MSTA Forums
Main Forums => General Discussion => Topic started by: touringman on October 27, 2016, 09:10:08 PM
-
My Nuvi 500 bit the big one on the way back Star in Arkansas, so I tossed it in the corner, and forgot about it for a while. I called Garmin Tech Support, and they say they don't work on that unit any more. I hated to give it up, as it is waterproof, loads custom routes, and it works well for the bike that I keep at our "Riva" cottage. Not only that, it can still sub for my 660 if need be. I did some Google work, and came up with Sat Nava repairs http://satnavrepairservice.com/repair-satnav/garmin-repair/13.html
This is one cool group! They are all over the world, and they have a repair center in the US. The list of GPS and other electronic devices they repair is endless, but they do give you an online list to choose from. My 500 is on their list, so I followed their instructions, and gave them a detailed description of the problems:
When turned on, the unit would show the" maps out of date screen", this screen would not change no matter where you touched the screen. I updated the software in the unit, and attempted to re calibrate the touch screen to no avail. I described these problems, and they instantly replied with a quote of $49.95+$6.00 shipping fee to repair it. It's certainly worth that to me, so I took a chance, and shipped it to them, at a cost of a little over $6. It took 1week from shipping until my repaired unit came home to daddy. I took it out today, and it performed just like a brand new one!!. Of course, time will tell how well it will hold up, but I'm very impressed so far! I've read a fair number of posts about units that people love, but have to give up on. This seems to be helpful in curing your problems. New motorcycle gps units run $325 to $800, so rehabbing an old friend with lifetime maps for $62 fits my budget just fine. Do what I did, and check out the reviews. I think you'll be impressed. Syd😁
-
So did they update the maps too or did you do that once you got it back?
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
Good to know. Thanks for the tip! -JEP-
-
Thanks for the tip.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
They didn't update the maps, so I'll have to do that. I realize that there may be a limit in the memory of the 500, and I'm pretty sure I won't be able to load the complete topo maps it came with. It doesn't matter to me about that anyway. The 500 does accept an sd card, which helps. :D
-
Good to know, my trusty Nuvi 2450 has some screen issues, not sure it is worth reparing, wsa $150 new about 4 years ago, and doesn't get used in the car any more (new car came with GPS).
-
Thanks for doing the work for us!
-
You are welcome guys, and I believe that this service may be for higher priced-still viable units. The original price for the 500 to me was $220.It was a bargain then ( I don't buy if it isn't), and it's basically the same unit as the Zumo 220. To my cheap self, keeping it online is worthwhile. If you have an automotive Nuvi that's becoming problematic, you will probably be better served buying a new unit. Advances are constantly being integrated into the newer units, giving you faster speed, and new functions. It is interesting to note that Zumo units are also included in the list of units they repair. The more expensive and useful the unit is, the better this service looks. Syd😁
-
MY Nuvi 550 crapped out last year. Refubs are available but for more than I paid for mine several years ago (300) Aopparently the 500 and 550 are very popular. I got a quote on it from satnavrepair of $59, no fix no fee. I now use a Zuml 390 and like it. But I think I need a backup so will send in the Nuvi. Thanks for the tip
-
Please let us know how that works for you Bob! Syd :D
-
Don't forget Garmin does *some* repair work themselves, I've had a Z220 fixed a couple of times (second service cheap since it was a followup service).
They do have some trade-in/trade-up paths available too, I was surprised at the discount an old StreetPilot fetched toward a Z590.
Now if only I could find a way to use this old Quest...
-
Don't forget Garmin does *some* repair work themselves, I've had a Z220 fixed a couple of times (second service cheap since it was a followup service).
They do have some trade-in/trade-up paths available too, I was surprised at the discount an old StreetPilot fetched toward a Z590.
Now if only I could find a way to use this old Quest...
Actually I have 2 old Quest units still working fine. One is 128 mb and one is 256. Been running OSM maps since the Garmin maps registered to them are getting pretty old. Last February I took them to Costa Rica (with CR Maps loaded of course) Worked like a charm.
-
My nuvi has been there two weeks and counting and no word since the repair started.
