timf6

Cool! If you don't ask you may ne recieve! ...as they say...

Now gents, this says it all right here. Don't confuse him with facts or PR marketing hype, he already has his eyes shut wide open and his mind made up. OK, sorry, I thought he might step back and read what he was saying. Not likely based on the comments though... For example, take this one: "I honestly do not want anything from any company in the world after sending something in for warranty work in which the issue is the fault of the company." That comment just makes no sense. Is he assuming that there are companies who never make a mistake, or their parts don't fail, or if one of these things happen they are foolish to try to do something extra for the customer?. or this: "I also don't need to learn anything.. " I see - and that attitude is exactly why you will NOT learn anything. And I also don't see why pcmike keeps bringing up some Garmin/Magellan debate??? He seems to be the only one focused on that in this thread and it has nothing to do with what was posted to start the thread - completely misses the point here also. So, I agree, facts will not help in this case at all! As far as the subject is concerned, I agree that giving you something for your trouble with a problem is a good gesture. I have a Garmin but expect that Magellan also has good products. I have not had a repair and don’t expect free stuff – but again, don’t think it is bad at all. And, sorry to slip in a fact – making efforts to make your customers happy before AND after the sale is a good strategy. Geeesh – I can’t believe I’m trying to explain something like this.

You must under the impression that you will never have a problem with a Garmin GPS,. in the real world, now I only speaking from over 30 years in all aspects the reteail industry from sales to being an owner, there is not one resepctable manufacture in the world that does not have a warranty dept. Things break,it is part of the retail world. I was selling GPS gear before the first gulf war (Back then your choice was Magellan, for recreational use) and sold GPSr util I retired last November, Percentage wise, we took just as many Garmin back as Magellan, Giving a free item build customer loyalty. sent one of Magellans in a couple of months ago, it was almost 2 years old, well beyond the one year warranty, but they still covered it under warranty and they sent e a free data cable not that I needed it, but two days ago I tripped over the cable that cae with my GPS and broke it, but I had the new one that Magellan sent to me, so I was covered. It says uder your avatar Student, well you have a little learning to do regarding warranties, If you could save a few dollars on your Garmin if they had an option to purchas without a warranty would you buy it at the reduced price. Quite frankly I could care less what you sell/sold/etc. I'm also sticking to what I originally said.. sending me free stuff after having to send something in for repair is pathetic. It's a gimmick to get you to come back. I also don't need to learn anything.. how do you know I'm not some 70y/o man who considers himself a student because I'm going back to school for a law degree? Stop making assumptions. You dislike Garmin and every comment you make supports that. If little gifts from the warranty department make you happy, stick with Magellan... either way I could care less. You guys like to argue this whole Garmin Magellan issue WAY TOO MUCH. You seem a little confused. And surely not showing the maturity of a 70 year old man in Law school!

I haven't personally had any problems and the products seem great, but what problems are you concerned about? I don't see that you have said anything about any specific problems you have experienced - only generalized complaints? quote:Originally posted by awskoa:The complaints are what I am looking for really but I like the fact there is good too cause with every bad there should be good dont get me wrong I think some Of Garmin products are great but there are a lot of problems with alot of units and yes I know sum could be human error cause were not perfect . But false advertising ,poor craftman ship or bad service are just a few things that I have experianced as a lot of others that I have found by reading all the back formums. Tell me when you pay 500.00 for a unit that you have to put card board strips in you are happy or it says water proof and its really only water or weather resistant! me personally PISSED besides yes they will exchange the product for you but there is time waiting and not being able to cache hunt or what ever you do with your unit . My time is worth something to me and after sending something back a dozen times is it worth it no All I am really triing to do is let the company now by us the consumer where there product need inprovements so we the consumer get an even better product and they get more word of mouth which inturns they get more consumers ) sorry I will shut up now

Another vote for tvnav.com. Have used several times with excellent service and good prices.

thanks for all the info! If I load maps from both Metro Guide and Roads & Rec. how does the Vista handle maps covering the same areas? Are they overlayed or can I only see one or the other?

Garmin has a map viewer on thier site so you can see the maps. It appears that R&R has more small streams but I'm not sure of other differences. I don't expect the trails to be mapped (would be nice) but some of the logging roads we ride on are there. I ride a Honda XR250 mostly in the Oregon coast range off Highway 6. thanks

Which MapSource product works best with the Garmin Vista? I'm looking at Roads and Recreation or Metro guide. I use for off-road trail riding and also on highways.

