Oldest iQue

[atszyman]

As I was driving to work this morning it dawned on me that I am at over 3.5 months of trouble free use from my iQue. Given the past history of RMAs I was wondering what's the longest anyone on this forum has gone on an iQue before they had to RMA it?

Also for those still using their original iQue when was it purchased? Anyone still using one from August/September 2003?

Just curious (although not to be confused with CC) :)

[stephanpls]

I have my unit since Xmas 2003 and never had to RMA it. Since I have a leather case not a single soft reset, let alone a hard one, has rained down on me any more. Well done, iQue!

[ukcobra]

My October 2003 Unit just died, and is about to be replaced by Garmin UK.

Really am lost without it !

Mark

[jrose1g]

Mine is SN 9020**** ordered in early August, 2003 and delivered in early September. So far no major issues, but we don't get many static shocks here in Miami.

[ezjeeper]

sn 9022**** here. Had it since December.

[snoopy-doopy]

sn 9028xxx got it on february 2004...got 2or3 static soft resets but after putting it in an antistatic-bag all is fine no resets...

[paul6347]

I still never RMA'd my early August 90201*** Works great since release 3. No more unexpected hard resets, no more data loss. Very seldom modem noise. I haven't any need to use backupman since R3. GOOD job Garmin! Let's see what you pull off in R4.

[Chilao]

SN 9020*** since August 2003
The internal antenna is long gone but I've got two Gilson external antennas which are better and easier to use.

[Holgado]

My Que, serial number 90212***, bought in August, no problem at all, just two screeches a few months ago, quite happy with my Betty.

[Philip Stinson]

I have a 9020**** model that was ordered from TVNAV.COM last March and delivered the first week of August 2003. I have used it every day since I got it.

My first trip was over 1,500 miles and occurred before the Auto-Nav kits shipped. That was using the internal antenna and no way to charge the unit between overnight stops. You learn very quickly that the backlight is an unaffordable luxury in those conditions.

I now use the internal antenna only for hiking and for trips on commercial airlines. The wonderful Gilsson antenna is used for all trips by automobile.

In the nearly eight months I have been using the iQue I have experienced:

Two screeches
One unexpected hard reset
Five or six soft resets.

My charging pin is still intact but I use it very sparingly. At home, I charge the unit in its cradle and in the car I use the original beanbag Auto-Nav kit.

When traveling by air and staying in hotels, I use the BoxWave miniSync wall charger with USB output. I match that with the miniSync synchronizing cable for overnight charging. For portable use on aircraft, I use the same miniSync USB cable attached to the "SKU: BATUSBPOWER" battery powerpack from GPSCity.

My observations since updating to software version 3 have mainly had to do with satellite acquisition time. Whereas the Gilsson external antenna used to give me nearly instantaneous lock on when restarting from a last position, it takes an average of 30-60 seconds for it to acquire a 3D-location since the update. The internal antenna, however, gives me much stronger and quicker acquisitions than it did before the update.

Phil

[mgrattan]

Hello,

I have had my iQue s/n 90200*** since they first came out last year. I have had one or two unexpexted soft resets, but that's it. Otherwise, it has performed flawlessly.

I use it just about daily as a PDA. I use it on weekends as a GPS on my boat with an external Glisson antenna. I rigged a mount for it in my instrument box using a modified bean bag.

[opusxcigars]

Had mine since first week of August 2003. No RMA here and no need to.

[wallywld]

The first unit I purchased did not charge the battery correctly and was exchanged two days after purchase at West Marine.

I've had my 2nd unit since Oct of 2003 with no problems and no RMA's.

[prjohnsonjr]

I got my IQUE 9020xxx in August 2003. It has been very reliable, with almost no unexpected resets since the first Garmin software update. The internal antenna still functions well and I've had almost no problems. I attribute this success to a good product that in fact has improved through Garmin's efforts, and through this incredible forum.

I would not have known about many of the accessories available for the IQUE without the forum or the updates and the various subtleties of their implimentation without the support of this forum. For me owning this IQUE has been fun and extremely helpful for travel in unfamiliar areas of the country.

