garmin gps

grob109b · Post by **grob109b** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 11:36 am

I have just purchased a Garmin 296 gps and find the instrucion manual most confusing.
I can use the go to feature but I would like to generate and store routes for future use.
Can anyone help with a simple set of steps to do this.
Best wishes
Eric (Grob109b)

steveneale · Post by **steveneale** » Sat Sep 19, 2009 1:12 pm

Yes the Garmin manual is rubbish. The answer is to put it in simulator mode and just play with the buttons at home. A couple of hours playing with it will get you 50% there, certainly enough to plan and fly. We have had ours for 2 years now and I've only just started to use VNAV (which is very useful). It's a deep feature rich product that needs effort put in to use properly. But you can also just switch it on and follow the map if you wish.

I continually slag off Garmin for their refusal to sell VRP and obstacle data for the 296 but that doesn't detract from the capability of the device.

Steve

ChrisS · Post by **ChrisS** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 2:47 pm

I have a 495, which I guess is similar... have to agree its infuriating that VRPs are not in the database & adding is a pain, however I have had sucess using Memory Map to add waypoints & then plugging in the Garmin & transferring that way. Works well for routes too.

Storing routes (on the 495 at least) is easy - just add one in simulator mode. Just dont expect the unit to have the place you want to navigate to in it!

I also use an Airbox Foresight which has the CAA maps, but lacks any function to pre-plan before getting to the aircraft.

Happy to help of you have any questions.
Chris

Archaeopteryx · Post by **Archaeopteryx** » Tue Sep 22, 2009 5:03 pm

Now I'm confused. I have a 496 which I thought was just a 495 with road maps added but mine certainly does have the VRPs in the database.
With road and marine function added the manual just adds further levels of confusion. Just get into Sim mode and play!

ChrisS · Post by **ChrisS** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:46 am

Mine has some... but definetly not all! Try a simulated route using Frome VRP... there are other well established ones missing too..

a 495 is a 496 without the road bits... interestingly mine has road & marine modes still, but I dont use them.... a simple Tom Tom works great in the car.

Chris

Mike Cross · Post by **Mike Cross** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 7:07 am

I recommend two things:-

1. Thesedatabase add-ons (free)
2. Navbox Pro Plan. This is a VFR flight planning tool that allows you to draw and modify your route on screen and, among many other features, upload it directly to your GPS.

David Broom · Post by **David Broom** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 2:53 pm

And even if you haven't got a Garmin GPS, don't despair, there is a very useful open source program available for free download at www.gpsbabel.org which allows a huge range of GPS waypoint and route data to be easily converted from one manufacturers format to another. You can even type in a text file or generate a comma separated format file ( using a spreadsheet ) and then convert that into a suitable file format for upload to your GPS.

Ian Melville · Post by **Ian Melville** » Wed Sep 23, 2009 6:58 pm

Mike, I didn't post about Cubs VRPs because they are now getting a bit dated. Do you know if he has any intention of updating them?
Cheers
Ian Melville

steveneale · Post by **steveneale** » Thu Sep 24, 2009 1:11 pm

Cubs data is a lot better than nothing which is what Garmin are willing to supply for <495 in Europe. US Database fine, just not Europe.

Steve

timr · Post by **timr** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 4:06 pm

Ian Melville wrote:Mike, I didn't post about Cubs VRPs because they are now getting a bit dated. Do you know if he has any intention of updating them?
Cheers
Ian Melville

His data is grouped into VRP's, masts, and private airfields. If you load them into MapSource then review - should not take long - before uploading to GPS. With MapSource it should also be possible to overlay with Google Earth (**Although I cannot get this to work on my Vista version) and review.

I know he (Cub) is working on a new website, not sure about the GPS datafiles.

Having just switched from a 196 to a 496. I have found if planning a route where your current location/position in NOT the start of the route - or local to start. When serching the VRP's (NOT USER vrp/waypoint) it gives only a certain number and they are in distance order. So you may not be able to find one you are looking for.
The VRP list seems to relate to your position. I have used a 196 for 5+ years and found a learning curve I didn't expect moving to the 496!

Tim Richardson

Ian Melville · Post by **Ian Melville** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 4:48 pm

Hi Tim,
Yes I know we can edit the existing files, indeed I used to be able to create my own waypoints from the AIC(?) CD that used to be sent to the airfield. Seems they don't get the CD anymore as it is supposed to be on-line? Anyone know where from, I have tried the AIS website?

There is also the question of copyright. Perhaps that is why Cub no longer updates.

Jonathan Smith · Post by **Jonathan Smith** » Mon Sep 28, 2009 7:58 pm

Seems they don't get the CD anymore as it is supposed to be on-line? Anyone know where from, I have tried the AIS website?

There is also the question of copyright. Perhaps that is why Cub no longer updates.

Cub's day job takes up the majority of his spare time but some updated files are in the pipeline

The WGS84 database is only available on the CD, not on-line but copyright is not an issue.

Watch this space for some exciting utilisation of this airspace database as opposed to some manufacturers offerings. The WGS84 database does contain some significant elements desirable for VFR flight in the UK and hopefully you will see these fully utilised on a new device in the near future.

Clive Richards · Post by **Clive Richards** » Sun Oct 04, 2009 6:05 pm

Eric Garmin 296

To add route from an page PRESS Menu TWICE
Move cursor down LHS to Route
Move cursor right to select a stored route OR
Press Menu & select New Route from menu shown by moving cursor
press enter cursor will appear under waypoint Press enter
cursor will appear under Aviation press enter & enter aviation way point
ie airfield identifier press enter then press OK
cursor drops to next way point press enter & select next way point
if you select arrival airfield as above then if press menu you can select
edit on map then move cursor over course line press enter it will turn pink
by moving in & out you can select any point or town on map select enter
and it is added to your route.

To activate route select a route you have entered press menu & select activate press enter.

You should soon get the idear an find out how to add your waypoints.

You can also use Pro Plan flight planning to draw routes on your computer & Upload

Hope this helps a bit
Clive