Garmin announced the debut of its latest handheld GPS unit, the GPSMAP 396. Featuring XM WX Satellite Weather, the 396 includes NEXRAD, METARs, TAFs, TFRs, lightning and winds aloft information, plus a variety of other weather products to help pilots make informed navigational decisions in flight. When connected to the Garmin GTX 330 transponder, the unit can display traffic information, and it retains the terrain alerts and obstacles database found on the company’s popular GPSMAP 296. The 396 is also capable of receiving XM Satellite Radios 130-plus channels of entertainment programming.
Pilots can customize the map display to overlay weather data directly over the units Jeppesen and topographic map databases or display individual weather products on the exclusive weather explorer page. In terrain mode, the 396 combines input from built-in terrain, obstacle and electronic flight databases to give pilots a vivid description of proximity hazards that require attention.
XM Satellite data and audio is delivered via Garmins new GXM 30 smart antenna (included with the unit), which processes all weather information and delivers the data to the 396 for display. The handheld also features an audio jack that can be used directly with a headset or can be connected to a line-in port on an audio system.
At press time, Garmin expected a street price of $2495. The unit includes the GXM 30 antenna, yoke mount, cigarette-lighter adapter, AC adapter cable, USB-to-PC interface cable, low-profile remote GPS antenna, carrying case, free Jeppesen update certificate, software and user guides. A subscription to XM Satellite services is required to access weather and audio information.
For more information, call 800/800-1020 or visit www.garmin.com.