I though maybe the vibration could cause a problems with the battery contacts. I'll try the tape and see what Garmin has also. Mine gets pretty good reception except under heavier trees packed in foam. I would thing that you could protect yours well using the external antenna - I can't use one on the small vista. quote:Originally posted by fig:I have a Garmin V mounted on my CBR929RR, and it's been awesome. I did have a problem with it shutting off due to vibrations, but Garmin said they were going to send me a battery holder to help with the vibrations. I have yet to see it, though, they suggested in the meantime to tape the batteries together. My kids and I have a couple of dirtbikes, and as we were riding this weekend, we were wondering how fast we were going. Of course, I immediately thought of the gps, and how it could tell us. I just didn't have a way to attach it to the bike, and I didn't have my geocaching backpack with me. What I have done is get a 6' length of coax, and tie wrapped the top to the top loop on my backpack, and then connected the other end to the gps. Then I can handhold the V, and the antenna is up above my head getting a good signal. I can also put the V in a pocket, or just walk normally with it, and the movement it shows isn't just my arms flailing around. Anyway, sorry about the ramble, but the plan is to wear the backpack with the gps stuffed inside. I am a little worried about taking a tumble on the dirtbike with a gps mounted on the handlebars, since on my son's bike that is what we replace the most. Fig

Maybe I will give it a try... Was concerned about hitting it on a rock or something during a crash but would be great to be able to see the display without unpacking it. I like the format of the V but wish it had an electronic compass like the vista. That makes it nice if you are stopped and want to get your orientation. quote:Originally posted by cat-n-the-hat:I have a garmin V. I have used it for dirt bike riding all summer haven't had any trouble with it. No shut offs or anything. I did get a touratech mount for my handle bars for vibration damping. It works great cat-n-the-hat

I've considered a handlebar mount but for the type of riding we do the bike doesn't always stay upright and I was afraid of damage. Would be nice though. Typically I leave the GPS in a fender tool bag, wrapped in foam. I'll take a look at what you suggested. Thanks for the input!

I've considered a handlebar mount but for the type of riding we do the bike doesn't always stay upright and I was afraid of damage. Would be nice though. Typically I leave the GPS in a fender tool bag, wrapped in foam. I'll take a look at what you suggested. Thanks for the input!

I use a Garmin Vista for trail riding to track where we ride and occasionally to get back to camp. The Vista works OK but the small display makes reading the map a challange and reception does not do too well under trees. I'm considering going to a Garmin GPSMAP76S which has a larger display (along with the unit being larger, which I do want to minimize). Lots of vibration and bumping around but the Vista has done well so far, expect occasionally turning off. What do you think? Is the 76s a good option? rugged? better reception? Please let me know what you think, or other options you think I should consider. thanks!

another vote for tvnav.com... good prices, great service... I have bought several items with excellent results.

I have bought several units from tvnav.com. Excellent, service shipping, prices, etc.. Give them a try or let me know if you have had similar experiences...

I have been using one sucessfully with a Garmin Visa and Win2000 laptop that only has a USB port. It has worked for firmware updates as well as map and other transfer functions. Once set up correctly I don't see why it would not work in any case. The cable contains circuity that changes between the RS-232 and UBS interfaces. Software is included that adds a driver to the operating system. Once set up, there is a COM port available that acts as an RS-232 serial port to the application. Tim

I've done several upgrades which have added useful fixes and features. These have typically been good and not like a Microsoft upgrade If you do it, be sure to have a fresh set of batteries installed, follow the instructions and you should be OK... Tim

I've done several upgrades which have added useful fixes and features. These have typically been good and not like a Microsoft upgrade If you do it, be sure to have a fresh set of batteries installed, follow the instructions and you should be OK... Tim

I don't know right off but try a camera forum. Here are a couple good places to start... http://www.dpreview.com/ or http://megapixel.net/html/issueindex.html Tim

thank you! That looks like what I need. I'll give it a try tomorrow... Tim

Hi gave this a try but was unable to get it to do what I wanted. Any other hints? details... I used the vista connected to a laptop with Garmin MapSource road&rec. installed. I can connect to the GPS and load trails, etc into the laptop for display, so the interface works. What I want to do is have a moving (real-time)display of the current position as I travel. The Vista interface is in Garmin mode. How should the MapSource software be set up for this? thank you...

Try TVNAV.com - I have bought a few from them. They are fast, great service and low prices! Site here: http://www.tvnav.com/navhome.html

quote:Originally posted by Alan2: Don't pack the PC to GPS interface cable in your check-in luggage like I did. Twice! Alan That would be a problem! Maybe we get infrad or wireless soon?

quote:Originally posted by Alan2: Don't pack the PC to GPS interface cable in your check-in luggage like I did. Twice! Alan That would be a problem! Maybe we get infrad or wireless soon?

I use a Garmin Vista with MapSource R&R CD. Considering the product capabilities, cost, and huge amount of information, I am very happy with the product. Sure it would be great if it were more up-to-date but I don't see that as practical. If you have the expectation that a map vendor should can somehow let customers know what might be missing or which particular areas are out of date, you will be disappointed. I was impressed with Garmins response and suggest you take them up on thier offer, then go find a better product - I'd be interested to hear if you find something with similar features, that meets your expectation.