Garmin Reviews
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About Garmin
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Garmin develops navigation and wearable technology. Its automotive products include GPS devices, dash cams and driver assistance systems. Established in 1989, Garmin utilizes robust mapping and navigation features, offering solutions for on-road and off-road adventures as well as fitness and outdoor activities.
Visit www.garmin.com/en-US- User-friendly interface
- Lifetime map updates available
- Good build quality
- Customer service issues
- Frequent software glitches
- High cost of updates
Garmin Reviews
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Reviewed March 25, 2014
I just purchased a new Garmin Model 2597. I have been using it around town and it seems to work fine. I just tried to register my Garmin and was told at Garmin Express that there were updates to be installed. After clicking on "update", I found out it will take THREE HOURS to install the updates. I don't have three hours to wait for updates to install. I figured I would leave the Garmin plugged in and hope the updates would take less time. Well, I encountered another problem. I keep getting an error message that the Map updates will not install. Why, I have no idea? I emailed Garmin and found it will take up to THREE DAYS to get a reply, so hopefully I will be able to contact someone by phone.
This is the SECOND Garmin I have purchased in the past year. The other Garmin registered and updated just fine online. It was returned to the place of purchase after it gave me incorrect information MORE THAN THREE TIMES. Thank goodness I was NOT on a trip when I encountered these problems. I was still testing that Garmin out. The Garmin I just purchased seemed to be correct at directions so far, but I am concerned as to the accuracy once the maps are updated. I have not heard good things about Garmin's tech support and hope I can get in touch with them soon or this Garmin will be returned also.
I purchased Garmin because I have a much older Garmin that I love. I have never updated the maps on my older Garmin for fear that if I update the maps, I will get incorrect information like I did with one of the newer Garmin's that I purchased. Garmin does not seem to be the company it was when I purchased my first Garmin. I am very disappointed.
Reviewed March 6, 2014
I bought my Garmin 1450 2 years ago, and now the screen froze up, and Garmin will not stand behind their product, they said I could return it and receive 50 percent off of another product. Bull!!! Just fix my product or give a new one, I paid 185 dollars for something to last, not oh you're beat and we can't help you. I will never buy any Garmin Product again!!
Reviewed Dec. 11, 2013
The Garmin Nuvi 52LM itself is great easy to use - once on the road it could be simpler navigating the thing to get started like entering an address. Downloading GarminExpress at first did not even open. Re-installing the 4th time from a 3rd party website I was able to open GarminExpress but it could not find the device so I found the Garmin Communicator Plugin on their site and downloaded it and finally found the Nuvi 52 but now under Extras. It's blank, nothing under Bundles, Vehicles, or Voices... Called tech support. First called they were closed, to call back during open hours (they were still open). I called back right after twice and the automated system had me keep pressing 2 for support and then just repeating the options, so I called back right after the 4th time. Finally got someone on the phone after waiting about 15 mins (while the recording is telling me I can find all support online).
I explained GarminExpress wasn't working still after Communicator Plugin so his first step was to have me go on the website under software and download Communicator Plugin.... So he wasn't even listening. I told him again I already downloaded it and he said "hmm that's weird" and told me to not use Garmin Express and just download whatever I needed from website instead. Honestly which is fine for voices idc but if tech support can't even figure out a problem that a lot of people have regarding GarminExpress, updating their maps, etc I am not sticking around for more issues that may occur and cannot get anymore help than I can looking on the website myself. Calling is always my last resort. I am returning the product :/
Reviewed Nov. 11, 2013
A scam in that they promise a lifetime update, then make it impossible to download updated maps to my Garmin device. I bought my Nuvi 215W in 2009 and then I bought lifetime updates two years back, it was working good in the beginning. I can say it worked for two updates only (2 years). I went to the Garmin site, downloaded the Lifetime Updater software and then tried to download the new map info (2014.3) for the MIDDLE EAST and it goes into Error message is "There was a problem installing the maps to your computer please try again. if you continue to experience such problems call customer service.” But never gets past that, and then you need to contact customer service. More than two months I sending more than 5 emails and reminders, but they don't want to solve the problem.
I'm now trying it on the second computer after 4-5 failures on my work PC. Eventually on that PC, I would get the same error message. Now, I'm beginning to feel that the "Lifetime Updates" was nothing more than a scam. This offer was during economy crisis 2009 and it seems GARMIN make this offer in order to claim people money only instead of closing. Yeah, they offer "lifetime updates", it's just that the download process errors out and makes it impossible. Thank you.
Reviewed Dec. 18, 2012
I purchased a lifetime of map updates for my Garmin GPS last year only to find out that my Garmin device does not have the room to hold additional maps. I spent 4 hours trying to resolve this with their tech support. Garmin refuses to refund the $100 I spent to update it.
