Thread: AirGizmo Flush Mount for GPS 496

My CTsw came from the factory with the "all glass" instrument panel. It is easy for me to see and read the large DYNON engine and flight management displays. However, I had a hard time with the 496. It is significantly smaller than the other displays and the colors partially fadeout when viewed other than directly ahead. The smaller numbers were particularly difficult for me to read. I'm aware that this is not "late breaking news", but I didn't see any 496 mounted on an angle facing the pilot on the numerous instrument panel photos in the albums on this site. Maybe I missed some. In any event, 496 was factory installed in a flush mount Air Gizmo and is easily removable,e.g., for flight planning at home or software updates on my PC. I needed the 496 moved up higher in the center panel and turned toward me. That was surprisingly easy for the seller to do. Air Gizmo offers an Angle Adapter for the basic mount (Dock Station) See attached photo. It is inexpensive @ $60 at AIRCRAFT SPRUCE and many other avionics suppliers. CT does not use conventional racks for radios in the center panel ,so moving the display upward entailed only cutting a new aluminum backplate - no wiring ivolved. I'm very pleased with the results. DonBo

Thank you DonBo. Im just to recieve my Ctls and taking a look the other day in the Michigan avenue in Chicago, to the Garming store the have there, I was shock how little the 496 looks, and maybe that solution will solve the matter. Im ordering right now and will post you how it works as soon as my dealer installed.

Is hate to strong a word for the 496? To me there's a lack on the market for a decent "priced right" 5 to 7 inch screen GPS that will fit in our middle panel and we'll be able to see it!!! Hopefully Dynon will take care of us some day soon!

My solution: although difficult to see the 496 does a good job of running my TT AP so that's what I let it do. I purchased an AvMap Geo Pilot Plus that has a five inch screen with so-so resolution but I can hold it in my hands - see and do what I want a GPS to do like tell me where I am, look up freq., runways, etc.. And, I have a backup!

On the other hand, I had the VA issue me a new pair of specs with the bifocal lens adjusted to arms length(distance to 496) vs the 18 in or so usually prescribed for reading. This works for me.

Yes, I'd prefer a larger display. My previous airplane had a LOWRANCE 2000C - twice the screen size as the 496.
However, as far as I know the GARMIN GPSMAP 496 is the only portable GPS presently compatible with the XM weather satellite. I wouldn't want to give that up.

Correct me if I am wrong. DonBo

AvMap keeps talking about it but I haven't seen it yet!

Here's our solution. If you have a right-seat pax who is navigating (say in or avoiding Class B), they can swivel the unit over towards them.



Doug

Hmmmmm?

How do you get to your cockpit heat and carb heat pull-knobs?

I just let my co-pilot lean over to look. DonBo

I love my 496 and really like the XM Radio and WX features. I turned the brightness of the screen all the up, which makes it easier to read.

I have the progressive lens in my glasses.

Originally Posted by DonBo

Hmmmmm?

How do you get to your cockpit heat and carb heat pull-knobs?

I just let my co-pilot lean over to look. DonBo

I rarely use cabin heat and when I do, it's only partway, so that's fine.

Carb heat is also rarely used and normally in the pattern - GPS can be moved out of the way if necessary.

Doug

Hi, Doug,
Your 496 installation looks good - it sits up high and is angled toward the pilot (or co-pilot). Nevertheless, I'd be concered about access to the carburator heat control. Carburator icing is a common occurrence including in Texas and here in Forida. It can happen without warning on a clear, warm day - even at 70 degrees F. All it needs is high humidity or visible moisture in the air. If your engine rpm drops, application of FULL carb heat will, at first, give a further drop in rpm, then have it rise as the ice melts. If this happens at low altitude, you could be in trouble if it takes you too much time to get at and pull the carb heat FULL ON (not partial ,unless you are monitoring a carb air temp gage). Hesitation could cause the exhaust temp to cool quickly and possibly be unable to melt the ice.
No, I'm not an A&P and I don't mean to preach - just food for thought. DonBo