GPS Wanted to Buy

[PaulN]

Greetings all.

 

My GPS has passed away and I need to replace it. Does anyone have, or know anyone who has, a good condition working Bendix King Skymap IIIC GPS they would like to sell?

 

Failing that, can anyone suggest a good replacement unit that will fit a hole in my panel 112h x 158w?

 

I do have and use Ozrunways on my iPad, but I prefer to run the aircraft GPS as my primary (after maps ... just in case someone picks up on it) navigation system.

 

Thanks,

 

Paul

 

 

[Admin]

G'day Paul, long time no hear...hope you are well, is this the GPS for the CT

 

 

[ben87r]

Not sure if it fits but a I have a couple of 196 if you were interested.

 

 

[PaulN]

Hi there Ian.

 

Yeah it's been a while, although I do frequently lurk around your site for interesting tidbits. I like the way you send through traffic reports each week, makes my lurking that much easier.

 

Yes, the BK Skymap IIIC is out of the CT2K. Something cooked in it and I don't know anyone in Oz who is familiar with it enough to fault find and fix, and I'm not willing to send it back to the UK and face their unknown costs. I have shown it to an electronics tech at Port who has done other work for me but he says it's a specialist job. I'm hoping another unit may show up, or someone can point me to something that will replace it ... both in size and ease of use.

 

How's Corrine and the kids (all grown up by now I'm sure). Life's beautiful here in Bonny Hills. If ever you're up this way we must catch up.

 

I'm still very content with the CT, it's just so easy and safe to fly. And I never get tired of the scenery around YCMH. What about you, still getting up there?

 

Paul

 

 

[PaulN]

Thanks Ben87r.

 

I'm hoping to find something that I can adapt to fit into the opening in my panel left by the Skymap. I note that both the Garmin 196 and 496 (with pretty colours), while providing good features, appears to include an antenna mounted on the rear which of course won't work so well if the unit is fitted into my panel and can't see the sky.

 

I've also been looking at the Garmin aera 510 which is a good adaptable size but I'm trying to find out about satellite reception with this too if it's panel mounted.

 

Paul

 

 

[Roscoe]

Thanks Ben87r.I'm hoping to find something that I can adapt to fit into the opening in my panel left by the Skymap. I note that both the Garmin 196 and 496 (with pretty colours), while providing good features, appears to include an antenna mounted on the rear which of course won't work so well if the unit is fitted into my panel and can't see the sky.

I've also been looking at the Garmin aera 510 which is a good adaptable size but I'm trying to find out about satellite reception with this too if it's panel mounted.

 

Paul

I have a Garmin Aera 500 mounted in my panel and no probs with sat reception at all

 

 

[PaulN]

That's interesting Roscoe. So an external (mounted on top of panel) antenna is not necessary?

 

In brief, how do you like the 500? Easy to operate? Clear to read in sunlight? Simple to key in routes? Can you operate it at home for familiarisation and keying in routes, etc? Any suggestions re best place/price to buy one?

 

Paul

 

 

[Roscoe]

That's interesting Roscoe. So an external (mounted on top of panel) antenna is not necessary?In brief, how do you like the 500? Easy to operate? Clear to read in sunlight? Simple to key in routes? Can you operate it at home for familiarisation and keying in routes, etc? Any suggestions re best place/price to buy one?

Paul

Hi Paul, before i decided on the 500 I watched the promotional videos from Sportys Pilot shop and Aircraft Spruce.

They indicated that an external Antenna was not necessary, and so I had the 500 fitted in my Jab panel at a slightly offset angle whereby i could connect an external antenna if necessary.

 

Its been in the Panel now for 18 months and I have never had a drop out.

 

The 500 is what Garmin calls the entry level Aera, and after looking at the 500 Vs the 510, I didnt think the extra money justified the cost of the 510, for features more suited to the USA than Australia.

 

I am more than happy with the 500, no glare issues and easy to operate. Very easy to load flight plans and the touch screen system is intuiitive. I practiced at home in Simulator mode.

 

The external Antenna is only about $25 USD I think, and should be available from any good Pilot suppy shop, and I carry one as back up only, its never been needed.

 

My advice would be to have a look at Aircraft Spruce and Sportys Pilot shop. The one thing to make sure is that it comes with PACIFIC data base, but with the dollar dow, it may be quicker and about the same price to purchase locally from a Pilot shop in Australia.

 

Hope this helps.

 

 

[Admin]

Recreational Flying can get one for you Paul, give me a ring...still the same number

 

 

[PaulN]

Thanks everyone for your input.

 

Thanks to Russ I now have a nice Garmin Aera 500 with the most recent Pacific maps database mounted on my panel and pleased to report that it works admirably without the need for a remote antenna. Very happy.

 

Paul