl or dust. Chinchillas can be surprisingly sensitive to new textures or smells, so even a fancy upgrade might feel unfamiliar or unsettling to her. Maybe try placing the old plastic bowl back alongside the new one for a few days, so she can choose and gradually get used to the new setup without pressure. Also, I once noticed my chinchilla avoided a new dust bath because it was a bit deeper than she liked - she preferred a shallower layer she could easily jump in and out of. If your new bowl is deeper or has a different shape, that might be worth experimenting with. Sometimes it just takes a little patience and letting her lead the way.

Since it happens mostly when you move around, it sounds like your laptop's Wi-Fi adapter might be struggling with signal strength or roaming between access points if you have multiple routers/extenders. Have you checked if your laptop’s power management settings are putting the Wi-Fi adapter to sleep or reducing performance to save battery? Sometimes disabling that can help. Also, try manually setting your Wi-Fi adapter to use a fixed channel or frequency band (2.4GHz vs 5GHz) instead of auto. Sometimes the laptop’s roaming logic gets confused, especially if your router’s signal overlaps with neighbors'. If you’re still stuck, a USB Wi-Fi dongle with a stronger antenna might be a quick workaround.

Sounds like a real pain out there on the trail. From what you’re describing, the battery definitely seems like a prime suspect, especially since the freezing spikes when it drops below 40%. Older NiMH or alkaline batteries can start to struggle under load as they drain, causing the device to hiccup or freeze. Swapping in a fresh set of high-quality lithium AA batteries might help stabilize things. That said, if the problem persists even with new batteries, it could be a hardware issue - maybe something with the internal power regulation or the device’s aging components. Given your reliance on it for navigation, it might be worth testing a different model if you can borrow one, just to see if it’s the unit itself or something environmental. Meanwhile, carrying a backup power source or a secondary GPS app on your phone (for areas with some signal) might give you peace of mind on longer trips.