'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.

FMI: www.garmin.com, www.xmradio.com/weather/aviation.html