Garmin GpsMap 396 - First Impressions (long)

In article ,
"Dan Luke" wrote:
While we are at it, the power plug is VERY tight. I swear I am bunging the
thing up putting it in an taking it out. I hope this gets easier with
time.

It won't. Better buy a spare.


I haven't had a problem with the power cable, though I agree that it
isn't in a great location relative to the mounting bracket.

However, I can't figure out why the USB cable for the GXM30 has a
right-angle plug on the end. Even in the auto mount, the plug angle
jams the cable down into the mounting surface. Doesn't make any sense
to me. It is this cable (or the USB receptacle inside the unit) that I
worry about breaking or stressing loose over time.


JKG

It is this cable (or the USB receptacle inside the
unit) that I worry about breaking or stressing loose
over time.

Agreed. I suspect mine is starting to go already...

Question for GPS396 users...

Would the ability to make displayed items variably/selectively
translucent enhance the readability of the display?
(The MacIntosh OS X has the ability to make display panes translucent so
you can see the screen beneath the pane. Windows VISTA will also have
this feature.)

In article .com,
"Mike Granby" wrote:

It is this cable (or the USB receptacle inside the
unit) that I worry about breaking or stressing loose
over time.

Agreed. I suspect mine is starting to go already...


I am careful to ONLY grab the top of the plug when I pull it out, and
pull it straight out. The receptacle moves a little, though, which
worries me that at some point the solder joints are going to break loose.

The right-angle plug must have been the brainchild of the same person
who decided to put the earth's strongest magnets in the base of the
GXM30. I suppose that the end of the cable could be re-terminated with
a straight mini-USB plug.



JKG

Mike Spera wrote:
The (very) good:
...I CAN ACTUALLY SEE
THE RAIN!!!! Oh yeah, that's what it is supposed to do.

Oh yeah. Two weeks ago I flew with my 396 from Durham NC to New
Orleans basically because the weather was so favorable. But within 50
miles of Lakefront, the ceilings were 1900MSL with build-ups and haze.
Is there a cell over Lakefront? How do I best plot a course in?
There's little visibility underneath on such a day. The 396 pays for
itself everytime it lights that picture up. Not a drop hit me coming or
going despite much requiired zigging and zagging. It was clear on
several occassions that my eyeballs not only couldn't pick the right
path, but rather would have picked the wrong the one.

When you think about it, I just bought RADAR for under $2500! Yes, it is
not airborne, tactical, real-time, weather penetration radar. But, it is
a pretty good WEATHER AVOIDANCE radar. Ground based, high power, 5
minute delay, with no attenuation like the on-board units. When you
think of it that way, the price may be easier to digest.

Often it seems better than on-board. It was clear on one of my first
flights that I had a better picture of conditions than the jets when
circumnavigating a complicated cell cluster. The controller was telling
them what I could already see. But I'm guessing that most of those guys
carry one around with them by this time if they don't have panel mounted
equivalents.

The bad:

...I was NOT going to like the yoke mount. I hated
every other mounting system (except my old Quik-Clamp) I have seen or
used. Yes, I especially dislike the RAM system.

The Garmin yoke mount and my Maule hate each other. I fabricated a
small bracket to hang it below the panel but finally used a RAM mount
which was perfect

About the connectors. There are now 3 of them (power, external GPS
antenna, and XM radio/antenna).
4 of them if you plug in the music - music is a wonderful side bene
Unless you have a hangar and want to
leave the unit in the plane, that means you have to plug and unplug 6
times for a typical journey away from the tiedown. Unplug the beast at
the restaurant or overnight destination and you double it.
Mine is parked in my backyard but I end up taking it out each time
anyway just because I want to use it in the car at at my desk.

Remember my
earlier comment about how difficult it it to do the plug/unplug
operation AND the mount/dismount because of the misplaced power
connector. This thing clearly needs a single multipin plug accessory
harness.
3 of my 4 wires go in different directions right at the unit. Too many
plugs but it's not clear a single plug and harness would be optimal in
my setup. Bluetooth?
While we are at it, the power plug is VERY tight. I swear I am
bunging the thing up putting it in an taking it out. I hope this gets
easier with time.

