Garmin 2620 crashed

[skydog]

:cus: November 2004, I bought a Garmin 2620. Used it on my bike about three or four times on local rides, other than that, had it in the car. When I first got it, I talked to a Garmin rep about the software load and after the small talk, I mentioned it was to be used on my motorcycle :04biker: and he advised me not to because of the hard drive and vibration issues. Since I already had it in my possession and had purchased a 3 yr extended warranty, I gaffed it off. Well, it happened Monday night. Successful in adding my BB Vegas route into it, all's well. Went to insert my Texas SS ride and it kept re-booting itself and going back to the Vegas route. I thought it was me doing something wrong, so I repeated this at least three additional times, same result. I ended up calling Garmin yesterday and they told me it sounded like a hard drive failure. I was instructed to download a lower version of software (I had 4.1, they wanted me to get 3.9) in hopes this would fix the h/d issue. Not a chance. All I get now is scrambled junk. I've been advised to return it. Where I bought it, I have 90 days to return it for a full refund. What timing? That expires on the 12th. It's going in the mail overnight express in the morning. My intention now is to buy the 2610 model (Garmin recommended for motorcycles).

Those of you with the 2620, beware and learn from my experience.:money1:

[crazykz]

I bought the 2610 and waited until the 2GB flash cards came down in price. The microdrives not only have a vibration problem but also do not hold up to temperature changes.

I got a SanDisk 2GB flash card on buy.com for about $150. I would consider only good flash cards. Some of the flash cards out there have read issues with the Garmin. SanDisk and Lexar are about the 2 most dependable.

Of course you already have the card so maybe you're stuck but I would dump it. When I do long distance rides I have to trust that the GPS has to work.

Curt

[skydog]

I bought the 2610 and waited until the 2GB flash cards came down in price.
I got a SanDisk 2GB flash card on buy.com for about $150. I would consider only good flash cards. Some of the flash cards out there have read issues with the Garmin. SanDisk and Lexar are about the 2 most dependable.

Curt

Thanks, I wondered what type card I would need. Does the 2GB hold the entire U.S. Is this an internet price or locally priced as well?

[Mellow]

I don't remember which card I have... but it's a 2gig and it will hold all of the U.S. and you might be able to squeeze some parts of Canada in there as well.

[Mellow]

Here's a place that has the 2gig for 155, there's probably someplace just a hair cheaper... I'll let you know if I find it:
http://www.macmall.com/macmall/shop/detail.asp?dpno=394049&store=macmall&source=zwb11877&adcampaign=email,zwb11877

[georgeorge]

Here a cheaper one. It's Kingston memory. 2GB Compactflash. $117.99 after a $30 rebate.

http://www.ecost.com/ecost/shop/detail.asp?dpno=503339&store=ecost&source=ECOSTCNET&adcampaign=email,ECOSTCNET

Newegg has the same thing, Kingston for $114.25 after the rebate.

http://www.newegg.com/app/viewproductdesc.asp?DEPA=0&description=20-160-033&ATT=Memory+Flash+Memory+&CMP=OTC-mys1mo17

Brian

[crazykz]

I would go with NewEgg and yes 2GB holds the whole thing. I believe that is the size microdrive that Garmin gives with the unit (or 2.2, but close enough because you have about 400-500 MB left over when you've loaded the whole CD)

I know Kingston is reputable too but haven't had expierence with that one on the Garmin. If others are using it without issue then I guess you're ok. For me I'll stick with SanDisk or Lexar.

Here's a link to a list of ones available and clicking on any of them will give you places that are selling them by price:
Pricegrabber.com 2GB Compact Flash Search (http://www.pricegrabber.com/search_attrib.php?page_id=152&form_keyword=2GB+CompactFlash&rd=1)

Curt

[Purm1300]

A 2G Flash card will hold all of Mapsource V6 o it.

Andy

[skydog]

Thanks for all the suggestions and help.
I ordered my 2GB Flashcard from: PatriotPC Toll Free: (800) 260-1370 www.patriotpc.us for $149.00.
Also ordered my new 2610 from oceanelectronics.com and picked it up for $540.00.

So to recap - I paid 1k for a 2620, it crashes, get full refund, buy 2610 unit and have green stuff left over. Seems that harddrive crash Saved me enough :money1: to pay for my new sergeant seat I just got from ataDude.

[basco]

Good for you, glad it worked out. Sometime it happens but rare.

[Mellow]

Excellent... I guess it's true what they say about that silver lining thing around the cloud :03biker:

[crazykz]

Skydog,

You may want to double check your order. The ones I've seen for that cheap are refurbed units. The new ones I've seen are about $640 I think.

Maybe it's not but you may want to doublecheck.

Curt

[skydog]

Skydog,

You may want to double check your order. The ones I've seen for that cheap are refurbed units. The new ones I've seen are about $640 I think.

Maybe it's not but you may want to doublecheck.

Curt

Thanks Curt, I called the dealer and he said these units were other stores overstocked items that never sold or from stores that went out of business and he bought them at cost. He also said if I was not satisfied, I could return for a full refund. He basically guaranteed it to be new and not refurnished. I'll find out tomorrow when it gets delivered.

[crazykz]

Thanks Curt, I called the dealer and he said these units were other stores overstocked items that never sold or from stores that went out of business and he bought them at cost. He also said if I was not satisfied, I could return for a full refund. He basically guaranteed it to be new and not refurnished. I'll find out tomorrow when it gets delivered.

Sounds like you got a great deal. Very cool.

Curt

[AZST]

Skydog--Any apprehension to shelling out $550 for a refurb unit??
Very tempting price though.

What are your thoughts?

--Bryan
04ST1300A
STOC# 5197

[skydog]

Skydog--Any apprehension to shelling out $550 for a refurb unit??
Very tempting price though.

What are your thoughts?

--Bryan
04ST1300A
STOC# 5197

Well Bryan, I'm still not convinced its a refurb'd unit. Won't know until tomorrow when it arrives. I'd like to believe in the guy though that if he tells me its new, then its new. As for the price, hey, I paid 998. for the 2620 so this is a great deal in my opinion, even if it is a refurb unit because it would come with the same 1 year warranty. I really don't see a risk here.

[skydog]

Update: My New REFURBISHED 2610 arrived yesterday. It looks brand new (no scratches or dings on it) and it seems to work perfectly. Comes with a 1 year warranty and I bought an additional 3 years on top of that. I'm not complaining.
I'm still trying to figure out how to plan a route on the pc and then upload it to the GPS unit. So far so good. :04biker:

[Mellow]

Update: My New REFURBISHED 2610 arrived yesterday. It looks brand new (no scratches or dings on it) and it seems to work perfectly. Comes with a 1 year warranty and I bought an additional 3 years on top of that. I'm not complaining.
I'm still trying to figure out how to plan a route on the pc and then upload it to the GPS unit. So far so good. :04biker:

A little tip, first select all the maps from the city navigator software and upload just the maps.... it will take a while and you want to disable your pc screensaver, sometimes it interferes in the upload... This will take several minutes...

After that maps are uploaded to the unit, then it's easier to map a route and then just quickly upload those routes to the unit.

[Mellow]

Thanks, I just downloaded the update... I love the little arrows that it puts on routes..

[skydog]

Thanks for the update info. I'm in the process of downloading as we speak. Has 54 min remaining. :clap2: