Garmin GPS196 Update v.4 - obstacles?

[[email protected]]

I just got an email from Garmin saying that their version 4.00 software
for the GPS196 is out. I was perusing the list of feature deltas
between the 3.80 and this one, and one bullet item stuck out as
interesting: support for obstacle database.

This is not a feature of the 196, or at least wasn't when I bought it.
Could they have actually added it since? Perhaps to compete with the
Lowrance products? Will towers show up in my unit *for free* the next
time I update the database?

I did the update to the firmware to 4, and obstacles not appear, which
is why I'm thinking I'd need a db update. Or maybe this just isn't what
I think it is.

-- dave j
-- jacobowitz73 -at- yahoo --dot-- com

[randy]

I noticed that too, I had heard the rumor that obstacle avoidance would be
added to the 196 soon. Downloaded the update, no towers. Downloaded the
latest Jeppesen database for $35.00, no towers. Anybody know what gives,
can't find anything on the Garmin site.

Randy


wrote in news:1110327036.349560.299530
@o13g2000cwo.googlegroups.com:

>
> I just got an email from Garmin saying that their version 4.00 software
> for the GPS196 is out. I was perusing the list of feature deltas
> between the 3.80 and this one, and one bullet item stuck out as
> interesting: support for obstacle database.
>
>

[Art Varrassi]

I just got off the phone with a support rep at Garmin. There will be a new
and additional obstacle database available for download on the Garmin site
either by the end of this week or next week. You will need to download this
database in addition to the aviation database from Jeppesen. The obstacle
database will cost $35 and that is in addition to the $35 it costs to
download the aviation database. While that's expensive, it's at least good
to know that my investment in the GPSmap196 has not gone to waste and that
Garmin is still working on updates for it. Also, I asked the support rep
about any new documentation available that covers the new features and
configuration options with release 4.0. He said they are working on an
update to the documentation but wasn't sure if it would be available for
download or if it would have to be purchased. He recommended that I keep an
eye on the web site for future announcements.

Art Varrassi
PP-ASEL
Commercial Training


> wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> I just got an email from Garmin saying that their version 4.00 software
> for the GPS196 is out. I was perusing the list of feature deltas
> between the 3.80 and this one, and one bullet item stuck out as
> interesting: support for obstacle database.
>
> This is not a feature of the 196, or at least wasn't when I bought it.
> Could they have actually added it since? Perhaps to compete with the
> Lowrance products? Will towers show up in my unit *for free* the next
> time I update the database?
>
> I did the update to the firmware to 4, and obstacles not appear, which
> is why I'm thinking I'd need a db update. Or maybe this just isn't what
> I think it is.
>
> -- dave j
> -- jacobowitz73 -at- yahoo --dot-- com
>

[[email protected]]

I guess it's not very Garmin-like that we would get something for free.
$35 is a lot. I wonder how often that db will be updated. We'll watch
the website, I guess.

dave j

[Cub Driver]

That terrain feature is one of the nicest things about the 296. (Of
course it works better when the obstacle is red!) If they install it
in new 196s, i.e. without paying the extra $70, it would make the
thang much more attractive as an economical alternative to the 296.


-- all the best, Dan Ford

email (put Cubdriver in subject line)

Warbird's Forum: www.warbirdforum.com
Piper Cub Forum: www.pipercubforum.com
the blog: www.danford.net

[Art Varrassi]

I just downloaded and installed the obstacle database on my GPSmap196. I
love all of the little tee-pee's that are now all over my screen. This is
really neat.

Art Varrassi
PP-ASEL
Very Happy Garmin Customer

> wrote in message
oups.com...
>
> I just got an email from Garmin saying that their version 4.00 software
> for the GPS196 is out. I was perusing the list of feature deltas
> between the 3.80 and this one, and one bullet item stuck out as
> interesting: support for obstacle database.
>
> This is not a feature of the 196, or at least wasn't when I bought it.
> Could they have actually added it since? Perhaps to compete with the
> Lowrance products? Will towers show up in my unit *for free* the next
> time I update the database?
>
> I did the update to the firmware to 4, and obstacles not appear, which
> is why I'm thinking I'd need a db update. Or maybe this just isn't what
> I think it is.
>
> -- dave j
> -- jacobowitz73 -at- yahoo --dot-- com
>

[Ted Lindgreen]

In article >,
Art Varrassi > wrote:
>I just downloaded and installed the obstacle database on my GPSmap196. I

Where did you find this "obstacle database"?

-- ted

[max]

You can download it now from the Aviation Databses section of their
website. For the 196 see:

http://shop.garmin.com/aviation/databases/select_database_type.asp?PR=010%2D00301%2D00&PN=GPSMAP+196

Notice there's now an "obstacle" option for an additional $35!

[[email protected]]

In article >, "Art Varrassi" > wrote:
>I just downloaded and installed the obstacle database on my GPSmap196. I
>love all of the little tee-pee's that are now all over my screen. This is
>really neat.
>
>Art Varrassi
>PP-ASEL
>Very Happy Garmin Customer
>
I did the same. Works great. This morning I flew for about three hours and
if I was flying way above the obstructions, the warning would not come up, but
when I was within perhaps 1000 ft vertical and 1 mile horizontal, I'd get the
warning. Since this is a new feature, and not documented in the manual, I
don't know what the real limits are. Anyway, it is definitely worth the $35
upgrade.

[randy]

I did the same today, the obstacles didn't even show on the map when
cruising at 6500, I was thinking there was something wrong, when I decended
the obstacles started showing up, is this the way it's supposed to work???
I would like to see the obstacles show all the time. Any ideas???



>
> I did the same. Works great. This morning I flew for about three
> hours and if I was flying way above the obstructions, the warning
> would not come up, but when I was within perhaps 1000 ft vertical and
> 1 mile horizontal, I'd get the warning. Since this is a new feature,
> and not documented in the manual, I don't know what the real limits
> are. Anyway, it is definitely worth the $35 upgrade.
>

[[email protected]]

In article >, randy > wrote:
>I did the same today, the obstacles didn't even show on the map when
>cruising at 6500, I was thinking there was something wrong, when I decended
>the obstacles started showing up, is this the way it's supposed to work???
>I would like to see the obstacles show all the time. Any ideas???
>

I like not having the clutter when they are of no threat. I just wish I knew
what separation turns them on. I guess I'll just have to fly tomorrow and
find out. 8)

tom

[Dave Butler]

wrote:
> In article >, randy > wrote:
>
>>I did the same today, the obstacles didn't even show on the map when
>>cruising at 6500, I was thinking there was something wrong, when I decended
>>the obstacles started showing up, is this the way it's supposed to work???
>>I would like to see the obstacles show all the time. Any ideas???
>>
>
>
> I like not having the clutter when they are of no threat. I just wish I knew
> what separation turns them on. I guess I'll just have to fly tomorrow and
> find out. 8)

Look in the setup menus. I don't remember the details, but it's somewhat
configurable.

DGB

[[email protected]]

>> I like not having the clutter when they are of no threat. I just wish I knew
>
>> what separation turns them on. I guess I'll just have to fly tomorrow and
>> find out. 8)
>
>Look in the setup menus. I don't remember the details, but it's somewhat
>configurable.
>
>DGB

With the updating to rev 4. system software, there is now a menu item when on
the map page that lets you set the altitude above for an alarm, as well as a
time looking ahead for the alarm.

tom

[[email protected]]

I think the 196 is getting only an obstacle database, not the terrain
database as in the 296. But, I've been wrong before!

Jack