New Garmin Aera 795/796

[GeorgeMandes]

Just announced, looks very interesting, with a size between a 696 and Aera.

AOPA Online: Garmin's iPad killer

[Runway101]

Garmin is betting that pilots, even those already enamored with the iPad, will buy a 796, too.

With a price tag of $2,499 I am not sure if this will indeed turn out to be an iPad killer. Only advantage I can see is the brighter and less reflective screen, but sooner or later somebody will release an "aviation-mod" for the iPad in my opinion to change that as well.

Dang, $2499 is what I paid for my 496 a couple of years ago, and the 496 feels so outdated now compared to iPad or 696/796.

[Hank195]

From the product description on Aero-News.net

The addition of optional City Navigator data on the aera 796 allows the user to search and locate any desired surface address for use as a flight plan waypoint or for direct-to navigation. This makes it even easier for helicopter and fixed-wing operators to respond to critical missions around streets and highways, survey land or perform search and rescue operations.

Sounds like an interesting feature

[EN48]

Anyone know if the 796 is plug & mount compatible with the 696? In other words, can I substitute a 796 for an existing 696 and use the existing mount and cables, and get the crossfill function from my GNS530 without any other changes?

[Aucky]

The addition of optional City Navigator data on the aera 796 allows the user to search and locate any desired surface address for use as a flight plan waypoint or for direct-to navigation. This makes it even easier for helicopter and fixed-wing operators to respond to critical missions around streets and highways, survey land or perform search and rescue operations.
Sounds like an interesting feature

No doubt a load of features that will only work in the US, like most....

I think i'll stick to the iPad with a better & bigger screen, weather (that works in europe), notams (that work in europe), airport plates in which ever style you like (Jepp, AIP, soon pooleys....), $2000 less price tag, and probably a much better battery. oh yeah, and no expensive annual updates, and plenty of entertainment when the rain moves in. Garmin are ok, but old hat in my opinion, when will they give in and produce an app

(edit: I'm know their panel mount displays above the 430 (IFR, GPS approaches etc..) are no doubt great, but thats a different issue, the portable ones are always fiddly, expensive, have poor batteries and are outdated within 2 years when you start looking at the new Garmin 89465.... I'm not sold)

[vaqueroaero]

A bit of thread drift here.

I flew the replacement for the 530 & 430 a few months back. It makes the 530 look like a dinosaur as far as the graphics go. The touch sensitive screen was great. It was connected to a 500H and autopilot in a 407. A very nice set up.

[GeorgeMandes]

I read the Garmin announcement on my IPad, and don't think I or others will be replacing the IPad with this anytime soon. That said, I am a major 695/696 fan, and this may be more a 696 killer than an IPad killer. As you point out, the new 750 is light years ahead of the 530, and this new Garmin device shares the same screen technology as the 750, and is far better than the frustrating touch screen on the little Aera units. Right now, a 696 and electric attitude indicator is almost a complete avionics suite in a VFR helicopter for flying in the mountains, and I can't wait to see if this 796 obsoletes the 696.

What John, no G1000?

[vaqueroaero]

What John, no G1000?

Been there done that also! At first I was not a fan of it, but after a while I must admit that it grew on me. As with the majority of Garmin products, if you can use one you can use them all.