-
Also, my out of warranty 64S died recently. Called Garmin support but nothing we tried would ressurect it. I decided to exchange it for a refurbished 64S for $100. Had the "new" unit in 4 days. Works great.
-
Ok then I'll see what I can get for my street pilot. need something for navigating the swamp in my yak
Do you have to call for the exchange deal or is there a page on their website?
-
I emailed Garmin about replacing the power button on my Zumo 660, which was lost when the GPS fell off the bike. A miracle that I found the GPS and it still works, BTW. They said they no longer work on the Zumo 660, but would give me 20% off of a different new model. No thanks. I contacted the vendor listed in this thread and they will replace the whole rear cover, which includes that button for $79.90 plus return shipping.
-
I emailed Garmin about replacing the power button on my Zumo 660, which was lost when the GPS fell off the bike. A miracle that I found the GPS and it still works, BTW. They said they no longer work on the Zumo 660, but would give me 20% off of a different new model. No thanks. I contacted the vendor listed in this thread and they will replace the whole rear cover, which includes that button for $79.90 plus return shipping.
As far as I'm concerned, Garmin's customer service has gone down the proverbial drain. But what you experienced with this aftermarket repair facility is a win in anyone's book.
-
Please let us know about you results in dealing with these guys. I don't usually go out on a limb to recommend someone, and I'd like to know if I end up the good guy, or the goat! ;D My daughter and I will test my 500 out on a lunch ride tomorrow. The long range forecast says this is our last chance for the foreseeable future. Mildred's Meals in Kenbridge, Va. is our destination, and it's a worthy stop if you're in the neighborhood. Don't stop if you don't care for home made deserts though. Syd
-
I will be waiting about another month before sending my Zumo in, Syd, as I am scouting some dual sport routes in the area right now and need it to record tracks. As soon as winter puts an end to that, I'll send it in and report the results here. Besides emailing a request for quote on their site, I also phoned their MN office and talked to Chris Short about my options about this repair and feel confident that he will do a good job at a reasonable price. Thanks for sharing the info on this resource.
Fred Z.
-
My old 60CSx quit working after riding to Lewisburg/FCR in a driving rainstorm. I checked on a repair; got a timely response from satnavrepair but I decided that $77 was too much to invest on an out of date unit. I've ordered a new 64S.
-
My daughter Amy and I had a great lunch ride today! We didn't go to Mildred's, as formerly stated. We decided to try a new place I discovered on the internet called the Hickory Notch Grill in Maidens, Va. on old Rt. 250 near Gum Springs, Va. We both highly recommend this place if you are in the neighborhood. The specialty is anything smoked, and of course included in that is everything barbecued. Of course we rebelled, and Amy had the fried catfish, and I had the country fried steak. Both were delicious, and we'll try the barbeque next time. It was a 200+ mile ride, and I put the Nuvi 500 through the wringer with several different destinations along the way. It performed flawlessly, and I'm very happy with it. This is an area where I already knew where I was, so it was mostly just testing the GPS. My wife Pam doesn't enjoy riding, but my 46 yr. old daughter does, so we occasionally enjoy a nice ride together. Syd😁
-
By the way, today was also the maiden ride on my new custom seat, done by Seth Laam custom seats, located in California. Seth used to build seats for Rick Mayer, but he finally tired of dealing with Rick's bullshit and "cheating heart". Dealing with him was a pleasure, but you can expect a 6 week return on your seat. He was honest in every way, and the result was marvelous! I rode all day, and didn't even know I had an Ass! It was totally comfortable, and it was a two tone seat, with graphite grey on top, and black on the sides. The cost was $435.45, and that includes return shipping. Give him a call! Syd :D
Post picks later!
-
That's a great BBQ place! We go there often and the ribs are divine.
-
After two weeks I was beginning to worry but I finally heard back from Satnavrepair:
"What was done: Difficult repair, an incorrect voltage must have been applied to the USB port as the power chip was burnt, the USB chip was bad and part of the motherboard needed a repair. All working now."
The original quote was 60, final bill with shipping was 87 12 for a new "power chip" 8 for motherboard repair.
