Garmin » Portables: GPSMAP 496

GPSMAP 496

Fly smarter and safer with the GPSMAP 496 on board. This “know-it-all” mini-MFD puts more power and information at your fingertips than any other portable handheld in the history of aviation. Similar to the GPSMAP 396, the 496 combines satellite weather with a detailed color map and terrain alerting, then takes it up a notch with even more high-end software and features. The 496 is a “must have” for any pilot.

Features

View Your Position on Taxiways

Garmin SafeTaxi™ data provides detailed taxiway diagrams and position information for over 650 U.S. airports. Preloaded on the unit, this information helps you navigate unfamiliar airports with confidence and shows your aircraft’s exact position on the field.

Easily look up taxi services, plan an overnight, choose fuel stops and more with the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) Airport Directory included on GPSMAP 496. It offers detailed information for over 5,300 U.S. airports along with the names and phone numbers of thousands of FBOs, plus ground transportation, lodging, restaurants, local attractions and more.

When in the air, Garmin’s new Smart Airspace™ feature makes it easier than ever to identify what airspace lies ahead. Smart Airspace automatically highlights airspace close to your current altitude and de-emphasizes airspace away from the current altitude, which gives you increased situational awareness.

For added realism and safety, the 496 updates map data and "Panel" page instruments at 5 Hz, a significantly faster update rate that gives you a smoother, near “real-time” presentation of your aircraft’s analog indicators, such as the HSI and turn coordinator.

GPSMAP 496 features a built-in Jeppesen database along with terrain and U.S. obstacles databases. Using this information, the 496 displays your flight route over contour terrain mapping. The higher-resolution terrain database includes over ten times as much data as the 396’s for even more visual reference. With information from the terrain and U.S. obstacles databases, the 496 monitors your current position in relation to surrounding terrain to provide alerts. Even customize your own minimum clearance levels to receive terrain cautions. The addition of private airports and heliports to the database provides even more navigation and emergency "nearest" options.

Make informed decisions based on weather and traffic with optional sensors and services. With a subscription to XM WX Satellite Weather™ and the included GXM 30A smart antenna, you’ll have access to constantly-updated, high-resolution weather data for the U.S, right in the cockpit. Weather information includes Next Generation Radar (NEXRAD), Aviation Routine Weather Reports (METARs), Terminal Aerodrome Forecasts (TAFs), Temporary Flight Restrictions (TFRs), Lightning and Winds Aloft and can be laid directly over the 496’s Jeppesen and topographic map databases. With an additional monthly service fee, GXM 30A delivers XM Satellite Radio to your aircraft. Add a Garmin Mode S transponder, and the 496 will also display TIS traffic alerts that identify surrounding air traffic.

Garmin’s GPSMAP 496 comes ready to go right out of the box with preloaded City Navigator® NT street maps, including a hefty points of interest (POIs) database with motels, restaurants, fuel, ATMs and more. Simply enter a destination, and you’re automatically routed with voice-prompted turn-by-turn directions. In addition, GPSMAP 496 accepts customized points of interest such as school zones and safety cameras and includes proximity alerts to warn you of upcoming POIs. Add optional BlueChart® g2 data cards, and turn the 496 into a color chartplotter.

Specification

• Unit dimensions, WxHxD: 5.7"W x 3.2"H x 1.9"D (14.5 x 8.1 x 4.8 cm)
• Display size, WxH: 3.2"W x 2.1"H (8.1 x 5.3 cm); 3.8" diag (9.7 cm)
• Display resolution, WxH: 480 x 320 pixels
• Display type: 256 color TFT with backlighting
• Weight: 14.2 ounces (400 g)
• Battery: rechargeable lithium-ion
• Battery life: up to 15 hours (Battery Saver mode, no backlighting)
• Voltage range: 11-40
• Receiver: 12 channel
• IFR or VFR: VFR

• Basemap: yes
• U.S. Terrain and Obstacles database: yes
• Jeppesen® database: yes
• Types of Jeppesen databases: full and ARTCC, FSS frequencies and final approach waypoints
• Jeppesen database coverage areas: Americas or Atlantic International
• SafeTaxi™ airport diagrams: yes
• AOPA Airport Directory: yes
• Preloaded maps: yes
• Ability to add maps: yes
• Accepts data cards: yes (Garmin data cards)
• Built-in memory: internal solid state
• Waypoints: 3,000
• Routes: 50

• Moving map: yes
• Instruments page: yes
• Built-in VHF Comm: no
• External VHF Comm: no
• Built-in HSI: yes
• Traffic Information Services (TIS) alerts compatible: yes
• Audible terrain alerts: yes
• Smart Airspace Feature (generates and displays altitude-sensitive alerts): yes
• Separate serial and USB interfaces: yes
• Automatic logbook: yes
• Voice prompts (e.g. "Turn right in 500 ft."): yes
• 3D map view: no
• Auto sort multiple destinations (provides most direct route): no
• Auto re-route (fast off-route and detour recalculation): yes
• Choice of route setup (faster time, shorter distance, off road): yes
• Route avoidance (avoid highways, tolls etc.): yes
• Custom POIs (ability to add additional points of interest): yes
• XM WX Weather & Radio for U.S. compatible: yes
• Automotive-friendly: yes