Bad experience (so far) with Garmin - Anyone else?

For those who don't like posts over 3 lines, please quit now.

I got an eTrex Venture HC for my birthday last month. I loaded the
Mapsource software that came with it and all was fine. I thought I'd
get their streets software too, so I went on their website and after
entering my data, I was pointed to City Navigator® North America NT.

A bit pricey at $108 with shipping, but what the hell. Ordered on May
1, got no confirmation of shipping until I wrote customer on 5/27.
Response told me they shipped it that day!. Got the DVD on 5/29.

Went to load my local map (Eugene, OR) and the software told me it was
15kb, but was copying 22.2kb. Got an error message that said I only
had 20kb free and to delete stuff. Deleted everything, waypoints,
tracks, etc. Still wouldn't load. I couldn't even load a 9kb map of
Portland.

Called Garmin this morning at 8AM central and was on hold for about 15
minutes. When the tech came on line, they told me that the NT version
was not compatible with the HC, even though that was where their
website sent me!

Now I am returning the disc and will have to wait for the non-NT
version. I'm sure the older version is cheaper, but I am NOT getting
a refund and I fully expect to wait another month.

Has anyone else had these kinds of problems with Garmin? Did I buy a
lemon?

it's even worse . . .

the Venture HC dosn't autoroute at all
despite which map you install.

Only the former model does autorouting:
- Venture Cx

You have to upgrade to Legend HCx at least to use guided navigation on
CN maps.

hth
Anton

the specs tab has the routing line item under Features - yes/no

Venture Cx
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=167&pID=410#specsTab

Venture HCx
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=8701#specsTab

Venture HC
https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=145&pID=8707#specsTab

the links refer to the Legend HCx
there is no Venture HCx

and the Venture HC has "no" under "Auto-Routing"

hth
Anton

so - what's your question or bad experience ?

It appears that the auto-routing firmware
might only be with the newer "x" card models.