email/letter writing campaign to Garmin

[+Warriorrider]

I may still try a PN-40 in October, but you can bet I'll get it at REI for obvious reasons.

Does REI carry Delorme?

 

I saw the PN-20 at a local REI here in California.

[+CelticDave]

For those of you who might have missed it. That was Chip from Delorme, who is once again is active in the forums because he and his company care about their current and future customers...and Garmin is where?

 

For those of you who have "perfect" Colorados with no issues, would you please send one back to Garmin so they can clone it for the masses.

 

For those of you who would rather bury your head in the sand and wait for Garmin to make everything better when they won't admit there is a problem. For those who would tell us who would dare speak out against Garmin to move on to another comany?

 

I had an IT specialist work on my computer last week. After being unable to repair the problem, his suggestion was to let it sit and maybe it would fix itself?? (he really said it that way and was serious). I am still waiting but it has not gotten any better. Should I call them back or keep waiting for it to fix itself?

 

There is a very good chance that when 10/15/2008 Garmin will not have to worry about me saying anything about their company ever again.

 

Sorry for the somewhat rant, I just finished wathing Obama's speach

[+GadgetMonster]

My colorado worked fine after the first firmware update and the paperless caching feature was a major innovation. I recently upgraded to the Oregon and could not be happier with the touchscreen. I'm excited about the PN-40 by delorme so I may get one of those also unless Garmin follows suit with a sat map handheld.

 

If y'all are so unhappy, return your units, go back to the 60csx, or switch brands. It's a good time to buy a 60csx as they have come down in price.......or you could go back to watching the ineptitude that is Obama.

 

At least do this for those of us that love Garmin: stop your incessant whining in the forums.

[+The Klever Boys]

(For Info):

Over here in the UK, Garmin are in the middle of a large promotion in conjunction with Blacks and Milletts stores. There are promotional UK Garmin Geocoins being given out along with leaflets plugging the Garmin range of GPS devices.

One thing that sticks out like a sore thumb is the absence of the Colorado on any of this literature.

The Garmin range on the leaflets go from the eTrex H...though the Venture and Legend machines and then straight onto the Oregon...no mention of the Colorado at all

 

As a Colorado owner, I just hope that the Colorado isn't being ditched for the Oregon

I find it odd that a pretty new device isn't even mentioned, so hopefully the development/bug fixes aren't also being put on the back burner.

 

Russ

[+Ratsneve]

(For Info):

Over here in the UK, Garmin are in the middle of a large promotion in conjunction with Blacks and Milletts stores. There are promotional UK Garmin Geocoins being given out along with leaflets plugging the Garmin range of GPS devices.

One thing that sticks out like a sore thumb is the absence of the Colorado on any of this literature.

The Garmin range on the leaflets go from the eTrex H...though the Venture and Legend machines and then straight onto the Oregon...no mention of the Colorado at all

 

As a Colorado owner, I just hope that the Colorado isn't being ditched for the Oregon

I find it odd that a pretty new device isn't even mentioned, so hopefully the development/bug fixes aren't also being put on the back burner.

 

Russ

ROTFL... This reminded me of something I noticed calling Garmin recently. The telephone button 'tree' offers pressing a button for the Colorado and something else... It no longer mentions the Oregon. Is it possible someone instructed to change the phone 'tree' got mixed up and removed the Oregon instead of the Colorado?

 

I think whining, complaining, and questioning are effective ways sometimes that may win out in the long run and force Garmin to change its ways. Same with electing Presidents--it's better to keep your head out of the sand and participate any way you can then just coming up for air and burying it again.

Edited August 29, 2008 by Ratsneve

[+Ratsneve]

My colorado worked fine after the first firmware update and the paperless caching feature was a major innovation. I recently upgraded to the Oregon and could not be happier with the touchscreen. I'm excited about the PN-40 by delorme so I may get one of those also unless Garmin follows suit with a sat map handheld.

 

If y'all are so unhappy, return your units, go back to the 60csx, or switch brands. It's a good time to buy a 60csx as they have come down in price.......or you could go back to watching the ineptitude that is Obama.

 

At least do this for those of us that love Garmin: stop your incessant whining in the forums.

