I'll be...

Well, Garmin has renewed my faith in customer service. Or... something.

Over the weekend I bought a Garmin 60Cx. I needed something that would be rugged, reliable, and have the ability to show topographic maps. I originally had purchased the Magellan 500LE from Walmart. I wasn't really regretting that purchase, either. But, when I discovered that Garmin's Topo maps show actual trails and have far more coverage of dirt roads, it was pretty clear that I would return the Magellan.

I'm not regretting that decision either. The Garmin unit is superior in almost every way. Most noticeably, it runs so much faster than the Magellan offering. Then again, for an extra $125, it should. I won't bother really comparing the features, nor will I review either of them. Let's just say that the Garmin does everything I hoped it would.

The whole experience wasn't without hitch, though. I had previously gotten a copy of Garmin City Select NT v7 for my Garmin c320. (Also an excellent GPS, although without a SiRF Star III chipset.) City Select allows you to use the software with two GPS receivers. Since I had only used it on one, I was grateful to be able to use it for the new 60Cx. Didn't quite work out that way, though.

Apparently, the unit I bought from Cabela's was a return item. I know this because, well, they said as much when I got it at a reduced price. What I didn't know was that whoever returned it put a different 60Cx back in the box that didn't come with it. Long story short? I requested the unlock key for my City Select maps based on the serial # on the box instead of the unit's actual serial number. So, that used up my last unlock. When I found out what had happened, I was furious.

So, I sent an email to Garmin support. I have to admit that I really didn't expect them to do anything for me. They're very verbose when they talk about how they won't help you if you put in the wrong serial # when getting your license key. I thought I was totally marfed. While I've been totally and completely satisfied with Garmin's hardware, the fact that they wouldn't help me really rubbed me raw.

So, imagine my surprise when I had an email from Garmin in my Inbox today telling me that the GPS units must have been switched at the retailer, along with a new unlock key for City Select for my 60Cx. I was, honestly, floored. Garmin customer service comes through. Needless to say that Garmin has pretty much ensured a life customer. Having owned both Garmin and Magellan systems, Garmin has always come out the winner. A buddy of mine who's a pilot will wholeheartedly agree with that statement.

I will rant on this one thing, though. How stupid is it that GPS manufacturers don't include REAL maps with their handheld GPS receivers? The basemaps they include are a joke. When you buy an automotive GPS, you get a full set of maps with it. And many auto systems are half the price of these handhelds. To pay twice as much, then have to pay to buy the same maps you get for free with an automotive system is, well, STOOOOOOPIIIIIIIIIIIID! That's all I have to say about that.