OK, I'm impressed. A courier just delivered a brand new replacement GPS unit.
Note this UK repair number: 02380 524000
After just under a year, the USB connector was corroding and I was trying to get the unit repaired. I was alarmed when Garmin told me a unit sold as waterproof was only water-resistant. This provoked an exchange of e-mails.
My conclusion is the waterproof standard it satisfies sounds good to the layman, but means little in practical terms.
So in future, I will treat this unit as water resistant unit, not waterproof.
Now - how on earth do I get my BlueCharts installed on this when they're unlocked with a different key?
But contrast Garmin's approach with that of Field & Trek? Incidentally, a nice offer from AlpKit to help with the repair has just arrived - thanks Jim.
Kayak Garmin GPSmap76CSx Leak - update 3
False Economy?
I thought I had a good deal when I bought a Stormlite inflatable mattress for £19.99 in March 2007. Now I'm realising the down-side.
When my £50 Thermarest sprang a leak I couldn't find (after almost a decade) Cascade Designs were happy to repair it.
When my £20 Stormlite sprang a leak I can't find (after just one year and two months) Field & Trek (the only retailers - I think it's their own brand) don't want to know. I asked them how I could organise a repair through Stormlite.
Unfortunately, with the product being purchased over a year ago, we are unable to exchange this item as the guarantee is no longer valid.
We would be unable to advise where you can take this item to be re-paired, and we do not offer a repair service on our products.
We apologise we can not be of any further assistance to you regarding this matter.
Kind Regards
Joanne Daykin
Customer Services
The inflatable mats seem to have disappeared from the F&T page. We're talking a product which retailed for £19.99 so perhaps I shouldn't expect the same standard of service as a product costing more than double. But in my view this is not good PR. It contrasts sharply with all other customer service I have received from the likes of Palm, Aquapak and Yak.
Sadly, it has soured me from buying from Field & Trek. Ontop of my GPS issues, which Garmin is now repairing, I'm going through a Mr Grumpy phase! It's as I gather and check all our kit before embarking on our research trip along the Scottish Kayak Trail.
Who Are You?
Those watching my videos are male, aged 35-55, and in the USA or UK.
And the top two videos are Ken Lacey standing on the deck of a P&H Cetus and Sean Caven demonstrating forward paddling technique.
But you already knew that, didn't you?
Best Routes Aberdeenshire - New Podcast
This is Donald Thomson, member of the active North East Sea Kayakers and resident of Aberdeen.
If the Aberdeenshire coast is neglected in favour of the west coast, this podcast might help redress the balance as Donald describes three of the best routes in the area.
Listen to his podcast, either here, by free RSS subscription or by download directly from the Podcast Library.
Protected Polar Bears
The U.S Interior Department has decided to protect the polar bear as a threatened species because of the decline in Arctic sea ice from global warming.
According to Associated Press, it comes a day before a court-imposed deadline on deciding whether the bear should be put under the protection of the federal Endangered Species Act.
In deciding to list the bear as threatened, the department will cite studies by its own scientists that the decline of Arctic sea ice off Alaska and Canada could result in two-thirds of the polar bears disappearing by mid-century.
Eastern Horizons
Bryan Smith is shooting a follow-up to Pacific Horizons called Eastern Horizons. Quote:
Over the course of 2008, Bryan Smith and Lise-Anne Beyries will be producing the first ever adventure sea kayaking film which comprehensively explores North America's eastern sea board. Kayak Garmin GPSmap76CSx Leak - update 3
Progress. The unit is waterproof but only on a flat sea. A sandwich bag could pas the test. Eh? read on...
Thank you for contacting Garmin International.Most Garmin GPS units are waterproof in accordance with IEC 529 IPX7.
IEC 529 is a European system of test specification standards for classifying the degrees of protection provided by the enclosures of electrical equipment. An IPX7 designation means the GPS case can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of still water for up to 30 minutes. However this does not include the unit withstanding moving or rushing water such as a current, wave or hard rain.
Oh, and then the kicker, considering I'd contacted them through the myGarmin site where the unit is registered and filled in my address three times!
I'm sorry however I was not aware that you were in Europe. You will need to contact our European Repair center at the phone # below.
Free 0808 238 0000 (within U.K.)
+44-870-8501242 (outside U.K.)
Some suggestions/warnings for using this unit appear on the UK Forum. I recommend none, and you follow at your own risk!
* Tape over rubber 'seals'
* Smear a tiny amount of vaselene on the terminals
* Always use a dry bag. Unless you feel it's going to 'pressure cook' condensation uinto your unit
* Use new silica gel sachets or some absorbent paper inside to help with condensation
* Rinse in fresh water (obviously, not running water, just dunk in a bucket)
* Dry with rubber plugs out in warm room
Anyone thinking IPX 7 is a good waterproof standard might heed Jim's words:
The IP rating is not explicitly about water resistance but a unit or enclosures ability from preventing things entering it. The X actually means that it has no rating for whether or not solids can enter, strange that this part cannot be determined yet water reistance (the 7) can be? As far as I'm concerned IPX7 is a mickey mouse rating, proper equipment would be IP67 or IP68 rated, like the glands and box I use for my pump electrical system. In fact I think I have an IP69 connector and level 9 doesn't even appear on most lists!
Or as Tom put it:
It is a static test at 1m in fresh water, which adds <1.5>
Edit: I now have a return authorisation number and the unit is on its way to Southampton Special Delivery
Stinky Whales
The grey whales of Siberia may be on cetacean version of the Atkins diet. (Photo credit)
Kayak Garmin GPSmap76CSx Leak - update 2
Dear Simon Willis, Thank you for contacting Garmin International. IPX7 designation means that the unit is not 100% waterprrof rather it is water resistant. We do not offer any units that are 100% waterproof. Water damage is not covered by warranty.
My reply:"I'm honestly not being a nag or an awkward git about this, I'm just trying to understand how to use the product I've bought for sea kayaking (as have other kayakers around the world). I refer you to your website
"An IPX7 designation means the GPS case can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes" This is not water-resistant, which is a lower IPX standard.
Can you refer me to any published marketing information on the Garmin website which says Water resistant, and not Waterproof?
We'll see. Garmin have offered to repair it this time.
Kayak Garmin GPSmap76CSx Leak - update 1
Thanks for all the constructive comments on my first post about the corroding terminals on the back of this unit. I've had a reply from Garmin.
Thank you for contacting Garmin International. The unit is not waterproof, rather it is water resistant. We will honor a warranty repair this time however any future water damage will not be covered under warranty.
Not waterproof? Garmin's own website says: The card slot is located inside the waterproof battery compartment, so you don't have to worry about getting it wet."
And under the unit Specs it says Waterproof: Yes (IPX7) An IPX7 designation means the GPS case can withstand accidental immersion in one meter of water for up to 30 minutes.
Amazon's description from the manufacturer says: This waterproof device also floats in water. You can recover your device very easily if ever it slips overboard.
I've asked to take them up on their offer but also requested clrification. I'll keep you posted.
