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05-28-2010, 11:44 AM
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Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 804
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rvmills
Questions on 396/496/Aera:
So do you guys that have used both a 396 and a 496 feel it would be worth the $$ to sell my 396 and upgrade to a 496?(snip)
Cheers,
Bob
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in a word, nope.
__________________
James Freeman
RV-8 flying
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05-28-2010, 12:29 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Newport, TN
Posts: 7,496
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Bob,
I am really liking the Aera. I had a 296 that was well used and have used a 496 some. The Aera is just different and once you get used to it, it makes sense. I find it no harder to use than the X96 now but when I first got it it was a little harder due to being so familiar to the 296. In some ways the Aera is faster once you get used to moving back a step to move forward since most screens are only a back button and screen select button away vs all the page rotations on the X96. Lots of other differences as well but the keyboard sure makes typing characters easier!!!
They just upgraded the firmware to allow you to use the Aera as a media player while in Aviation mode. That is great since you don't need another music player that way....
Airgizmo does make a mount and it fits the same hole and screw locations as the original X96 mount. It fits the angle adapters as well. I used one to make my swap easy...
Private airports are a big plus on the 496 and Aera that are not in the 296-396 models. The fast 5hz update rate makes the map much more fluid and the panel page almost real time. The processor in the Aera must be a screamer as it keeps up with whatever you throw at it.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rvmills
Brian, sounds like you have used both an X96 and your new Aera. I recently played with a friend's Aera (on the ground), and found it to have a very nice screen...but I had a harder time navigating to various pages than I do with my 396. Probably a lack of familiarity...but do you find that you can navigate among screens as easily as with an X96? I can cycle and hop between map, flight plan, wx, terrain and settings with quick hits of the toggle and menu buttons on the 396, while it seemed that I had to go back to menus on the Aera to select between various pages. Seemed more arduous, but again, it could be just lack of familiarity. Can you describe your experience with your 510 so far?Also, to your knowledge, does AirGizmos make an Aera dock that would fit in the same spot as my 396 dock? (Will look on their website too!)
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Last edited by Brantel : 05-28-2010 at 12:31 PM.
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05-28-2010, 06:44 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 2,125
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Quote:
Originally Posted by flyeyes
in a word, nope.
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Thanks James...that's about a $500 word!  Good feedback!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brantel
Bob,
I am really liking the Aera. I had a 296 that was well used and have used a 496 some. The Aera is just different and once you get used to it, it makes sense. I find it no harder to use than the X96 now but when I first got it it was a little harder due to being so familiar to the 296. In some ways the Aera is faster once you get used to moving back a step to move forward since most screens are only a back button and screen select button away vs all the page rotations on the X96. Lots of other differences as well but the keyboard sure makes typing characters easier!!!
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The last sentence could be worth the price of admission (among other nice features you describe)...396 flight plan entry is painful!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brantel
They just upgraded the firmware to allow you to use the Aera as a media player while in Aviation mode. That is great since you don't need another music player that way....!!!
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Do tell! I need to look at the website! What's the input set-up 2.5/3.5mm jack? Interesting!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brantel
Airgizmo does make a mount and it fits the same hole and screw locations as the original X96 mount. It fits the angle adapters as well. I used one to make my swap easy....
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Cool...any pics yet? Would love to see your latest work!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Brantel
Private airports are a big plus on the 496 and Aera that are not in the 296-396 models. The fast 5hz update rate makes the map much more fluid and the panel page almost real time. The processor in the Aera must be a screamer as it keeps up with whatever you throw at it.
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Roger all, and thanks for the great report. Now if I can sneak into my buddy's hangar and play with his new toy some more...
Cheers,
Bob
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05-28-2010, 07:59 PM
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Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: Newport, TN
Posts: 7,496
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Bob,
Here are the details on how I found out about this media player...
It uses its built in xSD card slot for the media and it outputs it over the data cable flying leads for hardwired applications and it has a regular stereo 3.5mm jack built into the side and the pre made cables that it comes with....
I did not take a pic but it looks just like an Aera mounted where the 296 was in this mount:
Quote:
Originally Posted by rvmills
Do tell! I need to look at the website! What's the input set-up 2.5/3.5mm jack? Interesting!
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05-28-2010, 09:45 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 2,125
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Thanks Brian!! Looks pretty nice!
Cheers,
Bob
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06-02-2010, 12:57 PM
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Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Central Florida
Posts: 289
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Quote:
Originally Posted by rvmills
Questions on 396/496/Aera:
So do you guys that have used both a 396 and a 496 feel it would be worth the $$ to sell my 396 and upgrade to a 496?
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I would consider the Aera 560 before upgrading to the 496. I find the Aera much easier to use than the x96 units. Have owned both the 396 and 496. I currently have a 696 plus an Aera 550 and 560.
One of the nicest features on the Aera (besides size) is how you can just touch the screen to get all of the info on a waypoint, airport, weather or whatever. The quick disconnect mount feature is awesome too. The unit makes all of its connections thru the mount.
I take my 560 whenever I travel. For the last few days I've been in Las Vegas and San Jose using it in the rental cars. Nice to have XM radio on the road too. The 560 is a much better automotive GPS than the 510 or 496.
I bought an Aera 560 during the week of AOPA Expo in November last year. I can honestly say its the best aviation tool I've purchased so far. And I've owned them all
One thing to keep in mind if looking to purchase a new unit the Aera 560 and 550 come with a years worth of free databse updates whereas the 496 does not.
I think the Aera 560 is a better deal than the 510 if you like to update your databases frequently. Plus you get AOPA Airport database and Safetaxi. I use both all of the time.
__________________
2011 Vans RV12 N214LA
Vans RV12 build in progress SN121020
2009 Vans RV9A Slider N183FC-SOLD
Last edited by Ralphieflies : 06-02-2010 at 01:52 PM.
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06-02-2010, 06:35 PM
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Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Reno, NV
Posts: 2,125
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Great feedback Ralphie! Thanks!!
Cheers,
Bob
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08-07-2010, 04:08 PM
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Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Near Springfield, MO
Posts: 120
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396 vs 496
Thanks for all the replies! Looking for a good used 496 
Charles
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