Like all forum members I'm just looking for the next bonus, like an update to City Select (US), but oh well, I'm just happy.


Paul

[sigpro]

Got my 3 units on 8/15/2003, no RMA's and only mine has had a modem screech (once). Some soft resets, but overall the units have been great!

[NS1007]

SN 9024**** bought mine at 29/9 and added at 13/11 the gillson antenna. Both work perfect and I use BOTH in my car and outside in the field heavily (protected from water though).

Never had to RMA.

[Tinker]

As a long term browser, but recent iQue owner it is nice to hear that so many early owners had few problems.

[Robertp366]

Mine's a 9020xxxx, delivered Aug 8, 2003. I had pre-ordered, and I think they just started delivering in August. So we have a lot of users with early deliveries. Mine had an antanna failure which was RMA'd and returned - repaired, not replaced - quickly.

Robert

[ronk1030]

Mine has been on the charger for only one hour (2 to go) serial number 9141xxxx
:-)

[Bokkie]

Got mine around 28th September 2003. Some intermittent sat fix problems but nothing that required an RMA. 9028****

[vipros]

I have read so many failures on *true* earlier units (< 9020xxxx) and would never have believed so until two days ago. The internal antenna of my 90204xxx died and now is on the way to Garmin for RMA :(

Today I only saw two units that are < 9020xxxx in this thread are still working ... I don't know how many 9020xxxx have been sold but the failure rate seems to be really high. Should Garmin consider a callback ?

[apollo 8]

Advanced ordered mine in June 2003 #90218xxx and received it end of Aug. Still going strong. At the beginning of Aug. I enquired when I would receive it since they were due out in July. The reply I got was that Garmin had a problem with them and was holding off shipping. Once Garmin started shipping I would receive mine. So apparently Garmin must have caught the 9020xxx problem at some point and corrected it.

[GpsMapNut]

9021**** in heavy use since end of Sep. 03
No problems (knock on wood :D )

[Hairy Potter]

Mine has been in nearly daily use since Aug 03. SN 902002XX. I am very pleased with the unit. I had pre-ordered a Garmin external antenna and have been using that since I received the unit.

I too have noticed that satellite acquisition since R3 is slower. I find that when I turn the unit on, it takes a longer time to get reception bars. I remove the antenna connector and instantly get five or six bars. I am now starting the unit, then after it is working, connecting the external antenna. I have had a few lock-ups requiring a soft reset if I start the unit with the external antenna connected.

All-in-all, I am very pleased with the Que.

[jetdriver]

9020XXXX got it in August `03. No problems, other than occasional annoying glitches.

[jshort]

Serial 90209xxx purchased 12/13/03 with great OfficeMax sale

No major problems... some interesting routing issues; especially with v3 - but nothing else.

[dtedrow]

Had mine since early September 2003. No problems and I use every work day. But I rely exclusively on an external antenna. I did test the internal antenna recently and it still works.

[Robertp366]

Originally posted by vipros
I have read so many failures on *true* earlier units (< 9020xxxx) and would never have believed so until two days ago. The internal antenna of my 90204xxx died and now is on the way to Garmin for RMA :(

Today I only saw two units that are < 9020xxxx in this thread are still working ... I don't know how many 9020xxxx have been sold but the failure rate seems to be really high. Should Garmin consider a callback ?


Your unit lasted longer than many - there was a specific problem in these early units - not the antenna but the hall transistor that senses the antenna opening - that was dealt with by Garmin very well, I think. Mine, a 902017xx, is very early and did have this problem. Garmin fixed it in two days turn around and rfeturned the original one;I've had no problems since - newer ones have the fix in already. I understand that Garmin also repaired all the ones they still had in inventory when the problem was identified, so there's not much left.

There were some obscure software problems that have been fixed - but gee, anyhthing past twelve lines of code is vulnerable to that even BrightQ was not quite perfect despite the god-like skill of its author ;). The good news is that Garmin has maintained their stellar reputation of software updates and fixes, and has included some desired upgrades with every update as well.

