---------------------------------------------------------- RV7-List Digest Archive --- Total Messages Posted Thu 06/18/15: 5 ---------------------------------------------------------- Today's Message Index: ---------------------- 1. 05:00 AM - Re: Re: Reconsider Garmin Purchases (Charlie England) 2. 05:06 AM - Re: Reconsider Garmin Purchases (Charlie England) 3. 06:05 AM - Re: Reconsider Garmin Purchases (Ralph Hoover) 4. 08:55 AM - Re: Re: Reconsider Garmin Purchases (Glenn Brasch) 5. 08:25 PM - Re: Re: Reconsider Garmin Purchases (fedico94@mchsi.com) ________________________________ Message 1 _____________________________________ Time: 05:00:55 AM PST US Subject: Re: RV7-List: Re: Reconsider Garmin Purchases From: Charlie England I see no reason for an apology, and I'm glad you posted your experience. I've heard the exact same story (outrageous flat-rate fees for *any* repair, even a 'checkout') about Garmin for many years from many different owners. I've even experienced it myself, with Garmin wanting around $150 to replace the $4 backup battery in my GPS III Pilot portable. When I cornered a Garmin rep about it at a major flyin, he offered to give me a 'deal' at $70 if I sent it to his attention after the flyin. And the portable isn't even a 'certified' device. BTW, I'd like to thank Matt for keeping these lists up and running and avoiding the ugliness of censorship, which is rampant on the VAF forum. For those who don't follow it closely, Matt's recent thread on the Garmin service subject didn't last a day before it was deleted (can't have one of your advertisers called out in public, can you.....). I sometimes go for much longer than I should without donating to Matt, and incidents like that remind me why I should donate every year. Charlie On Wed, Jun 17, 2015 at 4:37 PM, Matt Dralle wrote: > > Before making my original post, I had contacted two different Avionics > shops and received the exact same story, so I didn't base my findings on a > single vendor. I have subsequently contacted Garmin directly and was told > that the parts are in fact orderable by dealers. But, when those same > avionics dealers call the Garmin parts department they are told they are > not allowed to order those parts. So, something is definitely not quite > lining up here. I guess I apologize to the community for venting my > frustration with this process, but this really shouldn't be this difficult. > I will follow up with more information on this debacle as it hopefully > progresses. > > Btw, the lens part number for the SL-30 is 308-3201-42 and the lens for > the GTX-327 is 470-00034-00. > > Matt > > > At 11:12 AM 6/17/2015 Wednesday, Matt Dralle wrote: > >In the rebuild of my RV-8 recently, I managed to get a scratch in the > lens of both the Garmin SL-30 and the Garmin GTX-327. No biggie, I thought, > I'll just order up a replacement and stick them in, much like I did on the > King KX-125 on the RV-6. > > > >I called up Pacific Coast Avionics today to order the parts and was told > the following: Garmin will not sell the lens. Yup, you hear that right. My > only option is to return both units to Garmin for a "factory repair" and > the MINIMUM charge will be $535 for EACH unit! That is $1070 to replace two > $4 pieces of plastic! That is simply outrageous! Frankly, criminal behavior. > > > >I will NOT be buying ANY future Garmin products. I refuse to do business > with a company that treats their customers this way. Unacceptable. > > > >- > >Matt Dralle > > - > Matt Dralle > > RV-8 #82880 N998RV "Ruby Vixen" > http://www.mattsrv8.com - Matt's Complete RV-8 Construction Log > http://www.mattsrv8.com/Mishap - Landing Mishap Rebuild Log > http://www.youtube.com/MattsRV8 - Matt's RV-8 HDTV YouTube Channel > Status: 182+ Hours TTSN - Version 2.0 Now Flying! > > RV-6 #20916 N360EM "The Flyer" > http://www.mattsrv6.com - Matt's RV-6 Revitalization Log > Status: 300+ Hours - Full Flyer Mode! > > Matt's Livermore Airport Live ATC Stream! > Check out the live ATC stream directly from my hangar at the Livermore > Airport. Includes both Tower and Ground transmissions. Archives too! > For entertainment purposes