Handheld GPS
Join Date: May 2001
Location: Darwin, Mostly.
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Aera 500
Bought one of these at Oshkosh from Sporty's for a tad under $US800.
Great bit of gear in either mode.
Only bug is its $100 to update either database and no, you can't do them together in a bulk load. You can purchase a yearly cycle for the aviation DB at considerable saving over the single uploads if you need to keep it current.
AND
the battery life is phenomenal!
Great bit of gear in either mode.
Only bug is its $100 to update either database and no, you can't do them together in a bulk load. You can purchase a yearly cycle for the aviation DB at considerable saving over the single uploads if you need to keep it current.
AND
the battery life is phenomenal!
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Mars
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There are two issues with used US units. The Pacific database can be changed easily by downloading from the Garmin website for $49.95 but the basemap is a different issue and not so easy to resolve but it can be done with a datacard that fits in the back of a 296/396/495/6, if you know someone in the know who can load a map onto it for you.... If you want the terrian database that also can be downloaded but is more expensive - its all on the Garmin website. I've seen 'as new' used 296's with all of the bits, forsale in the US for as little as $300. (They all seem to be getting rid in favour of the 696). Might be a cheap way to get into a 296, which is an obsolete unit now of course.
Many folks will tell you there's only one choice if buying new of course, but actually these Garmins are not state of the art, rather overpriced and have had the market to themselves for rather too long. There are quite a few alternatives appearing now. This thing looks great, 7 inch screen for under $500! No idea if it comes set up for the Pacific though.
iFly 700? Home Page
Have a look at the Bendix King AV8R and Avmap products too.
Many folks will tell you there's only one choice if buying new of course, but actually these Garmins are not state of the art, rather overpriced and have had the market to themselves for rather too long. There are quite a few alternatives appearing now. This thing looks great, 7 inch screen for under $500! No idea if it comes set up for the Pacific though.
iFly 700? Home Page
Have a look at the Bendix King AV8R and Avmap products too.
Last edited by Clearedtoreenter; 6th Oct 2010 at 11:15.
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: Australia
Age: 41
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@ ForkTailedDrKiller you are clearly looking in the wrong places 
Garmin GPS 495 $1595.00 - Flightstore.com.au, - Aviation Products & Pilot Supplies
using your Marv Golden Price
US$ 1299.00
+ Shipping - US$75
Total - USD$1374.00 converted to AUD $1442.00
+ GST 10% AUD $144.97
+ DUTY 5% AUD $72.10
+ UPS/FEDEX/DHL Fees $30ish
+ Bank charges for the conversion $30 ish
Total Landed - $1719.07
I think you need to check your maths before flinging the muck around about local stores taking the piss with prices !
Garmin GPS 495 $1595.00 - Flightstore.com.au, - Aviation Products & Pilot Supplies
using your Marv Golden Price
US$ 1299.00
+ Shipping - US$75
Total - USD$1374.00 converted to AUD $1442.00
+ GST 10% AUD $144.97
+ DUTY 5% AUD $72.10
+ UPS/FEDEX/DHL Fees $30ish
+ Bank charges for the conversion $30 ish
Total Landed - $1719.07
I think you need to check your maths before flinging the muck around about local stores taking the piss with prices !
Last edited by AVIATOR1982; 6th Oct 2010 at 14:01.
