GPS V--Blank Screen With Line Though It

Thanks for the information, I noticed the same problem with mine last week. I still use my GPSV even though I have an Oregon now, and was shopping on eBay for a new GPSV. Now I know mine is just fine.
Thanks

I recently had this happen to my GPS V too. I used it on a 2000 mile motorcycle trip with it attached to my handlebar. It worked flawlessly the entire time across 41 to 105F temperatures in that position. Then the other day I put in on my bike for a ride and in about 2 minutes it did this single line thing you describe. I changed batteries, I removed batteries and ran it on DC from the bike, I ran it with batteries in it but on DC power and it still did this. Then I just set it on my desk for an hour and let it run and it did not do it. It just ran. I figured that the 2000 miles of vibration had loosened some connector inside the unit.

Any new updates on this issue?

I have an old GPS III+ still sitting in a drawer. I wonder if it will have similar problems. Although I don't think it had WAAS. Will have to charge some batteries and check it out.

The tip of turning off WAAS seemed to have "fixed" the problem. I'll have to keep my eye on the garmin website for a firmware update....hope it comes soon.

I was disappointed to find that my WAAS was turned off, so I'll have to do further testing. It was searching for SATs in the house while I was reinstalling the Maps and the software. I'm sure it doesn't automatically turn off WAAS when it can't fined Sats, does it?
Since we were hiking and it was acting up, it freaked my Wife out, so she said we should get a new hiking unit...WHOOPEE! Now she can't blame me about getting a new gadget. We got a Etrex Venture HC and I like it alot. It doesn't have auto routing capabilities, but who needs that on a trail.
It is extremely sensitive...even gets SATS in the house.
I'll still use my GPS V for bike riding and as a backup unit. I'm leaving the WAAS off and I'll see if it blanks out again. If it does, I'll report. I still think it has something to do with SAT communication.
Here is the link to the forum that a Garmin Rep said they're working on a fix. It was Dated October 8, but has no year. I assume it was this year.

http://groups.google.com/group/sci.geo.satellite-nav/browse_...

Garmin has just posted an update Ver 2.60 for GPS V. It is supposed to solve the WAAS satalite problem that caused the unit to freeze with a blank screen with a line through it. I've just loaded it, haven't had time to test it out. Here's the link: http://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=123

At some point it will boot to the blank screen and stay there, regardless of what fixes you apply. Mine died last year and after over 2 hours on the phone with Garmin support they admitted that it is a fatal error if the unit won't boot. They got me for another couple hundred for a Venture, the bastards.

I've been using the updated GPS V a lot lately on my scooter. So far it hasn't locked up, except for an occasional route error message. It is a great unit for the scooter, because the b/w screen doesn't wash out in sunlight. I hope it doesn't fail like yours did...that's too bad.