GARMIN 96C

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PRICE £293.75

FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The screen seems very small when you first look at the 96C. The unit is about the size of a TV remote but the screen doesn't occupy very much space.

Like a remote, you want to try and use the 96C with one hand but because the buttons are above the screen, rather than below (as per the Lowrance 600C), your hand hides the screen. So you can't see the menus you want to scroll through. Bit of a classic design error there.

It didn't seem very bright on the ground, but the screen resolution was excellent.

PLANNING THE FLIGHT
Anyone used to Garmin units will have no problem operating the 96C. The smaller screen means it takes a bit longer to scroll through the menus, and it's not quite as quick to create a user-waypoint as, say, the 296/496 units, but certainly not difficult.

The flightplan went in correctly first time, with no confusion over what had been saved or not.

IN THE AIR
That small screen which hadn't promised very much on the ground proved surprisingly good in bright sunshine. The map was clearly visible, and it was easy to track our progress. Remember, this was in a bubble canopy aircraft on a bright sunny day and so the hardest test possible.

There are plenty of options for the display, including an Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI) with a heading bug, airspeed indicator and altimeter – both GPS-derived of course but matching up with the aircraft's own instruments.
The map database holds obstacles and airspace and both of these showed up well. We checked these with a 519ft mast just west of Great Oakley, and the restricted airspace around Sizewell B power station north of Orford. Both were shown.

CONCLUSION
Nice size for a small cockpit aircraft, or a microlight perhaps. Good also as a backup for a bigger unit. In a fast aircraft covering ground quickly, the small screen and thus map area might prove challenging.

WHAT'S IN THE BOX
>> 96C unit
>> Power cord
>> Yoke mount
>> Wrist strap
>> USB cable
>> Trip & Waypoint Manager software
>> 2 AA batteries
>> Manual & Quick Guide

SPEC
>> Size 69x157x36mm
>> Weight 198g
>> Screen size 66mm
>> Battery 2 AA
>> External power? Yes

SCREEN OPTIONS
>> Moving Map
>> Horizontal Situation Indicator (HSI)
>> Split screen
>> GPS-derived altitude & VNAV
>> Obstacle awareness

AT A GLANCE
SCREEN ****
Small. Above average in bright sunlight. Good resolution.

DESIGN **
Buttons are above the screen so hiding the display when operating with one hand.

MAP ***
Good. However, small screen means you don't see much.

PROGRAMMING ****
Easy, follows Garmin process but takes longer to go through menus.

EASE OF USE ****
Excellent - good size for a back-up unit or when flying an aircraft with a small cockpit.

FEATURES ****
Plenty. Lots of options for the screen display including data window showing vertical speed and, apparently, glide-ratio to target.

VALUE FOR MONEY *****
A colour aviation GPS for under £300? A steal.

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