Anybody get the Garmin GPSMap 296 yet?

[squale]

Just wondering if anybody got this GPS yet and could give some feedback on it's performance, features, screen, etc?

I need to get a GPS/Plotter for use in my boat (althought I am trying to get a unit with a fishfinder built in too), and probably will one day want a unit for aviation as well.. so I am just trying to see if there is a way to get one unit to meet all my needs and save money. I would hate to have to buy one unit for the boat and car and another unit just for flying (when that time comes).

So any feedback would be appreciated, thanks

 

[scubabri]

I got mine and all I can say is.. WOW!

The screen is crisp, it's fast, accurate, terrain, obsticle database

yah.. it's cool.

sb

 

[squale]

hmmm.. if only I can hook a sonar tranducer up to it and use it as a fishfinder on my boat too...

 

[Dustin H]

I'm going to upgrade my 196 for the 296 in a few weeks.

The 296 basically has the same menu layout as the 196 and is very easy to navigate. I'd highly recommend either one.

If you buy from sportys remember the 5% AOPA credit card discount.

 

[squale]

Well looking for at the units, the Garmin GPSMAP 276C appears to be the same unit as the 296. The display size and detail is the same, they will both do autorouting in water, land, air, I just am not seeing the difference.

Are the processor speeds the same?

What else does the 296 have over the 276C to justify a $1K price increase.. just doesn't make sense to me but I must be missing some very very important feature that costs lots of money to produce..

 

[flyifrvfr]

I'm going to upgrade my 196 for the 296 in a few weeks.

The 296 basically has the same menu layout as the 196 and is very easy to navigate. I'd highly recommend either one.

If you buy from sportys remember the 5% AOPA credit card discount.

Just curious, Are you going to trade in your 196 for the 296, or is there a way to upgrade an existing 196 to the 296? How much would it cost to upgrage? I looked at garmins website and didn't see where you could upgrade an existing 196 for the 296.

 

[Crizz]

Well looking for at the units, the Garmin GPSMAP 276C appears to be the same unit as the 296. The display size and detail is the same, they will both do autorouting in water, land, air, I just am not seeing the difference.

Are the processor speeds the same?

What else does the 296 have over the 276C to justify a $1K price increase.. just doesn't make sense to me but I must be missing some very very important feature that costs lots of money to produce..

.


One is for use in airplanes, the other is for use on land or water. Same hardware, different software and interface buttons.

 

[squale]

yeah same hardware, but you can always just buy the software and load the same software, okay the buttons might be layed out a bit differently, but that does really justify a $1K price increase for the 296.. ?

I just don't see where the price increase is justified,, can somebody point it out, thanks

 

[kwb13]

If you buy a 276C and try to put an aviation database in it, IT WILL NOT WORK!!! You cannot change the internal database entirely, you can update it online on Garmin's website, but it will not install a new aviation database, just UPDATE what you already have. It is possible to change a 276C to a 296, but it must be sent back to the factory and it costs big bucks. Just get the 296, or any other AVIATION GPS, you will have nothing but trouble if you try to do the old "buy a 276C and turn it into an aviation GPS" thing.

For all of you that have 196's, 295's, III pilot's, or 195's, you can trade them in at Tropic Aero, Inc. for a new 296. Depends on the unit, but they will give you a trade-in value on your unit and put it towards the purchase of a new 296.

Here's their website address:

www.tropicaero.com

Great people!

 

[Dustin H]

Just curious, Are you going to trade in your 196 for the 296, or is there a way to upgrade an existing 196 to the 296? How much would it cost to upgrage? I looked at garmins website and didn't see where you could upgrade an existing 196 for the 296.

My plan is to sell my 196 on ebay after I get a 296. There is no way to upgrade an existing 196 to function as a 296.

When I get my 296 I'll post a side by side comparison of the 196/296 with screen shots, usability ect.

 

[Dustin H]

Here's some more info on the 296

http://www.avionicswest.com/archive/296preview.htm#2004