Marco Leon wrote:
Does anyone have this setup where the 396/496 (particularly the 496) is
in their panel hooked up through an RS232 cable to a 430 or 530?

I have my crusty 195 attached to my 430. Should be simular.

1) Does the 496 pick up the inputted flight plan/route from the
430/530?

Yes. Change the route on the 430 and it is automatically sent to the
handheld.

2) If yes, what's the procedure? Does it act like another IFR box where
you need to use the cross-fill function or is it automatically filled?

No cross-fill necessary.

3) Again, if yes, how critical is it to keep the 496 up to date with
the same database? Will it behave badly if it is not in sync and there
is a renamed fix in the active plan? I plan on updating the 496 only
once or twice per year while I have the 430 on the IFR-mandated 28-day
cycle

Don't know, never noticed, and my 195 hasn't been updated in a couple of
years. On the other hand the airports or other way points don't move
change much.

One last question, has anyone done the panel mounting of the 396/496
themselves or is everyone going to an avionics shop?

Someone else will have to address this question. My avionics shop was
fine with giving me a unterminated serial cable. I put on the connector
and finished the handheld mounting to my satisfaction. Probably would
give some FSDO fits.

--
Frank Stutzman
Bonanza N494B "Hula Girl"
Hood River, OR