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I'm about to give up on my Airmap 300 and after reading all of the articles, I'm thinking that the Garmin 196 is the way to go.
Anyone have any history to share?

By all accounts it's a great unit. If that's what you want...go for it!!

Garmin 296 is the tops and includes terrain warnings. Pricey, but the best without weather as on the 396.

I have and use a 196 a lot in my 152 (and the car) and it works great. They came up with new software last year for it that added towers (an additional database for $35/update) and it works really well.

The 296 has a slightly different display design, it has color, terrain mapping, audible terrain/tower warnings that you can wire into an intercom system, and uses a rechargeable battery rather than 4-AAs like the 196. If you want to use it in the car the 296 gives you "voice" navigation (like the ads on TV show - "turn right in 1/2 mile", that kind of thing). It's twice the price of the 196 though.

We use a 396 at work and if you want to go all-out the 396 is really neat with the added weather capabilities, on-map TFR mapping, XM radio, and voice warnings (instead of a beeper you actually hear a "terrain! pull up! pull up!" type warning). We also have a Garmin transponder that adds TCAS-like traffic overlays with altitude/vectors right on the GPS display, and when someone's within a certain range of you a voice yells "traffic" in your ear.

I've been mulling over getting rid of the 196 for a 296 or 396 (the color displays are really nice for both the 152 and car), but I haven't convinced myself to spend the money.

One other comment for everyone with Garmin 196/296/396s: it's relatively easy to set up Microsoft Flight Simulator and the GPS(s) so the GPS reflects what the simulator is doing. It makes experimenting with, and learning how to operate the GPS really easy without wasting time in the airplane or using the built-in sim-mode. If anyone wants details drop me a note.

Scott,

It would be interesting to know how to use the GPS with MS Flight Sim. How do you do it?

I went to Aircraft Spruce in April and bought a 196. I am liking it allot

One word of caution: I have the 296 (which I love) and put it on the right side with the Garmin yoke mount kit, since I fly my 152 from the right seat with or without a student, but found that the heat control knob can get jammed up with the yoke mount kit if it is pulled out in the heat on position! This could be a very dangerous mistake.

Terry

Terry:

You might look into configuring some kind of RAM mount instead of the stock one. They always seem a little more streamlined. The suction-cup mounts (the small locking-kind) work great, but there's not a lot of room for options in the 150/152.

That yoke mount issue sounds like no fun at all!! How much room is in your panel? We discussed some of the options including RAM and panel mounts last fall. Here's a link: http://www.cessna150-152.com/ubbthr...=&sb=5&o=&fpart=all&vc=1 I can highly reccomend the 296, especially for night flying. I bought mine used on Ebay about the time that the 396 came out. Watch out for the scammers, though.

Hey guys, how do you rename your links in your posts so the whole address doesn't show?

Use the "URL" button in the Instant UBB Code menu under the post-box (after you see how it's done you can type the codes in manually too).