GPSMAP 496: The world’s most highly evolved aviation portable. Fly smarter and safer with the GPSMAP 496 on board.
Garmin is proud to announce the GPSMAP 496 for Europe. Over the past year we have strived to obtain data and configure software to more reflect a GPS system for the European market. The introduction of the GPSMAP 496 is the culmination of the efforts of our software team to deliver exceptional features to an even more powerful GPS. The GPSMAP 496 builds on the popularity of the GPSMAP 296 and GPSMAP 196 with its easy to use menu structures along with an enhanced display (9.65cm) 320 x 480 pixels, 256 colour sunlight readable TFT.
The unit now contains a new processor which employs a 5 Hz update rate (5 times per second) rather than the standard 1 Hz we currently enjoy. This leads to a smoother, near “real-time” presentation on either the main map navigation page or the panel page showing realistic movement on the HSI or rate of turn indicator.
Mapping
The mapping data has been taken to the next level where we have enhanced the detail to give better resolution which produces a high quality overview of the area of flying. We have added the long awaited VRP’s (Visual Reporting Points) to the system which can be searched and navigated to in two buttons presses. Obstacles have been added aswell which can be interrogated by moving the cursor over them to display their information.
Private Airports and Heliports have also been included in the new European database. We have added a new feature that will allow “Airspace Declutter”. This feature called 'Show Airspace' allows you to select an altitude and it will only show the airspace at that altitude or below. If the pilot does go above the set threshold then all the airspace will come back onto the display.
Another new clever software idea is called “Smart Airspace”. This means that we change the boldness of the airspace depending on your altitude. It allows quicker situational awareness on the map to view impending airspace that is relative to your current altitude. ATZ’s are now shown correctly as we have the ability to directy control them from the database. This also goes for the MATZ’s The GPSMAP 496 comes with highly detailed mapping data down to street level. This is the City Navigator version 8 data that was need to be purchased separately with the GPSMAP 296 as part of the Automotive kit. We now include all the data along with the auto mount and the cigarette lighter adaptor with speaker.