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I bought the 496 in April and signed up for XM in July. So far it has been great. I replaced my 196 with the 496. I have a 530 in the panel but I refuse to pay for weather on it because of the price of the GDL 69. With the 496 it gives so many more options like using it on the ground in the rental car, back up in case of electrical failure, panel page is worth the money on it's own if you ever had to use it for primary. I have made some landings using only the panel page as secondary of course, and it is amazing to use. A real lifesaver. I really like the terrain page too.
The way I see it, there is really no excuse to not have the 496. It is the best buy of anything when you consider the features that are packed into that little box. Then when you step up to XM weather, wow, what a tool. Just becareful to remember that the image is dated. It is not a replacement for radar or stormscope.
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Herb R Harney
1968 337C
Flying the same Skymaster for 47 years
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