only. http://klvk.matronics.com > > ________________________________ Message 2 _____________________________________ Time: 05:06:49 AM PST US Subject: Re: RV7-List: Reconsider Garmin Purchases From: Charlie England It sounds exactly right to me, based on my personal experience, and stories I've heard from others for over a decade. They might offer a bit more of a 'deal' if you can find the right button (person) to push, but the opening line is always outrageous flat rate fees for anything. I've even experienced it myself, with Garmin wanting around $150 to replace the $4 backup battery in my GPS III Pilot portable. When I cornered a Garmin rep about it at a major flyin, he offered to give me a 'deal' at $70 if I sent it to his attention after the flyin. And the portable isn't even a 'certified' device. The vast majority of homebuilders (and even cert a/c owners) don't even know that there are buttons available to push, and pay the outrageous fees because they effectively have no other choice. BTW, I'd like to thank Matt for keeping these lists up and running and avoiding the ugliness of censorship, which is rampant on the VAF forum. For those who don't follow it closely, Matt's recent thread on the Garmin service subject didn't last a day before it was deleted (can't have one of your advertisers called out in public, can you.....). I sometimes go for much longer than I should without donating to Matt, and incidents like that remind me why I should donate every year. Charlie On Wed, Jun 17, 2015 at 2:15 PM, Stein Bruch wrote: > > This doesn't sound right. Sounds to me like someone just didn't want to > deal > with you (and it likely wasn't Garmin in this case). I don't know what or > how you handled yourself, but sometimes you'll get more with honey than > with > vinegar - or perhaps the person you spoke with perhaps was slightly > mis-informed. > > To be blunt, the lenses should be readily available (at least they were > last > time we got some). I'm sorry they aren't a $4 piece of plexi (there is some > fancy schmancy coatings on them and such), but the GTX lens is around $26 > and I think the SL lens around $65. > > My recommendation would be to calm down a bit, sit back and take a breath > before indicting Garmin in their entirety based on a conversation with one > person. > > Not defending anyone or indicting or flaming anyone, but your experience > just sounds like we don't have the "whole story".....might I humbly suggest > that before blasting this to every list you manage that you perhaps speak > to > someone else first (or maybe even Garmin directly)? > > Cheers, > Stein > > Stein Bruch > President - SteinAir, Inc. > 651-460-6955 > > > -----Original Message----- > From: owner-rv7-list-server@matronics.com > [mailto:owner-rv7-list-server@matronics.com] On Behalf Of Matt Dralle > Sent: Wednesday, June 17, 2015 1:13 PM > To: rv7-list@matronics.com > Subject: RV7-List: Reconsider Garmin Purchases > > > In the rebuild of my RV-8 recently, I managed to get a scratch in the lens > of both the Garmin SL-30 and the Garmin GTX-327. No biggie, I thought, I'll > just order up a replacement and stick them in, much like I did on the King > KX-125 on the RV-6. > > I called up Pacific Coast Avionics today to order the parts and was told > the > following: Garmin will not sell the lens. Yup, you hear that right. My only > option is to return both units to Garmin for a "factory repair" and the > MINIMUM charge will be $535 for EACH unit! That is $1070 to replace two $4 > pieces of plastic! That is simply outrageous! Frankly, criminal behavior. > > I will NOT be buying ANY future Garmin products. I refuse to do business > with a company that treats their customers this way. Unacceptable. > > - > Matt Dralle > > RV-8 #82880 N998RV "Ruby Vixen" > http://www.mattsrv8.com - Matt's Complete RV-8 Construction Log > http://www.mattsrv8.com/Mishap - Landing Mishap Rebuild Log > http://www.youtube.com/MattsRV8 - Matt's RV-8 HDTV YouTube Channel > Status: 182+ Hours TTSN - Version 2.0 Now Flying! > > RV-6 #20916 N360EM "The Flyer" > http://www.mattsrv6.com - Matt's RV-6 Revitalization Log > Status: 300+ Hours - Full Flyer