Garmin GDL 39 ADS-B weather

[scottfromiowa]

Anyone Else purchase/using the Garmin? I purchased the unit and also the connector for the 696. I had previously hardwired the power for the 696 and was using it with a Air-Gizmo panel dock. I had expected the 696 connector from the Garmin to utilize the XM input to the 696. I was wrong. The GDL 39 has a serial output and the cord has a cigarette lighter power and utilizes the power for the 696 for the input. This will not be a problem as I rarely use the cigarette lighter power and it's at the far right of my panel. I also found when trying to get the Bluetooth to sync properly That you must download Garman GDL 39 application for iPad and Bluetooth phones. The Garman 696 was not excepting the input from the GDL 39. I believe this is due to my not updating software. Download those apps and update the software now I will see if the Bluetooth function will perform properly. Looking forward to seeing how the weather performs. Payback in under two years for the XM subscription. Anyone else using in combination with the 696? What have your experiences been? Thanks for your replies Scott

[wishboneash]

Anyone Else purchase/using the Garmin? I purchased the unit and also the connector for the 696. I had previously hardwired the power for the 696 and was using it with a Air-Gizmo panel dock. I had expected the 696 connector from the Garmin to utilize the XM input to the 696. I was wrong. The GDL 39 has a serial output and the cord has a cigarette lighter power and utilizes the power for the 696 for the input. This will not be a problem as I rarely use the cigarette lighter power and it's at the far right of my panel. I also found when trying to get the Bluetooth to sync properly That you must download Garman GDL 39 application for iPad and Bluetooth phones. The Garman 696 was not excepting the input from the GDL 39. I believe this is due to my not updating software. Download those apps and update the software now I will see if the Bluetooth function will perform properly. Looking forward to seeing how the weather performs. Payback in under two years for the XM subscription. Anyone else using in combination with the 696? What have your experiences been? Thanks for your replies Scott

 

I have the exact same set up. GDL-39 to 696. The 696 also connects to my GTN 650 and the Zaon XRX. I have a 3-way switch to do this. By default I connect the GDL-39 to the 696. I had to update my 696 software to accomplish this as well. Weather works fine in the SF bay area. I have XM on the 696 but subscription has expired. Traffic is spotty due to the absence of ADS-B out. 

[scottfromiowa]

Thanks Wishbone. Did you have to change the default settings in the 696 or did it pick up the ADS-B without any changes? When I tried to follow the directions from the updated manual I did not have success

[wishboneash]

Thanks Wishbone. Did you have to change the default settings in the 696 or did it pick up the ADS-B without any changes? When I tried to follow the directions from the updated manual I did not have success

 

Actually, I didn't set it up initially. When I did the avionics upgrade from a 430 (non-WAAS) to the GTN-650, I had the GDL-69 installed behind the panel so it is out of the way. The avionics dealer had to do an update to the 696 software to allow the GDL-39 to talk to it. When that was done a few more pages showed up on the interface menus related to the GDL-39 link. On the ground, I couldn't verify if the system worked because of a lack of a signal. On my first flight out when I climbed out to about 1500ft AGL, I had no problem with the ADS-B data link to the 696. I can send some pics of the relevant screens if you need more info.

[scottfromiowa]

Thanks. Looking forward to trying it out. Ours is glare screen mounted. Curious to see how good coverage is. I downloaded the AP for the artificial horizon too. Should be fun to try too.

[rainman]

Well Scott, it's been two months, how we'll does it work?

[Marauder]

Yeah Scott... Inquiring minds want to know...

[scottfromiowa]

Ha, Ha. Sorry for delay. Between crazy bad spring weather and plane being in for installation of Accu-Flite and Heading bug on DG...as well as tank re-seal I have not flown much

I flew back from Arkansas with brother and the ADS-B did an awesome job painting weather on my I-Pad and to a lesser extent (quality of image not as good as XM on 696) my 696.

All syncing and function problems (all my fault) are resoved and I feel comfortable with Garmin Pilot. The Accu-Flite (tracks heading bug) IS REALLY awesome too. My Garmin 300XL external antenna must have gotten unplugged during install as I have no GPS since install on the 300XL...When re-connected the quality of the track with both heading and GPS track on (Accu-Trak and Accu-Flite) should be great.

In summary VERY pleased with GDL-39 Garmin combo with 696. The dumb luck of placing the power outlet on far right of panel made the connection of the GDL-39 for ships power (also powering the 696 HUGE) as panel still looks clean as wires go under and to the side. ALSO important to add power down GDL-39 manually to your checklist as my battery back-up kicks in and you must manually push power button or you will waste battery back-up while not in use. Small issue, but the Garmin 696 automatically gives a prompt when ships power is lost that it is powering down...push any button to use battery.

Enjoy! I will take a couple of photos....maybe today as partner flew back Friday from MN with sealed tank and I want to see a fulkl tank that is NOT leaking for the first time in 10+ years ;0

[Marauder]

Ok, you are partially off the hook... Looking forward to more updates! I have a thread going in the aviation avionics section. I'm still up in the air which way to go with the portable solution. I really like Garmin Pilot but the compatibility limitation with my Aspens and with other antennae makes it less attractive. Same with ForeFlight. Both also will require an ADS-B source to get the true traffic capability. Which translates into more money spent. The cost delta between a portable solution and the Aspen stuff (to roll out their panel mounted stuff this Fall) is getting a lot closer.

[scottfromiowa]

Understand. I like PILOT ap too. Our decision was financial. Had the 696 and Pilot/GDL 39 play on I-pad and 696...and we wanted weather primarily and to jettison the XM subscription anchor.