Last month I wrote about trying to find a RAM mount that would fit 31.8 mm diameter bicycle
handlebars. It turns out that my new bike doesn’t have 31.8 mm bars, but my wife’s does. So I was able to go with a RAM mount while her bike got the Garmin mount. That’s okay I thought, since I’m the one with the expensive new Garmin 60CSx, while she is stuck with the last generation 60CS. RAM mounts have a reputation for being tougher than the Garmin mounts, so I felt secure having my new GPS in a RAM mount — until a few days ago anyway.
To make a long story short, we’ve been on a mountain biking vacation for the past week and, while riding the Hole in the Ground trail near Lake Tahoe, I had a rather spectacular crash. Fortunately, I was okay and my bike was okay, but my 60CSx was nowhere to be found! Yes, the mount had taken a hit and the 60CSx went sailing. A 5 or 10 minute search located it, but it definitely picked up a few nasty screen scratches. Do any readers know if Garmin will fix that under their warranty? I’ve only had the unit for a month or so. The Garmin warranty policy FAQ states:
"This warranty does not cover failures due to abuse, misuse, accident, or unauthorized alterations or repairs."
But Garmin has been known to go the extra mile when it comes to warranties and support.
Back to the RAM mount, a close inspection of the photo will reveal a break near the bottom of the narrow portion of the mount. I still think RAM mounts are the best ones going, and as soon as we return home, I’ll take them up on their lifetime warranty replacement. But this is the second RAM mount we’ve broken (the other was for a Magellan). Now we do tend to be rough on mounts and our GPS receivers, all in the name of reporting back to you of course! Still, I had my 60CS in a RAM handlebar mount for two years without incident, but my 60CSx takes a hit almost immediately. Kinda sucks.
About Rich Owings
I scratched the heck out of my 60cs on some rocks in Utah, and when I contacted Garmin, the only thing they offer is a flat fee $150 repair… They also sent me info about what products can be used to removed the scratches, but I haven’t had a lot of luck with that…
Thanks David. Yeah, rocks in Utah can be tough on gear. My wife and I shredded two brand new daypacks in a couple hundred feet of slot canyon that was slanted at an angle so that the packs were dragging along the sandstone.
Rigorous mountain biking, a plasticky handlebar mount, a crash and the thing still works albeit with a scratch or two and the snapped mount. And you it fixed under warranty?
Would you like some cheese with that whine? Stick to paved recreational trails.
Ya know, they call it a lifetime warranty to highlight how tough they are. And if I recall correctly, they did indeed replace it.
Have already considered a Touratech-mount for your 60csx. Aluminium corps, and shock absorbing rubbers. Very good. If buying watcvh the handlbar diameter.
http://www.touratech-usa.com/Store/2264/60-Series-Mounts