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CVO Technical => Electronic Toys and Gadgets => Topic started by: porthole on March 20, 2008, 10:10:07 PM

Title: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: porthole on March 20, 2008, 10:10:07 PM
The screen on my G 478 was trashed by the cleaning method I used on all my GPS', lens tissue and the same cleaners I use on my glasses, cameras, computer monitors etc.

The coating on the screen on the new units apparently has a flaw.

I arranged through tech support to have it repaired.

Mailed it out on the 11, got it back today, old replaced with a new unit, battery and antenna.

AJ, I also though went through the same tech guy, sent all my broken power cables back (6 total). He is supposed to be taking care of that for me.
Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: hard10 on March 20, 2008, 10:58:11 PM
The screen on my G 478 was trashed by the cleaning method I used on all my GPS', lens tissue and the same cleaners I use on my glasses, cameras, computer monitors etc.

The coating on the screen on the new units apparently has a flaw.

I arranged through tech support to have it repaired.

Mailed it out on the 11, got it back today, old replaced with a new unit, battery and antenna.

AJ, I also though the same tech guy sent all my broken power cables back. He is supposed to be taking care of that for me.


I got an RMA # to replace my power cord last week and have been too lazy busy to get it shipped out. Their customer service is superb!
Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: porthole on March 26, 2008, 06:33:32 AM
AJ, got word last night that the 6 power cords I sent back, one I didn't have to send and one I found on my desk have been shipped out except for the 110 AC charger, it is on back order.
Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: LabRat on March 26, 2008, 07:54:41 AM
What's up with the screen. I've also got a 478 and think I have the same problem. The screen just isn't as good as my stolen 276 was.
Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: iski on March 26, 2008, 08:02:21 AM
I ordered on of these http://www.invisibleshield.com/gps/garmin (http://www.invisibleshield.com/gps/garmin) when I ordered my Garmin. (Thanks d00d!).


No experience with the regular Garmin screen since I installed this product as soon as I started using it.  Works great, no scratches, & its easy to clean. Did not have any viz problems - I tried it in the sun without it first to check.  Highly recommend - just follow the install directions.
Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: hard10 on March 26, 2008, 10:50:30 AM
What's up with the screen. I've also got a 478 and think I have the same problem. The screen just isn't as good as my stolen 276 was.

In layman's terms, Garmin changed the material that is used to make the screen. The 276 was much less scratch resistant. On the 478/378 there is a tendency for the screen to become cloudy and scratched. The lines or scratches seem to be internal and you can almost not feel them with your finger. If this is the problem you are having, call Garmin (1-800-800-1020) and get an RMA # to have the unit shipped back. Just tell them that the unit "should" still be under warranty.
On my 478 I use a film like iski said and it has seemed to work.
Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: LabRat on March 26, 2008, 10:52:14 AM
In layman's terms, Garmin changed the material that is used to make the screen. The 276 was much less scratch resistant. On the 478/378 there is a tendency for the screen to become cloudy and scratched. The lines or scratches seem to be internal and you can almost not feel them with your finger. If this is the problem you are having, call Garmin (1-800-800-1020) and get an RMA # to have the unit shipped back. Just tell them that the unit "should" still be under warranty.
On my 478 I use a film like iski said and it has seemed to work.

Yup, that's it. Thanks for the info.
Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: porthole on March 27, 2008, 12:14:38 PM
If you talk long enough with tech support you find out two things.

1. the anti reflective coating on the 478 in not up to par. The coating on the external side of the screen is easily damaged by simple screen cleaning compounds. It looks like it is dissolving the coating and smearing it around.
They will warranty the unit as it is a know issue.

2. Tech, when you talk long enough, will acknowledge, "yeah, we have a problem with the power cords", but in there defense they are not letting it out because they have not found a suitable resolution yet.

I have also frequently asked, and maybe you guys should too even if you don't need it, is for a video input or 2.

I would think this would make the 478 even better.
I would like to see a switchable video input (2 inputs). It would be great to use the screen I already have for a backup camera. And I would like a 2nd input for an inside the trailer or rear view camera.

