GARMIN NAV VI Issues

[SValoisParticipant]

Hi all – I didn’t want to post anything until I went all the way through the process with GARMIN. My NAV VI had been experiencing hiccups for quite a while.  I chalked it up to the .gpx files I was getting.  However, on a whim I contacted GARMIN, and they instructed me to return my NAV VI to them for an even exchange for a brand new NAV VI.  I received my new NAV VI yesterday, no questions asked.  Apparently, there was a batch of NAV VIs with issues which GARMIN is aware of and replacing. SO, if you have a NAV VI that is freezing up, screen jumping, dropping files, etc.  Contact Garmin at (913) 397-8200.  I know that Joe at Sill’s had a few on his desk that he was looking at, but had not sent back to Garmin the last time I spoke to him.  FYI – I purchased my NAV VI in 2018.

[Roger A PivonkaKeymaster]

While I (and many others) complain about Garmin’s software (BC) and business practices, I must say that their customer service is top notch. I have NEVER contacted tech support where they didn’t fix whatever problem I had. Most impressively, when you call them you get to speak with a REAL human; a rarity these days. Thus I suck it up and pay the premium that Garmin usership requires, confident that if I have a problem, they will work me thru it.

Regards

Coop  [Duncan Cooper]

[SValoisParticipant]

I was nothing but impressed with the Customer Service I received. I mailed my NAV VI back to Garmin, they notified me when they received it, and updated me on when my replacement unit was sent.  New unit is now all updated, although I have yet to actually use it.

 

[PMitchellParticipant]

Sandi, thanks for your post. I had similar issues and additional ones such as not being able to find an address to a location less than five miles away (the Moth Man Museum in WV) and being unable to access GPX files from the additional SD card. I’m the 2nd owner on a then “nearly new” NAV VI and I checked with Garmin to determine if Warranty was transferable. It was! They had my personal info & serial number (based on my phone #) from the re-registration of the unit.

I received the authorizing RMA within minutes of my conversation with “Levi” who explained that there was a known problem, the”Ghost Issue Touch”,  which may have been caused by some dust or almost microscopic debris on the touch screen panel during manufacture from their Taiwan facility as well as other software coding. He also suggested that I remove the battery from the unit before returning to keep as a spare!  I’m sure battery replacement costs follow the BMW credo of Bring More Wampum!   🙂

Paul

[SValoisParticipant]

UPDATE – I am on my 2nd replacement NAV VI unit, which I receive in October 2020.  I have already started experiencing the screen “ghosting issues” again.  I asked Garmin to send me a working replacement unit, either a NAV VI or an upgraded unit, for which I would pay the cost difference.  I received back a general email stated they would be getting several NAV VIs in May.  No mention if these still had the same software/hardware issue.

 

[SValoisParticipant]

ALSO, Garmin Tech stated to delete TRAVEL LOGS to clear up the files in the NAV VI.  I have been doing that on mine and have not experienced any issues with my 2nd replacement NAV VI which I received a few months ago.

[SValoisParticipant]

Well, I am on yet another replacement (#4) Garmin NAV VI.  Received this one in October 2021.  Time will tell!

[SValoisParticipant]

Sooo, I got my 3rd replacement NAV VI LM in September 2021.  Got about 1000 “bike miles” out of it.  Just sent yet another email to support@garmin.com to get my 4th replacement sent to me.  I have consistently requested a NAV V (which actually work!) replacement, but to no avail.  Stay tuned for the continuing saga of “The Ghosts of BMW NAVs Past”….

[JRihaParticipant]

Trade it in on the Zumo XT.  Superior in about every way to all other Zumo products – yet cheaper.  Had mine over a year now with zero issues.  Screen is orders of magnitude brighter than any GPS I’ve ever seen.  They had an issue with charging docks early on (before I bought mine), but otherwise pretty rock solid.  Love it!

[SValoisParticipant]

I received my 4th replacement Garmin NAV VI LM yesterday.  I was assured in writing that this new one will NOT have the “ghost-screen” issue. This is the first replacement I have received where the software/display actually looks different.  Hopefully, this will be my last replacement.  As a side note:  the previous replacements were apparently not NEW GPSs, as the last one I received had someone’s NY home address still in it.

[SValoisParticipant]

Re:  Garmin BMW Navigator VI – some of us had issues last year (2019) with our VIs freezing up, flipping through pages, losing routes, etc.  Apparently, Garmin knew of the issue and replaced many of the units, free of charge.

Well, my replacement unit started doing the exact same thing (unfortunately on the Sill’s 90th anniversary ride this year-2020), so I sent an email to product.support@garmin.com.

THAT DAY, with no questions asked, they sent me a UPS return address label and will send yet another replacement free of charge.

I know a few of you out there who are having issues also, so I suggest you send them at email.

Happy Riding!  Sandi 🙂

 

 

[SValoisParticipant]

GPS UPDATE: GARMIN received my 1st replacement NAV VI today, and the replacement is on its way! Very quick turn-around! We’ll see if #3 is the charm.

Sandi

[SValoisParticipant]

Thanks Jerry –  Trade it in to Garmin, or where I bought it?  Does it fit in the standard NAV VI mount?

Jerry replies:

Probably Garmin directly, I would think. It does use a different mount that comes with the unit.

There is no interface with Bmw’s multi controller though, so if you need that it might not work for you.

Rich Frantz replies:

I am in the process of installing the Zumo XT   There are utube videos on this. One way requires an adapter (from Italy) and the other is a complete swap using an adapter to your bar for the GPS.

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