Garmin 796

[Don Scorese]

I am considering purchasing a garmin 796. Does anyone know if it fits nicely on the yoke without blocking the "6 pack?"

I am hesitant because I am not sure it is worth the extra cost compared to the ipad I now use, but with a kneeboard on I haven't found a good place to keep the ipad. If the 796 fits nicely on the yoke in front of me that may tip the scales. I wish there was someplace to "test drive" one.

Thanks for the help.

[BobAustin]

I used to have a 696 on my yoke and it worked ok and did not block the view but had to be mounted just so-so and it was heavy and "clunky."  I later panel mounted the 696 and got an ipad Mini for the yoke.

 

Use Foreflight with the Mini and love it.

[garysuperpilot]

+1 ipad mini. w/foreflight  standard ipad blocks too much

[Hector]

I'm sure the 796 offers some advantages over the iPad mini. Better anti-reflective screen, more stable software, etc., but in the end for me there was just not nearly enough to Justify the cost especially when I already owned a mini. The iPad mini just fits perfect on the Yoke in my M20C without obstructing the view to any instruments. ForeFlight keeps getting better and it serves all my needs.

[NotarPilot]

I'm sure the 796 offers some advantages over the iPad mini. Better anti-reflective screen, more stable software, etc., but in the end for me there was just not nearly enough to Justify the cost especially when I already owned a mini. The iPad mini just fits perfect on the Yoke in my M20C without obstructing the view to any instruments. ForeFlight keeps getting better and it serves all my needs.

I've used the 796, 696, Garmin Pilot and Wing X, and I don't see any advantage in getting a 796 or 696. It seems the iPad apps can do just as much at half the cost. However, I'd definitely like to hear some other opinions on what others think the Garmin boxes have over the iPad. I use the mini and it works perfect for me.

[ken66770]

I have used the 796 since it first came out. If I had to decide again, I would not spend the money, or the subsequent expense for upkeep. Not to mention the price of the MX weather function which is around $49 a month if I recall correctly. The Garmin, for my flying requirements, is just not worth the money.

 

I use the IPad with ForeFlight which more than fullfills my needs. Any issues have been primarily with the iPad overheating and not maintaining a charge on a long flight.

[Piloto]

Zeke

I went through the same dilemma with the 796 and no matter how I installed (vertical or horizontal)it was not practical for me. Because either would block the panel or block my hand when grabbing the yoke. I opted for the Aera 560 which work out well for me for five years until it die on me a week ago. Garmin wanted $400 for standard repair price. So I opted to try the Garmin pilot apps on my Samsung S3 and I am very impress with it. For $75/year I get the database updates and the apps. I use the internet weather for free which below 5,000ft updates periodically on the Garmin pilot. The weather is much better than ADS-B with more features and no need for an ADS-B or XM receiver. The Samsung battery last 18hrs/charge while the Aera 560 was only 2hrs/charge. I have the Samsung S3 Velcro attached to the yoke logo bracket. When not in use I just re Velcro/attach the logo back. Garmin offers a free 30 days trial. Is worth trying it.

José

[Emmet]

I use a 795 on the yoke and love it. It doesn't really block the view to the sixpack. What I really like is that everything is just on front of you - so no bending over to reach to the panel mount. I also have the GDL39-3D which gives me some nice synthetic vision and a kind of backup AI... and it can be wired to a panel mount GPS - so you whole route is crossfilled.

However I also use an iPad - I think they complement each other...

[carusoam]

Garmin portable, for when the instrument panel goes dark. Buy it once, keep it for a decade, it keeps working...

IPad, buy one every three years they get out dated and crash. Has so many other skills you can get 10 years worth of work out of it before it gets old...

Garmin knows that you may trust your life using their product as back-up in a plane.