Not all sales sources offer a return policy. And though Garmin was willing to replace my Colorado they would not refund my money because I did not buy the CO from them. On top of that, as you mentioned above, many waited hoping for software updates that would actually _fix_ major problems long enough that return time periods expired--like REIs 30 day return. "If y'all are so unhappy, return your units..." is such an old cliché...as old and myopic as McCain.

Edited August 30, 2008 by Ratsneve

[MtnHermit]

as old and myopic as McCain.

I think we know who you're not voting for.

[+flarbear]

On top of that, as you mentioned above, many waited hoping for software updates that would actually _fix_ major problems long enough that return time periods expired--like REIs 30 day return.

Ummm...

 

What REI 30 day return policy? They don't have one. They have a 100% satisfaction guarantee which has no time limits. Did I miss something?

[+Ratsneve]

On top of that, as you mentioned above, many waited hoping for software updates that would actually _fix_ major problems long enough that return time periods expired--like REIs 30 day return.

Ummm...

 

What REI 30 day return policy? They don't have one. They have a 100% satisfaction guarantee which has no time limits. Did I miss something?

I thought I read 30 days...my gosh "no time limit"? That might be worth paying close to list price to get. That was a big selling point Costco had for a long time but it was abused to much. Does REI offer technical support too for its GPSr products it sells?

[freeday]

tigergps has no return unlimited policy - and i had to to wait some firmwareupdates/months.

Therefore it was the last time for me to buy anything from tigergps

 

Rei does not send to europe

 

Which company has unlimited return policy and sends also to europe?

[MtnHermit]

(For Info):

Over here in the UK, Garmin are in the middle of a large promotion in conjunction with Blacks and Milletts stores. There are promotional UK Garmin Geocoins being given out along with leaflets plugging the Garmin range of GPS devices.

One thing that sticks out like a sore thumb is the absence of the Colorado on any of this literature.

The Garmin range on the leaflets go from the eTrex H...though the Venture and Legend machines and then straight onto the Oregon...no mention of the Colorado at all

Russ,

 

Just curious, do the brands Oregon and Colorado have any cachet in the UK? I'd think not. To me you'd have to name the units Scotland and Ireland for the same effect. Your thoughts?

 

I truly think we'll see the Colorado around for a long time. Now whether it's in its present form or a revised model, no clue. Garmin has invested heavily in the unique OS of the Colorado, it has been well received so I think it has a long future. None the less, your B&M observations are interesting.

[+flarbear]

On top of that, as you mentioned above, many waited hoping for software updates that would actually _fix_ major problems long enough that return time periods expired--like REIs 30 day return.

Ummm...

 

What REI 30 day return policy? They don't have one. They have a 100% satisfaction guarantee which has no time limits. Did I miss something?

I thought I read 30 days...my gosh "no time limit"? That might be worth paying close to list price to get. That was a big selling point Costco had for a long time but it was abused to much. Does REI offer technical support too for its GPSr products it sells?

REI just rocks for shopping for outdoor products. Here is their satisfaction guarantee. And they offer 10% back on your purchases via a dividend awarded early in the following year for products not on sale (and sometimes their sales beat the competition anyway).

 

They have a fairly knowledgeable staff of people who all use the things they sell day in and day out and they'll let you play with the products in the store while they answer questions. I've set up a tent in the middle of their camping department while the salesperson told me every little gotcha on how to set up that specific model - and she was speaking from experience.

 

Note, though, that depending on the store they may not have the right expert working every night of the week for some areas (like GPS) so if the person helping you doesn't know enough (and they will usually admit how much they know right away) you can always ask if there would be a better day to return and they'll usually say something like "I use my GPS more for geocaching, but you should really talk to [Jane] since she uses hers more for hiking and she works on Tuesday through Saturday".

Edited August 30, 2008 by flarbear

[+Team Chinook]

Ok. I'm back in the Colorado 400T ownership again. Just got the Walmart.com $400.00 unit from fedex this afternoon. USB connection seems much better now, updated software, registered, got another month credited on GC.com (yippee!) Fingers crossed I've passed to the other side of happy Colorado users. ;-)

[freeday]

... Fingers crossed I've passed to the other side of happy Colorado users. ;-)

That means you are happy if your unit works with USB --- but you are also happy with the barometer bug and the location error bug?