-
Speaking about my Street Pilot 2610, turns out it is working fine. I was thinking the battery was bad but had forgotten that the 2610 has no battery! Sooo, now that my Nuvi 550 is fixed I have too many Garmins. I will see what it will get on Ebay unless someone here want to make an offer. I have a dash mount and a ram mount for it and the big cigar receptacle power cable with the speaker.
-
Speaking about my Street Pilot 2610, turns out it is working fine. I was thinking the battery was bad but had forgotten that the 2610 has no battery! Sooo, now that my Nuvi 550 is fixed I have too many Garmins. I will see what it will get on Ebay unless someone here want to make an offer. I have a dash mount and a ram mount for it and the big cigar receptacle power cable with the speaker.
I've got 2610s with V5 maps and V7 maps (all of which are getting pretty badly out of date). What maps do you have on your 2610?
-
Speaking about my Street Pilot 2610, turns out it is working fine. I was thinking the battery was bad but had forgotten that the 2610 has no battery! Sooo, now that my Nuvi 550 is fixed I have too many Garmins. I will see what it will get on Ebay unless someone here want to make an offer. I have a dash mount and a ram mount for it and the big cigar receptacle power cable with the speaker.
I've got 2610s with V5 maps and V7 maps (all of which are getting pretty badly out of date). What maps do you have on your 2610?
I have OSM maps probably as good or better than city nav 2016 as far as road accuracy but seriously lacking in poi.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J320A using Tapatalk
-
"What was done: Difficult repair, an incorrect voltage must have been applied to the USB port as the power chip was burnt, the USB chip was bad and part of the motherboard needed a repair. All working now."
Hey Bob, I don't know what kind of usb power you're using but there are certainly differences in the hundreds of products out there on the market. For instance I rather doubt that the gas station cigarette lighter plug power supplies have good voltage control. In fact that might have been what killed my first 64S. I still use a plug type power supply but it's one that received good reviews (Anker). It cost a bit more than those $4.99 gas station jobs but most likely worth ot.
-
I still use one of the cigarette lighter type plugs in the car (it's an accessory plug and doesn't pretend to be a cigarette plug). But I've got power lines on most of the bikes. If I don't have an appropriate plug hardwired into the electrical system on the bike, I use the accessory pigtail to get power. I haven't had an problems so far (knock on wood).
-
The Nuvi 550 had its dedicated power cord that has a chip built in and I later bought the cord with integrated FM traffic reception.The Connie comes with an accessory outlet in the dash but I have not yet found a plug that fits well in it, especially the Garmin unit. (They all pop out at the first good bump or hard launch) So I installed my own BMW type Powerlet receptacle (which never pops out) and for years used an adapter. Got tired of the bulk so I decided to take the chip out of a Garmin plug and make my own BMW Powerlet plug. Unfortunately Garmin apparently does not use the standard red positive/black negative color code. Trial and error has been effective for me in coding but is bad practice in electrics
Anyway, electrics is not one of my strong points and the experiment did not go well. I did learn from my mistake however and successfully made my own cord for my Radar Detector. This time I did the proper research and found out the proper wire colors.
One thing I like about the Zumo 390 is the hard wired cord built into the cradle.
-
Speaking about my Street Pilot 2610, turns out it is working fine. I was thinking the battery was bad but had forgotten that the 2610 has no battery! Sooo, now that my Nuvi 550 is fixed I have too many Garmins. I will see what it will get on Ebay unless someone here want to make an offer. I have a dash mount and a ram mount for it and the big cigar receptacle power cable with the speaker.
I've got 2610s with V5 maps and V7 maps (all of which are getting pretty badly out of date). What maps do you have on your 2610?
I have OSM maps probably as good or better than city nav 2016 as far as road accuracy but seriously lacking in poi.
Sent from my SAMSUNG-SM-J320A using Tapatalk
The OSM maps also have a LOT more detail particularly in remote areas. Case in point, a couple of years ago I was out in the Big Bend NP area. The City Nav 2015 maps showed NO roads in the area - NONE. Whereas the OSM map showed a spiderweb of ranch roads. Some were gated private property but some weren't and I was able to navigate back to maintained roads using OSM. But, you are correct about the POIs. Not a lot of data there.