more fun with electronics!

So, it seems that my luck with electronics hasn't been the best as of late. In my previous blog I mentioned my bad experience(s) with my X-Box 360. My friend Becky thinks that Microsoft may secretly hate me. ;)

Unfortunately, this brings me to my next device failure, the Garmin Nuvi 350:

First off, I have to say that I do love this GPS. I get lost terribly easily, especially in cities. The Nuvi has never failed to get me where I need to go, even when I make wrong turns. ...I don't know how I functioned for so long without it. :) This model also features Text-to-Speech (directions in real street names), which makes it nice since you don't have to take your eyes off of the road to find out where "turn right" means. I won't get into any more features, since I'm not really reviewing the item, just rambling like usual, but in short - it's been an awesome device.

That is, until it stopped working. For some reason, the GPS would not locate any satellites. After trying everything I could think of, and after a bunch of research online, I still couldn't get it to work.

A little more research revealed that this is a problem that many folks have with this model. Most who've had problems seemed to have owned their GPS's for around a year. I had owned mine for about 4 months - just outside both the allowed reutrn period for Amazon (where I purchased it), and the 90 day warranty through Garmin. Frustrating. Even more so was the fact that Garmin's flat rate to fix it would have been more than what I originally payed for the item. (I could really begin to vent here... even Microsoft's warranty is a year. But we'll just let it go.)

Just when I was about to give up, a came across a company called SHARCNET-USA. Based in Pittsburgh (which just so happens to be a short distance from where I grew up and the home of the six time NFL Champion Steelers :D ), Sharcnet-USA specializes in fixing these things. My experience with them was a great one, and I would highly recommend checking them out to anyone who runs into this kind of problem. Their service was unbeleivably fast & efficient, and the problem was fixed at a fraction of the cost that Garmin charges. Not only that, their site provides a ton of trouble-shooting methods, so you can fix the problems yourself unless the item needs a pro to fix it. Check them out!

So why all the electronic failures? Hopefully it ends here, but my friend Aaron suggests having my body scanned for some type of magnetic interference that it destroying the gadgets around me. I'm thinking about it.

Other Stuff...

Bleach

Alicia and I have been continuing our enjoyment of the wonderful non-filler goodness of the new Bleach episodes. It finally seems to be creeping up to the excitement level of the Soul Society story arc. We're up to Episode 202. Great stuff!


360 Update
I should have my system back today or tomorrow, and will hopefully be picking up my special edition of Street Fighter IV later on today! :D

Katsucon
Katsucon was a lot of fun again this year. Thankfully Alicia didn't fall down on the sidewalk this year, and, as usual, the attendees and staff were awesome. We're already looking forward to next year. Next up for us will be Tekkoshocon!

- Clint

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