Very intuitive operation. You hardly need to use the instructions. The battery lasts so long, there is almost no need to hook it to the plane's electrical system. It is accurate and will get you to where you need to go. You can easily use the keys in turbulence.

All of of these type units are way too expensive.

If Garmen threatens to change these portable units to touch screen like they did the panel mount units, buy one real fast. Many of us find the touch screen units too hard to use in small planes with even mild turbulence.

Garmin reliability, familiar screen if you have had other Garmin aviation GPS. The 496 screen is superb, and as clear as 696. Point it toward the sun, and you can see it even better. When they say sun light readable, they really do mean that. It is much better than their Aera series. for sure.

For the amount of money, they should have had approach map added, VFR and enroute chart capability with GEO reference added . While the screen is crystal clear, the size is a bit too small. This is where the Aera shines in terms of screen size, but unfortuantely it is not as clear as 496.
Terrain overlay isn't on the map screen it is a separate screen. This is one more screen you have to toggle.

The only other things is too many command via Rocker switch to get to the function you need.

Overall an excellent Aviation GPS unit with all the goodies, Aviation, Marine, Auto , Weather capability.

Unit price is too high. It should be in The $1500 range.

Garmin subscription of selling in piece meal is too expensive.
By the time you get lall those features such as AOPA directory, taxi diagarm, weather and regular database update, you are talking about big bucks every year. So it is not for the average
GA pilot. Suggestion design something in between Aera 560 and 696 with screen size about 6 inches, and light weight, and you will have more of the market share.

Very nice addition to my airplane.

Expensive initial cost and expensive updates

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I am still learning this device but weather and situation awareness is raised to a new level. I really enjoy the portability.

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I am a student pilot but really like what this adds to my flying.

As an instrument student, I find the extra benefit of having current weather extremely beneficial here in central Florida.

the yoke mount that comes standard is not good for viewing when mounted to the right yoke. It only has 2 mount positions that are 90* apart. More flexibility would be nice.

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I have used this GPS many times since I purchased it. It is by far, the best of all the portable GPS devices that I have had. I recently used it for a very long flight, (total of 12:35), using the XM radar in an area of thunder storms for a good 2 hour period. Everything I saw on the XM, (of course with a little lag time), corresponded with what ATC was showing. It is an excellent way of avoiding the weather. That, and being able to use it in the automobile mode is an excellent all around package.

Thanks,

Dick

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I would highly recommend this product.

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Size, power, weather display ability.

Some cables didn't fit the unit.

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Needs an instructional DVD specifically for the Garmin 496 that highlights new features from the Garmin 396.

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This is by far the most valuable piece of equipment I have purchased for my plane.

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Make sure you get the RAM suction cup mount if you are in a Skyhawk.

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This was my second 496. The first was stolen. There should be some provision for a pin number or password or some way to track a unit after it is stolen.

Excellent unit with all the features I need in a unit with this screen size (charts would be nice but not realistic on this unit).

XM weather really gives me the situational awareness I like when flying in the weather. I wouldn't trust it 100% and recommend you have a method to cross check what's being displayed on the screen. I have a stormscope which is ideal in my view.

Beautiful color screen with a good refresh rate.

The downloads for this unit will darn near break the bank. Every download is at least $35 and there are a bunch of them. Check Garmin's web site for current information. My bet is you'll be like me and selectively download content for this unit.

This unit is a reference standard of portable GPS'.

This product, for all of the wide array of feautures and functionality that this product brings (and they are MANY), it is extraordinarily easy to use and intuitive in its user interface. As I did, you can read the manual, buy the product, spend an afternoon playing with it and go flying the next day. The peace of mind that this product brings that "you are where you think you are" is invaluable. While it is expensive, as my wife pointed out, the first time you are without it and get lost, it's gonna seem REALLY cheap.

It is astounding to me that with all of the research and devlopment that went into this product, there is no PC interface. How much easier would it be to develop flight/nav plans on your PC and then download them to the 496 and keep a library of these. Even better, allow downloading flight/nav plans developed in the new AOPA flight planner, NOW you'd have something.

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It is nice to have some weather information when flying smaller planes not equipped with onboard weather radar abilities. It has kept me out of some weather that could have been a problem for the smaller plane I was flying at the time. It allows me to be part of the decision making process in flight instead of having to rely soley on ATC.

It has a large initial cost but if you can manage it, it is worth while.

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Exceedingly good spatial reference in the cockpit. For the pilot that wants information, this has it all, AOPA database is just awesome. XM weather is worth the price, great for getting the latest weather in the air, and great for providing a visual reference to whats happening with the weather. Faster screen updates than the 396 really make the screen easier to interpret.

On the pricy side. Updates from Garmin are expensive! Jeppesen (NavData) $49.95 for a single update, $295 for the year. Obstacle database $49.95 sigle update, $195 for 7. Terrain database, $150 (not really needed). Safe taxi database, again $50 for one and $200 for 7. AND.... AOPA database $50 per update (and its updated 4 times a year).

Came with the yoke mount, car mount (2 types), external gps antenna, 3 power supplies (1AC, 1DC, and 1DC with speaker) and the XM antenna, with extension cable.

Excellent tool. I use my 496 on even short flights. I love my GPS

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Having weather in the cockpit is worth every penny spent on this product.

The rocker-switch method of data input is somewhat outmoded and slow, but still works. The power cord connections are very poorly designed and fail regularly. Garmin recognizes this design flaw and is EXCELLENT in replacing these, however.

Possibly the best product I have bought in the last five years, if only for the in-flight weather.

User-friendly. Reliable backup for primary GPS.

Some difficulty in finding good mounting solution. Finally found a glareshield mount from another vendor.

Works best on adaptor plug-in power vs. battery, which discharges rather quickly.

Mounting was an issue, until I found a glareshield mount that works well.

Good back up for the plane's primary GPS. XM weather is outstanding.