Reviewed Oct. 14, 2012
My Garmin Nuvi 650 cost quite a bit when I bought it brand new. All of a sudden, the touch screen stops working even though I had only used it maybe a handful of times since it was purchased. Garmin tech support said the warranty is out and the product is no longer a model they make so they will not support it. The lifetime maps I bought are way too big to fit on it and I can't use it unless I want to pay them hundreds of dollars more. So, I bought it for $375.00, paid $130.00 for lifetime maps (which is only good for that device and not transferable even though the device is defective) and now they want several hundred dollars to see if maybe they can fix this defective device? No way. I'm buying a competitor's device and saying ** you Garmin - I will never buy from them again! When the touch screen stopped the first time, I had to find how to fix it myself on the internet and now that it has stopped for a second time, it won't start again at all!
Reviewed Jan. 12, 2012
This is to follow up my earlier complaint about ****. They make GPS maps for places that are not otherwise covered by Garmin. Their product is incredibly difficult to download and to get transferred to your GPS device. Their technical support is abysmal! However, having said all that, having spent hours and hours struggling with the **** thing, the map itself of Antigua in the Caribbean is actually quite good. Is it worth the frustration however? Regrettably, no.
Reviewed Dec. 8, 2011
I have a Navigon 2100 that stopped working. Garmin now owns Navigon. Garmin says that there is no repair service for Navigon. They offered to sell me a Garmin for $99 in exchange for my old Navigon. I have over $300 in lifetime traffic, maps and Zaggat service. The Garmin they want to exchange does not have all of these lifetime maps, traffic and Zaggat. I am having to pay $99 to Garmin to send them a Navigon that has over $300 in lifetime services. That seems wrong that the Navigon cannot be fixed and that I have to pay Garmin $99 to loose over $300. How can I get the lifetime services if I send them my Navigon?
Reviewed Dec. 6, 2011
I have a Garmin GPS. "GPS Travel Maps" makes maps for some of the areas of the world for which Garmin doesn't offer maps. I purchased and downloaded the map of Antigua from them. I cannot get it to transfer onto my GPS. The instructions they give are abysmal. They make reference to buttons and display options that simply don't exist in the software.
I have exchanged over 15 emails with "Michael" from the GPS Travel Maps company. He simply responds saying things like: "Follow installation instructions." They use PayPal for their collections. I have filed a claim with PayPal and GPS Travel Maps is fighting my claim.
Reviewed May 16, 2011
We have used a Garmin Nuvi 360 GPS for many years with no significant problems. But today, as we drove down Arizona Highway 67 to the north rim of Grand Canyon National Park, we encountered problems with the GPS routing that make us wonder how much to trust Garmin. For about 46 miles, we got at least 20 route misdirections, some to the left, some to the right, that tried to put onto unpaved National Forest roads, such as NF 610, leading from the highway. If we didn't make the turns, we received several "make a U-turn" instructions. It was as if a competitor of Garmin put in a bogus programming to make Garmin look bad! Our Garmin Nuvi has the latest software (CN North America NT 2011.40) and was set to avoid unpaved roads.
Had we followed the directions and the weather was bad or it was dark, we could have been in serious danger. In the news, we have heard of other drivers who have been injured or even perished from following GPS directions. Garmin needs to check its data relative to Arizona Highway 67 and issue a correction immediately.
Reviewed Dec. 11, 2008
Reviewed Nov. 11, 2008
Reviewed Sept. 25, 2007
QUESTION IS THIS THE SAME DEVICE? OR IS IT REFURBISHED?? ALSO IF ITS A NEW
OF REFURBISHED ONE DO I HAVE TO REGISTER IT AGAIN?? RMA #4787821
2. Dear spirituallyrefreshed1,
Thank you for contacting Garmin International,The unit that was returned to you was a replacement refurbished unit.
Please send me your new serial number and I will update your account.
With Best Regards,
Melissa OCustomer Service Representatve
Customer Service Team
Garmin International
913-397-8200
800-800-1020
913-397-8282 (fax) Att: Melissa O
www.garmin.com
3.Why do I have a refurbished unit. When the unit I sent u was only 5,6months old!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
4. Dear spirituallyrefreshed1,
Thank you for contacting Garmin International,
Anytime a unit is sent in for repair it will be replaced with arefurbished unit. These units are in good condition and have the most
update software.
With Best Regards,
Melissa OCustomer Service Representatve
Customer Service Team
Garmin International
913-397-8200
800-800-1020
913-397-8282 (fax) Att: Melissa O
www.garmin.com
5. I send u a device that's 6months old and u send me a refurbished onethat's totally unacceptable something must be done!!!!!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
6. Dear spirituallyrefreshed1,
Thank you for contacting Garmin International,
Is there something wrong with the unit you received?
With Best Regards,
Melissa OCustomer Service Representatve
Customer Service Team
Garmin International
913-397-8200
800-800-1020
913-397-8282 (fax) Att: Melissa O
www.garmin.com
7. No not so far. But the fact still remains that I sent u a device thatis
darn near new that I paid $500.00 plus dollar for. And it stop working
and is no fault of my own I send it in and I get back a refurbished one
back with the latest software something that cost about 80.00 and Icould have upgraded myself!!!!!
