Pirep on Garmin 796 and Zaon

[Steve Dawson]

After a couple of close calls in our local airport region and circuit I wanted to get some sort of traffic warning system as well as additional information that the 796 might bring. Is anyone using the 796 with the Zaon XRX displaying on their screen? I've seen the videos but would like some real life information,

Thanks,

[Bennett]

I have this combination. The Zaon traffic shows up in the lower left hand corner of the 796, and is easier to read on the 796 than on the Zaon unit itself. In all candor, I am not overly impressed with the Zaon XRX. It does show traffic most of the time, but not always, and I get false traffic too often. My Zaon unit is mounted on the glareshield. I'm looking forward to ADS-B traffic in the future. In the meantime, anything that helps point out traffic is helpful.

[butchgilbert]

I have a Zaon XRX mounted on the glareshield as well, but it is connected to a yoke mounted Garmin 496.  I have to agree with Bennett, it is better than nothing and has saved my butt numerous times, but you do get a lot of false traffic (you can tell if the target is moving at the same speed as you with no altitude differences), and sometimes traffic doesn't appear at all (even the company user manual states this).

However, having said that, I still think it is better than nothing as long it doesn't distract you from clearing outside and flying the airplane.  It can be annoying in the traffic pattern or in busy airspace (I use the middle envelope settings otherwise you get too much traffic info, which is almost as bad).  Even on IFR flightplans I turn it on in case VFR traffic becomes a factor.

Overall a good safety investment, but I too am looking forward to something more accurate and reliable (and of course inexpensive).

Butch Gilbert

N6902V

[wishboneash]

Not too impressed myself. Last time I flew it showed imminent collision with some aircraft, but there was no traffic around (controlled airspace and my head on a swivel). But it is better than nothing and sometimes gets it right. The link to my 696 is intermittent and I cannot use the 430 to 696 crossfill and the XRX at the same time. So I just have the XRX display which takes longer to interpret than on the GPS.

[rainman]

My experience is the same as wishbone ash.  I'm glad I have it, but look forward to the next level of improvement. I'd like to be able to couple my 696 to my 430W but the XRX can't then run on the 696 at the same time. The false positives are annoying. Ray

[Bennett]

For me the next step is to buy one of the new Garmin ADS-B in units.  If I go the portable route, it will be Bluetooth to an iPad, or if I use the fixed installation, it will be to the GTN 750.  The portable unit, which includes traffic, requires a cable to to the various Garmin portable moving maps - even the 796. The 796 will get Bluetooth later in the year.  There are many new improvements to the GTN 750 which will be a free upgrade in Q4 of this year.  Traffic, via ADS-B in may not be very effective for a while, and so I will keep the Zaon unit coupled to the 796 for a while.  The fixed unit device will present the traffic data on the GTN 750 screen, and has some really clever electronics to warn of crossing paths that might not otherwise be obvious.  A bit like marine radar plotters. The combination will be more helpful than just the Zaon alone.  The best way would be to use two external antennas; one on top, one on the bottom, with the fixed Garmin unit (or soon others).  The portable unit is designed to sit on the glareshield with one fairly tall (for a portable) antenna. It either requires an external battery pack, or the use of the cig lighter unit for power.

[Txbyker]

Quote: Bennett

For me the next step is to buy one of the new Garmin ADS-B in units.  If I go the portable route, it will be Bluetooth to an iPad, or if I use the fixed installation, it will be to the GTN 750.  The portable unit, which includes traffic, requires a cable to to the various Garmin portable moving maps - even the 796. The 796 will get Bluetooth later in the year.  There are many new improvements to the GTN 750 which will be a free upgrade in Q4 of this year.  Traffic, via ADS-B in may not be very effective for a while, and so I will keep the Zaon unit coupled to the 796 for a while.  The fixed unit device will present the traffic data on the GTN 750 screen, and has some really clever electronics to warn of crossing paths that might not otherwise be obvious.  A bit like marine radar plotters. The combination will be more helpful than just the Zaon alone.  The best way would be to use two external antennas; one on top, one on the bottom, with the fixed Garmin unit (or soon others).  The portable unit is designed to sit on the glareshield with one fairly tall (for a portable) antenna. It either requires an external battery pack, or the use of the cig lighter unit for power.

[Txbyker]

Quote: Bennett

For me the next step is to buy one of the new Garmin ADS-B in units.  If I go the portable route, it will be Bluetooth to an iPad, or if I use the fixed installation, it will be to the GTN 750.  The portable unit, which includes traffic, requires a cable to to the various Garmin portable moving maps - even the 796. The 796 will get Bluetooth later in the year.  There are many new improvements to the GTN 750 which will be a free upgrade in Q4 of this year.  Traffic, via ADS-B in may not be very effective for a while, and so I will keep the Zaon unit coupled to the 796 for a while.  The fixed unit device will present the traffic data on the GTN 750 screen, and has some really clever electronics to warn of crossing paths that might not otherwise be obvious.  A bit like marine radar plotters. The combination will be more helpful than just the Zaon alone.  The best way would be to use two external antennas; one on top, one on the bottom, with the fixed Garmin unit (or soon others).  The portable unit is designed to sit on the glareshield with one fairly tall (for a portable) antenna. It either requires an external battery pack, or the use of the cig lighter unit for power.

[Bennett]

"Bennett, you mention Bluetooth for the 796. Do you know if that's upgradable to the original 796? It would be great to link Garmin Pilot."......................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................

As I understand it, Garmin is selling their new portable ADS-B in weather and traffic unit with a cable for the 796, while later in the year there will be a Bluetooth software update for the 796 which can replace the cable. This unit, out of the box, has Bluetooth connectivity built in for the iPad, and Garmin says it will offer some free time for their Pilot program.