Garmin 296 GPS ?

[noblues]

Anyone bought or used one of the new Garmin 296 GPS's ?

Any comments on how you have found it ?

I was looking at these at the PFA Rally and was very impressed, especially the terrain feature with preset warnings; the super clear large display; being able to overlay an HSI over the map ........ I was very tempted, Harry's and Transair were selling them for £950 but not sure if I can justify that !

[S-Works]

stunning, truly stunning, I swapped my 196 for one and can only say stunning and I have a GNS430 fitted!!

[noblues]

Thanks BOSE ...

I too have used the GNS430 .... it must be good to be better than that !

How have you found the battery life ?

Does the terrain also include obstacles ?

[S-Works]

Battery life is around 12hours with backlight on all the time. it is rechargeable and comes with charger etc. It is also USB as well as serial. display is stunning.

Terrain database for Europe does not have obstacles at the moment but due as a software update shortly. It does however give MSA.

It knocks spots of the gns430 as a VFR unit. I use both at the same time for both VFR and IFR flight.

[IMC1]

I agree with Bose-x. Excellent piece of kit.
Sold my old 196, also great, but not as good. The plane I fly (Mooney) also has a 430, but as a GPS aid, I don't find it that useful...imc