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What would you do? Garmin GPS question?

Gtjojo189

Jun 21, 12 18:33

Post #1 of 16 (810 views)

What would you do? Garmin GPS question?	Quote \| Reply

I went to ride today and noticed my 310xt had some moisture under the screen and I could barely read the display. I think I'm going to take it back to REI since I've had it less than a year and am not satisfied with it. I paid $376 for it with taxes and expect I will see close to that amount in store credit. The way I see it I have two options
1) upgrade to the new 910. (roughly $70 with the purchase of a quick release for it) or
2) get a 310xt replacement. I've noticed these are going for around $100 less than when I bought mine so I assume I would have an extra $100 in a store credit. They just don't have this at any local stores and I would have to order it and wait for it to come in. My next race is in 2 weeks. If I did this I would take the extra $100 and buy an edge 500 to pair with my power meter (roughly $136)

What would you do if you had these two options?

christian1

Jun 22, 12 4:36

Post #2 of 16 (723 views)

Re: What would you do? Garmin GPS question? [Gtjojo189] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

My 310 died yesterday as well. I am in the same boat. Seems there aren't any good options. This was my third 310. Not real big on Garmin because of that, however, I don't see any better options out there.
"You can quit, and no one will care if you do. But you will know."
~John Collins, Ironman founder

Member HED Mafia

tkos

Jun 22, 12 5:56

Post #3 of 16 (690 views)

Re: What would you do? Garmin GPS question? [Gtjojo189] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Does REI have an actual refund for the item at this late in the game? Won't they just exchange it for a new unit straight up?

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Ian

Gtjojo189

Jun 22, 12 6:02

Post #4 of 16 (687 views)

Re: What would you do? Garmin GPS question? [tkos] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Here is the policy from their page. http://www.rei.com/...s-and-exchanges.html

I don't think they'd do a straight up swap because no stores in my state have the item. I would have to order it online so a store credit would probalby be issued minus my dividend from the item.

tkos

Jun 22, 12 6:03

Post #5 of 16 (683 views)

Re: What would you do? Garmin GPS question? [Gtjojo189] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

If that is the case I would take the extra $100 credit and use it on something else.

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Ian

Gtjojo189

Jun 22, 12 6:14

Post #6 of 16 (667 views)

Re: What would you do? Garmin GPS question? [tkos] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

So you would get the 310 replaced and use the $100 on a edge 500, or pay $70 more for a 910 with quick release. Those are my options.

Kenney

Jun 22, 12 6:24

Post #7 of 16 (652 views)

Re: What would you do? Garmin GPS question? [Gtjojo189] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Just being honest here..................We had a return policy like that. You said under a year, we probably would give you a hard time on the return if it is been close to a year. You had all that time to not "be happy" with the product. Returns policy does not mean use for a considerable while, then get the new updated one.....................Please, no flaming, just letting you know as a retail mgr how things are. We have tons of people buying things, using for a year till the new product comes out then say, "I don't like, can I have a new one". In our store, Garmins policy in your case we would not be able to return to Garmin, so the store would eat it. Yes, in cases we would do so to keep the customer happy but you have to maintain a balnce. If you had it for 90 days, no problem. If it was a manufactor defect, no problem. Just under a year and you are not happy, why did you not bring in sooner? Moisture under the glass, well that will clear up and probably will not be there when you bring in. Seems by your post that has only happened once.........Pitch a fit, you will get the return. Just warning you..

logella

Jun 22, 12 6:25

Post #8 of 16 (647 views)

Re: What would you do? Garmin GPS question? [Gtjojo189] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Get the 910. No quick release needed. I used to always mount my 310 in the handlebars. When I got the 910 I never got around to getting the quick release. I just wear it upside down on the bike and can see the display just fine. I put the power number in the top left corner and it's easy to see. No more fiddling with the QR. I've left the 310 on my bike in T2 more than once after forgetting to take it off the QR. Very annoying having to go back and get it. At IMTX last year I had to chase down the bike handler to get it back.
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"Unless you have a ... GF who might put out that night and that night only ... skip it and race." - AndyPants 3-15-2007

jhornebx

Jun 22, 12 6:29

Post #9 of 16 (640 views)