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php?showtopic=198432

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php...p;hl=inaccuracy

 

That is the perfect customer for garmin

[+coggins]

I moved my reply over here so as not to de-rail this thread...

 

http://forums.Groundspeak.com/GC/index.php...p;#entry3617967

 

Chip Noble

Team DeLorme

 

Thanks Chip, too bad others didn't take the hint. Page two has so far been nothing but off topic.

[knowschad]

Glad to hear that you made your opinion known to Garmin, freeday! I hope that others do so as well. There are too many complaining, even in this thread, that have not yet (as far as we know) put their opinions to Garmin.

 

Letting Garmin know may or may not help. NOT letting Garmin know will NOT help.

[+mtrax]

Just wondering if its worthwhile to send another email relating to other GPSr units and how that can be improved for Geocaching.

eg I have a Vista HCx and I'm a little puzzled why they have restricted the memory for WP descriptions for Geocaching . You can hardly put any data in there without using Codes or abbrev.

In fact I can't understand why they restrict the WP description data anyway.

 

I sent an email to the garmin support and they said they would forward to engineers , but I have no way of confirming the progress of this request.

 

I would have thought a "club" or group like Geocaching would have some power to provide input useful to Garmin.

[+Ratsneve]

Just wondering if its worthwhile to send another email relating to other GPSr units and how that can be improved for Geocaching.

eg I have a Vista HCx and I'm a little puzzled why they have restricted the memory for WP descriptions for Geocaching . You can hardly put any data in there without using Codes or abbrev.

In fact I can't understand why they restrict the WP description data anyway.

 

I sent an email to the garmin support and they said they would forward to engineers , but I have no way of confirming the progress of this request.

 

I would have thought a "club" or group like Geocaching would have some power to provide input useful to Garmin.

Letter writing to execs any number of times won't hurt. It is hard to tell if it is worthwhile or not at this point. I don't believe execs would just toss your email but would rather start to think that technical support perhaps wasn't addressing problems properly?

 

Before you email though consider here in this forum whether this really is a problem, i.e., are you trying to use this field for more then was intended? Is the description field the same as the comment field or an area that might give you more room for details? Others could answer this better to see how large their description fields are on other GPSr's like Garmin's 60CSx and Oregon or DeLorme's PN-20 or future PN-40?

Edited September 1, 2008 by Ratsneve

[+mtrax]

Well from my point of view I'm really only interested in Geocaching and the unit I have seems to let me down on size of description field and given I have a 512Mb storage card which I can't use for this , it seems a bit ridiculous to set description at 20-30 chars these days.

I mean what do they expect we would put there?

ie I don't really need to see there point of view I as I'm the one using it, right?

[MtnHermit]

Well from my point of view I'm really only interested in Geocaching and the unit I have seems to let me down on size of description field and given I have a 512Mb storage card which I can't use for this , it seems a bit ridiculous to set description at 20-30 chars these days.

I mean what do they expect we would put there?

IMO, Garmin is just catching on to the GC craze. Clearly the CO & OR were designed with GC in mind. I would expect the next spin of the Vista/Legend to be designed with paperless GC in mind.

 

If the Nuvi is any indication, do NOT expect any of those features to dribble down to existing models. I would expect these new V/L to show in the spring of 2009.

 

Your crystal ball is just as clear as mine.

[+Team Chinook]

Update from Garmin. I sent the VP a note stating my 2nd unit has been received and is working flawlessly. Dowload and upload with it so far; caching 2 days; used the field note option to upload directly to gc.com.

 

This Garmin Colorado 400T seems to be working quite well!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Note back from Garmin VP:

"Clayton, thanks for the positive feedback. We are committed to continued improvements.

 

 

Dan"

[freeday]

Dan, did you ever hear of barometer bug and the location error bug - your new unit does not have this bug

[ryguyMN]

Dan, did you ever hear of barometer bug and the location error bug - your new unit does not have this bug

 

I'll willing to bet dollars to donuts (glazed, please! LOL) the barometer bug is there. No one on these forums have ever proved they have working recorded barometer data when the unit is off.

[+Ratsneve]

Dan, did you ever hear of barometer bug and the location error bug - your new unit does not have this bug

 

I'll willing to bet dollars to donuts (glazed, please! LOL) the barometer bug is there. No one on these forums have ever proved they have working recorded barometer data when the unit is off.

