ZUMO 350 Freezing

[Travex]

Having owned many Garmin products over the years for everything from boating to flying I have to say that the ZUMO 350LM is the biggest piece of excessively overpriced junk in their stable.

In addition to useless "apps" and a memory wasting, unintuitive interface... It now freezes every few miles necessitating pulling over to do a reset just to gain a few more miles of insight. Use of this unit never quite felt right or as fluid as every other model I've used. Navigation of it's interface is counter intuitive, clumsy, and aggravating.

Garmin received an email service request from me earlier so we'll have to see how they handle it. In the past any service I've required has been handled properly, but conspicuously missing was any mention of error or fault on the mfg/design side. This is also reflected in their FAQ's as a cross word cannot be found on their site. Positives only. Thus no help whatsoever.

Updates to follow.

How I wish I never sold my 450.

 

[HoebSTer]

are there any remarks or solutions on some forums (GPS specific) to handle this or what has been their reolve?

Just a thought.

 

[Travex]

And a good thought it is. Having googled variations of Garmin/Zumo/350/Freezing/Hanging/etc, I found one other identical occurrence. He received a 350LM gratis from a show. His unit failed him similarly and he also sought Garmins assistance. They had him do a factory reset (which I've done) to no effect. They asked him to return it for exchange and they cross-shipped the replacement. I've not yet heard back from Garmin but am sure I will shortly.

Thanks for your input! ::003::

 

[viewdvb]

I inherited a 2009 Zumo on my S10 when I bought it secondhand. It too had serious freezing tendencies. I assumed a hardware problem but when I spoke to Garmin, they were horrified that I still had the original software and pointed me to a free online software update that cured the problem completely. The implication is that the first version of software on new Garmin products can have plenty of bugs which are later addressed by updates (just like every version of Microsoft Windows!). Have you checked to see if there is a later version of your software available?

 

[offcamber]

This may not help but maybe it will....

I have a Garmin Montana 650. When I installed on my bike at the time (Versys) using the Garmin Rugged mount the unit would freeze up (white screen) when I hit high rpm. I had to take the battery out to get it to reset. I was convinced it was vibration induced, a harmonic that the circuity didn't like. After a lot of going round and round testing I finally came across what I believe was the problem. It was RF interference generated by something on the bike....the fix was simple a $5 ferrous choke placed on the power lead near the mount. Never locked up again....For $5 its worth a try.

 

[Travex]

This may not help but maybe it will....

I have a Garmin Montana 650. When I installed on my bike at the time (Versys) using the Garmin Rugged mount the unit would freeze up (white screen) when I hit high rpm. I had to take the battery out to get it to reset. I was convinced it was vibration induced, a harmonic that the circuity didn't like. After a lot of going round and round testing I finally came across what I believe was the problem. It was RF interference generated by something on the bike....the fix was simple a $5 ferrous choke placed on the power lead near the mount. Never locked up again....For $5 its worth a try.

Thanks for your thoughts on this. Very interesting train of thought approaching your problem. I've also wondered if vibes could be the culprit. Odd that it's so vulnerable to extraneous RF... Never heard of that one before. I'll mention that possibility when I speak with Garmin.

I inherited a 2009 Zumo on my S10 when I bought it secondhand. It too had serious freezing tendencies. I assumed a hardware problem but when I spoke to Garmin, they were horrified that I still had the original software and pointed me to a free online software update that cured the problem completely. The implication is that the first version of software on new Garmin products can have plenty of bugs which are later addressed by updates (just like every version of Microsoft Windows!). Have you checked to see if there is a later version of your software available?

Thanks for your input. Yes, the unit is current with all updates. I initially did the updates with Garmin's WebUpdater & MapUpdater, but at the suggestion of an ADV member, tried the newer and more comprehensive Garmin Express. All to no avail. Still haven't heard back from Garmin from a service inquiry placed via their site. I'll call them tomorrow to see what's up. Good that your solution was so simple.

Thanks guys! ::003::

 

[Travex]

Still hadn't heard from Garmin so they received my call today. After an hour of trying diagnostics and suggestions they threw in the towel and are sending out a replacement. As usual, they were very courteous and thorough. I still don't care for this model, but I'll gladly take the replacement and get on with the season.

FYi, it froze twice in 250mi yesterday and 4 times today in 80mi. Go figure.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

are there any remarks or solutions on some forums (GPS specific) to handle this or what has been their reolve?

