The fact is that, here I have many friends, witch have theirs Garmin> gps interfaced with theirs autopilots, and many of them have the> problem, and a few others have not, as I showed in my report; In> general, old Autohelm autopilots like AH/ST 2000/4000/6000/7000­, have> this problem with Gamins gps models: 130/12XL/45 with NMEA 2.0, III> Plus, III, V, 60C, 76C, and 276C. The problem does not exist with gps> models: 176, 176C, Map76, 130/12XL/45 with NMEA 1.5.>

As I had explained in my report, I discovered, after several tests> that the problem is caused by the RMB message, and all gps witch sends> BWC, XTE and VTG does not have the problem, but all Garmin gps witch> does not send this messages causes the problem with that old> autopilots.>

As the manual of GpsMap 276C states in page 90, "Advanced NMEA Setup",> that the unit ALWAYS sends the BWC, XTE and VTG, I have the right to> expect that Garmin will fix this fault ASAP, witch does not happened> until now (more than 60 days).>

As several users of this gps forum had talked, maybe someone who read> this message could be a Garmin dealer or Garmin employed and perhaps> he/she can give me a help in convincing Garmin to solve this problem,> so that I could use my new and expensive Gps with my Autopilot, as> now I am forced to use again my old Map130 and Map76 for the> interface and keep my new Map276C in the box (since september/2004).>

I am a Garmin customer since 1992, but now I am very angry with Garmin> because of this problem, I am thinking that maybe I should instead,> try sell this 276 and buy a plotter from NAVMAN or other brand: any> suggestions?>

Regards>

Pascal Goncalves> S 13 00/W 038 27