Mode! > > Matt's Livermore Airport Live ATC Stream! > Check out the live ATC stream directly from my hangar at the Livermore > Airport. Includes both Tower and Ground transmissions. Archives too! > For entertainment purposes only. http://klvk.matronics.com > > ________________________________ Message 3 _____________________________________ Time: 06:05:47 AM PST US From: Ralph Hoover Subject: RV7-List: Re: Reconsider Garmin Purchases It's a shame that Garmin is so short sighted. Success has gone to their head s. Word of mouth is effective advertising good or bad. I have had very good s ervice from Dynon. I cannot say the same for Garmin. When there is any choic e I will consider other than Garmin. Ralph Sent from my iPad > On Jun 18, 2015, at 8:00 AM, Charlie England wrote: > > I see no reason for an apology, and I'm glad you posted your experience. I 've heard the exact same story (outrageous flat-rate fees for *any* repair, e ven a 'checkout') about Garmin for many years from many different owners. I' ve even experienced it myself, with Garmin wanting around $150 to replace th e $4 backup battery in my GPS III Pilot portable. When I cornered a Garmin r ep about it at a major flyin, he offered to give me a 'deal' at $70 if I sen t it to his attention after the flyin. And the portable isn't even a 'certif ied' device. > > BTW, I'd like to thank Matt for keeping these lists up and running and avo iding the ugliness of censorship, which is rampant on the VAF forum. For tho se who don't follow it closely, Matt's recent thread on the Garmin service s ubject didn't last a day before it was deleted (can't have one of your adver tisers called out in public, can you.....). I sometimes go for much longer t han I should without donating to Matt, and incidents like that remind me why I should donate every year. > > Charlie > >> On Wed, Jun 17, 2015 at 4:37 PM, Matt Dralle wrote : >> >> Before making my original post, I had contacted two different Avionics sh ops and received the exact same story, so I didn't base my findings on a sin gle vendor. I have subsequently contacted Garmin directly and was told that t he parts are in fact orderable by dealers. But, when those same avionics dea lers call the Garmin parts department they are told they are not allowed to o rder those parts. So, something is definitely not quite lining up here. I gu ess I apologize to the community for venting my frustration with this proces s, but this really shouldn't be this difficult. I will follow up with more i nformation on this debacle as it hopefully progresses. >> >> Btw, the lens part number for the SL-30 is 308-3201-42 and the lens for t he GTX-327 is 470-00034-00. >> >> Matt >> >> >> At 11:12 AM 6/17/2015 Wednesday, Matt Dralle wrote: >> >In the rebuild of my RV-8 recently, I managed to get a scratch in the le ns of both the Garmin SL-30 and the Garmin GTX-327. No biggie, I thought, I' ll just order up a replacement and stick them in, much like I did on the Kin g KX-125 on the RV-6. >> > >> >I called up Pacific Coast Avionics today to order the parts and was told the following: Garmin will not sell the lens. Yup, you hear that right. My o nly option is to return both units to Garmin for a "factory repair" and the M INIMUM charge will be $535 for EACH unit! That is $1070 to replace two $4 pi eces of plastic! That is simply outrageous! Frankly, criminal behavior. >> > >> >I will NOT be buying ANY future Garmin products. I refuse to do business with a company that treats their customers this way. Unacceptable. >> > >> >- >> >Matt Dralle >> >> - >> Matt Dralle >> >> RV-8 #82880 N998RV "Ruby Vixen" >> http://www.mattsrv8.com - Matt's Complete RV-8 Construction Log >> http://www.mattsrv8.com/Mishap - Landing Mishap Rebuild Log >> http://www.youtube.com/MattsRV8 - Matt's RV-8 HDTV YouTube Channel >> Status: 182+ Hours TTSN - Version 2.0 Now Flying! >> >> RV-6 #20916 N360EM "The Flyer" >> http://www.mattsrv6.com - Matt's RV-6 Revitalization Log >> Status: 300+ Hours - Full Flyer Mode! >> >> Matt's Livermore Airport Live ATC Stream! >> Check out the live ATC stream directly from my hangar at the Livermore >> Airport. Includes both Tower and