Warning to Garmin GPSmap 176 owners (may apply to other Garmin products as well?)

[david_stanger]

I recently bought a Garmin chart software chip for my 2 yr old Garmin GPSmap 176, having previously relied on the base map supplied as standard. As there were no installation instructions or compatibility statements supplied with the chip, I plugged it in to find that it had somehow corrupted the system - there was no NMEA output & erratic response to button presses. Phoned Garmin UK - they said the software was not compatible with the operating system software in 'older units' (its only 2 yrs old!) and that it was my fault - apparently I should have upgraded it from their website before installing the chart software. How was I meant to know? At no time, despite taking my unit in with me, and the retailer speaking to Garmin over the phone to clarify the details, did either the retailer or Garmin ask what version of operating system software I had, whether I had upgraded it or not, etc. I have now had to send the unit in for repair - initially quoted 4 weeks for this, a subsequent call quoted 1 week - we shall see...? & I had to pay for the P&P/insurance to get it to them.

When I suggested that they should put a warning or software compatibilty statement in the package labelling for the chip (as is standard in the PC software industry) they said that 99% of owners upgraded their units regularly and that it wasn't necessary! Am I really in a 1% minority...?!

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[dralex]

Not sure about Garmins percentages, but I update my 76 from the website. Have you still got the PC interface lead? When I did it first time, it was very simple and intuitive to use. I see you've already sent it off- may have been worth trying to install the updated software prior to sending it.

We live and learn, but it's frustrating.

<hr width=100% size=1>Life's too short- do it now./forums/images/icons/wink.gif

 

[bedouin]

Re: Warning to Garmin GPSmap 176 owners (may apply

I have a couple of Garmin units and tend to upgrade them where necessary about once a season; but I think that saying that 99% of their customers do is probably an exaggeration.

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[insider]

I suggest you contact your local trading standards office as this seem to fall under the catagory"not fit for the purpose "
The goods purchased should do what the mfg/supplier states and that is, in your case , provide you with a chart, not corrupt your unit.

<hr width=100% size=1>Logical progression is fault finding tool in every tool box.
Regards,
Insider

 

[dickh]

I also upgrade my Garmin map76 as soon as I got it - and going by how much info was downloaded, it was obviously an early model(bought last year), checked again about 4 weeks ago and I didn't bother to download the single download as it only related to something which didn't concern me.

<hr width=100% size=1>dickh
I'd rather be sailing... /forums/images/icons/smile.gif

 

[david_stanger]

I did try to upgrade it from the website - upgrade appeared to work OK but unit is now completely dead as a result - nothing more than a flicker on the display!

You're right though - it is frustrating & it shouldn't happen, especially when there is such a simple solution!

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