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Hello all,
I have a 2006c on my 30ft CC. The screen on my gps was replaced by Garmin (under warranty) only 3mo. after I first bought it, because the anti-reflective coating was spotting or coming off in spots. I take the electronics off my boat when ever I'm not using it, and the unit is in an enclosed helm. So know salt water ever gets on it, just what's in the air.
I clean it with fresh water when I get home right away as I do with my radar and sounder. I don't even wipe the screen off anymore and just let the water evaporate. I'm afraid I'll make it worse by wipeing on it.
Anyway I sent garmin an e-mail about it and now they want to charge me $150.00 to replace the screen again after only 3 more months of use, even though the unit is still under warranty. I understand their position as they are telling me I am getting something on the screen, but I know I'm not because after the first time I'm very aware of what gets near this thing. The boat doesn't even get rinsed until all the electronics are off of it.
I don't want this to sound like I'm complainig. I'm just interested to here if anyone else is having or seen this problem. Or could suggest some way to keep this from happening as I guess I'll have to pay to have it repaired. And don't want it to happen again.
Sincerely,
Try to phone them and you may get a technician that will replace it for free. I get different responses from different technician for the same questions about software upgrades and hardware repairs.
No problem at all with mine. When you buy one there is a sticker on the screen that warns about how to or how not to clean the screen. I can't remember what it says other than using a soft glass cleaning rag is ok. Nothing, and I mean nothing, no fingers, water (other than an occassional drop) touches my screen. About once a month I get one of those packaged glasses cleaning packets and wipe it down.
It does seem a little strange that you would have the same problem with two screens if you are not doing something to contribute to it.
It say's in the manual to use an eye glasses cleaner that is safe for anti-reflective lenses. I use water and let it dry or evaporate. I guess the water is more caustic than the lense cleaner? And I better quit drinking it.
I have the same problem with my 2006C, but have not had it fixed yet. My recollection is they wanted $250 for the flat rate repair. I have several other brand large screens on my boat, and none of them have a problem with the same treatment.
The flat rate repair out of warranty is $250.00, I guess since mine is still under warranty they felt they had some liability and offered to do it for $150.00.
Although warrranty is warranty and I think they should fix it for free, no matter how many times it happens. Especially if others are having similar problems. This is a boat product and not the least expensive of the plotters at that. The harsh conditions alone are enough, that you shouldn't have to worry about it being so delicate when just cleaning it. You would think that they would have done some field testing, before releasing it. And maybe they did? It could be a quality control problem? I guess there may be a few lemons in the bunch?
I still love the machine and would not replace it with anything else. It's the best thing I have ever used.
pgm- I have the 2010C and do exactly what you do and have not had a problem. I have mine for 2 full seasons now.
Check the actual warranty. I have it some where at home but can't find it. Check to see if there is an exception on the AR coating being covered.
The reason that I bring this up, is that I had a problem with a FURUNO screen last year, when I accidentally screwed up the AR on it. I called FURUNO to get a price on a replacement, only to be pleasantly surpised to hear that FURUNO would fix it free. They were VERY specific in pointing out that it was a NON WARRANTY item, but for the sake of good Cust Service PR, they would allow one free repair.
This might be the scenario that GARMIN is working under with you.
I just sent back my 2 year old 2006C for the same problem after calling Garmin. They gave me an RMA and replaced the screen outer cover for free. I had never used anything but water on mine too, but I think the occasional stray salt water must have caused the splotches. I have some special cleaning fluid designed for camera lenses and other coated surfaces that should do the job. We'll see.
It actually does have a protective overlay. It is part of the front case assembly. That surface is what has the antireflection coating that gets damaged, not the LCD screen itself, which is why it is not that big a deal to replace. But I agree that Garmin should find a better material to use that has a harder, more durable coating.
quote:Originally posted by John Saunders:
Where do you store it when it is off the boat/not in use?
Do you use any container to store it?
Just curious!!
I take all the electronics off the boat.
(before rinsing the boat) and put the covers on them, then I put them in my car and bring them home . They are then stored in my house in a closet. Out of any elements.
Location: On My 340B SeaVee With Very Big Verados!
Posts: 5,138
Garmin 2006C Screen
If one has to take such great pains with a marine product to avoid different forms of moisture on the screen, it's readily apparent that this product is poorly designed and is not fit for the intended use.
Not for comparison but illustrative, I've used Windex,fantastic,eye cleaners,water, etc. to wipe off the face of my Standard Horizon with no detrimental effects.
I also wanted to point out that I have a Furuno 582L-sounder and a Raymarine-SL72plus radar, I take care of them the same way as the 2006c and have had no trouble with them. Just the 2006c, and its just the screen spotting. It works perfectly other than that.
That's much worse than mine was, though the same general problem. I don't see how Garmin can hold you responsible because if you had been using an improper cleaning fluid, the damage would not be such clearly defined spotting.
You should send Garmin the photos and keep pushing until you get a senior person to review it.
Is it possible that your water supply is heavily mineralized? The spotting does look like calcium or some other mineral salt left after evaporation. Have you used any of the "approved" coated lens cleaners to try and remove the spots?
I tried today, and used lense cleaner for glasses, that didn't work. So I also tried Fellows PDA wipes, they are a company that makes laptop and pda screen cleaners. I figure if their safe for a PDA they should be OK. They have no alchohol in them. I'm not sure what else to do?
It was similar screen issues that made me vow never to put a Garmin instrument aboard another boat ! Went through 2 screens too, one they covered, the other ... same deal as you. When another Garmin screen I had crapped out 1-month after the warranty expired, I gave up.
But I did send a letter of complaint on my company letterhead, denoting my position as the Quality Manager, to their Quality Manager ... their reply stated verbatim "... perhaps you should consider mounting these units out of the sun."
Like you, I took it home after every day's use and when on the dash and not used, it was covered by a clean white T-shirt to keep the sun off it.
I tell you, I love the ergonoomics and feature of their systems, but until they (1)fix the screens and (2) have better Customer Service ... they're not getting any of my hard-earned money!
Garmin 2006C Screen 
" A HALF truth is a WHOLE lie ! " 
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! Went through 2 screens too, one they covered, the other ... same deal as you. When another Garmin screen I had crapped out 1-month after the warranty expired, I gave up.
"Life's too short to own an ugly boat ..." 
