Hello Mike,

FYI I the later Garmins (I believe that includes the 196) will record flight
tracks with Altitude, the Lowrance 500 and 1000 will not.

I find the 3D track very useful for:

1) Aesthetic dimension for plots of our flights to give to friends that
we've given rides to. E.g. if you use http://www.gpsvisualizer.com it will
color-code the track according to your altitude.

2) Instrument training. Plotting your track directly onto the approach
plate. How well was I holding altitude or glidepath?
E.g.
http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/cra...&.dnm=a4c5.jpg

3) Evaluating engine/airplane performance. Leisurely after-the-fact
evaluation of climb-rate. Also, when did the wheels leave the runway on
those short-field takeoffs? Where was I when I cleared that 50' obstacle?
And how does that compare to book? This has become more important to me
since I fly with a CS prop, I've had a bit of engine trouble lately, and I
occasionally fly out of a 2600' grass strip in the Texas Hill Country
(that's NOT the place I want to find out that my engine is not putting out
max hp!)
E.g.
http://f2.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/cra...&.dnm=1d24.jpg


Cheers,
John Clonts
Temple, Texas
N7NZ