Wasn't there one CO user named Michael who demonstrated a working barometer when turned off? But I agree it is more likely there are none. It will take the next software update before all COs start working.

[+GeekBoy.from.Illinois]

Wasn't there one CO user named Michael who demonstrated a working barometer when turned off? But I agree it is more likely there are none. It will take the next software update before all COs start working.

 

I thought I had seen a couple instances where mine was working when turned of, but after more research, it looks like the unit had turned off the display, but had remained on itself. In the morning the batteries were dead, and I had a track log that looked much like a spir-o-graph around my desk. I know the unit had a blank screen as if it were turned off, as I had double checked that before setting it on my desk to go to bed the night before, and I was very surprised that the battery was reporting critically low when I turned the unit on in the morning as I headed out the door. Once in my truck, I attached the external power and went immediately to check the pressure history. I did not have it on the map screen to see the track log showing the unit wandering all around my den over night as it sat on my desk.

 

I have not reported this situation to Garmin yet as I have only seen int twice now, and I didn't realize what had happened until several days after the second incident. I do not know if this is repeatable or not either. It is also possible that I over looked it and left the unit turned on, but that does not seem likely to me...

[+Cstandi1]

I wrote a letter to Garmin last week expressing my disappointment in not only the Colorado as a unit but also Garmin's lack or support for the unit. After I did not hear anything for over week I emailed them again on Tuesday night. Yesterday morning I received an email apologizing and saying that my email just slipped through the cracks. Later on Wednesday I received a call from Garmin support saying that my email problem had been passed down along with my warranty request about my unit. They wanted to replace my 300 with a new 300. The real kicker is that because of my problems with my email they were paying for the shipping and throwing in CN 09. As disappointed as I have been in Garmin over the last few months I have to admit that they will do what they can to make a customer happy. We will see how my new 300 behaves but Garmin has definitely impressed me with their costumer service.

[BBH]

Wasn't there one CO user named Michael who demonstrated a working barometer when turned off? But I agree it is more likely there are none. It will take the next software update before all COs start working.

 

I thought I had seen a couple instances where mine was working when turned of, but after more research, it looks like the unit had turned off the display, but had remained on itself. In the morning the batteries were dead, and I had a track log that looked much like a spir-o-graph around my desk. I know the unit had a blank screen as if it were turned off, as I had double checked that before setting it on my desk to go to bed the night before, and I was very surprised that the battery was reporting critically low when I turned the unit on in the morning as I headed out the door. Once in my truck, I attached the external power and went immediately to check the pressure history. I did not have it on the map screen to see the track log showing the unit wandering all around my den over night as it sat on my desk.

 

I have not reported this situation to Garmin yet as I have only seen int twice now, and I didn't realize what had happened until several days after the second incident. I do not know if this is repeatable or not either. It is also possible that I over looked it and left the unit turned on, but that does not seem likely to me...

 

I had the same thing happen to me, it appeared the power was off, and it showed the same track log. My bttery was completely drained after being on from 11 pm to 6 am.

[knowschad]

Uhhhh... what was the topic again? Oh yeah! Writing to Garmin management.

[+Tigerz]

We bought one of the $400 CO 400T's from Walmart. In addition to the normal issues fully documented elsewhere, 1) the unit constantly locked up on a cold boot, 2) would not consistently recognize the SD card, and 3) was improperly manufactured so the USB cable would go in only half-way and constantly fell out.

 

As others have done before us, we contacted Garmin. For the first time in our dealing with them (the CO 400T is our fourth Garmin product), we were stonewalled. They wanted nothing to do with the CO and strongly encouraged us to return it to Walmart.

[knowschad]

I returned my CO 400T after seeing that the last firmware update didn't offer me anything that I wanted/needed. I wasn't going to gamble that much money on the hopes that the next update will be any better.

 

What I just don't understand about this whole thing is how they can completely redesign from the ground up, and leave out functionality that has already been accepted and time-tested. Adding new functionality can be risky enough as it is. Very confusing!!!

[+Tequila]

After one call to Garmin's VP of Worldwide Sales, they replaced my third defective CO with a new Oregon.

 

Keep writing.