My BMW Navigator VI is possessed

[Ray]

Imagine ... this has been going on for 2 years ...

...and if Tom is correct, it will be going on at least another 2 years until NAV VII is in production and VI is fixed or no longer supported.

I looked at the NAV VI, but didn't see a gross difference in the resistive touchscreen technology that allows both the V and VI to be operated with gloves on. I'm guessing they did something to the VI that made it more sensitive - though a quick Garmin-specific search brought nothing.

I'm a little surprised that there is no option for calibration of sensitivity as you can find on most tablets if you look hard enough.... I suspect someone at Garmin knows the back door, but the fact they are simply replacing them suggests that either I am wrong, or Garmin doesn't trust gloved and heavy fisted motorcyclists to get it right.

[Grumpy Goat]

...and if Tom is correct, it will be going on at least another 2 years until NAV VII is in production and VI is fixed or no longer supported.

I hope that this is not the case because I would definitely have to rethink getting another one having lost total confidence, if that is the case.

I got the Nav VI because of the clear difference in display quality over all previous Navigators. It was a huge improvement in touch sensitivity over the Nav IV I had prior to the Nav VI. But the main reason I bought it was for the integration with the jog wheel and the other info that a normal GPS does not have. I gritted my teeth and spared the $925 it cost me.

I will reserve final judgement after I see how Garmin treats me and my case.

[Ray]

I will reserve final judgement after I see how Garmin treats me and my case.

Don't be grumpy, Grumpy..., stay positive. In spite of the ability to see every example of this problem on the internet, the problem is rare.

Garmin will treat you well.

I'm guessing the high number of cases on the Adventure site represents in part the huge numbers of riders, but also the way some of them treat their equipment. The NAV VI is not the bulky ruggedized, mil-spec device like which they treat it. Not to say you abused yours - we know you have a more pampered and cared-for bike than I. Just saying, that one of the theories has to do with moisture or condensation.

[Grumpy Goat]

You are right that my Nav VI has been pampered, although the bike is not.

Given that is the case and if moisture ingress is the cause then the engineer in me is not at all forgiving. This is not rocket science - they should know how to seal the unit and make it more robust than it apparently is. The quality professional in me also takes a dim view of how they have handled this over the years with respect to corrective and preventative action. This is not a $100 Chinese GPS.

Regarding my case - Garmin has already responded to my emailed report of 7:15PM last evening. They have offered to replace the unit and I am working on setting that up on an expedited basis. So kudos to Support so far.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Grumpy Goat]

UPDATE - Replacement unit has shipped. I paid a "deposit" of just under $350 since I opted to have them send the replacement first and I am supposed to ship the bad unit to them within 10 days. Sounds like $350 is the true cost of a Nav VI as opposed to what it sells for .... over $900.

Anyway BIG kudos to Garmin Support who not only responded to my email within hours (as opposed to promised days) but shipped the replacement within 24 hours.

[Lee]

I'm guessing the high number of cases on the Adventure site represents in part the huge numbers of riders, but also the way some of them treat their equipment.

I agree.

[BobAin'tStoppin']

Gee GG, I bought the Nav 6 last year based on your recommendation. I haven't done very much riding in the last two seasons, but have had no trouble with mine. I do take it off the bike when washing or leaving parked overnight outside. It will get a good test next year for the Gunnison event. My trip will be from Mass to Banff area to Gunnison and home. So some miles. Now thinking I better have a paper copy of the route with me just in case.

[Grumpy Goat]

Gee GG, I bought the Nav 6 last year based on your recommendation. I haven't done very much riding in the last two seasons, but have had no trouble with mine. I do take it off the bike when washing or leaving parked overnight outside. It will get a good test next year for the Gunnison event. My trip will be from Mass to Banff area to Gunnison and home. So some miles. Now thinking I better have a paper copy of the route with me just in case.

I too had no problems with mine until it started happening, after almost 2.5 years of ownership. Aside from the screen nonsense, I still would have recommended it. Now I am not so sure that I would recommend it over a Nav V, despite the better screen. I don't believe that I have heard / read than the Nav V has had any issues, and for the usage most people use it for, having a solid unit with slightly less features and slightly less quality screen output still could represent a better value.

I will not take mine off the bike when washing since that seems to be simply wrong. A motorcycle navigator is supposed to be waterproof since it is supposed to be used in the elements. That said I do not spray water directly on it or use a pressure washer or anything like that on / near it so it should cope.

No what they need is a competitor to make a unit that will work with the jog wheel and you'll see how quickly the problem with the Nav VI screen gets fixed. Without competition there is little incentive, especially if people keep buying them anyway.

