Absolutely horrible support!

[My Name Is Bob]

I've been using an LT-40 for about a year and it has been great. Never had a problem with it. Recently I wanted to upgrade to ST2010 and figured I would go ahead and upgrade to bluetooth as well. Only problem is that the bluetooth support absolutely sucks!. I've spent at least 6 hours this weekend to coax any sort of connection with any of my systems. I've tried every possible combination of walkthoughs and support I've found here and elsewhere online. Now, I'm no slouch when it comes to tech. I live this stuff. There is no reason for this product to have been released. I don't know how long it has been on the market, but I know its been a while. I'm flabbergasted that Delorme hasn't pulled it or done a hardware revision. The presence of the unexplained three point switch was only the first indicator of how bad this product was designed. That the official instructions tell you to mark it as a generic NMEA device when software and hardware are from the same company was another.

After spending hours on this, the ONLY way I possibly can get a connection is by the following.

1)Uninstall ALL bluetooth devices and unassign ALL com ports.
2)Pair GPS with laptop (which fails half the time due to time outs of the GPS leaving discovery mode)
3)Open ST
4)set to generic NMEA and use com port 4 (the only one that is present in the pull down)
5)Try to connect and when it fails close ST.
6)Open the device properties page and change from port 3 to 4 (so that the same port is being used incoming and outgoing)
6)Restart ST
7)Try to start GPS

Doing this, it has connected every time. Too bad that once the connection is lost then I have to start back over. It only takes 5 minutes every time... and I can never have any other bluetooth devices paired. Other than that its the perfect solution. /sarcasm

I have yet to see any connection (with any of the 3 systems I've tested) doing anything else. If you are here doing research before buying (which I unfortunately did not do), then consider yourself warned. Luckily I have plenty of long USB cords that I can use to replace the short charge cable that came with it.

[nsew45]

Bob, did you call or email DeLorme Tech Support? This is a forum of other users. Many are proficient in technology, but this isn't DeLorme Tech Support. I would give them a call.

[My Name Is Bob]

I'm not looking to get it fixed for myself. If I couldn't get it working, there is nothing that a call to a tech support line with a guy who I can barely understand is going to solve. I have never ever ever had any tech support with any company do anything else than waste my time.

I'm just giving warning to anyone else before they buy.

[WeatherMaker]

DeLorme support is based in Maine - I'm pretty sure you'll be able to understand them. You might be pleasantly surprised at what they can help you with.

[deercreekth]

Yeah, when it comes to Tech Support, DeLorme isn't just any company.

[mightymo]

Hummm,

OK you say there is terrible support but you haven't called Tech Support?

Just how can you criticize something you haven't experienced?

Some how I fail to understand that. I must just be slow!

[BrokenLug]

DeLorme support is based in Maine - I'm pretty sure you'll be able to understand them. You might be pleasantly surprised at what they can help you with.

It's true ... unlike the "others" ..

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[Vic L]

At the least you could have titled your post "horrible product". You are slamming their support when you have not tried it, and in my experience it is some of the best available. Since you are in the minority of people incurring a problem perhaps others are either more willing to think someone is smarter than them and ask for help, or they themselves are smarter than you. Your choice.

[luvnmt]

I've been using an LT-40 for about a year and it has been great. Never had a problem with it. Recently I wanted to upgrade to ST2010 and figured I would go ahead and upgrade to bluetooth as well. Only problem is that the bluetooth support absolutely sucks!. I've spent at least 6 hours this weekend to coax any sort of connection with any of my systems. I've tried every possible combination of walkthoughs and support I've found here and elsewhere online. Now, I'm no slouch when it comes to tech. I live this stuff. There is no reason for this product to have been released. I don't know how long it has been on the market, but I know its been a while. I'm flabbergasted that Delorme hasn't pulled it or done a hardware revision. The presence of the unexplained three point switch was only the first indicator of how bad this product was designed. That the official instructions tell you to mark it as a generic NMEA device when software and hardware are from the same company was another.

After spending hours on this, the ONLY way I possibly can get a connection is by the following.

1)Uninstall ALL bluetooth devices and unassign ALL com ports.
2)Pair GPS with laptop (which fails half the time due to time outs of the GPS leaving discovery mode)
3)Open ST
4)set to generic NMEA and use com port 4 (the only one that is present in the pull down)
5)Try to connect and when it fails close ST.
6)Open the device properties page and change from port 3 to 4 (so that the same port is being used incoming and outgoing)
6)Restart ST
7)Try to start GPS

Doing this, it has connected every time. Too bad that once the connection is lost then I have to start back over. It only takes 5 minutes every time... and I can never have any other bluetooth devices paired. Other than that its the perfect solution. /sarcasm

I have yet to see any connection (with any of the 3 systems I've tested) doing anything else. If you are here doing research before buying (which I unfortunately did not do), then consider yourself warned. Luckily I have plenty of long USB cords that I can use to replace the short charge cable that came with it.

Bob,
I just got off the phone with tech support. Spoke with Pete. His service with my issues was outstanding! I was having major issues connecting my BT-20 with the software. I tried every trick I could find in the forums to no avail. Pete connected to my computer and in a few minutes he determined I have a defective unit. He is putting a replacement in the mail today and emailed me a label to return the old one at no charge. I don't know of any company out there with better support. I said all that to say this....DON'T KNOCK THEIR TECH SUPPORT WITHOUT GIVING THEM A CHANCE!!! I would rate it 10 out of 10!!!