Notification from Garmin

[Dawgs]

In todays e-mail world can someone please explain to me why I have to find out about updates to the software from a forum? I did register my product with Garmin! Why did Garmin not e-mail the registered product users that there is an update with any explanations?

[coop]

Good question. Have you contacted Garmin to see what they have to say?

coop

[alexcue]

I've had the GPS V for at least half a year, and I've never been notified of a single firmware update during this time. I obviously registered the product to have access to the CS 4. There has been at least 3 updates during this period.

I make it a habit to check the Garmin update site at least once a week, just to make sure nothing new hasn't appeared. Heck even my eMap still gets updated every blue moon.

[kefer]

Why is that so unusual? Outside of Microsoft, which is contantly issuing security patches for it's less than stellar software, who sends out update notices? None that I can think of off-hand (including Dell, HP, Sony, etc., etc.).

Most software manufacturers provide updates for problems...so if you have a problem, you go to their website and see if there is a fix to your problem. Constantly updating to the latest patch when nothing specific is wrong with your software/hardware can often times lead to unforseen problems in itself...just read some of the posts here the last three days if you have any doubts about that.

[Berty]

That's a poor excuse for an excuse. If Garmin spent the time and $$$ to write a new software version it's because they are aware of problems and NOT with only one unit. Probably with all, or they wouldn't put the effort. Ergo, mine probably has the same problem. I paid the money, I deserve the fix of the product and I deserve to be notified. Or what is registration for? :confused:

[kefer]

It's not an excuse, it's standard policy for almost all software/hardware manufacturers. Do you own a wireless router, or a computer? Has the manufacturer sent you an update notice lately? I think not. That is atotally unrealistic expectation.

Do you have any idea how many people screw up their computers/routers/modems/pda's/gps's by not following instructions when doing firmware updates (like Garmin's release 2)? You can permanently FRY many of these by not following the update instructions precisely. I'm not sure about this particular update from Garmin, but I have seen plenty of computer BIOS updates go bad with the result being a perfectly fine computer becomes a large doorstop.

The old adage holds true "if it ain't broke, don't fix it".

[NCTRNL]

I see your argument but look at it from their perspective, there are millions upon millions of customers. It is totally unrealistic to expect them to send out a mass email to every customer about a software update. Can you imagine the amount of returned email and other issues with that. Just check the site every once in a while and deal with it.

[Last Mrk]

Do you own a wireless router, or a computer? Has the manufacturer sent you an update notice lately?Isn't it pretty much standard now in both the Windows world and the Mac world that software update notification is built into the operating system?

[N2racin88]

Correct me if I am wrong but I thought that when I registered my product it asked for my email and asked if I wanted to be notified of any software updates for the mapping products.

[kefer]

Originally posted by Last Mrk
Isn't it pretty much standard now in both the Windows world and the Mac world that software update notification is built into the operating system?

Yes, it is. But those are operating system updates, not firmware. And they are generally restricted to security issues only.

Interestingly, Microsoft has been taking some heat lately for their automatic Windows XP updates, which in some cases have been causing performance issues on some machines.

But my point was not operating system updates, it was firmware and supporting software updates. Nobody (well, never say nobody...but virtually nobody) provides notification of updates unless you go looking for it (presumably because you need it).

[Bokkie]

Originally posted by NCTRNL
I see your argument but look at it from their perspective, there are millions upon millions of customers. It is totally unrealistic to expect them to send out a mass email to every customer about a software update. Can you imagine the amount of returned email and other issues with that. Just check the site every once in a while and deal with it.

Just pitching in with my 2c worth. The professional spam companies can send out millions of emails every day... :(