Pascal,

Thank you for your effort in doing this testing and the comprehensive
post with the results. It does indeed look as if this problem is
widespread throughout the Garmin product line.

I agree with your conclusions and think that your course of action is
good and correct. The more reports that Garmin receives regarding
this problem, the more likely it is that they will escalate its
significance. I just hope that Garmin is not the kind of company that
will wait until a loss of a vessel or life occurs with a resulting
impact on their sales before they take action.

I develop software professionally and would not be surprised if this
problem affects most of their line in view of what the results are
from your test of the 276C unit. When software routines have been
developed, they are often cut and pasted from one program to
another... the developers do not rewrite all of the code from the
beginning if certain routines are adaptable to the current project.

My boat is in Half Moon Bay in Northern California. The harbour
approach is treacherous with shoals, breaking waves and rocks next to
the channel. As it is Northern California, thick fog is often present
and the entrance is a small gap in a rock seawall that surrounds the
harbor. Radar and accurate navigation are essential.

I'll keep this thread informed when I hear from the Coast Guard re
what they plan to do.

Regards,
John Purins