Another Garmin 2610 Question

[ock913]

I got my new Garmin 2610 and the Garmin motorcycle mount. I got it all hard wired and mounted. In my opinion, it looks really good mounted on a short stalk Stem Stand (TechMount), it blends in really well and doesn't look as out of place as I thought it might.

Anyway, this being a new toy, I had to take it out and ride. I did 100 mile ride just to watch it work and all was great, the only problem I had was that every so often, the screen would change, with no input from me. It would go from the main navigation screen, where your cross streets are displayed as you approach, speed is displayed, etc .... to another map screen that was not following my path and the speed and other info was no longer on the screen. A single push of the top page button would get me back, but why is it changing? I looked in the manual, but I don't see an answer. Could vibration on something be causing it to change displays?

 

[NYPete]

Take notice of when it happens. I had the same problem with mine.

It turned out that when the sun was at my back and hitting the infrared sensor on the front of the Garmin it would cause it to change screens on a random basis, and became very annoying.

There is an inelegant fix for it.... and that's to put a piece of black electrical tape over the sensor window.

However, if I were you, I'd call Garmin Tech support and complain, they do have an excellent tech support department and seem willing to go the "extra mile" to keep their customers happy. I spoke to them, and carried on email correspondence at length about a year ago and they were aware of this problem at that time with some of their units.

If this is your problem it shouldn't happen on a unit that was designed for use on a motorcycle where it normally sits out in the sun.

NYPete

 

[avigar]

Have you check your unit's BIOS revision number? According to Garmin's website, the current version for the 2610 is 4.30 as of 4/5/2005.

 

[smthng]

Tape the IR reciever.

The 2610 isn't designed specifically for a motorcycle, so I wouldn't go harassing Garmin about it (although it would have been nice if they'd come up with some kind of fix anyway). The BIOS on my unit is the most current (flashed it about a month ago) and mine still did it. Electrical tape does the trick nicely. Sticky enough to stay on the bike (even in rain), but pulls off easy enough to use the IR port in the cage when you want to.

 

[NYPete]

I went through all the 2610 updates since I had my problem a year ago(updating from a SPIII which operated flawlessly)) and none of them addressed or corrected the problem. I have always had the most current revision in the unit. My answer from Garmin over the course of months was that "we're working on it".

In addition to a couple of motorcycles, my problem also happened on the dashboard of two different automobiles when the sunlight came in through the rear window and hit the sensor, the unit just went into random modes.

Now, the unit is classified for mobile use, and specifically for automobiles but I would have to include motorcycles in that group since Garmin makes a specific mount and power cord for motorcycles.

For a product with a suggested MSRP of $857.13(even though nobody pays that) I just find it totally unacceptable to put a piece of black tape over the sensor (this was even suggested to me by Garmin) rather than having the unit work properly as designed.

(although it would have been nice if they'd come up with some kind of fix anyway)

The only way they're going to come up with a fix is if they get enough support calls,complaints, or warranty returns to make them aware of the number of buyers unhappy with the problem.

NYPete

 

[Toynut]

I have my 2610 installed in a Gadget Guy billet mount. I also have a light smoke tintent Rifle touring shield, no problems like you have encountered though. Your not talking about the map changing distance scale, I assume. That feature can be toggled off by turning off the auto zoom feature in the setup menu. Just for experimentation do you want to try a swap to a different brand of memory card, apparently they are not all compatable. It's a real long shot, but, who know?

Good luck :erm:

 

[Bike Effects]

There is a setting somewhere in the menus that you can set so it won't change. If you can't find it, email me at [email protected].