Apple appreciates your business

[Bennett]

As some of the forum know, I tend to overkill, but there are good reasons to do so. I have a 796 in an AirGizmo panel mount, and an iPad Mini running Foreflight in a yoke mount. I generally keep the Mini in Sectional Map view, as I really like the details a Sectional offers. Also, I use it to look up airport data. The 796 is coupled to my GTN 750, and I use XM on it rather than the GTN boxes. This setup allows me to look up all the features of the 796 without cluttering up the GTNs. The GTN. 650 is used for two concerns. Since I have a GDL 88, I display TIS- B traffic, normally set to the 6 mile range, and the separate VOR head is set to VORs along my flight plan. A lot of information available when you want it, and great back-ups should you need it. XM is not cheap, but I like it much better than the ABS-B weather depiction, and winds aloft available on ADS-B ( which I use as an overlay on the GTN 750 map page). The AERA 796 is a very reliable box, in my experience, and I include it in my Jeppesen 28 day updates. Once again, expensive, but of great utility. Could I fly without all this (and more) stuff? Sure, after many decades of flying, but I wouldn't want to for the type of flying do, and in the locations I generally fly.

[BobAustin]

Re ipad Mini on the yoke...added a cigarette lighter USB charger (2A) and keep the Mini plugged in flight. 

 

Another tip...bought a cable with USB at one end and 180 degree Lighting on the other. Keeps cable out of the way.

Bought from www.bad-elf.com .

[Txbyker]

I posted this a while back when they were relatively new. I really like it on the yoke. 796 can give you XM radio over your audio system if you have it wired. Mutes when ATC speaks. Charts were easier for me than the iPad. No problem with view.

http://mooneyspace.com/topic/3971-garmin-aera-796/

Russ

[Don Scorese]

Thank you to everyone for the wealth of information. I am going to read this a few times to digest it all.

[LANCECASPER]

I admit I like all things Apple. I have an iPhone 6+, iPad Air, Macbook Pro, but I still like the Garmin 796/GDL 39 3D best for the cockpit.

 

I mount it at the top of my compass post (RAM-B-231ZU) horizontally with a very short double socket (RAP-B-201U-A). It blocks nothing and just works all the time better than anything else. I still have my ipad with me but I have more confidence in the durability and stable interface of the 796. It's is made for the harsh environment of the cockpit.

[dcrogers11]

If your an XM customer, then the 796 is a great addition but still doesn't have traffic.  I opted for the lesser 795 since I use the GL 39 for my weather and traffic.  XM may not have the latency that Nexrad has, but both the '6 and '5 are for long range flight planning and information only.  I love my 795 mounted in my Airgizmo.  

Don

[IndyTim]

I am considering purchasing a garmin 796. Does anyone know if it fits nicely on the yoke without blocking the "6 pack?"

I am hesitant because I am not sure it is worth the extra cost compared to the ipad I now use, but with a kneeboard on I haven't found a good place to keep the ipad. If the 796 fits nicely on the yoke in front of me that may tip the scales. I wish there was someplace to "test drive" one.

Thanks for the help.

 

 

I have a 796 on a yoke mount and like it there.  It doesn't interfere with my view of primary instruments.  I'm also 6'2" with about 1" of headroom.  That might be a factor favor of my perspective over top of the 796.

 

I also have an iPad/Foreflight on the copilot yoke.  I use both in flight - the Garmin as my primary EFB with ADS-B weather (via Garmin GDL-39).  Foreflight is a backup and I use it to look at charts or routing changes in flight.

 

The reason Foreflight isn't primary:  I don't trust it as much as the Garmin.  It's an app, on top of a consumer-grade portable device.  Admittedly, Apple's products are probably better in quality than just about anybody else's (that's not saying much - the electronics/computer industry has an abysmal track record relative to product reliability/robustness).  But still, I trust the Garmin a lot more.

 

Additionally, the Garmin has a massively better display in sunlight, compared to the iPad.  And I can plug it into the A/C 12V socket without worrying if it can handle it.  I think I burned up an iPad doing this....

 

Downsides to the Garmin:  cost, obviously.  And it runs hot, which in turn makes me question its reliability/longevity also.  But it hasn't crashed in flight.  The iPad has.

[smccray]

What do you want to use your panel mounted device for?

 

I have a 796 panel mounted that I use as an MFD/moving map.  I have an iPad mini on the yoke which I use primarily for plates.  I don't like looking down at the yoke for navigation.  It's much more comfortable to use a panel mounted device.