Ground transmissions. Archives too! >> For entertainment purposes only. http://klvk.matronics.com >> >> >> ========== >> List" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navig ator?RV7-List >> ========== >> FORUMS - >> eferrer" target="_blank">http://forums.matronics.com >> ========== >> b Site - >> -Matt Dralle, List Admin. >> rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contributio n >> ========== >> >> >> > > > 3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3 D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D 3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3 D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D 3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3 D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D 3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3 D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D > ________________________________ Message 4 _____________________________________ Time: 08:55:54 AM PST US Subject: Re: RV7-List: Re: Reconsider Garmin Purchases From: Glenn Brasch On Thu, Jun 18, 2015 at 5:00 AM, Charlie England wrote: > > > *BTW, I'd like to thank Matt for keeping these lists up and running and > avoiding the ugliness of censorship, which is rampant on the VAF forum. For > those who don't follow it closely, Matt's recent thread on the Garmin > service subject didn't last a day before it was deleted (can't have one of > your advertisers called out in public, can you.....)*. I sometimes go for > much longer than I should without donating to Matt, and incidents like that > remind me why I should donate every year. > > Charlie > > Exactly why I started Rvairspace.com at peoples request, and Matt has been a good supporter. I make sure I donate to him every year. Glenn ________________________________ Message 5 _____________________________________ Time: 08:25:58 PM PST US From: fedico94@mchsi.com Subject: Re: RV7-List: Re: Reconsider Garmin Purchases The beauty of sport aviation. The little guys can get in and mix it up with the biggies. I am very pleased with the OS software that Garmin uses and the G3X is equivalent to the G500 in many respects. If it wasn't for Dynon and the 2008 recession, I doubt Garmin would not be servicing this area of aviation. The FAA is generous enough to allow us to experiment and I must say it appears that accidents are no more likely with the $35K G500 than with the $5K G3X. A good example where Garmin had to come down to compete with the Dynon's of the world. Now if we could get VAF and other "forums" to allow free speech perhaps the suppliers would listen and not pull advertising support. Free exchange of ideas, including criticism makes for better products and services that's why many companies take Press Ganey surveys from their customers. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Ralph Hoover" Sent: Thursday, June 18, 2015 8:02:49 AM Subject: RV7-List: Re: Reconsider Garmin Purchases It's a shame that Garmin is so short sighted. Success has gone to their heads. Word of mouth is effective advertising good or bad. I have had very good service from Dynon. I cannot say the same for Garmin. When there is any choice I will consider other than Garmin. Ralph Sent from my iPad > On Jun 18, 2015, at 8:00 AM, Charlie England wrote: > > I see no reason for an apology, and I'm glad you posted your experience. I've heard the exact same story (outrageous flat-rate fees for *any* repair, even a 'checkout') about Garmin for many years from many different owners. I've even experienced it myself, with Garmin wanting around $150 to replace the $4 backup battery in my GPS III Pilot portable. When I cornered a Garmin rep about it at a major flyin, he offered to give me a 'deal' at $70 if I sent it to his attention after the flyin. And the portable isn't even a 'certified' device. > > BTW, I'd like to thank Matt for keeping these lists up and running and avoiding the ugliness of censorship, which is rampant on the VAF forum. For those who don't follow it closely, Matt's recent thread on the Garmin service subject didn't last a day before it was deleted (can't have one of your advertisers called