After updating the software, not so easy if you are a Macintosh user, you may find the machine hangs up being unable to load the software. My 5212 failed and I got quite the run around when I called Garmin customer service. They wanted me to remove and ship the unit to them for repair, as they normally refuse to sent out a "new" one if your unit is more than six months old... Mine was well within warrantee.
Anyway, Kenny gave me the Ranger factory's representative at Garmin who called me and offered to help. He offered me different options, including sending a local radio repair guy out to remove and install a brand new unit in my boat wherever it was, in the water or not. We wound up having him just send me a complete new unit, and he simply asked if I could return my unit when it was convenient in the same box he sent me. He told me I could keep all the fittings from the new unit (like an antenna and all the wiring harnesses), etc. No credit card needed. Anyway, I felt lots better with this type of service which was not forthcoming when I first called Garmin on my own–more typical for our expectations of being treated special. Guess we're all spoiled! Get the guy's name and phone # from Kenny or Andrew when you need it.
These units do fail! My experience helped me rationalize buying an Apple iPad GPS as a backup unit. Actually, we managed when the Garmin froze up with Navimatics on an iPhone. Now I run Navimatics on the iIPad propped above the Garmin as Navimatics displays ActiveCaptain stuff about marinas, hazards, etc.
BTW, if you have to remove your 5212, you'll see four 2" long screws protruding from nuts on the back corners of your unit. These screws have slots but no heads so the nuts can be pulled off with the screws (threaded studs) left in place. Don't try to use a tiny screw driver as a couple of the screws are hard to get to and they are threaded in pretty deep; i.e., lots of turning needed to remove them. Buy a cheap ($12 at Home Depot) small metric ratchet set with deep sockets and its pretty easy to then get the nuts off leaving the studs in place. Newer 2010 Garmins have different plastic bushings to mount some of the electronics cables, but the new bushings are included and you can clip off the old ones on your Garmin and replace them. The reinstall went quick. Puttering around behind the helm's instrument panel, it was nice to see our boats are prewired with the Garmin hooked up to the radio for DSC automation of distress calls.
