(warning: kinda longish.. sorry)

Yesterday I sent Garmin an email about something I've been meaning to do since I got the Rino 130 to replace my Rino 110 (which, as most of you know, I demonstrated does NOT float worth a darn at Hydropalooza this past summer).

As soon as I got the 130, I noticed one very obvious difference between it and the 110. On the Navigation page, the font size of the Lat/Long in the Location data field (usually above the compass/bearing indicator) in hddd.mm.mmmm format was a lot smaller and harder to read on the 130 than it was on the 110.

So, yesterday I finally got around to sending the email. This morning, I get a response saying essentially "er, they look the same to me. Can you provide more detail?"

Instead of replying, I called in. After about 5 minutes of holding, I got Chris on the line and 'splained what my situation was and what I was seeing. He personally has a 120 and had it sitting on his desk. After listening to my spiel, he said "hmm.. hang on, lemme go get a 110 and a 130".

So he gets them, powers 'em all on, and starts comparing. Initially he says "they look the same to me", until I get him narrowed down on the actual lat/long numbers instead of the data field headers. "Ah, ok, let me see something." he starts changing the formats of that particular field from one to another...

In the end, he finally sees what I see: in hddd mm.mmmm format, the data fields themselves are, indeed, a smaller font - but only on the 130. It's "normal" (read: bigger, easier to read) on the 110 and 120! And, this data format is the ONLY one that's different between the three models.

He then put me on hold while he took all 3 units to his supervisor. After about 5 minutes he comes back and says "Yup, this seems to be a minor software glitch that nobody's ever noticed - I've never seen it before, and neither has my super. I've taken copious notes, and will give 'em all to my super, who agrees that this should/will be an easy fix via a software update" and that the super will pass it on!

Yay! Finally, no more tiny lat/long data. But that's not all.. He then asks "So, have you ever thought about sending in that 110 for repair?"

(I had previously explained my reasons to him for getting the 130 in the first place. He laughed, and agreed that it's "waterproof" but sinks like a brick. For those of you not in-the-know, I was trying to demonstrate to MariettaGecko that the Rino semi-floats under the surface of water if accidently dropped - based on my sink/bathtub experiments prior. I dropped the 110 off Trez' dock at Hydropalooza, where it promptly bobbed below the surface for a second or two, then sank like a stone to the bottom of the lake - 18 feet or so. Props to Astrodiver for fetching it. It was, of course, ruined/waterlogged/never to power on again.)

I told him that yeah, I had checked out sending it in, but since it was way out of warranty, I'd be lucky to recoup the $79+shipping I'd have to spend to get it fixed by selling it on ebay afterwards. So, it had just been riding around in the cab of my truck, still to this day with moisture on the LCD.

"Well, no sense you having a boat anchor in your truck. How about you send it in, and I'll cover it under warranty."

?!?!?!?!!!!!!! <-- my reaction. "Are you serious? Cool!" "Sure', he says, "I've already noted in here it's been through some rough times. Let's get that thing in. They'll probably just send you a new unit anyways, based on what you're telling me." So, I give him my info, he gives me an RMA, and we disconnect.

Man, I'm a happy camper! I'm guessing he was being nice/returning the favor for my "just wondering if this here font can be changed."

All I can say is that Garmin truely ROCKS! They're gonna fix the font, and they're gonna fix/replace my way-out-of-warranty-and-very-waterlogged Rino 110 fer free (sans my shipping it to 'em).

Can't beat that with a stick, I say. I'm extremely happy!

End of long story, but I just wanted to share.

I told a similar story a year or so ago. I fell while holding my Garmin, while an aftermarket remote antenna was plugged into it.
This damaged the connector on the GPS so it was unusable, and in danger of letting water in.

The unit was out of warranty and damaged by something beyond Garmin's control. They sent me an exchange (probably new) unit, with my waypoints transfered into it. Got a new manual, PC cable, etc. with it too.

