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Cruiser
Posts: 152
| I just read on Vog.net that the guys who bought the 10 anv visions are finding out a lot of their GPS units are Refurbs. Imagine spending 30,000 on a new bike and Victory puts a refurb unit on it, Thats just not right. I don't Know about some of you but I would be pissed. | |
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Tourer
Posts: 548
Mount Vernon, WA United States | Much like the snickers bar tossed into a sparkling clean swimming pool, I'm guessing the GPS on the Vision may be one of the most regretted decisions they made for features on this bike. Not the concept mind you, just the implementation. If I was the guy that did the research and recommended a GPS that was going to be 2 years old when the bike was finally released, I'd be hiding under my desk at this point. Added to not recommending a more standard ball mount and power/audio connector just makes it worse. I don't know how easy it is to remove the GPS from the Vision, but I my other bikes, when I park, the GPS goes into the saddlebag or tankbag, out of site. The reason I mention the mount is that I think it was poor judgement to assume that many bikers probably already owned a GPS that they would want to use.
Finally, and somewhat in their defense, adding insult to injury, in the past year there have been leaps and bounds in GPS technology. Most smartphones and PDA's today have either a built in GPS or a GPS service available. Both Garmin and TomTom have versions of their GPS products specifically for Motorcycles, and there are a host of software companies that have GPS software for phones and PDA's.
If it is true that they are included refurbs, well, on one hand frankly my experience with refurbs is that they tend to be more reliable than "new" because they have actually been tested individually, but still... If it was me.. I'd rather have the new product and exchange it for the refurb if I needed to if it failed.
Now from the department of Rose Colored Glasses, I would be interested to know how it is determined that they are refurbs. There is a chance I would think, that Victory may have gone to Garmin and asked for these units to be upgraded to the latest maps and firmware. In which case, Garmin would likely handle something like this via their "refurb" department and the unit would get labeled as such. The more correct term would be Factory Reconditioned, and it may still have a full warranty, but rather than having the old firmware and old maps, it's up to date.
Can anyone confirm this one way or the other?
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Iron Butt
Posts: 849
, FL United States | The box that the GPS comes in has a sticker on it. "newly refurbished" as per a photo @ www.thevmc.com I'll stick w/ my "old school" gps, it's called a MAP for those of you that don't remember lol | |
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Visionary
Posts: 1290
Ruskin, Fl | Getting lost on the Vision isn't so bad. | |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 619
Southeast Iowa | I know the GPS I bought with my Vision last year had old maps in it. I made a point to share this information with Victory so I know they knew at least one customer was disatisfied with the fact that he had to update his brand new GPS. I think Miles is correct in saying that Victory sent the units back to Garmin to be updated. | |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 849
, FL United States | cw1115 - 2008-10-12 7:16 AM
Getting lost on the Vision isn't so bad.
Some of our best rides were when we were "lost" IMHO | |
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Visionary
Posts: 8144
New Bohemia, VA | I'm a gadget nut, but no guru, but still keep it simple. I wait long enough where the technology has bottomed out and the next generation is not better, just more useless features then buy the old one on sale. I got my wife a GPS and she uses to talk on her cell phone because of the bluetooth. It has come in handy a few times, but I've not really pined for it on my own. I like to know where I'm at in relation to where I'm going so I can plan a stop. I don't know if I'd want to do that on the move, but I'd have to give it a try. Until then it is "That's the signpost up ahead - your next stop..."
Edited by varyder 2008-10-12 8:34 AM
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Tourer
Posts: 548
Mount Vernon, WA United States | I have been thinking of doing a GPS 101 article, and maybe it's time. Although I have the GPS on, almost wherever I go, car or bike, I rarely need it, and rarely "plan routes", but a few times, it has really made life easy, and safe and I was glad to have it. You would think a GPS is for those AR folks amoung us (self included) who must plan every trip the n'th degree. In fact, my use of a GPS is quite the opposite. Why I overplan almost every other aspect of my life, travel I do not. More than once I have been heading down a highway, getting low on fuel, late at night, and not a light in sight. Thankfully the GPS showed me that I was just running parallel to all the services I needed, I just couldn't see it from the highway. Other times when I needed to get somewhere and there was construction, a road washout, or just plain got lost with little hope of finding my way back in a reasonable amount of time, with gas still in the tank, click click, I was on my way. I've actually found MORE roads less travelled WITH the GPS than I ever did before. Rather than passing a road that "may" take me in the direction I need to go, I can now easily check it out. Basically the point I use the most is "home". I can go exploring to hearts content, and when I get bored and tired and hungry, and just turn on the GPS and click "HOME".