It sucks and it doesnt' get better.

Another nit is the power cable. IT IS NOT LONG ENOUGH!!! $2300 for a GPS
and I have to go to Rat Shack for a 12v extension. HELLLLOOOOOO!!?? Even
Lowrance (the "value" leader) figured out how much distance there is
across the Piper panel.
They got it right for mine but 3 more inches and *##$%. 12 more inches
and I would have $$%#@ too.

Nitting away, Where is the COVER???? I expect a cover to snap on to keep
the sun off the screen when parked and to protect the screen while in
the flight bag. Again, even Lowrance figured this one out. $.18 worth of
plastic is surely in the retail price somewhere. Yes, they do include a
small bag, but I find those things to be useless. Lets's trade the bag
for a snap-on cover.

Great idea. The bag sucks.
Final nit, it has a PROPRIETARY RECHARGEABLE BATTERY! It needs the
special charger to juice up. Opinions vary, but I prefer standard double
A's. I don't want to get fleeced for $200+ in a year or so when the
rechargeable craps out. Yes, I know it stays charged while on external
power, but I still don't like it. On the plus side, the battery will
last 6+ hours with a fairly high backlight on. Something like 16 hours
with the backlight off, but the unit is almost impossible to see with
the light off.

I like it. It's light weight makes the entire unit pleasant to handle,
less subject to trauma, and it runs forever (i.e. so I don't have to
think about it.

My problem is the hum I get when listening to XM Music while the unit is
plugged in. I end up keeping it unplugged for most of most flights.
O.K. I promised that the last comment was the final nit. I lied. It
appears I now have to spend ANOTHER $300 FOR THE AUTO KIT!!!!!! For the
price, I should have received the car kit AND a year's subscription to
the full bore "Aviator" weather package. Competitors, Garmin, anyone
listening?

Sounds like they stopped the free autokit promotion concurrent with the
$300 price drop. Nothing for nothing, price is the same it seems. I
feel better.
I must admit, if the price were around $1400 (where it belongs), these
shortfalls would be a LOT easier to take. It just grinds salt into a
pretty deep wound that the unit is not closer to perfection right out of
the box. But, as I said, it is RADAR! (At this point, I will tell myself
any lie to justify the cost).

It strikes me as so good I want to slap myself! Imperfections, yes. But
it's just an outstanding product. My honeymoon will be over when a
better, cheaper product is available....

Mike Spera wrote:
snip
Final nit, it has a PROPRIETARY RECHARGEABLE BATTERY! It needs the
special charger to juice up. Opinions vary, but I prefer standard
double A's. I don't want to get fleeced for $200+ in a year or so
when the rechargeable craps out. Yes, I know it stays charged while
on external power, but I still don't like it. On the plus side, the
battery will last 6+ hours with a fairly high backlight on. Something
like 16 hours with the backlight off, but the unit is almost
impossible to see with the light off.

Mike,

Good review. I share many of your observations, including your concern
about the proprietary battery.

However, if I may point something out -- the 396 runs for a VERY long
time on that relatively tiny and lightweight battery. In order for NiMH
to provide the same energy density, the entire back of the unit would
need to be dedicated to battery storage, and it would weigh a ton.
While I hate the thought of a proprietary battery like everyone else,
I'm willing to trade that off for the higher energy density and lower
weight afforded by the LiIon battery technology.

If you want to talk nits, I'm more ****ed that they used a proprietary
flash card. I mean, com'on! We have 2GB+ SD cards now that could hold
road maps for the entire US...and what do they provide with the auto
kit? 128MB(!) Hey Garmin...1998 called and wants its flash technology
back!

And speaking of the auto kit, I don't want to rub any more salt in that
open wound of yours, but if you had bought the unit by the end of last
year, you would have received the auto kit for "free".

Dunno if you've seen my review of the 396, but you might find it
helpful. Click through Aviation-Articles-Reviews-Garmin 396.

