Garmin 196

Should you buy this?

  • Yes.  This is a great entry-level aviation portable GPS with a big screen and lots of features.  If you are just starting out or if you only fly occasionally, this GPS is for you.

Why should you buy it?

  • Long lasting Batteries
  • Well thought out user interface
  • Pretty fast
  • Easy GPS data Updates

Why shouldn't you buy it?

  • No Terrain
  • Black/White screen can, at times, be difficult to read

The Details

The Display

   

The display is nice and large with good contrast.  The brightness of the screen is adjustable and makes it a good partner in the cockpit.  At certain light angles, the display can be difficult to read, but this is relatively rare.

Processing/Drawing Speed

The system is relatively fast.

GPS Satellite Acquisition

Not quite as fast as the Garmin 296 or 396, satellite acquisition is fast enough where, once in the air, you'll be up and running in under a minute.

The User Interface/Menu

Garmin has done its homework with all of their larger portable GPS units.  Easy buttons, easy UI, easy everything.  You really don't need training on this UI, but it is available.

Portable Power

Simple AA batteries that last a long time.  Very easy to get power with this unit.

External Power

Garmin provides a cigarette adapter with this unit.  No AC adapter is provided

Mounts

A number of different mounts are included with this unit including a yoke mount and a mount that can be 'stuck' to the dash of either a car or an aircraft.  It is easily adjustable on 2 axis's for easy viewing.  The yoke mount can be a little less versitile on some aircraft, but it can be angled enough to make it usable on just about every aircraft with a yoke mount.

You can also purchase a 'bean bag' mount that allows you to mount your 196 by simply sitting it on any flat (or angled) surface.

 

GPS Antenna

An external GPS antenna is not required to operate the unit but really makes the unit perform better.  The antenna is provided with a suction-cup mounting option with a very long cable - perfect! 

Cost

List is $999.00, but you can find it for about $799.00.  Remember, you get what you pay for!

More Information

http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap196/

 

GPS Review Page

Note:  All images were taken directly from the Garmin web site.

This page was last modified on 12/03/2006