Re: What would you do? Garmin GPS question? [Gtjojo189] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Here's another option, that has yet to fail me. I use a Garmin Forerunner 50 (yes, old school by now, and requires the use of pods...but hear me out). The FR50 works fine in the water; didn't have the waterproof-less issues the other Forerunners did before the 310XT. In the swim I'm wearing the FR50 and a heart rate strap. Out of the water, the HRM is already sync'd up with my Edge 305 on the bike. Hit EDGE button and go. Enter T2, foot pod is on running shoe, and activates with movement. Hit button on FR50 while exiting T2 and go...pod and HRM are already sync'd. This sounds like a lot of work, but it's not. If you time the swim, you're hitting the button when the gun goes off, and when you hit T1. Then you hit a button for Bike, and a button for run. Everything syncs up nicely on the computer, etc. You can find FR50s and Garmin Edge computers on eBay and on-line for CHEAP! I wouldn't have brought this up, had I not dealt with the 310XT issue myself, and had I not watched the same thing happen to multiple friends. Again, this combo has yet to fail me...

M~

Jun 22, 12 6:32

Post #10 of 16 (631 views)

Re: What would you do? Garmin GPS question? [logella] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

logella wrote:

Serious question. why don't you guys just wear it on your wrist?

logella

Jun 22, 12 6:35

Post #11 of 16 (623 views)

Re: What would you do? Garmin GPS question? [M~] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Quote:

Serious question. why don't you guys just wear it on your wrist?

That's exactly what I do. I wear it on my wrist upside down which makes it easy to see when in the aero position.
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"Unless you have a ... GF who might put out that night and that night only ... skip it and race." - AndyPants 3-15-2007

Gtjojo189

Jun 22, 12 6:43

Post #12 of 16 (603 views)

Re: What would you do? Garmin GPS question? [Kenney] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

I see your point and agree that the policy can be abused. In fact, I'm not that enamored with the 910 and am leaning toward just a straight swap if availible. Sure the moisture under the screen came up one and cleared up after about 2 hours, but what if it happens again in a race when I come out of swim and I can't read any of the numbers? Right now I'm scared to swim with it again since it isn't stocked locally and if the humidity gets worse it will probably be unusable and not be able to be replaced before my next race.

The way I see it is, and you may disagree, similar to a situation I had with my iphone. About a month before I had it for a year (apple's warranty is 12 months) it started acting funky (home button had to be pressed multiple times to turn on, locked up a few times). I took it in and they gave me 2 options 1) go ahead and get it replaced for free or 2) hope it didn't happen again and if it did after that month I was going to have to pay $140 to have it fixed. Of course, I went and had it replaced just so I didn't have to worry about it.

Burnt Toast

Jun 22, 12 6:49

Post #13 of 16 (597 views)

Re: What would you do? Garmin GPS question? [logella] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

logella wrote:

Quote:

Serious question. why don't you guys just wear it on your wrist?

That's exactly what I do. I wear it on my wrist upside down which makes it easy to see when in the aero position.

Upside down to you is right side up for me. I wear all my watches on the inside of my wrist.

To the OP, moisture (most likely condensation) is not unusual for the 310xt and does not mean that it will fail soon. I'd beat the 910xt will have similar situations happen with it.

TJ56

Jun 22, 12 6:59

Post #14 of 16 (584 views)

Re: What would you do? Garmin GPS question? [Gtjojo189] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

My 305 died in a biking accident as it hit the pavement and split in two. Opened a support case with Garmin and they wanted $75 up front to even look at it. Checked craigslist and found a used one which I ended up purchasing for $60. Very satisifed with my purchase and my new/used Garmin.

Gtjojo189

Jun 22, 12 7:04

Post #15 of 16 (577 views)

Re: What would you do? Garmin GPS question? [TJ56] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

Thanks for that heads up. I think I'm going to see if it was a one time thing or if it happens constantly now before I do anything about it.

Kenney

Jun 22, 12 12:12

Post #16 of 16 (496 views)

Re: What would you do? Garmin GPS question? [Gtjojo189] [In reply to]	Quote \| Reply

No I do not disagree. And except for the moisture, it seems you are not happy.....................With that said, if you are a regular customer I would take it back no questions asked. I would be happy with your previous business and hope for your future. I was trying to give you a heads up since I do not know you. I am glad you see that people can try to abuse policy and I was by no means refering you were. ......You are right, what happens if its in a race......but sadly that is probably not a manufacture defect. Please, do not take the post as if I am saying you are wrong for taking it back, just that there is a another side you may face...Cheers Kenney