Lowrance Are You Listening?

[John_RV4]

I must say I could not disagree more with most of the notes in this thread.
The 2000c form factor is just about PERFECT. It can be mounted anywhere and provides a big clear screen without forcing you to rebuild your panel.

It is so bright that I have to remember to turn it off when landing at night. It is actually somewhat blinding with the backlight on. Finally, the thing only costs $650 or so.

I suggest everybody should get one and then buy yourself a nice Dynon Efis with the money you saved over the 496 :-).

John

[iweshuff]

The screen size of the Garmin is about the same size as my mobile phone. My 50 year old eyes can not read it. Even with my readers on there is to much information on to small a screen. My AvMap may not have all the bells and whistles, but at least I can read the dang thing.

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by iweshuff

The screen size of the Garmin is about the same size as my mobile phone. My 50 year old eyes can not read it. Even with my readers on there is to much information on to small a screen. My AvMap may not have all the bells and whistles, but at least I can read the dang thing.

I'd say the screen size is about three times that of my mobile phone, but I certainly wouldn't mind something larger. Something the size of the Garmin 1000 would be best! I'd even prefer the size of some Garmin marine units.

However, seeing how the 496's screen size is a bit compromised, it does have a high resolution screen (pixel wise). It's extremely clear for my 57 year eyes, without a pixelated look; although I have great vision close up.

What's excellent though, is all the bells and whistles. The complete AOPA airport directory, and over 850 airport taxi & runway diagrams.

Since I had the 296 previously, it's the XM Satellite weather that is of great importance; and the reason I shelled out the extra cash. Out here in the mountain west, the weather changes are quite dramatic in just a 100 mile radius, let alone between mountains and valleys. I like the idea of knowing whats going on 300 - 400 miles ahead..... almost instantly!

Of course, now that I have the 496, the 596 with a larger screen (like the Garmin marine model), and perhaps 3D synthetic vision will probably be released next month. That's the way it always works in my case.

L.Adamson

[RVadmirer]

Has anyone noticed they aren't? They are part of a huge corporation and could care less about our input. It's a cheap product at a cheap price with lousy customer support if you can get any. So enjoy the big, low resolution screen and lacking functions, my GIB does.... I have high resolution, top notch information and super music for my Zulus from my Garmin up front. Don't need a Dynon.....

I was pleasantly shocked at the fantastic support I got from Garmin when I was having issues. They identified an antenna issue immediately and replaced it. They were quick to help with subsequent issues that turned out to be my problem! Good guys for another huge corporation. Nothing like the completely useless crew at the Lowrance booth at Oshkosh. I have two of their products and will never go there again....

[John H]

Hi all,

I have been FLYING, hope you all noticed I said FLYING not listening to Willies Place on XM, behind the 2000c since the unit first came out. Since that time just about every one I know that ownes a 396 or a 496 has sent them back to garmin for repairs. The 2000c just keeps plodding along. If I have but one complaint it is far too bright for night flying, aside from that you cant pry it from my hands. I'm just about finished with the RV-9 that has a MGL Odyssey in the panel but you can bet your last buck the 2000c will be in the aircraft also.

John H.
N194JH RV-9
N5810U Cherokee

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by John H

Hi all,

I have been FLYING, hope you all noticed I said FLYING not listening to Willies Place on XM, behind the 2000c since the unit first came out. Since that time just about every one I know that ownes a 396 or a 496 has sent them back to garmin for repairs. The 2000c just keeps plodding along. If I have but one complaint it is far too bright for night flying, aside from that you cant pry it from my hands. I'm just about finished with the RV-9 that has a MGL Odyssey in the panel but you can bet your last buck the 2000c will be in the aircraft also.

I'm on my fourth Garmin moving map since 1993. I've never had to send one back for repair...

However, my new "high resolution, non-pixelated, XM weatherized, Garmin 496 hasn't been around the block enough to know...

L.Adamson

edit: A friend of mine does have the 2000c. I think it's an excellent -- GPS screen size wise, and especially the price. I just wanted weather capability.

[John_RV4]

>>it is far too bright for night flying
Hit menu twice (brings up main menu). Screen is the first option. Hit enter and select the brightness. I was just doing this yesterday (rainy day) to tone mine down a bit as well.

I think I'm going to move my antenae to the engine comparment. It's on the rollbar now. Just want a cleaner installation. I hope the antenae is not too expensive. Just in case it fails.....

John

[RV8N]

Originally Posted by John H

...If I have but one complaint it is far too bright for night flying, aside from that you cant pry it from my hands. ...

John H.
N194JH RV-9
N5810U Cherokee

John, I'm not doubting what you say, there must be a distinct difference between the display on the 2000 and the one on the 600C. Using my 600C, I have to take off my sunglasses and move my head around the cockpit to get the best angle... and I still have trouble making out the details. I am using external power which turns on the backlight. Without that, I can't see it at all.

Now this is day VFR on the Texas gulf coast. The sun is very bright and the display is showing the terrain as dark green. It is almost impossible to make out details on the dark green backgound. The few times I've gotten inland and the background has shifted to a lighter green, it has been easier to read, but not like the picture on the box. I still think that picture is so misleading that it is false advertising.

This next weekend I will be flying the -8 to my new home in North Idaho. That should give me plenty of opportunities to use the 600C in different modes and configs. I will report back my findings.

Karl

[Harvey L. Sorensen]

We all have our favourites don't we? When I wanted a new GPS I didn't need one my old one is a Lowrance from 1996. Never had a problem and worked perfectly. Just could not see it in sun light. It ran my auto pilot just fine. But like I said you had to put it in the shade to program the thing.
I was going to get a Garmin 496 but went back to the Lowrance, got the 2000c, what a great device easy to program and ease to see. I paid $599 for it and now they are $585. I never have had to talk to Lowrance about anything so they may be jerks, I don't know. I would have went with Garmin but I didn't think I needed the weather and now I see the controllers have to guide you down the taxi way. (almost)
I got a really great GPS with a large screen I can read any where and it does everything I want for $1900 less than Garmin.
I may have liked a Garmin just fine, I have one in the car and it is not lost most of the time.

N51HS RV-9A

[John_RV4]

Karl,
You're right about the bright sunlight situation. With the terrain awareness display on, it is dark. This is especially true when flying westbound into the sun. I have turned off the terrain display and am using a white background. It is easy to see in the brightest sunlight. But, as mentioned earlier, it is too bright at night.

Any dark background is going to be problematic in bright sunlight. You're basically squinting into the sun and then shift your focus down to a dark object. Many people claim this is not a problem. But they must have much better eyes than I do :-).

John