Just a thought.

zumoforums.com Very helpful, a lot of expertise out there. I've been using that forum for years. In fact, I'm having an issue with my Zumo 665 right now and have a thread going out there. So far the forum has had more suggestions than Garmin. I do think you need to open a free membership to see the forum.

current thread: http://www.zumoforums.com/index.php?topic=16555.0

 

[Travex]

Thanks for that Dirt Dad. I went there and offered my .02 on your matter. Hopefully you'll have that in order shortly. Once there, I realized I had an account I had forgotten about. Thanks also for reminding me of the resource.

As for my issue, I spoke with Garmin at length and they said they'd get a new one right out to me. Nice, no problem. That is until I just received an email notifying me that a refurb is on it's way. Refurb... Really? I was led to believe a new unit was being sent. $700.00 for a standard, commonly featured GPS? PT Barnum was unequivocally right.

Look, I'm not a something-for-nothing kind of guy. I pay for what I want/need, and I expect what I pay for. If I were to make a stew out of the price, features, and problems this unit has even Garmin wouldn't show at the dinner bell.

Looking at things more objectively, Garmin cannot be pleased with the roll-out of the 350. Hence, make good on it... Don't aggravate, charge ($200.00 "repair" fee to be credited upon receipt of defective unit), inconvenience, or otherwise punish the customer further for your mistakes. Identify the problem. Own it. Move on. Who do they think they are... Government?

Garmin is placing a bur in my ass.

 

[Dirt_Dad]

Refurb... Really?

I've been wondering if that is what they are planning to send me. I did not hear back from them yesterday after I sent them my address. Hope to hear something today.

 

[limey]

The wife is having the same problem with her Garmin 350. She did Email Garmin yesterday I will update when or if she gets a reply.

 

[Travex]

During the troubleshooting process over the phone their tech had me check the logs and read back other developer info to no avail.

I postponed my departure for a lengthy trip only to find that the refurbished unit I had waited for has plastic or metal pieces moving around freely and rattling within it. It was received in a cardboard box where it was situated at the very bottom with all inflatable cushions above it... Not beside or below it either. It slid freely along the bottom to all sides and corners. In addition, the unit has several cosmetic blemishes whereas my purchased unit is spotless... Which someone else will get.

After I address these issues with Garmin to whatever end, I'm done with the company. I paid a premium price and now I've got someone else's paperweight.

Never thought I'd see the day when a U.S. company's service commitment would fall behind that of a typical Chinese transaction. Sad, sad commentary.

 

[Travex]

Update:

I spoke with Garmin's techs today and after considerable jawing and escalation they're replacing the replacement unit with an 'as stated' new one, which according to email was shipped already.

I'll be content with this solution if this replacement doesn't experience failure.

Will update with progress.

 

[Travex]

Received the replacement yesterday. It's new and operating normally and I'll remain hopeful that it stays that way. After an unfortunate and slightly heated discussion with Garmin they were very kind in the end and saw that I received the unit the next day. The two defective units will be en route to them tomorrow.

Bear in mind it's only my gut... But I'm left with the feeling that they're acutely aware of a nasty little problem that they simply won't aggravate with admission. That said, I'm grateful that my squeaky wheel got greased.

 

[Travex]

The new unit failed with the freezing problem yesterday while being directed to a single destination. Twice in one hour during a 250mi ride. First freeze was 9 miles from home. Certainly I'm disappointed, both with the failure and the fact that Garmin will not acknowledge their problem. When I get home I'll address the issue once and only once with them. If they fail to correct the situation to my satisfaction (full refund), the matter will be referred to Governmental and civil consumer bureaus. Enough is enough.

 

[limey]

The wife downloaded an upgrade for her 350 and its been ok for now.

 

[Travex]

Twice in the first forty miles today.

 

[limey]

The wife did 400 km today with no problems.

 

[Travex]

3 freezes in 30 miles today.

 

[jajpko]

I have had a number of GPS's over the years and had problems with most at some time. I've have to say, yours would have been used for target practice by now..

The are two things you might try. Shield the body of the gps against random electrical pulses or engine electrical noise.
I know this may seem far off, but you have done the rest, beside the shotgun ::025::

Now, let's say it is not the unit, but in the wiring to the unit. Trace the wiring from the unit connection back to the supply. Also one more thing.
I do not have the same garmin unit, so my question is, does yous have a mount the snaps on to the gps, or a simple plug that supply's power.

If it has a mount, this could be the culprit. As you ride the bike, a simple bump can disconnect and cause the problems.

This is some of the problems I've had and they may help you..