[Lee]

Now thinking I better have a paper copy of the route with me just in case.

I always travel with paper maps.

[Lee]

Now I am not so sure that I would recommend it over a Nav V, despite the better screen. I don't believe that I have heard / read than the Nav V has had any issues,

I have not heard of many problems with the Nav V, even in that 2 year long ADV thread.
The V does have the date problem but that will probably be fixed with a software update.
Awhile back I was temped to buy a $500 Nav VI on the ADV site and sell my Nav V for $300. Glad I decided to stay with the V.

[Grumpy Goat]

I have not heard of many problems with the Nav V, even in that 2 year long ADV thread.
The V does have the date problem but that will probably be fixed with a software update.
Awhile back I was temped to buy a $500 Nav VI on the ADV site and sell my Nav V for $300. Glad I decided to stay with the V.

In hindsight that was a very smart move.

[Olgry1]

Now thinking I better have a paper copy of the route with me just in case.

I always travel with paper maps.

I have a Nav V but also travel with paper maps and now also bring a Nav IV with me on trips. A few years back I had a GPS die on me in Hazard, Ky while on the way to Bristol TN.

[Lee]

I have a Nav V but also travel with paper maps and now also bring a Nav IV with me on trips. A few years back I had a GPS die on me in Hazard, Ky while on the way to Bristol TN.

I travel with a spare Nav V. It's mounted on Debbie's bike

[MrVvrroomm]

I travel with a spare Nav V. It's mounted on Debbie's bike

Me too

[Olgry1]

Good idea

[Grumpy Goat]

Received the new unit today and am updating it as I type this. Installation to follow. Then I ship the already-erased defective unit back and get my deposit back.

One thing I notice about this replacement unit. The screen is not as sensitive as the old (defectove) one. With the old one, only a light touch would press the buttons, but with this one it requires more pressure although not as much as my truck's Garmin nuvi 1490 which is a much older unit with the older opaque plastic tyoe screen. Otherwise the screen appears to be just as bright as the previous Nav VI.

I am charging it now and will install it on the bike before going to bed. Hopefully there is no more flaky behaviour and the unit - and the screeen - will last for as long as I own BMW motorcycles.

[BobAin'tStoppin']

One thing I notice about this replacement unit. The screen is not as sensitive as the old (defectove) one. .

Interesting. When I got the VI I noticed that it takes a significant touch to get a screen response. This particularly true without gloves on. I wonder if that means I got a good one.

In any case, I really like using this thing on a trip so I don't have to worry about the next turn, or getting lost.

[Grumpy Goat]

Interesting. When I got the VI I noticed that it takes a significant touch to get a screen response. This particularly true without gloves on. I wonder if that means I got a good one.

In any case, I really like using this thing on a trip so I don't have to worry about the next turn, or getting lost.

Maybe you did get a good one. That sensitivity I enjoyed probably was why it was pressing buttons by the wind brushing by the screen!

I do enjoy having a GPS and would not have it any other way, whether it is on a dedicated unit or on my phone. Having my route in the unit frees my mind up to fully enjoy the ride the way I like to ride. Having all the other functions that the Navigator VI has makes it all the better. Just so long as it is working.

[Ray]

Interesting. When I got the VI I noticed that it takes a significant touch to get a screen response. This particularly true without gloves on. I wonder if that means I got a good one.

Maybe you did get a good one. That sensitivity I enjoyed probably was why it was pressing buttons by the wind brushing by the screen!

Or, there's a regional difference with effects of heat on the resistive touch screen. If I recall, Grumpy, you're commuting in the Houston area. Is that with the device on the bike and parked in the sun all day? Not quite the same temperatures as Boston.

Of course, Bob seems to have an intimate relationship with his electronics. I recall he set me straight on why to bypass Garmin Express in loading GPX files into my NAV V. The Garmins might simply like him more than the rest of us.

[Grumpy Goat]

Or, there's a regional difference with effects of heat on the resistive touch screen. If I recall, Grumpy, you're commuting in the Houston area. Is that with the device on the bike and parked in the sun all day? Not quite the same temperatures as Boston.

Could be temperature related, but my bike is almost never ever parked in the sun. Most it gets parked in the sun is on our Ride Ins. At home it is in the garage and at work it is in the parking garage. I even tide to work in the dark and even in summer the ride home is not too bad as far as direct sunlight is concerned.

No, if anything the flakiness was worse when it was colder recently. On the less cold days it seemed like it was not too bad. On the colder days it was worse.

I rode to work this monring at about 45 deg.F with the new unit and it was fine (it had better be!!) but still have to set it up the way I like. The touch screen was fine too - seemed easier with the gloved finger than last night with no gloves on. Weird.