Plastic Classic Forum

Maybe everyone knew about this except me, but just in case:

Last year my Garmin GPSmap 76 went on the blink. After booting up, the screen would go totally blank except for a thin line running from top to bottom. To shut it off the batteries had to be removed.
So I bought a new GPSmap 76Cx.

The latest Good Old Boat newsletter refers to a "fix" in their June 08 newsletter. There is also a thread on the Cape Dory Forum.

The solution they give is:
(1) Remove a battery and then replace it.
(2) Press "Page" twice
(3) Press "menu" twice
(4) Scroll down to "Setup"
(5) Scroll down twice to "WAAS"
(6) Select "Disabled"
(7) Press "Enter"
(8) Press "Quit"

I understand that disabling WASS is not that big a deal ... about 5' increased error in position. I also heard this fix will work on other older Garmins that experience the "thin blue line"syndrome.

I now have a reliable backup GPS instead of another paper weight on my desk.
Technology .... you just gotta love it :-)

On a similar note I have a Garmin GPSmap 492 that was taking forever to acquire a fix upon power up. I spoke to Garmin and they sent me a software update for the cost of shipping only ($8.56) that brought the unit up to the latest firmware release and fixed the issue.

Thanks Peter. I haven't had this problem yet but I will file this information just in case.

Malie ke kai,

Chuck