garmin chartplotters

[disorderly]

I bought a brand new Garmin 298 Sounder/gps and it already has screwed up on me. Kept turning itself off on the water, got the guys to check the wiring, still turns off. So the shop sent it out for repairs or replacement, but seeing as though the 298 is a discontinued product, who knows what ill get if it needs replacement.

Cheers Johno

Mate what is turning off?
The entire unit or just the sounder or GPS.
I sent my 178c away 1 1/2 months ago because of a problem with the sounder turning itself off.
Just got a brand new head unit back but its still happening so now I have sent the transducer back.If its not that then i guess it's the wiring or the 10 pin plug in the back.
Got sick of waiting so I've ordered a furuno sounder.

Scott

[~Johno~]

The whole unit is turning itself off. I have a feeling it is the transducer, as it only happens when we are in water. The wiring has been re-done and it still turns off so thats been crossed off. Tried a new battery and still turns off. Anyway its been sent in, if it comes back and its still turning off i will be mighty pissed off, its been nothing but trouble and i have been taking my boat in to the boat yard for the wiring to be looked at twice now, pain in the ass.

Pity, cuz i love the sounder/gps features it has.

[disorderly]

Let me know how you get on mate as I am pretty annoyed that I have not been able to plan a reef trip for nearly 2 months because it seems that Garmin may have too many chiefs but not enough indians.My unit was sent to Brisbane(under warranty) ,then they sent it to Ben Coman in north Ryde in Sydney.Then it sat there for a while because none of the details were sent down with it and no one appears to have taken any initiative to try and sort it out.
And now after I was originally told(in writing) that I did not have to send the transducer down(by brisbane office) because they would have a test unit there.Nearly 2 months later they just told me because the new unit still does not work that I have to now send the transducer down to Sydney (which I did on friday) before they can issue a replacement.
I have so far spent about $100(probably more) or so for postage,phone calls and a charge($55) to replace the head unit(which appears was not the problem in the first place) because I bought it O/S and I am still no closer to having a working sounder.
Absolute B/S.I have already ordered a furuno sounder and will buy Furuno or equivalent gear from now on so I wont have to deal with these clowns at GME any more.
I sure hope you can get off the Garmin warranty merry go round because it is just no fun

regards Scott

ps. BTW they gave me an extra three months warranty with the new head unit but it appeared that may expire before I even receive a functioning sounder
So timmdo,just be aware that whilst Garmin USA may be on the ball it appears that GME may be somewhat lacking in aftersales service for there other brands.

[Dan5]

Hey Disorderly just cos you buy Furuno does'nt mean you wont have trouble i've had 3 unit's 2 of which had trouble a Ls6100 and 1650 they had similar probs to ~johno~ and taylor's never sorted the problem with either unit.And just check where the furuno is made nowaday's cos it's not japan anymore and that's where they get their good name from.I'm not saying that they are crap but they are'nt what they used to be for reliability i reckon.Dan........

[jibby]

Hi there I just bought a 298c and had the same problem but found that by turning off the WAAS system on the startup page now it works fine the WAAS system is only used in the U.S so is not required over here.

Also I would like to say that the unit is awsome to use and very user freindly.

best luck.

Jibby.