Garmin Sucks
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Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 34,129
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From: Canton, MA
Garmin Sucks
I was all excited. I read up on the Garmin GPSMAP 276C that can be used on land and sea. This was going to be a perfect GPS for me as I could use it on my boat, the S2000 and my other cars. It was pricey at $1100, but it seemed to do everything I wanted a GPS to do.
Today, I spent 4 hours trying to load the Garmin software onto my computer so I could then download the maps onto my brand new GPSMAP 276C. After two failed attempts, I learned that Garmin customer srvice lines are only open from 9 to 5 CST Monday through Friday. WTF? I work, like everyone else. I'm not going to stay home from work so I can have a help desk person walk me through the installation of software on a unit I paid over $1,000 for. IMHO consumer electronic companies that sell products costing in excess of $1,000 that require computer interface and downloading MUST have customer support available during some evening and weekend hours. So that's my warning to you guys on Garmin GPS units.
Rant over
Today, I spent 4 hours trying to load the Garmin software onto my computer so I could then download the maps onto my brand new GPSMAP 276C. After two failed attempts, I learned that Garmin customer srvice lines are only open from 9 to 5 CST Monday through Friday. WTF? I work, like everyone else. I'm not going to stay home from work so I can have a help desk person walk me through the installation of software on a unit I paid over $1,000 for. IMHO consumer electronic companies that sell products costing in excess of $1,000 that require computer interface and downloading MUST have customer support available during some evening and weekend hours. So that's my warning to you guys on Garmin GPS units.
Rant over
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Joined: Sep 2004
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I have Garmin's MapSource software runing with a 176C just fine. Installed first time no problem. If you could describe the problem, maybe we could help.
BTW - computer issue aside, my Garmin unit has been great. I also use it in a marine environment too - it's nice in the car, it's a neccessity on the water at night.
BTW - computer issue aside, my Garmin unit has been great. I also use it in a marine environment too - it's nice in the car, it's a neccessity on the water at night.
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 34,129
Likes: 120
From: Canton, MA
Originally Posted by SilverStreak13,Oct 2 2004, 10:36 PM
I have Garmin's MapSource software runing with a 176C just fine. Installed first time no problem. If you could describe the problem, maybe we could help.
BTW - computer issue aside, my Garmin unit has been great. I also use it in a marine environment too - it's nice in the car, it's a neccessity on the water at night.
BTW - computer issue aside, my Garmin unit has been great. I also use it in a marine environment too - it's nice in the car, it's a neccessity on the water at night.
Thanks for the offer of assistance. I appreciate it. The problem that I ran into required the assistance of the help desk. Because my first install attempt had failed, I uninstalled the software and then tried again from scratch. When I got to the part about entering the codes to unlock the software, the Garmin registry said the numbers were already used. Well of course they were, by me! I don't think a "one time use unlock code" should expire before the consumer can confirm that the install is complete and correct. I'm no computer wizz, but my friends who are often run into install problems and have to start again. If a company wants to set it up that way, then they should have customer support available at reasonable hours. I'll stick with my original opinion of Garmin for now
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