Nav II/2610 Screen problem.

[MikeP]

Has anyone else experienced this?

The screen is de-laminating at the bottom.

It started as a slight discolouration along the affected area. Next it began to bubble, now the outer layer is cracking and flaking off.

The Nav II is about 18 months old so still within BMW warranty.

I've brought it to the attention of the dealer and it will be replaced before the warranty expires (there's an upgraded version due out in a few months so they are not going to change it until the later version is available).

I was just wondering if anyone else has had a similar experience or any idea what might have caused it?

The unit stays on the bike unless I want to add routes etc. It's been on for a minimum of 15,000 miles, in all weathers and apart from being under a cover, the bike lives out-doors.

(Oh and Clive, if you read this, if they want the CF card with the unit when it's changed, send me the orginal 512Mb back and I'll probably have a spare 2Gb card with the replacement unit that you can have ).

 

[dirtydog]

Personally, when not in use I would remove it from the bike.

 

[Clive]

Mine went as a small bubble which spread across 1/2 the screen. Had it replaced under warranty 6 weeks ago. The dealer didn't know why it did it - perhaps we're not supposed to use it all the time in all weathers

Let me know when you want your old 512MB card back

Edit:- didn't you (like me) suffer from that milky line through the middle during the summer?

 

[Commuter]

Mike O

Mike documented a similar challenge not so long ago, I just looked for it, but can't find it.

He sent it back to Garmin and got a new screen I believe.

What you are see there is the extra layer that NAV II's get on their screen to protect against petrol I believe, remember having a conversation with the lads at SPC about the same type of problem on a demo unit they had.

Garmin have always been very good about replacements, get it off to them and you might get a new unit.

Cheers, Nick

 

[alimey4u2]

The Pyrenees......

 

[Droopy Dick]

It happened to mine. Exactly the same thing. It had, the previous day, got thoroughly soaked during along ride home ina summer storm.

Garmin fixed if FOC BUT the engineer wrote me a note telling me not to use alkaline cleaning fluids! He got a snotty e-mail back telling him that I hadn't used ANY cleaning fluids on the screen

Another possible cause could be petrol splashes from when you fill your tank. However, I have always coverd my GPS with a glove when doing that, so the only petrol would have been some vapour.

Interestingly, the young guy who booked it in when I called in at Garmin told me that they'd had to replace a number of screen due to a manufacturing fault which kida contradicted the engineer's comments.

 

[MikeP]

Cheers all.

At least I know it's not just mine.

It does seem to be an outer layer of the touchscreen and that fits with what I was told in Ocean that the upgrade model due soon includes a fix for this problem.

It's definately not caused by fuel splashes. It's mounted too far away from the filler for that.

Has this happened to Garmin badged units or is it only BMW Navigator (I didn't realise that the 2610 didn't have the extra fuel/oil safe screen)?

Clive, yes mine has sometimes steamed up but less so than it did at first.

Sunday morning the touchscreen wouldn't work until the screen warmed up.

 

[Taff]

Garmin have always been very good about replacements, get it off to them and you might get a new unit.

But I thought I'd read on here that Garmin won't repair the BMW unit, referring you to BMW instead.

Perhaps I'm being super cynical, but I can't see anything wrong with the petrol resistance of the Garmin unit. I had a bad petrol splash on my SPIII, and after a quick wash under a tap, it came up good as new.

 

[MikeP]

But I thought I'd read on here that Garmin won't repair the BMW unit, referring you to BMW instead.

When I first got the Nav II, I tried to register it with Garmin (if I remember there was a Garmin warranty registration card/website address in the packaging), they replied that they do not support BMW Nav II. It's all done by BMW.

I won't bother them with this (just as well as it would now be out of their 12 month warranty anyway).

 

[Droopy Dick]

Has this happened to Garmin badged units or is it only BMW Navigator (I didn't realise that the 2610 didn't have the extra fuel/oil safe screen)?

Mine is a 2610, not the BMW badged unit.

 

[dave1100]

I had the exact same thing on my 2610 (not BMW badged) changed under warranty at GSD, but they thought I'd dropped it on the screen, I hadnt, it just got wet... not good and now I'm nervous about getting the thing soaked or leaving it on the bike overnight if its wet etc etc. I camp a lot in the summer and I think leaving the wet unit in the tent in the summer "steamed off" that anti scratch film. Now its out of warranty too...

 

[Pukmeister]

Sorry to contradict, but I got my Nav 2 from eBay and Garmin UK were very helpful, registering it to me and providing me with the missing software and unlock codes. It depends who you speak to at Garmin as to how much of a jobsworth they are, I made two calls and got a result second time around with someone helpful rather than getting the brush off.

I have splashed fuel onto the screen of my Nav 2 twice now, and both times I let it evaporate away. To date the screen is still perfect with no bubbling or delamination.

 

[gfspencer]

The center of my screen fogged up. Garmin told me to piss off. But when my software upgrade (via the Internet) failed they sent me a free disk. Go figure.

 

[dirtydog]

Looks like I might be modifying a shower cap for my new 2610 then

In all fairness, I've had a good look around the unit and it don't look that well protected against the elements at all, especially the c/f card housing

 

[MikeP]

TBH the 'fogging' isn't much of a problem. Or at least it isn't on mine any more. It does sometimes come back but not as bad as it did when the unit was new.

I don't know whether it's dried out more being on the bike all the time as opposed to being taken from a warm indoor environment to the elements or because with a Migsel mount and my home-made visor it gets more protection from the windscreen than if fitted on the handlebars.

I am fairly certain that the fogging isn't related to the delaminating because when it does mist up it's only in the centre of the screen and measures no more than 30mm across by about 10mm deep, whereas the delaminated bit is at the base of the screen.

It's definately the top layer bubbling and coming off.

 

[Macca2321]

GPS

And i was thinking of buying one!!!! Well what shall i get now? Might be lucky and it will be fine. I need something with full Euro map. Tom Tom Rider looks good but no euro map unless i want to shell out for maps!!!

Anyone knows where one is going let me know.

Macca

 

[Taff]

And i was thinking of buying one!!!! Well what shall i get now?

I don't think I would let this put me off a 2610, and as soon as the City Navigator Version 8 is out (hopefully very soon), I still intend buying one.

OK I realise people have obviously had problems with their screens, but it can't be very common - I always check out the GPS section, and I don't remember threads on this before. Shall I start a Poll - I know how much Kevin loves them.

 

[The Planner]

Had exactly same thing with mine. Took it back to Park Lane, change immediately - upon proof of purchase - as it was within the 2 year warranty.
As they didn't still have the 512MB version, I got a new wGN version with V7.0 software.
Brilliant

 

[Pukmeister]

Tom Tom Rider looks good but no euro map unless i want to shell out for maps!!!

Anyone knows where one is going let me know.

Macca

I know SPC Motorcycles near Alton, Hants were selling the Tom Tom Rider at £100 off for £499 (RRP £599) as my mate bought one to replace his 2610. He is well impressed with it, especially the bluetooth phonecall facility on it. Not sure if they would do you one by mail order, but it would be worth investigating.....

http://www.spc-bmw.co.uk/