Waiting for the 3600

[omnibus]

I joined the waiting list eagerly anticipating the release of the 3600.

Can anyone reach back in their memory and recall how the prior Garmin releases lived up to their claims? And if they were late, how late were they?

Also, on Garmin's quick peek into the 3600 one software product is supposed to be released with a full unlock. Another product on that same list offers a choice of atlantic, pacific and one other option. How will that be dealt with? I would guess that there will be a site and an unlock code for that as well.

I did e-mail tech support about another issue. I asked what was the largest SD card the 3600 could handle. I got a reply that 512 mb was the limit.

I'm replacing an emap that I've had for a few years. I also carry a Sony Clie pda everyday for appointments and such. The 3600 appears to be 1" taller than my Clie and about the same width. The thickness/depth of the 3600 (almost one inch) concerns me but judging by the photos the maximum depth is only the top 1/3 of the device.

[demiller9]

The only previous product I have dates for is the Rino (combination FRS-GMRS radio and GPS). It was introduced at CES on January 9 2002, with an expected release in April. In early March they announced a delay to June. In early July Garmin pushed that back to mid to late October. It was released in late October.

TVNAV reported they received a "very small" shipment 10/24, enough to fill orders they had taken up through 1/16; On the 28th they got more, filling orders through 4/12. On the 29th another shipment, filling orders through 6/18. The first RINO 110 shipment was 10/30, and filled orders through that date. In late November they were still shipping against a backorder list for the Rino 120, and had caught up to 11/10. They finally got some to put on the shelf around 12/11 (ie, all backorders were filled at that time).

It seems like there was as much anticipation of the Rino last year as there is now for the iQue. The Rino is a combination two way radio and GPS, which means there is more regulatory testing and paperwork than for products that are just GPS units. Garmin had other previous combination units (eg, for small plane pilot use), but I don't know if they were released late or not. The iQue is a combination unit that combines a PDA with Palm OS and the Garmin GPS functions. This combination (and the new processor inside) surely adds a layer of complexity and potential for late discovery of problems that are the cause of the small slippage already seen (June (Q2) to July).

[CaptMyCapt]

I've used several handheld 'GPS only' units in past, upgrading when newer units were released. I don't recall having to wait longer, or much longer, than the original release dates. Maybe it's an issue of GPS units combined with other features.

[Ericg40]

I don't have any history with Garmin, but I just got a response to this email I sent them:

Inquiry: When are you shipping your IQue 3600? You must have a date by now! Thank you Eric

Answer

"Thank you for contacting GARMIN International, This unit is currently unavailable. It is not due to be released to our dealers until late 3rd quarter.

I think it's pretty lame that they keep pushing the release date back. I would guess they have some problems to work out. If none ship this month, I'm going to cancel my order!

[CougerofEQ]

got this email today from Garmin:

Thank you for contacting GARMIN International. We appreciate your patience for our new product the iQue 3600. We expect them in the next couple weeks. We will then begin shipping to our dealers who then in turn will ship to their customers.

I was told that over the phone, that they were currently shipping in small numbers and would increase over then next few weeks.


I start a new job on the July 28th and really need a auto mapping system - Its difficult not to cancel my preorder for the 3600 and get a sp 3 deluxe. Such a tough decision. If any of you have advice - feel free to share. This will be my first GPS unit.

Thanks

[paul6347]

My advice would be, buy some good maps of the area, and customers phone numbers, and tough it out for a week or two and wait for the 3600. You will not be dissapointed with a garmin unit, I have an etrex vista and love it and will I too have a preorder for the IQUE

Paul

[CougerofEQ]

Thanks - just ordered a 256mb SD card for it. Im committed now and I think you are right.