We are a bit spoiled by this incredible machine I think. It is soooooo good that we carp about small things - and some of those are Palm 5 issues that are not in Garmin's reach. Even after nearly a year we still have the most powerful Palm5 PDA around, and in many ways its even better than the Pocket PC's that cost hundreds more, all while giving us one of the best GPS nav units anywhere. My Q even does street nav better than my new BMW 7 series, and it's pocket portable (the Q that is)!!

In fact, the Q has opened a whole new avenue in pocket technology - just listen to the wish lists we are making for even more leaps - most of which are well within reach suddenly, thanks to Garmin.

Frankly, I think the Q is a technology milestone and design leap comparable to the iPod. Kudos to Garmin!!!

Robert

[ique-denver]

Mine is a 90208xxx received in Aug 03. It had to go back for a power pin repair (which I caused by knocking it on the floor while plugged in), otherwise runs perfectly.

I don't know how I coped before I got it. Now I can drive places at night (I had RK surgery and the light halos are a pain and I just can't read roadsigns in the dark) without worrying about getting lost.

[constanp]

I've had my IQue since August 2003. I used to be able to say that the worst thing I've experienced is an occaisional soft reset, that the unit did on it's own.

Last week however, I went to use the built in antennae, but it failed to acquire satelites (I tried for 30 minutes). My external antennae worked just fine. After attempting a hard reset, the built in antennae still didn't work.

Needless to say, I am now without my IQue as it is in the hands of Garmin.

Not really sure why the antennae stopped working. The unit did perform a soft reset when I was turning it off while it was in it's cradle. Not sure if it was static electricity or not.

[vipros]

Originally posted by constanp
I've had my IQue since August 2003. I used to be able to say that the worst thing I've experienced is an occaisional soft reset, that the unit did on it's own.

Last week however, I went to use the built in antennae, but it failed to acquire satelites (I tried for 30 minutes). My external antennae worked just fine. After attempting a hard reset, the built in antennae still didn't work.

Needless to say, I am now without my IQue as it is in the hands of Garmin.

Not really sure why the antennae stopped working. The unit did perform a soft reset when I was turning it off while it was in it's cradle. Not sure if it was static electricity or not.

I believe there is a "link" between the internal antenna and the external antenna sock, and there is something wrong with this link for those old units. Has anyone experienced the internal antenna failure without any use of the external antenna ? What I found from this thread, all experienced the internal antenna failure after using the external antenna. The softeare still works (GPS on/off displayed on the screen) but not sat signals at all. True ?

[constanp]

I've been using both the internal and external antenna's since I got my IQue - never had the problem before. Not really sure why the internal antenna quit working.

[NS1007]

I just checked my internal antenna for you to check this since I also use the external Gillson very often, even outdoor. But it picked up 7 strong satellite signals within 30 sec. :almost the same speed as with the gilssons'.


But there again, it's a true crystal clear evening now and on top of my house I have a large roof terrace were I can look over the forest tree tops and there are no obstructions what so ever.

BTW I can see the moons of Jupiter just with ordinary binoculars (the most brightest object near the moon in south) (thank you planetarium and astro compass).

ns

[stevevo]

Originally posted by constanp
I've had my IQue since August 2003. I used to be able to say that the worst thing I've experienced is an occaisional soft reset, that the unit did on it's own.

Last week however, I went to use the built in antennae, but it failed to acquire satelites (I tried for 30 minutes). My external antennae worked just fine. After attempting a hard reset, the built in antennae still didn't work.

Needless to say, I am now without my IQue as it is in the hands of Garmin.

Not really sure why the antennae stopped working. The unit did perform a soft reset when I was turning it off while it was in it's cradle. Not sure if it was static electricity or not.

I don't know why the internal antenna goes out but it needs to be handled. I got my new one back 2 weeks ago tomorrow and this one was working better than any I have had and now it too is not aquiring. Seems like i go to show someone how wonderful this unit is and it won't do what I want it to like pick up satalites reception.

