Mike Spera wrote:
I left an e-mail support question to Garmin on Monday night. 9:45
Tuesday morning I got the following reply:
__________________________________________________ _________________________
I first recommend that you update the GPSMAP 396 unit software from the
following link to the Garmin Website:
http://www.garmin.com/support/agree.jsp?id=921. I also recommend that
you use the GPSMAP 396 with the flip up antenna and the external antenna
to see if you experience loss of GPS signals with either of the two
antennas. We will be happy to replace any antenna that is not
acquiring satellites.

Thank you and best regards,

Aaron S
Product Support Specialist
Garmin International
1200 E 151st St
Olathe, KS 66062
Toll Free: 1-800-800-1020
Fax: 913-440-5488
__________________________________________________ _________________________
I checked the link and was surprised to see I was several versions
behind (7 versions in 6 months - YIKES!). Downloaded the latest (3.9)
and loaded it into the unit. I will check it out this weekend. I also
plan to buy another antenna. Given the very intermittent nature of the
failure(s), I may be out of warranty by the time it happens again. And,
I want to have a replacement on hand when it happens. As I said, they
are relatively cheap (about $40 - $50).

If I recall correctly, the original unit I bought would lose lock
immediately upon takeoff pretty regularly. Switching to the stubby did
nothing to correct the problem. I swapped the unit for a new one and it
did the same thing. Updating the SW appeared to make the problem go
away. The "fix" lasted for months. Now it is back again.

I hate intermittent crap...

Mike

I would think that once this problem is reported (identified) it would
be covered even after the warranty period.

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Regards, Ross
C-172F 180HP
KSWI