Garmin 696 vs Aera 796

[BrianL99]

I'm thinking of switching out my panel mounted 696, for a 796.

Any thoughts?

I just can't stand the typical Garmin interface, such as the 696 & I've given up on my iPad Mini ... the screen is just too unreadable in my Sting.

[dstclair]

I have no issues with my 795 in my Sting S3 and the user interface is fairly straight-forward. Basically, the same as the Garmin Pilot App. Download the free trial and give it a go to see if the metaphor works for you.

A couple things you might consider:

* Unless you just prefer XM Weather -- you could go with the 795 and the GDL-39 for roughly the same price which give your ADS-B In. Break even costs in year 1, then you start saving on the subscription. Could also spend another $300 for the GDL-3D which give you attitude capability on the 795. Gives you a measure of panel backup. Going with the 795/796 does lock you into a Garmin ADS-B solution if you want to display weather and traffic since Garmin is a closed system.

* Try the iFlyGPS 740 with an AirGizmo panel dock. I originally was looking at the 720 when I went with my 795/GDL-39 combo since the 720 did not have battery backup at the time. Additionally, iFly has partnered with several vendors and you would have your choice of systems and timing for ADS-B compliance. For example, you could go with the recently announced Navworx ADS6000 Experimental (http://www.navworx.com/navworx_store/Ex ... 0_EXP.html) for around $1600 which is a 2020 compliant transceiver. The 740 runs around $900. Call it a total of $2500 vs $2300 for the 796.

[BrianL99]

Geez Dave, thanks for complicating my decision ... now I'll have to think about this more

[dstclair]

Glad I could help

[3Dreaming]

I thought I had read that the position source from the 696/796 will not activate the ground units after the first of the year.

[SportPilot]

Delete...

[dstclair]

I thought I had read that the position source from the 696/796 will not activate the ground units after the first of the year.

I didn't think any of my suggestions implied that a Garmin portable provided a SIL value greater than 0 (which will be required after Jan 4, 2016 to wake-up the ground stations for traffic) but you are correct as per the recent FAA letter.

[MrMorden]

I would be looking hard at the iFly if it were me. Very feature rich, less expensive, and updates are a LOT cheaper. It will drive an autopilot and do everything a 796 will do.

[BrianL99]

Unless I'm missing something, switching to the iFly would necessitate a redo of my panel, as it's orientation is different that the 796.

Am I missing something?

[SportPilot]

Delete...

[MrMorden]

The IFly 740 is oriented in landscape. On a tablet, it works in landscape or portrait.

The 740 can't switch orientation?

[SportPilot]

Delete...

[BrianL99]

The reason I'm even considering any changes, is a tablet is useless in a Sting, because of the canopy. I try using my iPad Mini again and it was useless.

[3Dreaming]

I thought I had read that the position source from the 696/796 will not activate the ground units after the first of the year.

I didn't think any of my suggestions implied that a Garmin portable provided a SIL value greater than 0 (which will be required after Jan 4, 2016 to wake-up the ground stations for traffic) but you are correct as per the recent FAA letter.

I wasn't saying you did. My observation of you post was by going with a 795/796 and a GDL-39 would start saving money after a year, but will it activate the ground stations after Jan 4, 2016?

[dstclair]

Got it. The GDL-39 is a receive only unit so would not activate ground stations for traffic. Weather, of course, is broadcast on regular basis to all areas regardless of whether there are aircraft present. I was referring to saving $$$ for ADS-B weather versus XM Weather.