Anyway, it's a useful convenience in some area's more useful than others. Here in the Pacific Northwest, it's actually not as useful because the roads are limited. Get into a traffic jam on the NJTP or take a wrong lane off the GW bridge into Manhattan at 3:00am, or end up in the LA National Forest in the fog at 10:00pm, and a GPS is up there with the invention of FIRE and the WHEEL.
But where I find it most useful, is actually when I have directions, especially at night. Knowing the name of a street, doesn't make the street names any easier to see. The GPS in just "travel" mode displays the next street as you approach, so it's just easier than poking around looking for addresses and trying to pay attention to traffic too.
What did I do before the GPS... plan for hours, make phone calls, stop for directions, get lost and was late more times that I care to think about for important meetings and events. Once I got the GPS, I started enjoying the trips more cause I didn't have to look at a map. I could just enjoy the scenary or whatever, and when I was done... find my way home or to my destination.
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Visionary
Posts: 3773
Pittsburgh, PA | My dealer has a 10yr anni Vision. they want $38,000 for it! imagine getting a refurb on a $40k bike!! I have the same gps unit. i bought a refurb off of ebay for $150 and it works great! I would be pissed too if i bought a $40k bike and got a refurb unit... | |
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Tourer
Posts: 404
San Antonio, TX United States | I still like using a map as well. I spent all my service career traveling North America in a car trying to find little hole in the wall towns and railroad crossings in the mountains of North Caroline and open plains of Nebraska and Wyoming and all points in between. I did use the GPS on our demo Vision for a while and tried to make it an honest attempt. In the end, I just found it safer to get off the bike and use my own brain power to make my travel decision. However, if I ever did end up getting a GPS, I find the location on the Vision the absolute best location by far of anything out there. It is easy to see and if you use the touch screen while driving, you are not providing input to the steering of the bike, and we do know how sensitive the Vision is to rider input. | |
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Tourer
Posts: 562
SC, Bluffton | Miles - 2008-10-12 7:45 AM
Much like the snickers bar tossed into a sparkling clean swimming pool,
I don't mean to hijack the GPS issue, but I did want to mention it was a Babe Ruth Bar. 
Herb | |
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Iron Butt
Posts: 725
Reno County, KS | Anyone else ever use a grease pencil on their windshield to get around? Maybe I'm weird, that used to be my thing (don't use black). I just used my integrated Garmin for 5500mi of fun. It mostly stayed OFF with the few exceptions of poking around down town in a couple places. I just don't like the way it works. It almost got me in an accident by recalculating and putting me on the ramp I was about to pass. As CW1115 said "Getting lost on the Vision isn't a bad thing". It was back to pen, paper and map after that and a few other hiccups. Rode the first 1200 or so miles with it and was much more relaxed for the rest of the trip knowing the general towns/direction I needed to head through. Anyway, becuase mine's a refurb, I'd only be out $150 if I switched back over to Magellan now that the screen is fixed. I might poke around the market and check the Zumo's and stuff out too. I kept the "splice" cable from the last GPS (I bought another GPS kit so I could save some time, then ended up not using both aluminium mounts/cradles). The Garmin 2720's not a BAD GPS (good reception!), I just don't like the way it operates and recalculates constantly. I guess I can always eBay this one back on the market if I do swap out. It was a good learning lesson. | |
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Tourer
Posts: 548
Mount Vernon, WA United States | "I just don't like the way it operates and recalculates "
Do you periodically have it reset its location. I believe the Garmin terminology is "New Location". That will make a huge difference in how it calculates and if it needs to recalc as you are driving. Just trying to be helpful. It took me nearly two years to realize all the features on my StreetPilot III and I used it nearly every day, but it was my first GPS.
Also, I wish they would assign "data reliability" ratings into GPS's. Some places just have better data than others. It's not really a matter of population, amount roads or reception. It's just purely a lack or abundance of data.
When shopping from my current home, I would load the GPS with all the Waypoints of the properties we wanted to look at from Whidby Island to Bellingham. It was taking me door-door, and some of these doors were out in the middle of nowhere accessed by FOrestry roads!!! However, downtown Mount Vernon, it's not so accurate, and yet Seattle it's spot on. It was all but USELESS in Jacksonville Florida and Miami, but all points in between it was fine. Northern VA it was OK, Maryland... again... some area's had every little store, house, garage and dive bar, others.... didn't even have the major chain hotels listed.
