Garmin Obstacle Database

RVadmirer · #1 02-14-2009, 04:54 PM

Recently I flew near the Elk Grove (CA) towers and realized that they were not showing up on my G-396. I looked around and saw no towers anywhere. I corresponded with Garmin via email for a couple weeks and all my settings were correct so no solution. The other day I flew over there to take pics of my screen for them and, as usual, nothing showed up. When I landed and rolled out I happened to notice the screen and all towers had reappeared and are still there today after a week!
It wouldn't be very helpful if this database, which I don't think has anything to do with antennas or reception, is unreliable.

Any ideas what's going on........?

Thanks,
Dave

Mel · #2 02-14-2009, 04:59 PM

The only thing I can think of is "Range". The obstacles only show up within the shorter ranges. If you were using auto zoom, upon landing, you may be zoomed into a shorter range, thereby enabling the obstacles to show up. Just a thought.

mburch · #3 02-14-2009, 05:23 PM

What Mel said, plus the fact that the unit won't display obstacles that are more than (by default) 1000 feet below your present altitude.

mcb