~erik~

Must depend on who you talk to. When my GPS V was just 2 months old, I dropped it and the screen cracked. I called Garmin and told the truth, they made me pay to get it fixed, lost all the money saving discount.

Cymbaline glad to here that you are going to get your "Brick" fixed and for free to.
My cell phone which went in the lake at also the same spot is now a travel bug thanks of course to phat.bak and Astrodiver

Well when he originally called after the GPS took that swim at Hydropalooza, they told him $ to fix. And he's right, it wasn't worth it. But when he called today on the software bug/glitch, they said they'd fix it for free. All it will cost him is the few dollars to ship it to them.

So I agree Allen, it's probably just who you talk to.

I believe Jason's story and Garmin's great products explain this one:
Backpacker Magazine Reader Choice Awards.
Favorite GPS Company:
Garmin: 66%
Magellan: 22%

I have to agree with Garmin's Performance. I have had my Legend since August of 2001 and have sent it in for repairs 4 times and only paid shipping. I did however have to pay the final and 5th time I sent it in (for the whole Russell Lake adventure-mishap water logging). I ended up paying $99 for a new- refurbished one. The turn-around is super fast and usually they transfered my waypoints and maps to the new one.
I must also agree it does matter who you talk to and what kind of mood they are in. The Last time I talked to them I got a really surly guy who was not really happy with his job and was going to let everyone feel his pain. Usually, I could chat with them and find a common ground, I grew up in KC not far from where Garmin is Located. But not that guy. He hated Garmin, KC, his job, the phone, me and pretty much everything else. So I had no luck with the schmoozing there. I knew I was out of warranty by about 2 years and was hard-pressed to get anything anyway.

I think they are awesome too and wouldn't use a Magellan even if it was free. Not, that I think Maggie's are bad; I'm just happy with my experience dealing with Garmin.

I loved my Legend and I'm sure the new owner (geomuse's coworker) will love it as much as I did. I don't even consider Magellan. When I was buying my new GPS, all I thought about was what model Garmin do I want. And I got the 76C in the end. I love it!

Well, I hope you all are right about Garmin! My 60CS is with them right now and am hoping they can either fix it or send me a new one soon!!!

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Originally posted by Cabinwood:
Well, I hope you all are right about Garmin! My 60CS is with them right now and am hoping they can either fix it or send me a new one soon!!!

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Er.. what happened to it???

End of the story, belatedly.

I got my Rino back - or someone elses. But, it works and it's "fixed". That is, it's replaced. A snippet from the Service Report:

"Confirmed problem. Customer's waypoint data was not transferable. Verified the unit was water damaged. Exchanged SNXX for SNYY for customer satisfaction. Performend modifications which include adding spacer sponges to the battery terminal clips. The unit works on batteries and external power. Master cleared the unit and updated software to 3.50 Unit acquired satellites. United passed FRS and GPS ATE test within normal limits and is ok to return to service."

I got it back on the 10th or 11th, after a brief mixup with DHL on delivery.

While I'm glad that I am remembered, I regret that I was unable to be present to the Hydropalooza. Thus, I can't claim recognition for being the cause of your incredible sinking GPS.

On that note, though, I contacted Garmin about a problem with my Legend recently. It was having issues where the screen was not showing up properly or sometimes getting dark lines on the left. I talked to a tech, shipped it in, and had a replacement back something like two weeks later, good as new. No cost to me. Thank you, Garmin!

Not saying garmin is not good. I love the garmin 3600 for loading caches and getting to them, But my sportrak has never had a single problem in 3 years. So not much need for customer support. Knock on wood. HeHeHe!!

Once again I have had to send my legend in for repair and yes it is out of warranty. But luck would have it, they are handling it as if it was in warranty. (Mouse won't toggle up.)

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But my sportrak has never had a single problem in 3 years. So not much need for customer support. Knock on wood. HeHeHe!!

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BTW. My legend hasn't given me a lick of trouble either. All repairs were due to operator abuse. If you were as accident prone as I am Customer Service and Support would be a pretty high priority! I also think Northeast GA Medical Center is Awesome too.

