I am updating a previous thread because after calling Garmin, my problem was resolved. See original post below...
Let me set the stage regarding my situation. I gambled by buying this unit as "parts only/non-functioning" on eBay using Buy-It-Now for $200. Non-functioning not because of the demo mode problem (that was never mentioned in the eBay listing), but non-functioning because the listing stated that each time the unit was powered-up, the splash screen would come on and then the screen would go blank. All that needed was an update, which I knew ahead of time from researching that issue on some Garmin forums prior to buying it. So after the update, the unit did in fact stay powered on. I was excited! However, this excitement was short lived because it was in demo mode and would not come out of it.
So I called Garmin today and told the rep that I purchased this unit on eBay and it apparently was an in-store display model and asked how I could get it out of demo mode. The rep told me that since it was an in-store demo model, it could not be fixed without sending it in. It would require me sending the unit in and exchanging it for a replacement unit with a 90 day warranty at an additional repair fee of $150. I said no thanks and hung up with him. Feeling discouraged, I decided I should re-sell it on eBay and explain the issue and cut any losses I would incur. But I reconsidered and thought to myself, why not call back and explain my problem to a new rep in a different way and so I did.
I told the new rep that I could not get the GPS mode to come on and that I bought it from a store on eBay which sells electronics (which was entirely true). He asked me several questions and we tried different things including another hard reset. He looked up the serial number and it showed up as a clean non-registered unit and he could see that it had never once acquired any satellite signals. He couldn't understand why in the world there was any kind of a demo mode on this unit. Finally he asked if there was an SD card installed and I said that there was. He asked me to remove it. Voila, it worked. I now had a fully functioning unit.
The Garmin rep then proceeded to tell me that it was considered a brand new unit since he could see from his computer that it has never received satellite signals in the past, and therefore it has a fresh 1 YEAR factory warranty at no additional cost and furthermore, it qualified for a 2012 map upgrade at no additional charge! HOT DAMN!
So by taking a risk, I got a brand new fully functional Garmin Zumo 550 motorcycle GPS with a full factory warranty and 2012 maps for a cool $200. Sometimes it just pays to gamble!
RIDE ON! :cool:
Kevin
Findlay, Ohio
My Original Post: I have tried everything I can think of including pulling the battery and doing a factory reset. It still starts up and remains in demo mode. I go into settings and try to turn GPS on and it just goes back to off. What more can I do? Please help me until I get this resolved.
Thanks in advance for all those who contribute.
Kevin