Thinking of an upgrade. Would like approaches, and maybe weather and XM. Anybody using somthing besides Garmin. Looks like some the the compeditors are much less expencive.

Tim

I have an AV8TOR Ace with XM weather. Love it.
Rob

I bought the Garmin Aera 510

Here is a link to the series that Garmin is replacing the 196, 296,396..... Dont know the vendor. google search

http://www.tropicaero.com/garmin_aera.a ... 5QodjR3PHQ

I got a Garmin Aera 550, with the high-resolution terrain. I give it a 10 out of 10. Simple to use, all the bells and whistles and that high-res terrain is incredibly useful. I had three occasions this summer when the high rez added big-time to my comfort factor (B.C. inside passage under low overcast, bad smoke in the rocky mtn trench and a night landing in Tonopah, NV). The 550 is a little more expensive, but I'm really glad I spent the extra.

You asked about something else. I use the True Flight FL190. Same size as the 696 except half as thick and half the weight. Has every chart and approach plate, IFR and VFR. Puts your aircraft on all charts except approach plates. For approaches instead of putting you on the plate it puts all the plate data on the moving map. Costs $298 a year to update everything that can possibly be updated, including any updates to the GPS software itself. A couple of pics:

http://tinyurl.com/2fx5lgz
http://tinyurl.com/268hqf3

Here's a set of videos from the company showing the various features of the unit.

http://www.aviationsafety.com/tutorial/index.html

The Flight Cheetah FL190 looks pretty sweet, esp at the price!
I love garmin's stuff, but they do get a pretty penny for it!

An Aera 550 just came up on barnstormers.

This is what I use and love it.
http://www.flightprep.com/rootpage.php?page=ChartBookS

xxxxx

I've had the AnywhereMap ATC for a year and a half, upgraded it with the XM Wx receiver last summer, and love it. Touch screen beats hell out of buttons and rocker switches any day. It's much lighter than the 696. And vastly cheaper to buy ($600 to $1,300 depending upon options vs. three grand) and to keep current with downloadable database updates ($115 per year for everything vs. close to a grand per year if you get everything Garmin sells as subscriptions). "Everything" includes facilities database, obstructions, terrain, taxi diagrams, and sectional maps (MaxNav).

AnywhereMap also offers features you can't get on a Garmin for any price, such as MaxNav, which provides downloadable current FAA sectional maps on which you view your position in real time as you fly.

They came out with a newer unit this year ("Quadra") that is more capable than my ATC (more internal memory so handles MaxNav better; and it has a Wi-Fi to update independently of your computer). Sells for $600, or $800 for the MaxNav version. About $1,300 with XM WX and MaxNav. Much cheaper than the "equivalent" Garmin Aera (two grand).

No complaints so far in over 300 hours of use.

I have a Garmin 150XL in my panel, and have used a G430W in rental aircraft and a G696 in a friend's plane ... as far as user-friendliness, functionality, reliability, ease of updating, and bottom line cost go, my AnywhereMap beats the hell out of any Garmin product I've ever used. As long as you don't need a certified IFR enroute and approach GPS - in which case, you need a G430W or G530W - then you can't go wrong with the AnywhereMap. Even if you had a G430W or G530W, and if you also have the Anywhere Map on your yolk, you'll probably end up using the AnywhereMap over the Garmin most of the time, except for doing approved WAAS approaches in actual IMC.

I say keep the 396, great unit with the weather, and get an IPAD to use as an additional situational awareness aide. surprisingly cheapest option of the aforementioned options. You will need to choose an app to work with. There are several good options available.

I have a 396 and have resisted buying the IPAD, as I am going to wait for the next generation probably out in early 2011. I have a hanger buddy who has it and I have flown with it. It blows me away. The gps is rather accurate and the interface is great.

Just my .02 cents.

xxxx

hey... green horn.. ck.out this gps..http://ifly.adventurepilot.com/ this is what I'm looking at to buy...The iFly 700™ by Adventure Pilot. the price is just wright when your on a budget..great back up.

there is a good wright up on it in Plain&Pilot.. http://www.planeandpilotmag.com/product ... y-700.html

I've come to the conclusion that is is a wait and see on ADS-B. there are to many ????? when it comes to GA and TSO'd product.

xxxx

I have the Ifly700 and really like it. You fly across a sectional or you can get the low altitude enroute charts for IFR. Also all the approach plates come with the subscription which is $69/year. I have not had any of the Garmin stuff as I upgraded from a Watch and compass, It works well and the price was right.

Tim, they have a Flight Cheetah FL150 Portable Aviation GPS on ebay http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Flight-C ... 43a3f4c1d2