Garmin just announced two new portable aviation systems: Garmin GPSMAP 696 and Garmin GPSMAP 695.

Both devices are already available and will cost $2,695 and $3,295 for GPSMAP 695 and 696 respectively. The GPSMAP 696 is the new flagship product from Garmin as far as aviation goes. It is quite similar to GPSMAP 496 but the screen is three times larger and provides additional features such as airways, electronic charts and expanded weather.

GPSMAP 696 and 695 are a tablet-style devices with a 7″ portrait sunlight readable screen that makes it possible to view an entire approach plate on the display; day or night.

GPSMAP 696

comes with a receiver for XM radio and XM WX Satellite Weather (U.S. customers only) that gives next generation radar (NEXRAD), aviation routine weather reports (METARs), terminal aerodrome forecasts (TAFs), temporary flight restrictions (TFRs), lightning, winds aloft, turbulence forecasts, and several other vital weather products.

GPSMAP 695 Americas that has similar features to the GPSMAP 696 except that it does not include the GXM 40 smart antenna and does not do XM datalink without an upgrade.

We do not know too much about aircraft navigation systems so we’ll manufacture it short and point you to the press release.

Original post by Tim Robbins