Garmin 796 Reviews

[Chuck Porter]

Considering a 796 in the near future and would appreciate hearing some reviews from those who use it.
I've read just about everything and watched all the propaganda videos on the subject, however its always good to hear from a real life user.
Thanks,

Chuck
C-FTPT

[Edward Pencosky]

I owned a 696 and traded for a 796 garmin.Its just great does everything but fly my plane. I have weather from sirris and also i am getting all radio stations from sirris in my aviator package. Not sure if thats normal but realized that last night. I am going to get radio wired to my intercom so i can hear it. Bottom line buy one you will love it. Has approach plates and airways shows your plane on it,no fumbling with those charts. I can go on and on

[Jay]

I'd suggest comparing the 796 to an iPad ruining Foreflight or the Garmin app. I like the iPad for all the other things I can do with it when I'm not in the airplane.

Jay

[DAVEG24]

I have both the Ipad and the 796. While the Ipad does a good job with ForeFlight, there is no comparison to the brightness and clarity of the screen image between the 796 and the Ipad. The 796 is the hands down winner. So if I had to chose one over the other, I'd chose the 796.

Dave Gitelman

[Chuck Porter]

I ended up biting the bullet and buying a 796 a couple of months ago.

Prior to the purchase I borrowed my sons iPad and downloaded ForeFlight and tried it a couple of times as a trial run. Theres's no doubt it did the job. That being said after using the 796 I have to say I am more impressed with it by far.

I have a long way to go to learn everything there is to know with the 796. I learn a little more each flight and am more comfortable with it now.

The only criticism I have is the touch screen sensitivity which can be a problem in rough air. It can be tough to navigate through the screens even with my hand firmly planted against the panel.

The synthetic vision is a nice feature. I would think in a tight situation it could keep you right side up in a whiteout.

Being north of the 49th we have some unique issues. For example electronic VFR charts are not YET available....YET.
Apparently Nav Canada is in the midst of negotiations on a licensing deal with Jeppeson (?) and/or other providers.
I spoke to a Nav Canada representative recently and he indicated we should expect some news on the subject in the near future. Of course we will have to dig a little deeper into our pockets for this privilege.

Thats my 2 cents. Ask me a year from now and perhaps I can give you a better review.

Chuck

[N3322G]

Thanks for starting this thread. Always something to learn.

Right now we use an iPad and Foreflight. Being on the short side relative to the 5'8" 170 FAA PIC, my adjustable seat is higher so I can see over the panel. With the iPad velcro'd on my knee, I find turbulence will change the page for me with the yoke as the touch initiator.