Garmin GpsMap 396 - First Impressions (long)

In article ,
"Dan Luke" wrote:
While we are at it, the power plug is VERY tight. I swear I am bunging the
thing up putting it in an taking it out. I hope this gets easier with
time.

It won't. Better buy a spare.


I haven't had a problem with the power cable, though I agree that it
isn't in a great location relative to the mounting bracket.

However, I can't figure out why the USB cable for the GXM30 has a
right-angle plug on the end. Even in the auto mount, the plug angle
jams the cable down into the mounting surface. Doesn't make any sense
to me. It is this cable (or the USB receptacle inside the unit) that I
worry about breaking or stressing loose over time.


JKG

It is this cable (or the USB receptacle inside the
unit) that I worry about breaking or stressing loose
over time.

Agreed. I suspect mine is starting to go already...

Question for GPS396 users...

Would the ability to make displayed items variably/selectively
translucent enhance the readability of the display?
(The MacIntosh OS X has the ability to make display panes translucent so
you can see the screen beneath the pane. Windows VISTA will also have
this feature.)

In article .com,
"Mike Granby" wrote:

It is this cable (or the USB receptacle inside the
unit) that I worry about breaking or stressing loose
over time.

Agreed. I suspect mine is starting to go already...


I am careful to ONLY grab the top of the plug when I pull it out, and
pull it straight out. The receptacle moves a little, though, which
worries me that at some point the solder joints are going to break loose.

The right-angle plug must have been the brainchild of the same person
who decided to put the earth's strongest magnets in the base of the
GXM30. I suppose that the end of the cable could be re-terminated with
a straight mini-USB plug.



JKG