Self destructing screen on 278?

[HMR]

I have a Garmin 278 bought in january 2007. Since it's still in the beginning of the MC-season up here I havn't used it much on the bike yet. Maybe around 2000 km so far.

Now the screen seems to destroy itself. It looks as if someone have tried to clean it by using a handfull of gravel! Also it seems to get worse every day - while being stored indoors and not used!

Note that I have used a SP3 for 40000 km and a 276C for 30000 km without any problems whatsoever.

The problems started when I used it in heavy rain for the first time. I never ever touch the screen with my gloves so the scratches - or whatever it is - are not comming from wiping/cleaning the screen. Nor do I use anything stronger than ordinary soap when cleaning.

Gas on the screen? Don't think so. I should have noticed if that had happened.

Anyone out there with the same problem?

 

[davedyer]

Did it come with a tempory protective film on the screen? Pretty obvious, I know, but you never know, it might be as simple as the film coming off the screen, particularly as it was after some rain.

 

[MikeP]

Does it look anything like this?

 

[HMR]

No, it's not the protective film.

No, it doesn't look like the well known touch-screen problem with the SP2610 (or BMW Nav II). It's not a soft touch screen on the 278. It's a hard screen.

I don't have a camera available at the moment but it looks more like scratches in a microthick surface layer. On some parts of the screen i'ts only scratches but some areas are grey or dimmed.

I've seen someting similar a long time ago when the anti-reflex coating on a pair of glasses gave up. I had used some kind of anti-mist fluid that destroyed it. At that time I "saved" the glasses by cleaning all the coating away with a toothbrush and toothpaste.

 

[ianf]

Ever been out in the pissing rain all day with it?

My Quest was replaced by Garmin because of the water soluble anti reflective coating. Once it gets very wet, the film is fragile enough to come off when you wipe the screen.

 

[HMR]

Ever been out in the pissing rain all day with it?

My Quest was replaced by Garmin because of the water soluble anti reflective coating. Once it gets very wet, the film is fragile enough to come off when you wipe the screen.

Hmmm - it was the first time I used it in rain so you may be close to the problem. But I never wiped the screen so maybe someting is wrong with the coating on my device.

I'll contact Garmin and ask them for advice.

 

[andyclift]

My 2720 screen looked like that, partly my fault after putting in a pocket with a bunch of keys.

I sent it back to Garmin and three days later a courier delivered a complete new retail boxed system free of charge. I now have a nice new satnav plus two Mapsource discs, two chargers, two beanbag mounts two car mounts, etc. etc.

Garmin did not even ask if it was still under guarantee or want proof of purchase. Give them a call.

 

[PanEuropean]

HMR:

Take a close look at the distortion / screen degradation that you are encountering, and try and determine if it is on the outside of the screen or on the inside of the screen.

This might sound like a silly statement, but I think - I am not sure, but I think - that the 278 has a clear plastic screen cover built into the front half of the case assembly that protects the 'real screen' which is behind it. Thus, it is possible that the seal on your case has failed, and moisture is getting into the unit.

If you think this is the cause of the problem, then for sure, Garmin will repair or replace the unit under warranty, if the 'in-service' date for the device was January 2007.

Michael

 

[HMR]

Take a close look at the distortion / screen degradation that you are encountering, and try and determine if it is on the outside of the screen or on the inside of the screen.

This might sound like a silly statement, but I think - I am not sure, but I think - that the 278 has a clear plastic screen cover built into the front half of the case assembly that protects the 'real screen' which is behind it. Thus, it is possible that the seal on your case has failed, and moisture is getting into the unit.

Good to hear from you again Michael.

The degradation is on, and only on, the uppermost layer for sure. And it indeed looks as if I have tried to clean the screen using a handfull of gravel. Gravel, mot sand! There are no indications of any moisture inside the unit.

I took my previous 276C apart and that one had a plastic "window" integrated with the casing and a separate screen 5 mm behind it. I assume that the 278 is built the same way.

 

[HMR]

I sent the 278 to Garmin Europe. They replaced it. No questions asked and no explanations given.