This will be my 10th RMA and it is getting really old now.:mad: The external works still but not the internal and I want this to be a portable unit not one I have to carry around an external one. I guess I could duct tape a external antenna onto the internal flap and then just plug it in instead of lifting the flap.:D
This one is a 9141 and was supposed to have been able to last, as have the last 4 that I have gotten. They said the unit I got was repaired and returned to me but was someone elses unit as I never had this number before.

The unit before this one was a 9029 and it was really slow picking up satalites and was very weak signal. This one is the best as far as strength of signal as it usually would show over 100% line and the 9029 was under 50% line most of the time.

[Curious Cat]

Stevevo,

One definition of “insanity” is doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results. I’ve never recommended this course of action to anyone and I love my iQue but you might want to see if Garmin will give you a different model, perhaps the iQue just won’t work for you and/or your environment. After ten times, I think I would have to give up and try something else.

[stevevo]

As long as they keep sending me units that work I can live with it. Maybe they should use me as a beta tester in the future.:D

Seriously I don't know what their problem is but hope they get it fixed before too long. I love the unit as it is really nice when traveling. I really do appreciate Garmin Tech Support as they have been the best I have ever dealt with. I'm surprised they put up with me. I am only about 260 miles from Garmin HQ. They should have the same weather and humitity and should react the same as my location.

There shouldn't be a special way to shut down the unit like, close the flap, then push the off button and then remove from craddle, etc. should there? If there is maybe that is what I am doing wrong but there is no direction in the manual for specific things to do, in what order they need to be done and so on.

[Curious Cat]

Originally posted by stevevo
As long as they keep sending me units that work I can live with it. Maybe they should use me as a beta tester in the future.:D



You just want to hang with us, don't you? :D

[Peztone]

There shouldn't be a special way to shut down the unit like, close the flap, then push the off button and then remove from craddle, etc. should there?

I've noticed that mine always misbehaves unless I do things in a certain order..

Rule 1. Never have the Que in the cradle when you start or stop the car.

Rule 2. Never Have the Que switched on when you insert or remove from the cradle.

Rule 3. Er, there is no rule 3.

But seriously, if I don't do 1 & 2 I invariably have to do a soft reset to unlock the darn thing.. ..but I've never had an RMA (touch wood)

[Curious Cat]

Originally posted by Peztone
I've noticed that mine always misbehaves unless I do things in a certain order..

Rule 1. Never have the Que in the cradle when you start or stop the car.

Rule 2. Never Have the Que switched on when you insert or remove from the cradle.

Rule 3. Er, there is no rule 3.

But seriously, if I don't do 1 & 2 I invariably have to do a soft reset to unlock the darn thing.. ..but I've never had an RMA (touch wood)


Number 2 has always worked for me, just seemed like common sense even though it's not required. That's the only precaution I ever take.

[ssaibal]

I ordered mine in Mar'2003, and got it in Aug'2003. Usual problems, nothing that I cannot live with. Upgraded it to a wifi device with Enfora portfolio. Use it for car navigation, hiking, geocaching and generally for keeping the US economy reviving :D Just now realized that I can still blow some more money on this in the way of reradiating antennae (I already have a Garmin GA27 and a Gilsson one). My first Palm and so there is a lot of learning left.

[stevevo]

Originally posted by Curious Cat
You just want to hang with us, don't you? :D

Ya your right that is why I stay with this thing:D

I do learn alot on this forum though. What is neat is that you can be all you can be on this thing and no one knows for sure.:D

[Yurs_Truly]

Pre order on the last month of july and recvd it on the 1st wk of 8/2003. Drop mine a few times on my carpet and was lucky its only a couple feet above the ground. Had a lot of soft resets and a few hard resets but so far w/the latest softwre released, had a few soft resets and no hard resets.

Btw, I believe if you purchase your Ique w/ a "platinum" visa or master card, it should double the warranty. Which means is after a year, go beg on your credit card provider to fix the unit instead of garmin..

[vipros]

Originally posted by Yurs_Truly
Btw, I believe if you purchase your Ique w/ a "platinum" visa or master card, it should double the warranty. Which means is after a year, go beg on your credit card provider to fix the unit instead of garmin..

Has anyone tried to get the warranty from a "platinum" credit card provider ?

