Garmin GpsMap 396 - Flight Test #3

After the 2 ridiculous TFRs were lifted, I was able to test the swap
unit. As some of you may have read, the original unit kept losing
satellite lock and the dealer swapped it with a new unit at my request.

The replacement is much better. However, it still goes out to lunch
after transmitting on the COM for 7 seconds or so. I can live with that.

It still loses and regains WAAS frequently depending on which direction
you are flying. And, it goes to minimal sat reception with only 2-3 sats
bouncing around when heading Southeast.

But, it now stays strong in climb and descent.

I noticed it had SW rev 2.8 which has been upgraded to 3.1 (or is it
3.2??). Now that I think about it, the original had 2.8 also. I will
first upgrade to the latest SW version and flight test again. After
that, I will rebuild the almanac as was suggested in a previous posting
(now that Garmin let us know the "secret" startup button sequence).

Hey, Garmin! How about publishing ALL the various button combos and
diagnostics???? I believe I PAID for them.

I saw the TFRs in my area disappear around 4:00 and the one in Milwaukee
turn up yellow (pending). If the President's Office of Eternal Paranoia
keeps this up, the 396 will REALLY be useful in avoiding these traps.
Sunday calls for a 30% chance of Tstorms again. So, the 396 may earn its
keep again.

At this point, I think I will keep it.

Thanks to all,
Mike