I recently picked up a 396 (Thanks Bumper) I am looking to activate the XM for my Idaho trip. If I purchase the Aviator LT package....having a hard time justifying an extra $25 just for winds aloft since I can get them from any FSS out there.....Will I automatically have XM radio or is that an additional fee? The website is not real clear. I'd like to have the music for my 8 hour drive across Oregon at 75mph.

If I remember correctly, the XM radio is an additional $6 on top of the wx. I have the radio and base wx package on my Aera 510.

Extra, and I couldn't find it for less that $10. Wondering if it's possible to put it on for a month or maybe 3 months only????

Aviator lite and music will cost you $45.96 out the door, but since the music is an add on, you can drop it at any time with out penalty. The same is true about going from lite to Aviator, or Pro. I bounce back and fourth on a fairly regular basis. It's the first call I make when the Ipod is on the fritz

Take care, Rob

The music is extra. . With the mid level package you also get lightening activity and storm cell information. I have found the more helpful than the winds aloft on summer cross country trips.

You can upgrade or downgrade for 5 months and 29 days or something like that. I was going to go to the cheaper package during the winter but never end up doing it

I do aviator pro during flying season and go back to lite during off season as well.

I don't get XM radio just because I have so much of my own music, and like to listen to what I want to listen too, when I want to listen to it!

emflys wrote:I do aviator pro during flying season and go back to lite during off season as well.

I don't get XM radio just because I have so much of my own music, and like to listen to what I want to listen too, when I want to listen to it!

Exactly. Just iPod (or your favorite mp3 player) it! Unless you like talk radio.

Good call guys I'm not going to spend extra for music. I'll just use my Iphone. I am going to get the weather for my Idaho trip though.

On another note, does anyone know how to hook up a 496 to the intercom? I have XM radio on mine but I never listen to it... because I don't know how to hook it to the intercom and I've never really looked into it.

robw56 wrote:On another note, does anyone know how to hook up a 496 to the intercom? I have XM radio on mine but I never listen to it... because I don't know how to hook it to the intercom and I've never really looked into it.

Do youhave a 3.5mm audio input jack on your panel?

My intercom is wired for an aux (3.5mm jack) input. Look up the specs for your intercom and see if it has this circuit. Simple wiring.

Thanks, I'll have to go to the hangar and look and see what kind of intercom it is.

Its a Sigtronics SPA-400, anyone ever hooked one of these up to the audio from a 496?

yes, but.... In the sound settings for the 496 and most garmins, you have a choice for a headphone setting or a line out. Menu>Sound>Audio Jack>? I can't remeber, but an pretty sure you want line out for the intercom, or headphones if going direct into your headset... I can check this afternoon.
You will know when you are on the wrong / right one... Wrong one won't let out any magic smoke, but wound sound worth a darn either...

This brings up questions for me. How often can you turn the XM package on and off? Can you get a month and then turn it off, wait two months and turn it on again? I'm torn between the XM and ADS-B weather service too. It's the Scotch in me. Free is good. A feller could buy an IFly 500 and the SkyRadar receiver for less than the price of a used 696 with XM. And the IFly is horizontal or vertical. The 696 is vertical only. But the IFly is a touch screen. I doubt I'm going to like that.

EB

There are two ways to bring audio in to your intercom. One via the audio out on the back of the 496 to your sig and then the other is with the power data cable to the music aux input of your sig.