Safe flying,

-Doug

--------------------
Doug Vetter, ATP/CFI

http://www.dvatp.com
--------------------

However, if I may point something out -- the 396 runs for a VERY long
time on that relatively tiny and lightweight battery. In order for NiMH
to provide the same energy density, the entire back of the unit would
need to be dedicated to battery storage, and it would weigh a ton. While
I hate the thought of a proprietary battery like everyone else, I'm
willing to trade that off for the higher energy density and lower weight
afforded by the LiIon battery technology.

Yeah, but only if you disconnect the weather receiver/antenna. With it
hooked up, you get 2 hours. At that point, standard batteries in the bag
start looking real good. I checked the Garmin dealers and another
battery is only $40, so I'll shut up and get one.

If you want to talk nits, I'm more ****ed that they used a proprietary
flash card. I mean, com'on! We have 2GB+ SD cards now that could hold
road maps for the entire US...and what do they provide with the auto
kit? 128MB(!) Hey Garmin...1998 called and wants its flash technology
back!

Ain't that a load of crap? There is an outfit selling "compatible"
memory cards, but they did not look much cheaper than Garmin's.

And speaking of the auto kit, I don't want to rub any more salt in that
open wound of yours, but if you had bought the unit by the end of last
year, you would have received the auto kit for "free".

They did bundle the car kit in the deal, but that was at $2499. The new
retail price that I paid is $2195. So, it is just a shell game.

Dunno if you've seen my review of the 396, but you might find it
helpful. Click through Aviation-Articles-Reviews-Garmin 396.

Safe flying,

-Doug

--------------------
Doug Vetter, ATP/CFI

http://www.dvatp.com
--------------------

Mike Spera wrote:
Yeah, but only if you disconnect the weather receiver/antenna. With it
hooked up, you get 2 hours. At that point, standard batteries in the bag
start looking real good. I checked the Garmin dealers and another
battery is only $40, so I'll shut up and get one.

2 hours? I get just shy of 4 hours with the XM connected and around 9
without. I wonder if your battery is from an old lot or sat around on
the shelf for a while. That's the one downside to LiIon
batteries...they don't last forever (charged or not) and hold less of a
charge with every charge cycle. Most regularly charged LiIon batteries
fail within 2 years. Can't wait to see how long this one lasts....mine
is 10 months old and counting.

Good that you found new batteries for $40. That makes me feel better.
I though they were double that.

-Doug

--------------------
Doug Vetter, ATP/CFI

http://www.dvatp.com
--------------------

I do like the fact the the 396 charges the internal battery when plugged
into a 12V source. What I don't like that I won't necessarily know when
the internal battery needs to be replaced because it will no longer hold
a decent charge because it will not normally be used. Of course, from a
safety standpoint, at this point I guess I have to be in IMC, lose the
alternator, run the aircraft battery down, and then exhaust the 396
battery before I'm totally sol. Maybe I should just spring for another
$40 battery, rotate them to keep them charged, and count my blessings!

Tom

Doug Vetter wrote:
Mike Spera wrote:
Yeah, but only if you disconnect the weather receiver/antenna. With it
hooked up, you get 2 hours. At that point, standard batteries in the
bag start looking real good. I checked the Garmin dealers and another
battery is only $40, so I'll shut up and get one.

2 hours? I get just shy of 4 hours with the XM connected and around 9
without. I wonder if your battery is from an old lot or sat around on
the shelf for a while. That's the one downside to LiIon
batteries...they don't last forever (charged or not) and hold less of a
charge with every charge cycle. Most regularly charged LiIon batteries
fail within 2 years. Can't wait to see how long this one lasts....mine
is 10 months old and counting.

Good that you found new batteries for $40. That makes me feel better. I
though they were double that.

-Doug

--------------------
Doug Vetter, ATP/CFI

http://www.dvatp.com
--------------------

"Doug Vetter" wrote in message ...
Mike Spera wrote:
....
Good that you found new batteries for $40. That makes me feel better. I though they were double that.

-Doug



How do you charge that 'spare' battery?