Upgrading my 296...which one to get???

Brantel · #1 04-26-2010, 03:00 PM

I am planning on upgrading my 296 soon and would like opinions...

I am either going with a slightly used 496 or a new 510 or 560.

The used prices for 496's are good but I hate to buy back into a unit that has a flaw in the backup battery system.

Is the 560 worth the difference in price for the 510?

The only feature I think means anything to me is the terain resolution. Is that worth it?

How does the screen and processor speed compare between the 496 and Aera? Sunlight readability and clarity??

pierre smith · #2 04-27-2010, 05:52 AM

FWIW, I have one in the Air Tractor and the -10, with wx...you couldn't pry them...

...daylight readability is no problem...had one in the -6 for several years.

The 496 contains the entire AOPA airport directory, plus local hospitals, restaurants, rent-a-car agencies and has a much faster processor. I've never had any backup battery problems with either one....really one of my prized possessions,

Best,

terrykohler · #3 04-27-2010, 06:09 AM

Brian:
Haven't tried an Aera yet, but one feature I like about the x96 is the rocker pad. In IMC and turbulence, my fingers are around the side of the unit and I use my thumb to operate the pad. Not sure if a touch screen would introduce entry errors under those flight conditions. BTW, my GPS is on a bracket attached to the bottom edge of the IP. Kind of looks like this.
http://www.advanced-flight-systems.c...RogerPanel.jpg
With a panel mount, I'd be giving up too much real estate and would not be able to get my hand around the unit.
Terry, CFI
RV-9A N323TP

snowbird · #4 04-27-2010, 06:41 AM

I went to the Garmin seminar on the 696 at Sun n Fun and decided to stay with my 496. The price/size/feature combination of the 496 is hard to beat particularly at the used prices I am seeing.
No battery issues in over 3 years of use. (Knocking on simulated wood).

Brantel · #5 04-27-2010, 06:49 AM

The battery issue I am refering to is the backup battery that will die if you do not use the unit often. Once it dies, the unit can't keep time and it has a hard time locking on to sats until you change the battery.

Buying a used one would be a c r a p shoot on what condition this battery would be in. I have changed the one in my 296. It is a cheap replacement but the operation is major since you have to almost tear the thing completely apart to get to the battery.

L.Adamson · #6 04-27-2010, 06:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by snowbird

I went to the Garmin seminar on the 696 at Sun n Fun and decided to stay with my 496. The price/size/feature combination of the 496 is hard to beat particularly at the used prices I am seeing.
No battery issues in over 3 years of use. (Knocking on simulated wood).

Since you mentioned the 696, I wouldn't go back to the previous 496 or 296 I owned. I just much prefer the larger screen. But they are kind of pricey.

L.Adamson --- RV6A

N395V · #7 04-27-2010, 07:10 AM

I have used both a 496 and an Aera 560 see>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> post#6
http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...era#post399871 I REALLLY!!!!! liked it.

If you are not interested in the weather on your portable I see no real benefit of the 560 over the 510 and no operational benefit of the 510 over a 496.

If you are used to the 296 the 496 will be easier for you to adapt to.

The aera series has great sunlight readability and a good refresh rate. The worries of many about the touch screen, in my opinion, are unfounded.

The aera is small and takes up a lot less space. It is great on the street at the end of a trip the 496 much less so.

If there is a huge savings ($) in going with the 496 that is the route I would go and I would by a Nuvi for the car if that were important to me.

N8RV · #8 04-27-2010, 07:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brantel

The battery issue I am refering to is the backup battery that will die if you do not use the unit often. Once it dies, the unit can't keep time and it has a hard time locking on to sats until you change the battery.

Buying a used one would be a c r a p shoot on what condition this battery would be in. I have changed the one in my 296. It is a cheap replacement but the operation is major since you have to almost tear the thing completely apart to get to the battery.

Brian, I have a 396 that I bought when I thought I was close to needing one. Of course, the very next year they came out with the 496.

Since the 396 sat unused for a long time -- literally years -- the battery went kaput. When I finally fired up the panel and was getting close to flying, it wouldn't lock onto satellites or do much of anything else using the plane's power. As I recall, that was just because after a long time without use, it needs to sit outside for awhile (15 minutes or so) to fully acquire the satellite signals. That's how it was explained to me.

I bought a new battery on eBay and replacing it was a snap -- just open the cover and pop it in. No big deal.

Brian, if size is an issue, I wouldn't hesitate to get a 496. In fact, I'm close to buying one and moving my 396 to the rear seat or sell it. They're both great units.

pierre smith · #9 04-27-2010, 09:15 AM

...there's a soldered-in battery inside that you can only access by opening the unit and doing some disassembly. IIRC, it is also part of a memory function.

Best,

N8RV · #10 04-27-2010, 09:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pierre smith

...there's a soldered-in battery inside that you can only access by opening the unit and doing some disassembly. IIRC, it is also part of a memory function.

Best,

Oh. Sorry. Couldn't imagine why Garmin would make it so difficult to replace the battery on a 296 ...