Just another aspect many do not realize. And it also varies from GPS vendor to vendor. There is stuff on my phone that is not in my Garmin and vs Versa. It's subtle, but I have noticed it. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 64
Warren, Vermont | Here's the response I got from Victory:
Here is the latest information I have on the 10th Anniversary Garmin issues:
Q: Why does my 10th Anniversary GPS Unit look different from the accessory GPS unit?
A: Because we upgraded the 10th Anniversary GPS Unit to a newer model that includes XM, Bluetooth, and MP3 capabilities that the accessory unit does not have.
Q: Why does my 10th Anniversary GPS box say "Newly Overhauled?"
A: Because Garmin has to open the box to download the Victory start up screen.
Q: Why am I having issues registering my unit.
A: We are checking with Garmin to see if there are any issues with the registration process of 10th Anniversary GPS Unit.
Note: Victory Purchasing dept will be in contact with Garmin to see why they used the "Newly Overhauled" sticker and what registrations issue people may be having. | |
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Tourer
Posts: 548
Mount Vernon, WA United States | Thanks Hippo. Glad my rose color glasses still seem to work. | |
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Cruiser
Posts: 64
Warren, Vermont | I have no problem with Polaris using the Street Pilot 2820 - I think it is a great GPS and frankly better than the ZUMO in features, size and function. My gripe is that they supplied USED GPS units with these premium motorcycles.
The Polaris company line that I reported simply does not ring true. My GPS was packed with a certificate that said " Newly overhauled 1-year limited warranty certificate" and when I attempted to register it I was greeted with ""The serial number you have entered has already been registered."
If they had truly just opened these to install the Victory splash screen, they would not be considered "recently overhauled", would qualify for a new product warranty and would not have already been registered to someone else.
I do not know all the laws, however, it seems to me that using refurbished parts on a new premium motorcycle ought to be against the law. It is misleading and unacceptable for Polaris to save a couple dollars and provide us with used GPS units and then attempt to cover it up with the statement that they have given us.
Hippo
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Tourer
Posts: 548
Mount Vernon, WA United States | Hippo, could you call Garmin and ask them what they think. I would, but I don't have the unit. I have called them in the past and found them very open and very helpful.
While I too do not have a problem with Factory Reconditioned items, especially if its the scenario we thought it was of just getting updated, a used unit would not be acceptable. Although... playing a bit-o devils advocate, I would be VERY surprised if the Garmin refurb department has more than one kind of sticker or paperwork and essentially the same piece of paper and sticker goes onto any unit that hits their bench no matter the reason. If was returned from an OEM for upgrade like Polaris, or returned from a store as a return from a customer, it likely gets a "factory reconditioned" sticker.
Anyway, if you have a moment to call Garmin and get their take and share with us, that would be great. As I said, I would call, but they will likely ask for your serial number first, which makes you a real customer.
Keep us posted. | |
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Puddle Jumper
Posts: 16
Rockaway, NJ | Hey Guys,
I also have a NEWLY OVERHAULED GPS for my $33K Ann. Vision. I thought at first it was for the previously mentioned Victory POI's. I tried to register online with Garmin and like said before already registered. I also noticed that the box for the Garmin was plain and no picture of the GPS. If you purchase a Garmin GPS retail there is a pictured product box. Anytime you get a plain factory box it was refurbed in some fashion. As far as the other options they claim to have loaded for MP3 & Bluetooth this model is STANDARD with these options why would they need to add them? Mine had the POI's installed. The so call added bluetooth would not pair on 2 different phones.
I really want the BLACK GPS. I saw one at a weekend rally and it looked great in BLACK. My dealer also offered to replace the 2820 GPS and Anodize the plain metal mount to match the BLACK DASH.
I hope Victory and Garmin get a mitt and get in the GAME... Victory has been selling the old discontinued model 2720 but Garmin has had the 2820 longer than the vision was available. There was even a 2730 model that I already had on my previous GoldWing with the INCLUDED XM in the GPS. I am even willing to wait until spring for the NEW BLACK GPS since the unit does work to navigate.
The more I think about it the more PO'd I get. But my dealer is making good on it they say.
Eric
#78 in NJ
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Buy a $30,000 bike and part of it is refurbed????????