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  #41  
Old 10-08-2010, 11:04 AM
tonyjohnson tonyjohnson is offline
 
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Default No Way

This helps solidify my decision to go with GRT for my EFIS. There is no way that I would consider a G3X after this.
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Last edited by tonyjohnson : 10-08-2010 at 03:02 PM.
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  #42  
Old 10-09-2010, 08:32 PM
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bryanflood bryanflood is offline
 
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 114
Post Garmin policy

I have to admit requiring the use of an "authorized service center" to ship the radio back to Garmin seems really silly to me, I must be missing something. I'm not sure about the rest of the VAF crowd, but I have personally filled out hundreds of address labels in my lifetime, maybe even thousands. I'm pretty good at packaging items too, although I have to admit I have never sent a radio to anyone before.

Can anyone tell me what I am missing?

Do you think Garmin would just let me ship the radio directly to them if I sent a check for $100 to the service center, so I don't have to drive there?
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  #43  
Old 10-09-2010, 09:35 PM
the_other_dougreeves the_other_dougreeves is offline
 
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Location: Dallas, TX (ADS)
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Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by bryanflood View Post
Do you think Garmin would just let me ship the radio directly to them if I sent a check for $100 to the service center, so I don't have to drive there?
Probably not. Garmin stuff works well and they have good service, but in my experience, you have to pay what they want and do it their way. No exceptions.

TODR
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  #44  
Old 10-10-2010, 05:56 AM
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byrdman36 byrdman36 is offline
 
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Location: Peyton, Colorado
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Default

It appears it is time for me to start looking at replacing all of my Garmin gear with something that is a little more experimental user friendly.
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  #45  
Old 10-10-2010, 07:24 AM
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flyeyes flyeyes is offline
 
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Default Garmin service wrt experimentals

I've had what I consider good service from Garmin on radios in both factory built and experimental airplanes over many years.

I've gotten RMAs directly from Garmin on a GX65 GpsComm installed in an AirCam that was not manufactured by Garmin (Apollo/iimorrrow) but was turned around quickly and free even though it was a few weeks outbox warranty. The same radio had a display failureba couple of years ago on the way to Oshkosh, and they gave me excellent service for a flat fixed rate repair.

With this SB, I called the dealer where I bought my SL30 five years ago to ask him whether I should send it to him or to Garmin. He called me back five minutes later with an RMA, and had me ship it directly to Garmin.

Over the years, I've called Garmin several times about issues (in the family we have four aircraft currently with at least some Garmin radios, two are experimental) and have always gotten quick, responsive answers. Getting a real person on the phone who understands the system is no problem.

I'm planning to put a g3x in my panel, and someone from Garmin contacted me directly after I posted on this board, and they've answered a bunch of questions from me that probably seem tedious from their end.

My experience is that they really are ga friendly, and also "experimental" friendly. This is based on years of experience.

Just my $.02
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  #46  
Old 10-10-2010, 07:34 AM
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Brantel Brantel is offline
 
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Location: Newport, TN
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flyeyes View Post
I'm planning to put a g3x in my panel, and someone from Garmin contacted me directly after I posted on this board, and they've answered a bunch of questions from me that probably seem tedious from their end.
If they want to sell g3x's to the masses, this is what they are going to have to do to compete even if it is tedious on their end. Goes with the territory, just ask AFS, GRT, MGL and Dynon. Looks like they are listening though cuz all of a sudden we have a new Garmin person here on the VAF participating often.

Some guys could build wire and setup a G1000 system with little to no live help. Some guys can't tie two wires together without asking questions. There are people of all skill levels in between those two extremes.

If you are going to market/target experimental builders, you are gonna have to support em and let the ones that want to or have to for budget reasons wire their own panels.
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Last edited by Brantel : 10-10-2010 at 07:36 AM.
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  #47  
Old 10-10-2010, 08:48 AM
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L.Adamson L.Adamson is offline
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by byrdman36 View Post
It appears it is time for me to start looking at replacing all of my Garmin gear with something that is a little more experimental user friendly.
I've been running Garmin aviation GPSs since 1993. I'm now on my fifth, with the Garmin 696. All have been dependable units. I've also owned two Garmins for land vehicles. Taking care of my SL40's SB last year, wasn't much of a big deal at all. I think I stick with Garmin.

L.Adamson --- RV6A
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  #48  
Old 10-10-2010, 09:09 AM
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Ironflight Ironflight is offline
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From what I can tell, there is definitely a new "underground" movement within Garmin to support the experimental market in a new and positive way. It's funny that a company as new as Garmin (they haven't been around as long as you think) is already seen as "Big and Corporate" in their way of thinking, but the folks doing the new stuff for those of us building and flying our own airplanes are genuinely trying to make change happen and get the job done. I am really glad to see Garmin Tim chiming in here - give them a chance, and I think things will change. Heck, they have already made it so that "expired" NOS plates will continue to display on the 696 (they used to disappear after 180 days. And while the initial Geo-referenced plates for the 696 were Jepps (requiring an EXPENSIVE investment), they managed to get the resources to do the same thing with the NOS plates for a lot less. Just a couple of examples of quiet victories for the "underground forces". Of course, moving an iceberg takes time....

When you consider the alternatives to a 430, it's hard to abandon Garmin if you are going to go IFR....

Paul
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