AirTalk.org

Bob Jenneson · Guest

I have just sold my Garmin Pilot 3 and want to upgrade to another
Garmin, possible a 196 or a 296.
I have a mate with a 196 and it does a great job. Has anybody had any first
hand experience with the new colour 296?
What is the colour screen like to read especially in a sunny cockpit?
Is it worth the extra cash?
You can only get so much info of a web site!

Thanks, Bob.

Graham Lea · Guest

I have had a 295 ( the previous colour version of the 296) for about
four years.

I use it along with a chart on the seat beside me (or with the pax)
for almost all flights.

It is fabulous.

Keep an eye on the chart to see where you are on it in case the gps
dies, use the gps for the general nav and you will always know almost
exactly where you are.

It is amazing how often people without a gps get lost! - or at least
don't know exactly where they are. Listen to the boys on the radio out
western NSW/ Qld some time and you will hear them discussing their
locations .. :-)

Where exactly you are is important - entering mbzs, missing danger
areas, etc., - and for altitude steps in the Sydney basin and
thereabouts in particular.

I have never had a problem with the sun on it, but have a high wing
aircraft.

Don't forget , when you enter the waypoints for a route, to have a
look at it after you have entered everything just to make sure they
are all the correct ones and in the right order! This, according to a
casa lecture I went to last year is about the only problem you can
have - human factors.

Anyhow, the colours make you very aware of your situation which is an
excellent thing to prevent incursions into controlled areas etc. The
waas thing gives great precision.

My advice: get one!

By the way, in spite of what a lot of people say, having had a gps
since 1995 and in fact now having four of them, I have *never* had one
of them drop out. The only thing which was a bit weird was last week
when I started the car in the hanger and the gps was out by about 25
metres (it was obvious) for a bit. Other than that, I reckon I could
land on the keys with it (but haven't tried due to the fence and other
factors!).

BPW · Guest

Have flown with both and while both are great boxes the 296 is absolutely
fantastic. Like Graham ( I think) I used it in a high wing, but yoke mounted
and still no problems with full sunlight.

Mind you I haven't had to buy one myself!

:-]

"Bob Jenneson" <bjay (AT) senet (DOT) com.au> wrote