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#1
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Differences between Garmin 295 and 196?
I'm in the market for a moving-map aviation GPS, and trying to decide
between Garmin's color 295 and their grayscale 196. The 196 is a newer model, has a better screen and more functions, but the 295 offers a color screen. (Why Garmin doesn't offer a color 196, I don't understand. They already offer the 176C, which is a marine version of the 196 in color - Does anyone know why????). So, is there anyone with experience with both GPSs (the 295 and 196)? Any comments? Recommendations? Thanks, CGP. |
#2
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Carlos,
My name is Avi Zamites. I am a pilot and A&P. I have owned a 295 in the past and currently own (and have for sale) a 196. The 295 is a wonderful unit because of the color screen, but it is a bit more bulkier than the 196 and eats batteries like crazy. The 196 has some extra features like the weight and balance calculator, aircraft specifications (you can add your aircraft data), and auto flight log. You can read about all this on Garmin's website. I liked the color, but the 196 had more features and better range (battery wise), so I sold the 295 and went for the 196. By the way, another reason I got the 196 was the LAND-SEA-AIR cabability with full automotive autorouting. The 196 also had an auto kit with the dash mount, external antenna, City Select CD and USB programmer (I have that for sale along with the 196). As far as the difference between color and grayscale is concerned, I liked to see the airspace in color, but the 196 allows declutter which makes the airspace boundries very readable while in flight. 16 shades of gray is more than enough to make it useful. I think you would be much happier with the 196 when you are in the aviation realm as well as the automobile (the 295 has NO autorouting capability). The price difference is another thing to be aware of. The 196 goes for 999.00 and the autokit 349.00 verses the 295 going for about 1300.00 without anything else... My flying days are over and I just want a LAND-Sea model. garmin now has a new color one coming out which will be fine for me. That's why I am selling the 196, not because I do not like it, I love it. I hope you find what you are looking for Carlos! BTW, I have an extended warranty which goes until Sep '07! ALSO, I spoke with a Garmin tech some time ago and asked why they had a 176C (same chassis) but not for aviation. His reply was that there would have to be a TON of programming onboard to handle all the different colors for each use (sea bouy colors verses air colors and then highway colors) and the programming challenge of switching them all correctly between uses... Maybe he had a point... Maybe it's just a marketing thing smile Avi (:) |
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