'Other Shoe' Drops... Handheld WX Device Battle Heats Up
Garmin has finally
introduced the long-awaited and longer-rumored GPSMAP 396 (which
one industry wag reportedly nicknamed the AnywhereWeather Killer),
a portable aviation device that puts powerful, vivid weather data
at a pilot's fingertips.
The new GPSMAP 396 with XM WX Satellite Weather(tm) features
Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD), Aviation Routine Weather Reports
(METARs), Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs), Temporary Flight
Restrictions (TFRs), Lightning and Winds Aloft, and several other
important weather products to help pilots make informed
navigational decisions. The GPSMAP 396 continues to reduce pilot
workload by displaying Traffic Information Service (TIS) data when
interfaced to the GTX330, and can channel frequencies with the
touch of a button when interfaced to the SL30 nav/comm radio. The
unit is also capable of receiving XM Satellite Radio's 130-plus
channels of music, sports, news, talk, and entertainment
programming through a subscription.
"The new GPSMAP 396 really establishes itself as the premier
portable navigation device - whether in the plane, car, or boat,"
said Gary Kelley, Garmin's director of marketing. "In addition to
weather capability, the GPSMAP 396 offers terrain alerts, and a
built-in obstacle database - features that provide unparalleled
situational awareness. This unit makes it possible for any pilot to
have a mini-MFD in their cockpit. When they land, it continues to
provide invaluable information in their car or boat by setting it
to the appropriate automotive or marine mode. "
Pilots can customize the map display to overlay XM WX data
directly over the unit's Jeppesen and topographic map databases, or
display individual weather products on the exclusive weather
explorerTM page. In terrain mode, the GPSMAP 396 combines inputs
from built-in terrain, obstacle and electronic flight databases to
give pilots a vivid depiction of proximity hazards that require
their attention. Pilots can customize their own minimum clearance
limits to receive terrain cautions, which pop up as digital
thumbnail images.
Viewing the display in any light is easy, thanks to the device's
256-color, high-resolution (480x320-pixels) TFT display. The unit
also features USB data transfer, faster processing speed, and a
rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack.
XM Satellite data and audio is delivered to the GPSMAP 396
through Garmin's new GXM(tm) 30 smart antenna, which is included
with the unit. The GXM 30, roughly three inches in diameter,
processes all weather information and sends the finished data to
the GPSMAP 396 for display. The GPSMAP 396 also features an audio
jack that can be used directly with a headset or it can be
connected to a line-in port on an audio system.
With the press of a button, the unit toggles into automotive or
marine mode.
When on the road, users can load the GPSMAP 396 with optional
MapSource City Select software for voice-prompted turn-by-turn
directions to addresses and points of interest anywhere in North
America. The optional auto kit - which will be offered free with a
purchase of the GPSMAP 396 during the 2005 EAA Airventure in
Oshkosh, Wisconsin - includes a friction and dash mount, a
cigarette-lighter adapter with speaker output, a 128-MB data card
and a MapSource City Select CD-ROM for detailed maps of the United
States.
On the water, the GPSMAP 396 offers a worldwide marine database
and U.S.
tide data. When paired with MapSource BlueChart marine cartography,
the waterproof unit displays information including depth contours,
inter-tidal zones, spot soundings, wrecks, navaids, port plans,
restricted areas, cable areas, and anchorages.
The GPSMAP 396 is expected to be available in July 2005 at an
expected street price of $2,495.00. The unit includes a GXM(tm) 30
smart antenna, yoke mount, cigarette-lighter adapter, AC adapter
cable, USB-to-PC interface cable, low-profile remote GPS antenna,
carrying case, free Jeppesen update certificate, Trip &
Waypoint Manager software, owner's manual and quick-reference
guide.
ANN's Daily Aero-Linx (04.17.24)
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