The rest of the story....Garmin

**Cane Pole** · 03-02-2009, 07:19 PM

I been using my Garmin too much lately. I am having to plug in the Garmin, down load maps, and go check them out a lot. I am teaching myself how to make my own maps for the Garmin. I can do this. (I think I can, I think I can)...chooo chooo...

Today, the USB connector broke. The connector is just an mini 5 pin usb jack on the Garmin. Costs for it is about a buck. I called Garmin and they refused to sell me a connector. I was informed it took special tools and precautions to take the unit apart as it was water tight. (The unit is 5 years old and out of warranty.) I asked the tech support guy about sending the unit in for repair. The cost is a flat 175 dollars. Flat rate. Well, no discounts for the 1 dollar part.

He told me that they usually just sent out replacements to speed up repair in many cases. I told him they charged too much for such a simple repair and that I would find the part and fix it myself. He again reminded me of the special water tight environment etc. I informed him that I had taken the unit apart before and the weather tight is nothing but a rubber washer (ring).

I told him I would try it first for a buck and, if I screwed it up I would then send it to him to repair.

He was just a support guy doing his job. He was nice, but I told him I was not happy with the price.

I ran the part down on Google. 1.16 (plus shipping). I can afford a big shipping bill if this works for me.

It will work. I just gotta get my hand shakes coordinated when I solder the connector. The connector is tiny and the pins are tinier.

**L.A. stumpjumper** · 03-02-2009, 07:24 PM

You can do it Tom, I know you can.

**jaxsprat** · 03-02-2009, 08:44 PM

U Can Do It

of course if its windy out there have your wife hold your elbow to steady arm in wind

**Jeepster04** · 03-02-2009, 09:32 PM

Same stuff with Lowrance, only they were a little cheaper on the replacement unit. Cost me a $100 to send in and replace. I guess it is a little better than replacing though.

**poppop** · 03-02-2009, 09:32 PM

If anybody can...Cane Pole can...

**CrappieWhisperer** · 03-02-2009, 10:34 PM

CANE...CANE...CANE...CANE...CANE...CANE...CANE...

Ever notice what the first three letters of his name spells.

**GRIZZ** · 03-02-2009, 10:48 PM

Git em CP. Fight against the customer "service" machine, aka empty their pockets or force em to buy a new one ripoff scheme. I have the same problem with Sony customer service. Every single Sony laptop customer service estimate I have ever gotten is $800. Simple breaks like CP's plug require a whole new motherboard. Of course knowing these plugs get more wear and tear than any other part on the machine doesn't motivate these electronics design geniuses to design a plug that can easily be replaced. That would deprive them of several thousand $800 service charges 2 months after all the warranties expire.

I have wrinkled a few ear hairs at customer service dept's who have this philosophy, and I'll surely wrinkle a few more. I also will also never buy or recommend a Sony laptop again in my life. It has also kept me from buying their other electronic products, no matter how good they are. There are always options other than Sony. I have often seen a Sony product that I thought to myself, Ok I'll forgive them and start getting their products again. Then I think of the 14 calls to their customer service dept, and having to reexplain every single time why I was calling while they had a customers laptop they were taking 3 months to repair for $800, and I go buy the equivalent Panasonic, Vizio, Samsung etc.. product that is just as good. I hope they enjoyed that $800 because its the last penny they will ever see coming from my direction.

**Rowdy** · 03-03-2009, 08:55 AM

C.P.
I have a new Garman 430 on the Big Brown truck today. It has the preloaded inland lake package,Does it have conture lines? do I need the suped up map,Its only a GPS not a sonar.
Thanks
Rowdy

**PanMan_VA** · 03-03-2009, 10:10 AM

I think I may be able to fix that one with my limited knowledge and experience. I'm pretty sure You'll get it figured out and repaired in no time Cane pole.

**Cane Pole** · 03-03-2009, 10:17 AM

Originally Posted by Rowdy

C.P.
I have a new Garman 430 on the Big Brown truck today. It has the preloaded inland lake package,Does it have conture lines? do I need the suped up map,Its only a GPS not a sonar.
Thanks
Rowdy

Not much contours with the Mapsource maps. Navionics maps are by far more detailed.

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