REFLECTOR: Garmin 296

[David Doyle]

I must jump into this discussion.

I have been using the 296 since it was introduced. I
was using a Pilot III prior. but had also used a 295
as well.

 Frankly the 296 is by far the best handheld unit
period. It has virtually all the features you would
get in a panel mounted unit.  Just as one example the
battery life per charge can be up to 12+ hours(no need
for "wire management"(depending on what brightness
level you choose), try to get that from an iPOD. 
Another feature is terrain alert.  A great feature is
the mini instrument panel giving you; airspeed,
altitude, VSI, turn indicator, and a CDI.  With the
yoke mount, the unit sits exactly where it should be
in an instrument scan. 

Also in the package is; a yoke mount, 110 power
connector, cigar lighter plug, computer cable
interface cable, and a great little carrying case.

I am a CASARA pilot (the counterpart of your Civil Air
Patrol) and wouldn't want to fly with anything else. 
If you have an opportunity to "test fly" a 296 be
prepared to be spoiled.  Most probably you will put a
296 on your Christmas wish list!

--- Scott Derrick <scott at tnstaafl.net> wrote:

> What kind of GPS you using???
> 
> Scott
> 
> > In a message dated 11/23/2004 1:26:06 PM Pacific
> Standard Time,
> > CBarber at texasattorney.net writes:
> > I too love my Control Vision Anywhere Map. I have
> been using it for a
> > couple
> > of years and it is great.  The ONLY drawback as
> far as I am concerned is
> > that
> > you do need to maintain some "wire management".
> > What is "wire management"?  If you mean the leeds
> in/out, there is only
> > one
> > connector on the bottom of the iPAC 5550.  I ran
> the cord from the plug
> > under
> > the panel, then cut off the "cigar" lighter plug,
> and hard wired
> > everything in
> > via a breaker for +.  The harness provided by
> Control Vision for this will
> > only be used in the aircraft anyway as it has the
> leed out for the AP.  I
> > have
> > one coiled wire that plugs in the bottom of the
> iPAC then it's Velcrod to
> > an
> > angled aluminum bracket mounted on the counsel in
> front of the stick.
> > Very clean
> > setup.  You could keep the aircraft harness in
> tact for other aircraft use
> > by
> > installing a female power port plug behind the
> panel out of sight, and run
> > to
> > that.  I also purchased an additional DC plug for
> the auto.
> >
> > Of course if you rent, it's a different story, but
> still, not much
> > different
> > from a portable GPS as you still have to relocate
> the antenna (more wire)
> > for
> > good signal, and run the "cigar" lighter plug
> (more wire again) to a power
> > port.
> >
> > TEC
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=====
David Doyle


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