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.
 

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.

OBSTACLES and TERRAIN.

As mentioned Obstacles are new to the database and they are part of the terrain database. As with the GPSMAP 296 the unit is able to give visual warnings of impending terrain but it can now do this for obstacles also. The Obstacle database contains items that are at least 300 ft tall. Below this we do not have them in the database.

The unique facility for the GPSMAP 496 which is an industry first is the ability for the unit to output VOICE COMMANDS similar to that found in high TAWS systems via. Not only do we alert you visually via the thumbnail in any page or on the dedicated terrain/obstacle page we also AURALLY alert you via a 3.5mm Jack socket on the back of the unit. This allows either a headset output where volume is controlled via your headset or a line out to the Audio panel or Intercom where volume is adjusted there.

Navigation features
Waypoints:	Total: 3,000 with 10 characters (name and symbol)
Nearest:	Continuously updated; Airport, city, VOR, NDB, INT, user, ARTCC, FSS, airspace
Routes:	50 reversible routes with up to 300 points each, plus TracBack® modes, Automatic turn-by-turn along-road routes with voice navigation
Tracks:	10,000 point automatic track log; 15 saved tracks; 1,000 points per saved track; lets you retrace your path in both directions
Trip computer:	Trip odometer, stopped time, moving average, moving time, total average, total time, maximum speed, odometer
Alarms:	Airspace, arrival, off-course, proximity waypoint, clock
Tables:	Built-in celestial tables for best times to fish and hunt, sunrise and sunset, sun and moon by date and position
Map datums:	More than 100 plus user datum
Position format:	Lat/Lon, UTM/UPS, Maidenhead, MGRS, Loran TDs and other grids, including user grid
GPS performance
Receiver:	EGNOS enabled, 12 parallel channel GPS receiver continuously tracks and uses up to 12 satellites to compute and update your position
Acquisition times:	Warm: Approximately 15 seconds. Cold: Approximately 45 seconds. AutoLocate™: Approximately 2 minutes.
Update rate:	5/second, continuous
GPS accuracy:
Position:	< 15 meters, 95% typical*
Velocity:	0.05 meter/sec steady state
Dynamics:	6 g’s
Interfaces:	RS232 port with NMEA 0183, RTCM 104 DGPS data format and proprietary Garmin USB interface. Accepts aviation input format from panel-mount GPS. Also can connect to Garmin SL30 and SL40 for frequency tuning.
Antenna:	Removable quad-helix
Differential:	WAAS, marine beacon
Moving map features
Basemap:	Built-in routable basemap shows roads, services, metro areas and surface features
Database:	Built-in Jeppesen® database with terrain and obstacle data bases. Includes worldwide airports and VOR’s, Atlantic International, NDB’s, intersections, special use and controlled airspace, runway data, plus airport, FSS, and ARTCC frequencies. GPSMAP 496 adds locations for private airports and heliports. For European users VFR Reporting Point data is available for reference on the moving map.
Approach waypoints:	Jeppesen® data also includes final approach sequence waypoints for all published approaches.
Car navigation:	Internal storage comes preloaded with MapSource®City Navigator® NT for Europe. Provides street-level detail and addresses, plus listings of nearby restaurants, hotels, ATMs, etc.
Custom POIs:	Supports user-created custom points-of-interest (POI) data, using Garmin’s free POI Loader software.
Uploadable maps:	Accepts optional Garmin data cards for detailed maps.
Power
Source:	Rechargeable lithium battery
Battery life:	5-15 hours of use (depending on backlight settings)
Physical
Size:	5.7inW x 3.2inH x 1.9inD (14.47 x 8.12 x 4.82 cm)
Weight:	14.2 ounces (400 g) with battery
Display:	3.8inch diagonal (9.65 cm) 320 x 480 pixels, 256 color sunlight readable TFT with adjustable backlighting
Case:	Fully gasketed, high impact plastic alloy, waterproof to IEC 60529 IPX7 standards
Temperature range:	5ºF to 158ºF (-15ºC to 70ºC)
User data storage:	Indefinite
Accessories
Standard:	carrying case, auto mount, USB interface cable, GA 25 portable antenna, free single Jeppesen® update, 12-volt automotive adapter cable with speaker, yoke mount, owner’s manual, quick reference guide, wall charger, friction mount
Optional:	MapSource CD-ROMs

For further information go to the Garmin site