New Garmin prices

[JohnR]

I just got an email from Sporty's showing the 496 $400 lower than previously. Maybe the 596 is around the corner. Osh?

Lower is good.

[svanarts]

I'd like to see them port their application to a tablet PC platform or some other EFB. Love the Garmin display, would love to see it bigger.

[TomC]

Hi John,

I have heard that Lowrance will be adding weather displays to their line. What better way to stop a bunch of lost sales than for Garmin to start speculation about what will follow the 496. I am on my second Lowrance unit and have had good luck with them. My only complaint about Lowrance is their lack of telephone support. I have called many times with wait times of around an hour each call. I simply put my phone on speaker and continue to do paperwork. Many times I have simply hung up. As a result, I will not be buying any future Lowrance products until/unless they change this. For as large as Garmin is, at least they will talk to you on the phone. For my money, the best system seems to be a GPS receiver feeding either an EFIS system or some other large display.

[JohnR]

I'm thinking that the MGL products look pretty good for the money. I plan on checking them out while at Osh this year. The have a GPS receiver built in the way I understand it.

[TomC]

The GRT Sport is my current choice. I agree that the MGL stuff looks interesting but I'd like to let some others test out the longevity and customer service. The only problem with the GRT Sport is it will require a complete redo of my panel. I originally designed it for a future Dynon D10A. I don't believe that the D10A will display a moving map. The GRT has the ability to do a split screen of artificial horizon and moving map. I believe that both the GRT and D10A also have the capability of doing CDI/Loc/GS with an SL-30. Oh Well! It's just a matter of money.