Another Great Experience With Garmin

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This post isn't really "new" because lots of people in the past have praised Garmin's Customer Service.

I had a Zumo 450 which was, for me, the perfect GPS.  It was about four years old.  Only problem I had with it was a cable from the cradle to bike power.  I needed a new one when I got my Tiger.  Called Customer Service to order one.  They sent me an entire new cradle and cable FOR FREE.  Recently I was having issues with the touch screen and called Customer Service for an RMA which I thought would cost me about $175 which equated to a unit refurbish.  At the end of the call I had a Zumo "550 on the way.  Cost - $10 for shipping to Garmin.   That is I shipped just the unit to them and they shipped me a completely new (not sure but could have been a refurb) 550 with all the goodies.

I deal with Customer Support all the time at work.  Even with paid support you have to first find someone who speaks English, them find someone who is competent, and finally get them to do something about your problem.  All I can say about Garmin is WOW!!!

[Cablebandit]

I guess they put all their money into their customer service department since they use the consumer as beta testers for all their products.

[sprint_st]

I guess they put all their money into their customer service department since they use the consumer as beta testers for all their products.

I've owned Garmin GPS45, GPS III, GPS V+, Quest, Zumo 450, and my current 550.  In addition I've used Trimble mapping grade units for 20+ years and a Leica unit as well.  Garmin has always been the leader in GPS for the average guy without anyone else coming close.  As far as beta testing on the consumer, that is "THE" business tactic that our time, did you ever hear of MicroSoft???

Now those are my opinions but then again when I buy a GPS, I buy it for ONE purpose, navigation.  I ride a motorcycle into unknown (to me)  territory.  My trips aren't like cruise missiles penetrating the Moscow air defense system so I forgo some bells and whistles some people see as necessities.  Garmin has gone from terrible routing algorithms to excellent routing, although not perfect.  If you have ever done mathematical equivalents to routing, like traveling salesman type problems you will know why it took some time.  If my GPS doesn't have a PBX built in, concert hall quality audio with the ability to store all sounds from the beginning of time, I really don't care.  Last but not least, I still carry paper maps.