Looking for actual end user feedback.

 

I put one in my helicopter. I just love it. Much nicer than the 496 I had. The screen is just gorgeous! Do you have a specific question?
Chuck

 

Yup.

Absolutely love it. Huge screen and extremely easy to use.

Traded my 396. Battery life sucks unless you turn down the brightness.

edit: REALLY like the extended runway centerlines, especially at unfamiliar fields or at night.

 

The only concern I've heard is the cost of updates, otherwise everyone seems to like it.

 

I'd like to hear how you guys are actually employing it, are you using it in conjunction with another unit, etc.

I have a Garmin 430 (no terrain, no WAAS) in my Arrow. I'm thinking seriously about the 696 for weather, terrain, approach plates, etc. I could upgrade the 430 to WAAS (which will include the terrain upgrade as well) for about $1500, but that still leaves me without on board weather and having to carry several sets of approach plates.

At $3295 it's definitely tempting, but if the subscriptions are cost prohibitive I'm wondering about the overall cost long term.

 

The High Cost of G696 Updates - VAF Forums

Hopefully this link works. It's a discussion on the subscription costs on the 696. If you browse the forum, since they are hombuilders, I think you'll find all the information you'll want on GPS's.

 

I should have added a warning if you spend to much time on that forum you'll end up looking for or building one of the RV's.

 

Had a chance to experience a G1000 yesterday in a 172sp. What an amazing piece of equipment.

 

It's truly impressive in the real world.

I flew home on the 17th. After fueling in KDAY, I had flight planned KTOL ->CYHM. I was running late so I requested direct CHYM which was approved. Took me directly down the middle of Lake Erie, 20 nms from either side - YIKES!

Scrolled up the lows, picked ERRTH intersection and requested direct that, direct CYHM which took me within gliding distance of shore. Try that with a 496!

 

Beats doing this: