Garmin chartplotter rip off

[bolty]

I have just purchased a new Garmin chart plotter that comes with pre-loaded charts for the UK. The problem is that the charts are out of date. I have contacted Garmin who have said I can update the charts for £49.This is a total rip off as the unit is new. There are also new charts coming out in January so if the unit was new out of the factory it would have out of date charts in just a matter of days/weeks. The uk Garmin web site links to the USA web site where it states you can update charts free for the first six months but only in the USA not Europe. Unfortunately I did not read this correctly first time as it is in the small print. Garmin have also said that if I had purchased the charts on an SD card I would be entitled to a free update but not preloaded charts.So if you buy old stock your charts could be years out of date even though they are being sold as new. Is this legal or is it just Garmin ripping off their customers in the UK. Either way do not buy a unit without confirming the chart version.

 

[charles_reed]

Do you think you have the basis for a valid complaint to the Trading Standards Officer?

As coastal outlines won't have changed in the interim between the two issues I don't think you'll have much chance of establishing your point of view.

 

[brians]

Do you think you have the basis for a valid complaint to the Trading Standards Officer?

As coastal outlines won't have changed in the interim between the two issues I don't think you'll have much chance of establishing your point of view.

No, but buoyage may have done which is equally if not more important for safety.

 

[charles_reed]

If the buoyage is likely to change then any chart will probably be out-of-date.

One of the problems of trying to write a Pilot is that in the time between collecting the info - writing the words - having it edited - printing - distribution, guarantees some errors when the final user gets to view it.

 

[Capt Popeye]

well worth a try with Trading Standars though!

the whole issue of Pilotage / Bouyage etc etc when being sold New might just get the TS chappied on your side

anyways, can I ask if the Garmin actually states on the 'box' the date of 'updates', actually ?? like a paper chart! so that the buyer is aware (or should be) ??

 

[johnphilip]

What is reasonable ?

My understanding is that Garmin do an annual update to January, released in the early spring. Buying now is just unfortunate but really how out of date are these? I bet few forumites could claim that all their paper charts are fully corrected to less than a year.
I think you are expecting a bit much.
Notices to mariners will add revisions at any time so no issue is going to be fully correct. I would probably be a bit disappointed at having the same issue but methinks he doth protest too much.
If you did want the latest issue this Easter is £49 a lot to pay for the coverage you get? This sum wouldn't buy a couple of local folios on paper. You are asking for something updated to beyond when you purchased it.
Unless it was specifically offered in the product or its literature I would not expect it.
Tom-Tom want I think it was £79 for an update to my road maps. This is for a product with a massively bigger market.
Relax and enjoy the Plotter.
If however it does not have the Jan 2012 revisions I am right with you.

 

[pvb]

I have just purchased a new Garmin chart plotter that comes with pre-loaded charts for the UK. The problem is that the charts are out of date. I have contacted Garmin who have said I can update the charts for £49.This is a total rip off as the unit is new.

Your complaint is with the retailer. Tell them the problem and ask them to give you the update, or else you reject the unit. Presumably you bought with a credit card; tell your card issuer of your complaint and advise them that it's a disputed transaction. If you don't get satisfaction, just use the small claims track of the county court - it's simple and easy.

 

[Applescruffs]

Like you I learnt too late !

So who did you buy the unit from?

If direct from Garmin then you may have a case.......

if you bought it from "a-n-other.co.uk'...then good luck !

Check their terms and conditions .........before you buy

Like you I learnt too late !


Once !!

 

[prv]

I bet few forumites could claim that all their paper charts are fully corrected to less than a year.

I correct all mine each winter while they're at home. Then do the last few new corrections before putting the charts on the boat in April. Then if I'm planning a trip outside the local area, I correct the relevant charts before I go. Local ones I do at least once during the season, usually while waiting for the tide to get back onto my drying berth.

The ability to keep them up to date easily and for free is one reason I regard charts as my primary navigation source and the (now several years out of date) plotter as a convenient aid for entering unfamiliar harbours.

Pete

 

[johnphilip]

Well Done

I correct all mine each winter while they're at home. Then do the last few new corrections before putting the charts on the boat in April. Then if I'm planning a trip outside the local area, I correct the relevant charts before I go. Local ones I do at least once during the season, usually while waiting for the tide to get back onto my drying berth.

The ability to keep them up to date easily and for free is one reason I regard charts as my primary navigation source and the (now several years out of date) plotter as a convenient aid for entering unfamiliar harbours.

Pete

You put me to shame. I am full of good intentions but do not methodically update the paper versions.
Fortunately important info is often publicisised separately,eg. annual shingle bar surveys for our local rivers.

 

[prv]

You put me to shame. I am full of good intentions but do not methodically update the paper versions.

Well, given how much I've seen the 2/O on Stavros schlepping her great folios of charts around the place every day to do her updates, a couple of sessions a year doesn't seem like too much to ask.

Anyway, I rather enjoy it

I've put on some corrections that I was rather glad I wasn't fumbling around at night in ignorance of. The removal of the Exeter landfall buoy, together with the lighthouse on the cliff above it, springs to mind as an example.

