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The same 296 data-cable works on the 396 - it's different on the 196. The cable can not only power the GPS (12v or 28v systems, it takes any power source), but in that single connector also has audio-out to your intercom for traffic, terrain, and obstruction warnings via a voice (it's a separate audio-feed from the XM plug as of several software updates back).

There's no provision to interface to an encoder that I know of, but you can set up the data-in cable to interface with an ARINC/AV400 data source (another GPS, for example). As of a few software-updates back the GPS automatically finds the closest altimeter setting (via XM) and loads it into the E6B page.

I guess I'll go with the 296 and not the 396. I don't fly that much and it would be hard to justify the fees.

With the terrain feature (I believe) it would be nice to have an alert with all the cell phone towers going up AND, we are having an explosion growth rate with wind turbines in West Texas. It seems like we have thousands of turbines out here now, but at least the wind turbines are very easy to spot during the daytime. The blades (on a sunny day) seem to flash when the sun hits them as they are spinning, but an overcast day might make the turbines hard to see.

I don't know if they input wind turbines and cell phone towers into the databank on the Garmins as "terrain" features (and probably not) but it would be a nice feature to have.

I'd have to check, but I think only towers 200' or taller are normally included on sectionals, therefore shorter obstacles wouldn't show up in most databases, either.

I know that normally a Ham antenna less than 200' tall does not need FAA notification (unless within prescribed distance to a runway or heliport).

The 296 and 396 have three databases: terrain, obstacle, and the Jeppesen Aviation database. The obstacle database can be upgraded every couple months, but it doesn't say what it takes to qualify for an obstacle. Garmin Database Upgrades [shop.garmin.com] I'd love the 396 too, but I can't justify the subscription price for the weather. The 296 is a great piece of equipment.

Prior to my r/t flight from Florida to Californian, I upgraded from the 196 to the 296. I knew the screen was much more visible (which I needed) but thought I was just getting a 196 with color.
Wow was I wrong. It is much faster and has much more for the pilot than the 196. I decided on the move after I found myself about five miles from an airport with my head inches from the 196 trying to see what was on the screen instead of looking out the window. With the 296 you can see it all even in bright daylight.
Don't get me wrong, the 196 is a great machine but I'm just too damned old to see the screen clearly any more.
Couldn't justify the weather option of the 396. Most of my flying is not covered by radar anyway.

Harry

How well does the 296 work in automotive mode? Does it give voice prompt? Do you have to download additonal info each time you want to use it an different city?

Dan, I am running my 296 in auto mode on the Goldwing. You can do your "Street Maps" data in a couple of ways. The base data is there and not bad, but by adding a 1GB card, I believe you can download the US in total. I bought a 256K card to go with the 128 that came with the car kit. The 128K card holds Wash/Oregon/Idaho plus portions of Montana and Utah (for a trip I was planning). The unit has several modes, including a street level view that is fun, but not very funtional. It has a map, then data, and route pages as well as a compass page too. Yes, it does give voice prompts, but it can become annoying if you deviate from the stated route. ("Turn right in 100', (missed turn) recalculating, Okay stupid, take another RIGHT...you know, the right side....hold up your right hand...NO YOUR OTHER RIGHT HAND....RECALCULATING) Okay...maybe not that bad.

What I find most useful is a very complete data base of points of interest. What lunch at an IHop. Type in Ihop and it will give you a list of Ihops a mile long, the direction and distance. Just pick and go. Visual instructions are also displayed when navigating too.

I love it quite frankly (you can even display aviation info on the auto maps, such as airports and airspace.)

Which type card does it use Jeff...SD?

Dan,
I travel a fair bit for work and use my 296 a LOT in the rental cars, as well as my own car.

In my view it is fantastic!!! I have the auto kit with the external speaker and it gives turn by turn instructions over the speaker. I use "City Select" maps that came with it. I find that it does a very good gob, with plenty of notice before turns. I also drive a lot of new cars as part of my job that have navigation systems built in them. I think my 296 on top of the dash does just about as good of a job as the built in ones. In fact I like it even better because I can move it from car to car and it also shows me all the aviation info that I like.

Dale - Arizona

They may be an MMC type (is that right?) but they appear they may be proprietory...not sure on that since I just bought one off of ebay.

I just downloaded data to mine tonight. I found I have a 256 and the 128 supplied with the auto kit.

The 256 took all Maps from Vancouver BC through half of Montana down to Western New Mexico and still had about 40mb left of the 256. That included all cities (like Seattle and LA). I then loaded everything to the right, and got the rest of Montana, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico plus parts of Kansas, Nebraska and Iowa into the 128 card. I bet a 1 gb (not sure if it supports that large of memory or not) would get most of the US on it. But boy it will take a couple hours to complete the download.