I have been trying to decide a strategy for managing the Garmin 496. If you make it easily removable, then if you leave the aircraft is parked somewhere like on a cross country, you have the possibilty of theft. There is no canopy lock on the 12 and even if you had it, the typical thief might break the bubble trying to get in. You could remove the GPS though and pack it around with you, kind of a nuisance.
On the other hand, if you install it without making it removable there is going to be a big hassle to update the aviation database. You will need to install a USB extension cable, maybe in from the map box so you can hook up a laptop to the GPS. But, the FlyGarmin software needs to have an active internet connection to update the 496. No internet in most hangars. So that means disassembling the whole GPS mount to get it out and take it home. I have emailed Garmin about a work around for this but have not gotten an answer yet.
The other issue is cosmetic. I care what my panel looks like. If you enlarge the GPS cutout enough to get the unit out from the front then the hole becomes unsightly in my opinion. So, to make it removeable, I would install the Airgizmo dock after certification, which makes a professional looking job of it. Big hassle though, because throttle, choke and heat cables would have to be removed to get the center panel off. This could have been done right to begin with.
Has anyone figured out how to update the 496 with it in the plane and no active internet connection? Maybe you can not.
Tony
On the other hand, if you install it without making it removable there is going to be a big hassle to update the aviation database. You will need to install a USB extension cable, maybe in from the map box so you can hook up a laptop to the GPS. But, the FlyGarmin software needs to have an active internet connection to update the 496. No internet in most hangars. So that means disassembling the whole GPS mount to get it out and take it home. I have emailed Garmin about a work around for this but have not gotten an answer yet.
The other issue is cosmetic. I care what my panel looks like. If you enlarge the GPS cutout enough to get the unit out from the front then the hole becomes unsightly in my opinion. So, to make it removeable, I would install the Airgizmo dock after certification, which makes a professional looking job of it. Big hassle though, because throttle, choke and heat cables would have to be removed to get the center panel off. This could have been done right to begin with.
Has anyone figured out how to update the 496 with it in the plane and no active internet connection? Maybe you can not.
Tony
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