It's Official, the GPSMAP 496

http://www.aero-news.net
just in time for Oshkosh.

In article .com,
"Brock Boss" wrote:

http://www.aero-news.net
just in time for Oshkosh.

Seems pretty underwhelming for almost $1000 more than the 396.


JKG

Jonathan Goodish wrote:
http://www.aero-news.net
just in time for Oshkosh.

Seems pretty underwhelming for almost $1000 more than the 396.


Yes, and that makes this 396 owner feel good, at least until the next
price drop. Actually, I feel good having had it for a year. Has had
enormous value on several cc flights.

Amazingly how much more they can pack in the same physical package - a
little faster processor perhaps, more memory, improved (an already
great) screen. A winna!

In article ,
Maule Driver wrote:
Amazingly how much more they can pack in the same physical package - a
little faster processor perhaps, more memory, improved (an already
great) screen. A winna!


It doesn't look like they improved the screen, just the resolution of
the terrain and base map--probably enabled by the faster processor.

Taxi diagrams would be nice, though someone pointed out that fairly
decent (but unlabeled) airport diagrams are available if you have
CitySelect data loaded.

The AOPA directory really isn't that exciting, since I carry the paper
copy, and that seems more convenient than fiddling with the GPS.

Private airports are a big deal to some folks, not so much with me.

I notice that the 496 is advertised with the "GXM 30A" receiver/antenna.
I assume that this is the "fixed" version that cleans up the problems
they've had with the GXM 30.

Given the fairly modest upgrade over the 396, and the fact that there
are reports of Garmin fire sales on the 396, I would almost expect the
396 to be discontinued when supplies are depleted. Right now, I think
it's a pretty good bargain, especially if you're not interested in the
automotive navigation capabilities.



JKG

Jonathan Goodish wrote:
In article ,
Maule Driver wrote:

Amazingly how much more they can pack in the same physical package - a
little faster processor perhaps, more memory, improved (an already
great) screen. A winna!

Taxi diagrams would be nice, though someone pointed out that fairly
decent (but unlabeled) airport diagrams are available if you have
CitySelect data loaded.

Private airports are a big deal to some folks, not so much with me.

Right now, I think
it's a pretty good bargain, especially if you're not interested in the
automotive navigation capabilities.

(copied from RAO thread)
private airports DB is a feature I'd like.

Interestingly, having flown in and out of our private grass strip a few
times, we have a very nice set of tracks on the Garmin that outline the
runway and taxiway. It appears that in zero-zero conditions, one could
taxi from the runway to my hangar door just following the tracks. Sort
of a every-man's runway/taxiway diagram. If it cools off a bit, I may
just take the hood and a safety pilot and see if it works.... remember
'dither'? May it RIP.

Re the auto feature. The auto kit (which was shipped free as part of
the initial offer) has a memory chip and DB that for all practical
purposes gives you full auto capability. Use it all the time. Fly in,
rent car, mount 396 in bean bag holder, follow voice prompts to
destination. I often take the XM attennae for hotel room music.

In a previous article, Jonathan Goodish said:
In article .com,
"Brock Boss" wrote:

http://www.aero-news.net
just in time for Oshkosh.

Seems pretty underwhelming for almost $1000 more than the 396.

MSRP for the 396: $2395.00
MSRP for the 496: $2995.00

$600 is not "almost $1000" in my world.


--
Paul Tomblin http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
....would you work for a company that couldn't tell the difference in
quality of its employees' normal work product and the work product of
someone on drugs without performing a test? -- socks

Looks like the same price to me...

GPSMAP 496 (Atlantic Version) Suggested Retail Price:
$2395.00 U.S.D. (for domestic US market only)



-Robert

Paul Tomblin wrote:
In a previous article, Jonathan Goodish said:
In article .com,
"Brock Boss" wrote:

http://www.aero-news.net
just in time for Oshkosh.

Seems pretty underwhelming for almost $1000 more than the 396.

MSRP for the 396: $2395.00
MSRP for the 496: $2995.00

$600 is not "almost $1000" in my world.


--
Paul Tomblin http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
...would you work for a company that couldn't tell the difference in
quality of its employees' normal work product and the work product of
someone on drugs without performing a test? -- socks

In a previous article, "Robert M. Gary" said:
Seems pretty underwhelming for almost $1000 more than the 396.

MSRP for the 396: $2395.00
MSRP for the 496: $2995.00

$600 is not "almost $1000" in my world.
Looks like the same price to me...

GPSMAP 496 (Atlantic Version) Suggested Retail Price:
$2395.00 U.S.D. (for domestic US market only)

The Garmin page lists two prices, the $2995 that I quoted for the Americas
version, and $2395 that you quoted for the Atlantic version. My guess is
that the $600 you save for the Atlantic version gets you half the
database. Comparing apples to apples, the Americas version of the 396 is
$600 cheaper than the Amercias version of the 496.

--
Paul Tomblin http://xcski.com/blogs/pt/
I haven't had any mail from my mother since her ISP ended up in the RBL.
I deny that I nominated them...
-- Peter Corlett

In article ,
(Paul Tomblin) wrote:
The Garmin page lists two prices, the $2995 that I quoted for the Americas
version, and $2395 that you quoted for the Atlantic version. My guess is
that the $600 you save for the Atlantic version gets you half the
database. Comparing apples to apples, the Americas version of the 396 is
$600 cheaper than the Amercias version of the 496.

Call it whatever you want, but $600-$800 is a pretty big delta. The 396
is just slightly over (or at) $2k, while the 496 is close to $3k.

This announcement shouldn't be very surprising, though, given the
evolution of the comparable marine products (378 / 478).


JKG

Paul,

My guess is
that the $600 you save for the Atlantic version gets you half the
database.


It gets you no XM capability.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)