Figure as long as you can easliy have upwards of 60K of bikes in a trailer (2 SEEG's) why not keep an eye on them?
Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: hard10 on March 27, 2008, 11:46:18 PM
I changed the mount tonight from the car mount to the "boat" type. The base of the car mount (the little disk that has the tab on it) cracked from vibration over the past year. I'll post a picture tomorrow.
Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: porthole on March 28, 2008, 08:45:39 AM
Most likely you have a zumo then not the same type of screen. Yours is a touch screeen, the 276/478 series is a no touch.
Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: porthole on March 28, 2008, 01:11:59 PM
I changed the mount tonight from the car mount to the "boat" type. The base of the car mount (the little disk that has the tab on it) cracked from vibration over the past year. I'll post a picture tomorrow.


I never did use the car mount. Are you referring to the swivel that will also work in the beanbag holder?
Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: hard10 on March 29, 2008, 10:47:22 PM
I never did use the car mount. Are you referring to the swivel that will also work in the beanbag holder?

Yes Duane, I had the one that works with the beanbag and that is the one that broke. I have now changed to the swivel mount. It rotates horizontal and vertical now. I like it much better after only using it for a day.
Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: porthole on March 29, 2008, 10:55:19 PM
Yes Duane, I had the one that works with the beanbag and that is the one that broke. I have now changed to the swivel mount. It rotates horizontal and vertical now. I like it much better after only using it for a day.


I am using the boat mount (it has a lock, the car mount does not) on a Techmount plate and clamp. I like it.
Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: porthole on March 29, 2008, 10:56:01 PM
.
Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: porthole on March 29, 2008, 10:56:48 PM
Pay no mind to the 276 on the the top left, old picture, same mount.

I guess I should take a new picture, since it is is a new spot mounted on the 575 bars.
Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: porthole on March 29, 2008, 10:59:52 PM
BTW, I got all my power cords yesterday. There is an obvious difference in how tight the new ones fit in the socket.
Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: hard10 on March 29, 2008, 11:00:49 PM
Remember when that mount was new? It had a lower piece with a bolt through it to swivel. I mounted that whole unit onto the Techmount.
Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: porthole on March 29, 2008, 11:38:19 PM
Remember when that mount was new? It had a lower piece with a bolt through it to swivel. I mounted that whole unit onto the Techmount.



I believe we are talking about the same thing. Two bolts, cradle to mount, mount to base. I removed the cradle from the mount and attached that directly to the Techmount.


(http://www.cvoharley.com/smf/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=21563.0;attach=59521;image)
Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: hard10 on March 30, 2008, 09:53:10 PM
Everyone else is going to see me posting here and not over in the CHL thread but I'm just too tired! Chief has been Getting me up early & Chip was shining the flashlight on me this morning. I did manage to get a few of the mount.
Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: hard10 on March 30, 2008, 09:53:53 PM
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Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: hard10 on March 30, 2008, 09:55:12 PM
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Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: hard10 on March 30, 2008, 09:55:57 PM
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Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: porthole on March 30, 2008, 09:57:38 PM
That is very busy looking. Do you like it like that?
Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: SBB on March 30, 2008, 10:01:13 PM
Everyone else is going to see me posting here and not over in the CHL thread but I'm just too tired! Chief has been Getting me up early & Chip was shining the flashlight on me this morning. I did manage to get a few of the mount.

Was using the flashlight to find my horse someone left in Helen!

That's right blame me!

 :huepfenlol2: :huepfenlol2: :huepfenlol2:
Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: hard10 on March 30, 2008, 10:02:37 PM
That is very busy looking. Do you like it like that?

It is busy and I'm not sure if I do or not. I like the fact that it sits up a little higher and can swivel around easily. I am still having a problem with routing the power cord a way I like.
Title: Re: Garmin 478 screen repair - AJ -
Post by: porthole on March 30, 2008, 10:12:36 PM
Well you can see mine next month.

I like mine on the right side, that way I can rest my forearm on the grip while keying in. And I am a righty.