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry
8. Dear spirituallyrefreshed1,
Thank you for contacting Garmin International,
I am sorry you are not satisfied with this service. This is a standard
policy for repairs. Refurbished doesn't mean anything bad. They arejust like new and some even better. These units are completely tested
and updated and run like new.
With Best Regards,
Melissa OCustomer Service Representatve
Customer Service Team
Garmin International
913-397-8200
800-800-1020
913-397-8282 (fax) Att: Melissa O
www.garmin.com
9. is this refurbished device under warranty and for how old and i would like that in writing.
10. Dear Spirituallyrefreshed1,
Thank you for contacting Garmin International,
The replacement unit will carry out the original warranty. Let me know if you need further assistance.
With Best Regards,
Melissa O
Customer Service Representatve
Customer Service Team
Garmin International
913-397-8200
800-800-1020
913-397-8282 (fax) Att: Melissa O
www.garmin.com
Reviewed Sept. 17, 2007
the "GPS 18" I was told with my purchase I would get a free update. The update disk, which I have has stopped the whole system from working. Calling Garmin and talking with Jeff (tech-support), I was told that my problem was the "unlock code" which costs 75.00. Explaining that my update is free. Jeff said maybe we'll let you have it for half price. I asked for his supervisor and was told he was out. After calling the supervisor and leaving name and number on machine. Two hours later I receive a call from Mr West saying the best he could do was half-price. The Problem is I am entitle to the "update" there was no time limit discussed.
Reviewed May 6, 2007
Now the problem is that my warranty has not ended yet and Garmin will NOT fix my item. I had called them twice and e-mailed them once regarding the item is not working due to the screen being out. It just went out one day. They said that the item is discontinued and they no longer have the parts for this item. But it is still under warranty. Later they said that they need a receipt for this item. But they work on this twice with out the receipt. They just changed there rules. What should I do? I had paid $600 for this item and had not even used it for a year. Please help me with this. Thank you for your attention.
Reviewed Dec. 16, 2006
I understand security is a must these days but this is pushing it a little bit to the extreme. I knew I would have to purchase a subscription of the downloads for the system and I am perfectly willing to do that. I feel that Garmin is only interested in selling new systems and don't really want them to be used by any one other than the original purchaser. I'm not out a lot of money but I really don't appreciate buying a perfectly good system with no way to know it is really worthless because of Garmin's inability to resolve the registration issue.
Reviewed Aug. 18, 2006
What do I have to do to receive proper customer service from Garmin? I have been trying to reach somebody over at "technical support" the last couple of days to no avail. I have left phone messages, emails, waited for more than thirty minutes over the phone and nothing. Do I have to contact the Better Business Bureau? Contact the news? What use is an expensive piece of equipment is there is no customer service or technical support when it ceases working? I think that after paying over $600.00 dollars for a GPS I am entitled to some service specially if its been less than a month after the purchase.
I am getting a "System Software Missing" message after updating the StreetPilot C340 GPS unit using the WebUpdater-What is this? I need to solve this problem yesterday. This is a new state of the art piece of equipment-what is the problem?
Before purchasing Garmin equipment check their customer service/ technical support. Do not take my word for it, call their technical support (before you buy) and check them out. Do it over a couple of days-the results will be the same-a freaking long wait! It makes you wonder several things: Are their products so bad that they are constantly inundated with calls? Do they have enough personnel to handle technical support? How many "technicians" do they actually have? I mean come on, for the prices they ask they should have an army of technicians.
Reviewed April 24, 2006
It seams that a unit made in 2000 should still have support !!
Reviewed Oct. 6, 2003
Garmin is the manufacturer of Global Positioning (GPS) units for in flight navigation of aircraft.
In August 2003 I purchased a Garmin 196 hand held GPS which failed to operate after about two weeks. It was returned to the factory under warranty. I was later advised that software Version 2.07 had known flaws which could cause it to be subject to unpredictable random shutdowns.
The GPS was returned to me with software Version 3.10 which lacked some of the advertised route handling abilities.
Conversations with Ben Hunter at Garmin revealed that GPS units with various software versions experience differing problems were known to the company and still being released to the public although they say they have heard repeated complaints.
Konwn software issues include:Ver. 2.07 - random GPS shutdowns for users on the East Coast due to known interference from European satelites.
Ver. 3.00 - loss of air navigation route segments during changes in magnification of the displayed map.
Ver. 3.10 & 3.20 lack some software for advertised route handling functions.
After repeated trips to the factory, Garmin assured me that a GPS unit would be sent with software resolving the above issues. Instead, by early October they returned another unit with defective 3.00 software. At this point they refuse to communicate with me further or even issue a Return Merchandise Authorization.
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