My BMW Navigator VI is possessed

[Grumpy Goat]

Looks like I’m a victim…again

My third NavVI has just exhibited the demon screens while I was riding today. And I can’t get anything to work. Check out my vid today showing the lack of screen buttons accepting input

Yes, I saw the video and feel your pain. If you are like me, the integration with the jog wheel and the telemetrics is worth the hassle. I don't like to rely on my phone for the GPS, even if the maps are offline. Let the phone do its thing and let the Navigator do its thing, is my approach.

As long as they keep replacing them under warranty and doing so promptly, then the main hassle is the inconvenience in time when you're without a unit and all the settings you have to make when the new one comes.

[mojoguzzi]

Yes, I saw the video and feel your pain. If you are like me, the integration with the jog wheel and the telemetrics is worth the hassle. I don't like to rely on my phone for the GPS, even if the maps are offline. Let the phone do its thing and let the Navigator do its thing, is my approach.

As long as they keep replacing them under warranty and doing so promptly, then the main hassle is the inconvenience in time when you're without a unit and all the settings you have to make when the new one comes.

Exactly. They've already responded with a query as to whether there were extreme temps (there weren't) or altitude changes (again, there weren't).

I use my GPS a lot for accurate speed as well as knowing what the speed limit is where I am. I find Garmin's POIs pretty much useless, and I use Yelp on my phone for that. But I do use it for routing as well as timing for arrival and such.

Definitely like the jog wheel integration

[Grumpy Goat]

https://youtu.be/o5oKDV0CJmM

I forgot to mention, you might want to correct the title on the vid and the Description. Both refer to "NavIV" (which is the Nav 4) where it should be "NavVI" (for Nav 6).

Not being picky but the YT algorithm does look at both the Title and Description for keywords and pushes the searches accordingly.

[mojoguzzi]

https://youtu.be/o5oKDV0CJmM

I forgot to mention, you might want to correct the title on the vid and the Description. Both refer to "NavIV" (which is the Nav 4) where it should be "NavVI" (for Nav 6).

Not being picky but the YT algorithm does look at both the Title and Description for keywords and pushes the searches accordingly.

Yeah--thanks! D'oh!

Although, honestly, It's hosted there just so I could post here

[Grumpy Goat]

Yeah--thanks! D'oh!
Although, honestly, It's hosted there just so I could post here

Ahhh ... OK.

[runnerhiker]

Exactly. They've already responded with a query as to whether there were extreme temps (there weren't) or altitude changes (again, there weren't).

Do you know anymore about the altitude change question? I have a Nav VI and live in Colorado, 3000 feet elevation change is common for me, sometimes 5000 feet. 30 deg temp swing going to the mountains also happens at times.

I've never had any problems with mine, knock on wood!

[maxredline]

I just bought a used one used. I have only used it once but noticed the screen changed on me a couple of times. I could not find anything in settings.
I have hoping it is due to a low battery condition.

[Duckbubbles]

Keep in mind that when you reach for the turn signal switch, you can bump the wonderwheel and that will change the screen. Sometimes it doesn't take much at all.

Frank

[Lee]

Keep in mind that when you reach for the turn signal switch, you can bump the wonderwheel and that will change the screen. Sometimes it doesn't take much at all.

Frank

Sometimes that happens to me.

[maxredline]

Keep in mind that when you reach for the turn signal switch, you can bump the wonderwheel and that will change the screen. Sometimes it doesn't take much at all.

Frank

Good point, had not thought of that. I won't be able to test that until the weather warms up, like May.

[Grumpy Goat]

Good point, had not thought of that. I won't be able to test that until the weather warms up, like May.

Also keep in mind that the actual issue with the Nav VI is that the screen randomly changes display without the user doing anything and without bumping the jog wheel. With the left hand nowhere near the jog wheel and the Nav VI not being touched, the display gets the heebie-jeebies and flashes different displays, all by itself. The video of my experience is in this post.

[maxredline]

When I bought the used 6 for functionality it was not that it would function on its own.
If I need to get a replacement unit which I am not yet, hopefully Garmin will do me right.

[darrell]

When I bought the used 6 for functionality it was not that it would function on its own.
If I need to get a replacement unit which I am not yet, hopefully Garmin will do me right.

If you haven’t done so go on Garmins website and register the unit you have in your name. Then when you call or chat with them they can see you are the owner. Also I’d suggest an update software check on the unit. New maps came out yesterday which you could download and verify you have the latest software installed.

[Grumpy Goat]

If you haven’t done so go on Garmins website and register the unit you have in your name. Then when you call or chat with them they can see you are the owner. Also I’d suggest an update software update check on the unit. New maps came out yesterday which you could download and verify you have the latest software installed.

Good points, Darrell. Best bet is to keep the unit up to date and registered. Replacement goes smoothest that way.

[maxredline]

Registered, thanks gents.

[darrell]

Just got off the phone with Garmin and have my 4th or 5th replacement on the way. Updating my Nav V and Nav VI units today after loading the updated Garmin Express. Nav V updated fine. MacBook Pro would not recognize the Nav VI so that was the initial issue. When trying to sort out why it starting ghosting sitting at my desk.

Garmin rep said they would replace due to the ghosting issue as I expected. Rep told me they send out reconditioned units to replace any with this issue. Except he said they are 2 months behind having enough inventory. He told me without me asking he would request a brand new one be sent to me so I did not have to wait. He was aware I had a Nav V.

I got an immediate confirmation with a unit number of the new unit and shipment tomorrow. i'll return mine for full credit when the new one arrives.

[Grumpy Goat]

It is good that at least their Customer Service is good. This is indeed disappointing, and I suspected that they were sending out reconditioned units - possibly each with a new screen (?) of the old faulty design - in the hope that the problem would not come back before we all switch over to bikes with their fancy TFT screens and connectivity to the phone.

Problem is we like to hang on to our bikes so this approach is a slow process, and one fraught with inconvenience and frustration. Yes, they replace it at no real cost to you but in the meanwhile you are without a GPS and when you do get the new unit you have to load up all your stuff and reconfigure the unit. Time is money so there is a cost involved with that inconvenience. What makes it worse is that it could be come unusable while on a trip that relies on the GPS.

I for one really hope they do actually fix the root cause of the problem because I prefer a dedicated GPS unit over a small hard to read phone, which as a phone I tend to like to be smaller rather than larger.

[darrell]

Wayne your comments are in line with my thoughts. The rep I worked with was very upfront about they changed a supplier as a result this issue started happening. He said they were using the new suppliers screens in the reconditioned units since last fall.

He also said if a unit ghosts even one time it is very likely eventually it will get worse.

I actually have them send me the new one and return mine when the new one arrives. They put a $380 charge on your credit card until the old one is returned. They pay shipping both ways.

But it is a pain setting it up like I use the various screens. I still have my Nav V so an option if mine fails on a ride.

[Lee]

I for one really hope they do actually fix the root cause of the problem because I prefer a dedicated GPS unit over a small hard to read phone, which as a phone I tend to like to be smaller rather than larger.

I also like having a dedicated GPS.
The TFT is much better than the R1200RS dash but it does not show a map.

[Liteitup]

My Nav VI was last replaced with a refurb in December 2021. Third one I think? So far, so good.