3600 damaged - repair, or maybe upgrade?!?

[clbpdx]

My 3600 (one of initial units from June2003) took a hit to the LCD display. I'm debating if it's worthwhile getting it repaired, or to upgrade to a 3600a, since I am contemplating taking up flying again.

A couple questions, should somebody know the answers:

1) I "invested" in European City Select (which costs a LOT), and used both unlock codes. Is there any way I can convince Garmin to free up an unlock code for the new 3600a? Maybe that would require sending in the old 3600 unit for demolition ;-)
It seems a bit obscene forking over an additional $310 for yet another copy of Euro City Select when I already own a copy, including the update to V7!

2) Is Garmin still refurbishing 3600 units for a flat $100 fee? That would get me a new display, and a new battery. Hmmm...

A final thought: It seems like Garmin should provide some kind of incentive to upgrade, particularly re: the Euro City Select issue. I feel like I'm in "City Select Jail" here, with an incentive NOT to upgrade due to the binding created to the old unit.

Thoughts anybody?

[AlanJ]

1. You get 2 unlock codes per City Select, so if you chose to buy a 3600a then you could still unlock using the 2nd unlock code.

2. Yes they still do a flat fee, not sure what it is in the US, here in the UK its around 125 UKP.

[clbpdx]

AlanJ,

I think I would get 2 unlock codes along with the new 3600a, but only for City Select North America.

I purchased the Euro version of City Select since I happen to travel there frequently. I need coverage in BOTH USA and in Europe...

[AlanJ]

Im not sure what you are getting at.
You get the unlock codes with the Software not the hardware.
You have 2 unlock codes with CS Euro, you can have 1 unlock for your 3600 and 1 unlock for your 3600a if you wish.

[JAL2]

I think he said that he used both unlock codes for the European City Select so there are no more unlock codes available. To have the capabilities that he needs, he would have to either:

1) Get the 3600 repaired

2) Get a new GPS enabled unit of some sort AND buy a new version of European City Select maps.

[apersson850]

The 3600a doesn't include any CS maps at all, to begin with, so this is going to be even more expensive, assuming that there's not any unused code for the North American CS maps you have either.
You do get one free update for the Jeppesen database, though.
If you do have a spare code for NA CS, then you can use that with the 3600a, of course.

I just looked to see if an additional code would be cheaper to buy, but you are right, it's USD 350. It's an update that costs USD 100.

[clbpdx]

apersson850,
re: 3600a not coming with any CS, ouch! Looks like it would be a $1500 USD "upgrade" for me then.

I'll write a little plea off to Garmin and see what they say. I would think that they would want to create a little incentive for people to upgrade sooner by practicing some reasonable behavior, but we'll see ;-)

[Sho-Bud]

I would have the 3600 fixed.
Chances are you get a new/other one with 2 unlock codes again.
When you are going to fly, get a 3600a and use the 2nd code.

[apersson850]

For the 3600a, one also has to count the update fees, once every month, if you want to keep the aviation data (Jeppesen/Sanderson) current.

[davidajo]

how much to repair the screen on uk?
Thanks
David

[clbpdx]

Hmmph,

I guess I am going to get the 3600 repaired, regardless. Thanks for the thoughts folks...

Gee,
I wonder if there is any way to get them to replace my 3600 LCD with the better/brighter LCD displays that come in a 3600a (assuming electrical compatibility)?

While they are at it, perhaps the larger capacity battery of the 3600a will fit in there too ;-)

[apersson850]

I don't know if the 3600a display will work in a 3600. The connectors look similar, at least.

I think the battery will fit in, but I don't know if there are changes made to the charging circuitry as well.

[Robertp366]

garmin has a flat fee of $75 to replace the screen. At least in the USA.

Robert