Add one more cool thing to your list of things to see at Oshkosh 2004

Garmin has just introduced the GPSMAP 96 and GPSMAP 96C — two new portable devices for the aviation market. These products feature detailed obstruction data and auto-routing capabilities to help pilots navigate the skies above and the roads and waterways below.

The GPSMAP 96 has a four-level grayscale display and 23 megabytes of internal memory, while the GPSMAP 96C boasts a 256-color transflective TFT display and 119 megabytes of built-in memory — enabling users to store map data from a variety of optional MapSource® CD-ROMs. Both units have a mini-USB port, which allows rapid transfer of map data from a PC.

"These products provide a level of utility, simplicity, safety and affordability that should appeal to a wide variety of pilots," said Gary Kelley, Garmin’s director of marketing. "With the GPSMAP 96 and GPSMAP 96C, we’ve integrated several key capabilities, including full-featured GPS navigation and a comprehensive U.S. database of obstacles, and are offering these products at attractive prices."

The GPSMAP 96 and GPSMAP 96C depict Jeppesen® airport data overlaid on an electronic map, localizer-like runway extensions, a GPS-derived horizontal situation indicator (HSI) and one-touch access to see information on nearby airports (including identifier, bearing and distance to each).

Like all of Garmin’s new aviation portables, the GPSMAP 96 and GPSMAP 96C also provide advanced navigation capabilities on the road or out on the water. Both units have a basemap that depicts highways, major roads, lakes, rivers, railroads and state and national borders. They also provide automatic-route generation, off-route recalculation and turn-by-turn directions with audible tones to alert the driver of upcoming turns. When coupled with optional MapSource City Select® software, the GPSMAP 96 and GPSMAP 96C enable the user to locate and route to more than 5 million points of interest, including hotels, restaurants, service stations, ATMs and more. For pilots who also like to captain a boat, these units have a Marine mode. Using optional MapSource BlueChart® or Recreational Lakes with Fishing Hot Spots® software, users can navigate the high seas or nearby lakes with ease. An added bonus: The GPSMAP 96 and GPSMAP 96C are not only waterproof, but they also float!

GPS mapping is especially helpful when combined with the detailed database of nearby obstructions like radio towers and high-rise buildings. Symbology depicting an obstacle along the flight route provides pilots with a visual cue, alerting them to potential hazards ahead.

Garmin also built features into the GPSMAP 96 and GPSMAP 96C that will appeal to the competitive hang-gliding and paragliding community. The units boast GPS-derived rate-of-ascent/descent indicators, as well as glide-ratio and glide-ratio-to-target features, to assist the pilot in goal assessment. In either the GPSMAP 96 or GPSMAP 96C, users get a full-featured GPS unit for competition or recreation.

Other specifications of the GPSMAP 96/96C:

• Physical dimensions (WxHxD): 2.7" x 6.2" x 1.4"
• Weight: 7 ounces
• Display Size (96/96C): 3.0" / 2.6" (diagonally)
• Display Resolution (96/96C): 180x240-pixel, four-level gray FSTN display / 160x240-pixel, 256-color TFT display
• Antenna: Quad-helix
• WAAS capability: WAAS GPS receiver for enhanced lateral/vertical guidance
• Usable storage capacity (96/96C): 23 MB / 119 MB
• Battery life: Up to 25 hours (96) or 40 hours (96C), depending on backlight setting
• Multi-platform navigation: Easy navigation in an aircraft, vehicle or boat and as a handheld GPS unit; accepts data from Garmin’s MapSource CD-ROM products
  Waterproof to IEC 60529 IPX-7 standards (submersible in 1 meter of water for up to 30 minutes)
• Routes, Tracks, Waypoints: 50 reversible routes (300 waypoints each), 20 saved tracks (500 trackpoints each), TracBack® technology and 1,000 waypoints with graphical icon identification

The GPSMAP 96 and 96C are expected to be available later this month for $499 and $699, respectively. The units will first be sold at the Experimental Aircraft Association’s AirVenture Fly-In at Wittman Regional Airport in Oshkosh, Wisc. Both products will ship standard with a yoke mount, 12-volt adapter, USB cable, wrist strap, two AA batteries, an installation CD with USB drivers and Trip & Waypoint Manager software, an owner’s manual, and a quick-reference guide.

FMI: www.garmin.com