Pete

 

[longjohnsilver]

I've put on some corrections that I was rather glad I wasn't fumbling around at night in ignorance of. The removal of the Exeter landfall buoy, together with the lighthouse on the cliff above it, springs to mind as an example.

Pete

Having been Exmouth based for almost 20 years I have never been aware of any lighthouse on the cliff above what I presume was the East Exe buoy (now removed due to the change in the course of the river entrance). Was there some sort of light on the cliffs at Straight Point, which is where the buoy used to be?

 

[Zagato]

I have contacted Garmin who have said I can update the charts for £49. Garmin have also said that if I had purchased the charts on an SD card I would be entitled to a free update but not preloaded charts.

I asked Force4 about the cost of updates on a Garmin 551S, they just said they were free with no other details .

From what you are saying though you need to buy the SD card.

Garmin say "The unit also has an SD card slot that makes it easier to add BlueChart g2 Vision charts, adding many exceptional features, including 3 dimensional perspective views, high resolution satellite images & ariel photos and auto guidance rout finding. Supports DSC & AIS"

I cannot find the extra cost of this SD card facility in the Force4 catalogue - time for a Google!

Here - not cheap!! http://www.force4.co.uk/c/36/Garmin...r=googleCA36&gclid=CLbytcGcv7QCFW3KtAod-TYAlQ although you could get cheaper.

Garmin info on Blue Chart http://www.garmin.com/us/maps/bluechart no mention of it being free again.

I wonder if you could...ahem....use a mates SD card!

 

[Sans Bateau]

The argument is with the retailer not Garmin. If the retailer is a 'real' retailer, Force 4, Marine Super Store Ports Solent, Seateach etc, then you need to approach them and challenge them (nicely) about selling out of date stock, ask them to correct this.

If it was bought on the internet at a knock down cheap as chips price, well perhaps thats why it was so cheap. If that were the source I suspect you will have to stump up the cash for the update, but no way is it Garmins fault.

 

[Zagato]

The Force4 I use are now saying they don't know if it's a free up date. You will have to go onto the Garmin site (they offered to do this for me!) The SD card is for software updates apparently or if you want different charts!

Have to say when i worked in retail as a youngster we were given brochures to study at home to ensure good product knowledge to help customers They've been selling these things for years

 

[Sans Bateau]

What I cannot understand with these plotters which have preloaded charts, if they are not sold quickly the charts will date. Any decent chandler is going to have to buy quantity to get a sensible discount, a catch 22 situation.

So how difficult would it be for, say, Garmin to supply the plotter with some basic firmware but no charts and a code key which will allow you to plug the plotter into the USB port on your computer, visit their web site, register the product (they love that) then down load the latest version of the chart, a one off 'free' download.

Retailer can carry stock without worry of ageing, plotter manufacture has USP and customer is a happy chappy!

 

[wotayottie]

Is this legal or is it just Garmin ripping off their customers in the UK. Either way do not buy a unit without confirming the chart version.

Yes its legal and its HMG who are doing the rip off by charging for charts and updates here in the UK. The US govt takes the view that you have paid through your taxes and so should not be charged for charts or updates at all.

 

[prv]

Having been Exmouth based for almost 20 years I have never been aware of any lighthouse on the cliff above what I presume was the East Exe buoy (now removed due to the change in the course of the river entrance). Was there some sort of light on the cliffs at Straight Point, which is where the buoy used to be?

Bear in mind I was going on memory from when I made that correction a couple of years ago.

Having just fetched the chart I see that Straight Point used to have a flashing red light with a 7 mile range, 34 metres above the water. Perhaps not an actual lighthouse, but it's quite conspicuous on the chart and certainly something you would expect to see on approach - and be rather worried if it wasn't there.

Pete

 

[johnphilip]

Agreed

What I cannot understand with these plotters which have preloaded charts, if they are not sold quickly the charts will date. Any decent chandler is going to have to buy quantity to get a sensible discount, a catch 22 situation.

So how difficult would it be for, say, Garmin to supply the plotter with some basic firmware but no charts and a code key which will allow you to plug the plotter into the USB port on your computer, visit their web site, register the product (they love that) then down load the latest version of the chart, a one off 'free' download.

Retailer can carry stock without worry of ageing, plotter manufacture has USP and customer is a happy chappy!

Good Thinking, I suppose it's too sensible for it to happen.

 

[BERT T]

What I cannot understand with these plotters which have preloaded charts, if they are not sold quickly the charts will date. Any decent chandler is going to have to buy quantity to get a sensible discount, a catch 22 situation.

So how difficult would it be for, say, Garmin to supply the plotter with some basic firmware but no charts and a code key which will allow you to plug the plotter into the USB port on your computer, visit their web site, register the product (they love that) then down load the latest version of the chart, a one off 'free' download.

Retailer can carry stock without worry of ageing, plotter manufacture has USP and customer is a happy chappy!

To do that would require them to put their brain into gear and doing so could be highly dangerous.