[Holgado]

Stevevo: I been thinking about your negative force for all your Que 10 (like the wifes of Henry (can not remember which one he was). I would propose Garmin to get me a new unit and send mine to you. I have my Betty since August without a problem.
Or perhaps it is a Vodoo maldition?
Well, take it easy and buy Garmin shares.

[Werner]

Originally posted by vipros
I believe there is a "link" between the internal antenna and the external antenna sock, and there is something wrong with this link for those old units. Has anyone experienced the internal antenna failure without any use of the external antenna ? What I found from this thread, all experienced the internal antenna failure after using the external antenna. The softeare still works (GPS on/off displayed on the screen) but not sat signals at all. True ?
Nope. My first iQue (RIP) had a dead internal antenna even though I never used an external antenna. I never even opened the rubber plug ....

[Robertp366]

The most common internal antenna failure was the hall transistor that sensed opening the antenna - it would not detect "OPEN" and hence would not turn on GPS. But the external antenna connection works independently, sensing the current draw of an external antenna, and turning on the GPS system that way. That's why the external antenna often works fine even when the internal one is "dead".

And always remember that the Que needs to have the current local time and time zone set correctly and the GPS almanac correctly loaded. It can take well over 30 minutes to detect a satellite and load the almanac if it's not there or it's corrupted. Sometimes it takes a hard reset to erase a corrupted almanac, but this is not common.

Robert

[stevevo]

Originally posted by Robertp366
The most common internal antenna failure was the hall transistor that sensed opening the antenna - it would not detect "OPEN" and hence would not turn on GPS. But the external antenna connection works independently, sensing the current draw of an external antenna, and turning on the GPS system that way. That's why the external antenna often works fine even when the internal one is "dead".

And always remember that the Que needs to have the current local time and time zone set correctly and the GPS almanac correctly loaded. It can take well over 30 minutes to detect a satellite and load the almanac if it's not there or it's corrupted. Sometimes it takes a hard reset to erase a corrupted almanac, but this is not common.

Robert

Almost everyone of my failures was due to internal antenna and not the Hall Effect Switch in lid as it would show trying to aquire but then asking if you are inside. The external has always worked even though the internal was out. I think it is a transitor in circuit that is really sensitive to static charge. I did the hard reset to try from scratch and still nothing after about an hour out side so always knew when it was out.

[Robertp366]

Originally posted by stevevo
Almost everyone of my failures was due to internal antenna ...

Was (were?) your antenna failure one of the early 9020xxxx models? those were the ones I was referring to - the other failures of antenna circuitry seemed to be infrequent and very user specific. Like your static problems (cold winter dry etc.) and some voltage/static problems with auto kits.

Did you get your original back (repaired I assume) or did you get a newer serial no?

The hall failure was really common in the earliest models - lead to a LOT of RMA's as reported here and to Garmin. Mine did, but here is So Cal we don't have {cold dry winter} in the same sentence except in news reports of east and midwest, so the static problem didn't happen here. ;)

Robert

[rkevwill]

I basically have the same response as Sig. received it August of 2003, and have had no problems, other than that screech a few times. Of course a soft reset solves that. Other than that, no problems at all. The forum has been a great help in expanding its uses for me, as I was originally a novice palm user.

The Ique has taken us from Indiana to California. From Indiana to Maine. From Indiana to Florida. From Indiana to Galveston and New Orleans and back just a couple of weeks ago.

Sure saves fighting over map directions with my wife! (she never was any good at reading a map frankly, and I can say this ONLY cause she doesn't read this forum!) Matter of fact, she enjoys following the paper map, using the Ique as a guide in showing where we are. She has even become an addict with Text Twist, Solitaire and blackjack. So much so, I had to get another palm so she wouldn't beg for me to take the Ique out of the car mount so she could play the games when we traveled!

Although the Ique handles web browsing and email quite well, I am going to purchase a Treo600 to replace my phone, and use it mostly for online stuff from here on out. Will be nice to have a unit I can use with a sled modem in hotel rooms though, and the Ique will still be used for that.

RKW