Thread: 696 Air Gizmo Update

I know that everyone is eager to find out how we're doing on the Garmin 695/696 Panel Dock™, so here's a quick update on our progress.

We received our Garmin 696 at about the same time as everyone else. I would have loved to play with it for a while to discover all the new bells and whistles, but unfortunately the engineers have had it ever since. The display is extremely bright and readable. I am looking forward to being able to mount one of these in my panel in the near future.

Garmin was unable to provide us with a 3D model of the unit, so our first task was to create a detailed 3D model the unit and all of the cables. We want to make the dimensions of the Panel Dock as small as possible, but we also need to be able to manage the cables that attach to the GPS. So everything was meticulously modeled by one of our engineers.

We are now in the process of testing out various designs that provide easy insertion/removal while maintaining the smallest possible panel footprint. We are committed to fitting within the standard 6.25" avionics stack width. The tricky part is to also keep the overall height to an absolute minimum. Since we are still making changes to the prototype, I can't yet tell you the exact height, but it will most likely be around 8.5" tall.

I understand that many of you are eager to cut your panel for the new dock. In the next few weeks I should be able to provide you with the exact dimensions, as well as CAD files so you can lay out your panel.

We are very excited about the 696 and we can't wait to be able to provide you with the best mounting solution available.

Regards,
Mike Schipper

Well there goes your wife's X-Mas money!

FYI, here's the 696 mounted in a CT panel by SteinAir. EFIS are from Advanced Flight Systems.



Doug

Interesting...no back up "steam gauges" -- duplicate electronics I guess! And I wonder how difficult it is to take the 696 out. I hoping for the "Air Gizmo" setup but it's not looking real promising with my panel.

Thanks for the picture...

Roger H

BTW, SteinAir has done panels for a few US CTs and is a very good shop.

Doug

Curious... How does one get approval from FD for doing a custom panel?
A CAD layout of proposed, from a reputable firm? (in advance?)
I love nearly everything about my LS, except for that tiny little screen on the Garmin 496.

Yes you are right. The sreem is too litle. At first I was frustated with the sizes of the 496. Now I have learn how to love it. I also install the gizmo set looking to me with some degress. I have ordered the new 695 from Golf coast. I have ask my dealer in Zaragoza and we are waiting for Gizmos and for the 2009 Ctls setting from Flight Design to see how we can install it.

Its going to be dificult, but it will be posible.

Angel

Doug were did you get that picture that is our airplane (Airtime Aviation) That is a Trutrak EFIS and EMS.

Originally Posted by CTflyer

Doug were did you get that picture that is our airplane (Airtime Aviation) That is a Trutrak EFIS and EMS.

Stein himself posted it on the Van's Air Force site in a thread about mounting the 696. Nice looking panel!

Doug