out in public, can you.....). I sometimes go for much longer than I should without donating to Matt, and incidents like that remind me why I should donate every year. > > Charlie > >> On Wed, Jun 17, 2015 at 4:37 PM, Matt Dralle wrote: >> >> Before making my original post, I had contacted two different Avionics shops and received the exact same story, so I didn't base my findings on a single vendor. I have subsequently contacted Garmin directly and was told that the parts are in fact orderable by dealers. But, when those same avionics dealers call the Garmin parts department they are told they are not allowed to order those parts. So, something is definitely not quite lining up here. I guess I apologize to the community for venting my frustration with this process, but this really shouldn't be this difficult. I will follow up with more information on this debacle as it hopefully progresses. >> >> Btw, the lens part number for the SL-30 is 308-3201-42 and the lens for the GTX-327 is 470-00034-00. >> >> Matt >> >> >> At 11:12 AM 6/17/2015 Wednesday, Matt Dralle wrote: >> >In the rebuild of my RV-8 recently, I managed to get a scratch in the lens of both the Garmin SL-30 and the Garmin GTX-327. No biggie, I thought, I'll just order up a replacement and stick them in, much like I did on the King KX-125 on the RV-6. >> > >> >I called up Pacific Coast Avionics today to order the parts and was told the following: Garmin will not sell the lens. Yup, you hear that right. My only option is to return both units to Garmin for a "factory repair" and the MINIMUM charge will be $535 for EACH unit! That is $1070 to replace two $4 pieces of plastic! That is simply outrageous! Frankly, criminal behavior. >> > >> >I will NOT be buying ANY future Garmin products. I refuse to do business with a company that treats their customers this way. Unacceptable. >> > >> >- >> >Matt Dralle >> >> - >> Matt Dralle >> >> RV-8 #82880 N998RV "Ruby Vixen" >> http://www.mattsrv8.com - Matt's Complete RV-8 Construction Log >> http://www.mattsrv8.com/Mishap - Landing Mishap Rebuild Log >> http://www.youtube.com/MattsRV8 - Matt's RV-8 HDTV YouTube Channel >> Status: 182+ Hours TTSN - Version 2.0 Now Flying! >> >> RV-6 #20916 N360EM "The Flyer" >> http://www.mattsrv6.com - Matt's RV-6 Revitalization Log >> Status: 300+ Hours - Full Flyer Mode! >> >> Matt's Livermore Airport Live ATC Stream! >> Check out the live ATC stream directly from my hangar at the Livermore >> Airport. Includes both Tower and Ground transmissions. Archives too! >> For entertainment purposes only. http://klvk.matronics.com >> >> >> ========== >> List" rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?RV7-List >> ========== >> FORUMS - >> eferrer" target="_blank">http://forums.matronics.com >> ========== >> b Site - >> -Matt Dralle, List Admin. >> rel="noreferrer" target="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution >> ========== >> >> >> > > > 3D============================================ 3D============================================ 3D============================================ 3D============================================ > ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Other Matronics Email List Services ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Post A New Message rv7-list@matronics.com UN/SUBSCRIBE http://www.matronics.com/subscription List FAQ http://www.matronics.com/FAQ/RV7-List.htm Web Forum Interface To Lists http://forums.matronics.com Matronics List Wiki http://wiki.matronics.com Full Archive Search Engine http://www.matronics.com/search 7-Day List Browse http://www.matronics.com/browse/rv7-list Browse Digests http://www.matronics.com/digest/rv7-list Browse Other Lists http://www.matronics.com/browse Live Online Chat! http://www.matronics.com/chat Archive Downloading http://www.matronics.com/archives Photo Share http://www.matronics.com/photoshare Other Email Lists http://www.matronics.com/emaillists Contributions http://www.matronics.com/contribution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- These Email List Services are sponsored solely by Matronics and through the generous Contributions of its members.