Grateful Posted June 3, 2017 Report Share Posted June 3, 2017 Our decade old Garmin 496 just died. Has anyone upgraded their CTSw panel to an Garmin Aera 660? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted June 3, 2017 Report Share Posted June 3, 2017 Might as well put in a 696 or a 796. You'll be glad you did and it will help when you decide to use ADSB in/out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grateful Posted June 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2017 Sorry Roger - our 496 died. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rodney Posted June 3, 2017 Report Share Posted June 3, 2017 This might be a good time to consider an Ifly 740 with the Skyguard ADSB. Have been flying with the 720 and Skyguard for a little over a year and am really pleased. Think I will upgrade to the 740 soon - perhaps before the Page trip this year. I regularly fly around the Dallas Class B and it will almost scare you to see all the airplanes on the ADSB . LOL Yearly VFR updates are about $70 per year and the system is dead simple to use - very friendly. The 720-740 will bluetooth to the skyguard so mounting the skyguard is simple. There are a couple of extra antennas you need to go with the skyguard - just be aware of that. Regards Rodney Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grateful Posted June 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted June 3, 2017 Thanks Roger and Rodney. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandpiper Posted June 6, 2017 Report Share Posted June 6, 2017 I upgraded with the Garmin 345 transponder and the Aera 660. The 660 with AirGizmo dock fits in the same space as does the 396/496. I now have ADS-B in and out and I like it fairly well. Would I like the 696/796 better? Sure. My only complaint is these old eyes would like a bigger display. But, like I said, the 660 fits the same space as a 396/496. I also fly with an iFly 740 suction cupped on the right side of my panel. I have steam gages on that side and the 740 fits nicely without blocking them. There are many choices out there with more coming all the time. Life was easier in Henry Fords day. You could have your new ride in any color you desired - as long as it was black! Have fun and let us know what you do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted June 6, 2017 Report Share Posted June 6, 2017 John, do you like the 345/660 combo? That is exactly the route I'm planning. I'm surprised you use an iFly instead of an iPad, since the 345 has wireless support to display ADS-B traffic and weather directly into Garmin Pilot. That's how I plan to use it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ed Cesnalis Posted June 6, 2017 Report Share Posted June 6, 2017 I think I will get the 345 and display on my tablet too. No big hurry for me because I seldom go where there is coverage. My Zaon died and I do miss the view that provided around here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted June 6, 2017 Report Share Posted June 6, 2017 No hurry here either Ed, that $6k+ is quite a pill to swallow. BTW, for those who qualify, Aircraft Spruce has a package deal for experimental aircraft only, of the GTX 345 (with WASS GPS option) and the Aera 660 for about $5300. That's basically like getting the Aera for $100. The only catch is you have to provide proof that it's for an experimental aircraft by N-number: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/avpages/garmin11-14327.php?clickkey=2935239 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted June 6, 2017 Report Share Posted June 6, 2017 Sonoran Avionics at my field has been removing the old Garmin's and installing new 696 or 796 Garmin's and new 345 ADSB in/out. He re-Mfg's the center panel and relocates the carb and cockpit heat knobs. Does a nice job. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted June 6, 2017 Report Share Posted June 6, 2017 Roger, does he have a set price for that job? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandpiper Posted June 8, 2017 Report Share Posted June 8, 2017 On 6/6/2017 at 8:11 AM, FlyingMonkey said: John, do you like the 345/660 combo? That is exactly the route I'm planning. I'm surprised you use an iFly instead of an iPad, since the 345 has wireless support to display ADS-B traffic and weather directly into Garmin Pilot. That's how I plan to use it. I do like it. I had the iFly so decided to put it to use. Originally I was going to sell it. If you are going to use the iPad for traffic/weather, what are you going to do with the 660? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roger Lee Posted June 8, 2017 Report Share Posted June 8, 2017 Hi Andy, He probably has a set price now since he's done a few. I don't know exactly what it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted June 8, 2017 Report Share Posted June 8, 2017 9 hours ago, sandpiper said: I do like it. I had the iFly so decided to put it to use. Originally I was going to sell it. If you are going to use the iPad for traffic/weather, what are you going to do with the 660? Run the autopilot. Honestly, I find Garmin Pilot (or any of the iPad apps) to be easier to use than most of the portable GPS options out there. If I could run my autopilot from the iPad I'd probably do that as well. I will probably display traffic and weather right on the map in Garmin Pilot, and just use the 660 as a backup GPS and to set AP waypoints. That's pretty much how I'm using the 496 now, it's really just an XM weather display and AP steering box. I guess it's possible I could use the 660 as a dedicated traffic or weather display. I'll just have to see what makes the most sense and is most convenient. Did you have your avionics shop install a dedicated switch for ADS-B "anonymous mode"? I saw in the install manual for the 345 that you can do that. I like that idea, as 95% of the time I have no interest in broadcasting my identity, I only need that when interacting with ATC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ls6pilot Posted June 8, 2017 Report Share Posted June 8, 2017 I am still waiting for the ILevil beacon for ads-b in-out. May be ready by oshkosh time. Wouldn't mind a bom either. I actually built a little stratux receiver for ads-b in for about 140 bucks. Works great. Rich Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sandpiper Posted June 8, 2017 Report Share Posted June 8, 2017 2 hours ago, FlyingMonkey said: Did you have your avionics shop install a dedicated switch for ADS-B "anonymous mode"? I saw in the install manual for the 345 that you can do that. I like that idea, as 95% of the time I have no interest in broadcasting my identity, I only need that when interacting with ATC. I didn't but should have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FlyingMonkey Posted June 8, 2017 Report Share Posted June 8, 2017 47 minutes ago, sandpiper said: I didn't but should have. Should be easy to rectify. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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