PanEuropean
Registered user
Hello All:
I've been testing a new GPSR for the past month or so, it is called a Garmin 496. This is a combination aviation - marine - automotive GPSR, targeted primarily at the aviation market. I don't think many people will buy it for moto use because it is quite expensive, but, it is possible that a marine and automotive combination - such as the 276 and 376 - might eventually follow, and if this happens, then this little review of the 496 will give you a bit of a 'head's up' on it. Then again, maybe a marine and auto version already exists in the form of the GPSmap 478, although I don't see any information about a European version of this one being available - perhaps because the XM satellite is only functional when you are in North America.
The main claim to fame of the 496 over its predecessors is that the processor is faster, and this gives a much faster screen redraw cycle. I noticed the speed improvement during both aviation and moto use. The screen resolution is the same as the 2x6 series - 480 by 320 pixels.
The 496 also supports delivery of real-time weather information to users in the continental USA and Southern Canada via the XM radio satellite. It is also possible to listen to music from any of the XM radio channels. There is no similar satellite weather service in Europe, which means this will not be of much interest to European users.
The 496 also supports large custom POI databases (speed cameras), and provides the same alerting features as the 27xx and 28xx 'pure automotive' GPSRs. Sadly, it does not support the FM automotive traffic advisory service, or satellite automotive traffic advisory service. It does, however, support satellite delivered aviation traffic advisory services (as in "there's another plane at your altitude coming straight at you, so, WAKE UP!").
Below are a few photos. If you want more information, here's a link to the product specific page on the Garmin website: GPSmap 496
Michael
Real Time Weather Display
Automotive Navigation showing Speed Cameras
Marine Mode (while flying), showing Marine Buoys and Lights
The XM Satellite Antenna (included)
again - the XM service only works over the USA and its coastline.
I've been testing a new GPSR for the past month or so, it is called a Garmin 496. This is a combination aviation - marine - automotive GPSR, targeted primarily at the aviation market. I don't think many people will buy it for moto use because it is quite expensive, but, it is possible that a marine and automotive combination - such as the 276 and 376 - might eventually follow, and if this happens, then this little review of the 496 will give you a bit of a 'head's up' on it. Then again, maybe a marine and auto version already exists in the form of the GPSmap 478, although I don't see any information about a European version of this one being available - perhaps because the XM satellite is only functional when you are in North America.
The main claim to fame of the 496 over its predecessors is that the processor is faster, and this gives a much faster screen redraw cycle. I noticed the speed improvement during both aviation and moto use. The screen resolution is the same as the 2x6 series - 480 by 320 pixels.
The 496 also supports delivery of real-time weather information to users in the continental USA and Southern Canada via the XM radio satellite. It is also possible to listen to music from any of the XM radio channels. There is no similar satellite weather service in Europe, which means this will not be of much interest to European users.
The 496 also supports large custom POI databases (speed cameras), and provides the same alerting features as the 27xx and 28xx 'pure automotive' GPSRs. Sadly, it does not support the FM automotive traffic advisory service, or satellite automotive traffic advisory service. It does, however, support satellite delivered aviation traffic advisory services (as in "there's another plane at your altitude coming straight at you, so, WAKE UP!").
Below are a few photos. If you want more information, here's a link to the product specific page on the Garmin website: GPSmap 496
Michael
Real Time Weather Display
Automotive Navigation showing Speed Cameras
Marine Mode (while flying), showing Marine Buoys and Lights
The XM Satellite Antenna (included)
again - the XM service only works over the USA and its coastline.
