The
GPSMAP 296 builds on the tradition of Garmin aviation handhelds
like the GPSMAP 196 and GPSMAP 295. New features like terrain
cautions and alerts, sectional chart-like topographic data,
a built-in obstacle database of the U.S., and a transparent
navigation arc view for course, speed, and distance information
lead the list of advances. The GPSMAP 296 also features
USB data transfer, faster processing speed, and a rechargeable
lithium-ion battery pack. Press a button, and you have your
choice of the unit's automotive or marine modes.
An automatic logbook also
calculates your flight time and automatically records departure
and arrival locations. When used with Garmin's free logbook
software—FlightBook—this feature makes light
work of maintaining your logbook. Your flight information
will be stored in the unit and can be downloaded to this
exclusive Flightbook software at any time.
Garmin delivers terrain
awareness in an intuitive Terrain mode on the GPSMAP 296.
The unit combines GPS position, GPS altitude and topographical
mapping to give pilots a vivid depiction of potential terrain
hazards.
Pilots gain terrain awareness
in a number of ways:
Terrain and obstacle
information
By using visual cues and tone alerts, pilots can be aware
of potentially dangerous terrain or obstacle conflicts along
the current flight path. The unit also offers a configurable
look-ahead warning function which gives the pilot additional
time to make critical decisions.
Configurable buffer
zones
The pilot can set the minimum limits to receive terrain
cautions. The unit then presents potential hazards in yellow
(to indicate ground proximity of 500-1000 feet) and red
(to indicate ground proximity of 100 feet or less).
Obstacles database
Users can view the elevation or relative altitude of any
obstacle (towers, buildings, etc.) within the unit’s
built-in database. (This feature is only available with
the Americas version.)
Pop-up alerts
Terrain proximity cautions and alerts pop up as digital
thumbnail images in the lower left-hand corner of any page
whenever a potential hazard conflict looms ahead. The
GPSMAP 296 is designed to move seamlessly between an aircraft,
vehicle, or boat:
Automotive Mode
Provides automatic route generation, turn-by-turn guidance,
and voice prompts, plus a built-in worldwide database of
borders and major cities. The optional Auto Kit includes
two mounts, a cigarette-lighter adapter with speaker output,
a 128-MB data card, and a MapSource® City Select®
CD-ROM for detailed mapping and address lookup capabilities.
Marine Mode
Features a worldwide marine database and U.S. tide data.
When coupled with the optional Marine Kit (64-MB data card
and MapSource BlueChart® CD-ROM), the unit displays
such information as depth contours, inter-tidal zones, spot
soundings, wrecks, navaids, port plans, restricted areas,
cable areas, anchorages, and much more.
GPSMAP
296 features:
- WAAS-capable GPS receiver for enhanced
lateral/vertical guidance
- Crisp, high-resolution display (480
x 320 pixel count), 256-color TFT display (3.8 inches
diagonally)
- 3.8"-diagonal display; 480 x
320 pixels
- 5.7" W x 3.2" H x 1.9"
D unit dimensions
- 200-MHz processor for fast redraw
and routing
- Up to 15 hours battery life (typical
use backlight conditions); 8 hours full backlight brightness
- Rechargeable lithium-ion battery pack
- GA 25BNC remote antenna
- Automotive and marine modes for easy
navigation in a vehicle or boat
- Detailed basemap includes highways,
major roads, borders, rivers, lakes, and tide stations
- Accepts data from Garmin’s MapSource
products (City Select for driving.
- BlueChart for saltwater, and Recreational
Lakes with Fishing Hot Spots® for freshwater)
- 15/11 (text/voice) languages
- Waterproof to IEC 60529 IPX7 standards
(submersible in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes)
- Weighs just 12 ounces
- 50 reversible routes (300 waypoints
each), 15 saved tracks (700 trackpoints each), TracBack®
technology, 3000 waypoints with graphical icon identification
- Adjustable quad-helix receiving antenna
with remote antenna capability
Voice prompt guidance when the 12-volt / speaker cable
is connected
Separate serial and USB interfaces; 2 RS-232 serial
ports