Y'all are beginning to make me hate Garmin Tech Support.

Yet another one. Not Rino but 60CS.

When you speak with Garmin support and need to return your unit for repair, the standard rate is $150. When you get done speaking with someone, that rate may be free or anywhere in between depending on how long you've had or how old your unit is or to whom you go ahold of.

I negeotiated my repairs to $75. Out of warranty, I wanted my bezel (lens) and buttons replaces, the battery bumper upgraded and the zoom in/out repaired. What I ended up with...

...a brand new GPSmap 60CS. Reconditioned perhaps, but nothing looks reconditioned.

Pleased I am.

I called Garmin a couple of months ago after my earlier great experience. This time I asked if I could buy a new battery cover for my old Garmin 12 Map, since the rubber is flaking off the plastic and it's only a matter of time 'till the rubber hinge breaks. I sorta hoped they would offer to just send me a free one.

Unfortunately the guy I spoke to this time around wasn't real helpful. He just said that they didn't stock parts for the older units, but if I wanted to send it in for a $100 refurbishment they might be able to replace the part. Bummer.

Then, by coincidence a friend gave me a an old Garmin 12 in like-new condition that his nephew who works for a rental car company had taken out of their unclaimed lost & found collection.

The battery cover is like new, so I have one to swap over if I ever need to.

~erik~

Tell them you are a friend of the Idiot Girl...

Oh never mind. I'd have to tell you the whole story and they probably don't remember anymore.

Hmm... my experience with Garmin just now was a bit different than Erik's. Perhaps it's who you get on the phone with.*

The lower clip on the battery door for my Rino 130 broke off - again. It did the same thing about a year ago. Garmin send me a new one.

This past weekend, it did it again.

I just hung up the phone with them. It's well out of warranty, and I even told the support rep that this was the second time it happened. Fully expending to pay for a new one, too.

She said no worries, and is sending me a new one, gratis!

Not bad for a couple-three year old unit, and no questions asked. I don't *think* I did anything wrong, but it's possible, and never had this problem the Rino 110.

All I can say is that Garmin support continues to rock!

* - Or perhaps it has more to do with if the unit in question was made before or *after* 1987. (runs and hides from Erik)

Has anyone had a problem with the rubber edge coming unglued on Vistas or similar units?

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Originally posted by brownie2:
Has anyone had a problem with the rubber edge coming unglued on Vistas or similar units?

Heck, yea. The rubber came off of my yellow eTrex AND my Vista. I even swapped them as they fit the other machines a little tighter.
They are still loose, but I've just learned to live with it.
My biggest problem is that the Vista screen sometimes just blanks out. It is still on and a tap on hte top brings it back. Gotta be a loose connector to the screen?

I wonder what would be a good glue to try and re-stick them?

My first vote would be two-part epoxy.

Failing that.. possibly Gorilla Glue.

I'm sure Garmin will take care of you from what I've read on the various forums.


I actually repaired one the other night. I am a do-it-yourselfer anyway, but the key is surface preparation by removing the old adhesive. The one I worked on was loose and gummy all over, especially when it's warm. You can see some of it coming loose near the two buttons on ‘A’.

But if you wish to try - Remove the rubber bumper carefully as not to stretch it. There is a clear tape layer (see ‘C’) underneath where the gummy adhesive needs to be removed. The clear tape seems well adhered to the housing and should not be removed. I cleaned the inside surface of the rubber and the outside of the housing tape by alternating between a solvent 'wipe away' (see ‘B’), which is probably similar to 'Goof off' and soap. I did test the chemical first to make sure it didn't harm the components. Once all of the surfaces were clean I gave them one more rub with rubbing alcohol.

I used a silicone adhesive to adhere the rubber to the housing. This may take a few days to dry because the rubber and plastic doesn’t allow much air for drying. The cure here is a cure type adhesive Cymbaline recommends like epoxy.

Good luck in what ever you decide.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Joebids,