GPS which one ?

[David F]

I have about $700 to spend on a GPS what would you reccomend? It needs to be light portable state of the art and user friendly please advise.

 

Regards David F

 

 

[johnprop]

I recently set up & tested a moving map system on my PDAthat some of the glider pilots use. See http://www.soarmn.com/cumulus/pdagps.htm

 

The hardware consists of a coloured screen Dell Axim X5 which I already had. I imported a Bluetooth GPS (EMTAC S3-BTGPS, www.emtac.com) from www.gpsnow.com in the USA at a cost of $135USD incl postage.The GPS includes adual cable to power both GPS & PDA from a cigarette lighter outlet. I attached the GPS to the back of the PDA with velcro but they could both be attached to a kneeboard.

 

The software is Pocket FMS www.pocketfms.com which for a donation of $60USD provides high resolutionAir Serviceslike nav mapsfor Australia& NZ.

 

Last weekend we drove to Wagga for WOW& tested out the setup. It worked flawlessly tracking us along the Hume Highway. When we approached an airfield eg. Bankstown, Winton the PDA sounded a "bell" and a window opened on the screen with the message " x minutes to Bankstown etc, contact Brisbane on freqency ....

 

PM me if you would like more info or likeme toemail you photos ofmy setup.

 

Clive

 

 

[Guest Juliette Lima]

Hi Dave,

 

Depends abit on your aircraft and type of flying you are doing.

 

From your earlier posts,I think you are flying an X-Air.

 

I fly a Drifter and often get well away from home, but not into controlled air space....Keeping it simple isa priority for me.I have a Garmin 96C....Portable,great screen (colour)and more options than you will ever use in practise.....you will need a day or two to get to know it. I previouslyused a Garmin 3 (not the pilot 3)... and it was more than adequate ,large screen,good resolution,basic, easy to use and great for my type of flying. Stillavailable second hand.

 

If I lost the 96C,I would'nt bother to replace it.

 

If I'm doing a big trip, the garmin 3 is taken along as a backup.

 

Best of luck

 

JL

 

 

[David F]

Hi JL

 

Thanks for that I probably dont need one at all whilst flying the Xair (still need to learn to navigate properly) But do expect to get something faster one day so I may as well have it and get used to it (plus have it for backup)

 

Regards

 

David

 

 

[facthunter]

The longer you wait , the better they get, so if you don't need it immediately keep looking at everybody elses, and try them out if you get the opportunity. All this high tech stuff gets better& cheaper (look at computers) It's a very competitive market out there N....

 

 

[River]

I have about $700 to spend on a GPS what would you reccomend? It needs to be light portable state of the art and user friendly please advise. Regards David F

G'day David,

 

you could look at the earlier posts covering part of your question in General Discussion;

 

Page 3 - GPS/PDA reviews (29Aug2006)

 

Page 3 - Handheld GPS Options (21Aug2006)

 

Page 4 - Garmin PDA & GPS (12Aug2006)

 

and

 

Page 6 - Garmin 296 v's Lowrance 200C (31May2006)

 

These posts may give you an idea as to costings and whats available.

 

It really depends on what you wish a GPS unit to do for you. IE, general purpose land navigation using the units built-in basic mappping software, Specialised aviation software or what..?

 

Not all GPS units can run specialised aviation software though. It comes down to what you need from a GPS. General purpose use and your $700will see you with a reasonable unit but for use with specialised aviation software may see your $700 fall a bit short... as you can see from the above veiwing of the earlier posts.

 

Hope this helps you

 

 

[Guest danda]

Hi Rodger I wonder why these GPSmanufactures haven't started to use card reading technology like that used in digatal camera's.

 

If you require aviation just slip in theright card and off you go.

 

Surly GPS technology is the same its just a matter of the program they set it up for, "well its just an idea.

 

Don

 

 

[johnprop]

Don,

 

In the PDA setup I described yesterday I receive monthly Nav Data downloads fromPocketFMSfor Australia and New Zealand which I can download for free to the SD cardin my PDA.

 

Clive

 

 

[River]

Hi Rodger I wonder why these GPSmanufactures haven't started to use card reading technology like that used in digatal camera's. If you require aviation just slip in theright card and off you go.

Surly GPS technology is the same its just a matter of the program they set it up for, "well its just an idea.

 

Don

G'day Danda,

 

Yes it's a question I've asked many a time... and as mentioned by others, PDA units do offer this capability which allows for both storing of as many program applications, maps and the ease of updating by just removing the memory card, placing it in a card reader and via your desktop or laptop computer and completing the various tasks then replacing it back in the PDA… Usually a very easy task.

 

One reason why stand-alone type GPS units may not use the ‘every day’ memory cards may be to do with their thinking as to data and security integrity. Some of the GPS units use officially certified airspace software are may be concerned as to the legal requirements when using their software. An example may be if you were using a brand XYZ software/GPS and was 'pinged' for flying into controlled or restricted airspace, etc relying on their software/GPS and you used that software/GPS as a defence in claiming the software/GPS indicated you were not infringing, etc, etc…

 

Another view is that GPS manufactures appear to be somewhat conservative and await quite some time to see how the technology and usage of new technology methods are accepted into the mainstream operations.

 

Using the Garmin 196 I find the GPS hardware part of the unit quite good but find their ease-of-functional use poor and as for working with their memory card, to put it mildly – it’s a pain. Where-as their iQue M5 PDA/GPS is a delight to use…

 

Cheers

 

 

[Guest Juliette Lima]

Hi David F.

 

Some really helpful info. posted for you ...and me!I intend toresearch more.

 

The X-Air is a very pleasant aircraft to enjoy leisurely cross country...wittness the number that make Narromine each year.

 

Your post suggests you might'nt need a GPS until you 'get something faster'....I reckon you might enjoy the benefits of a quality GPS sooner.

 

Some of the larger Garmin unitscan bea little hefty for lighter aircraft and probably would'nt fit your budget of $700.

 

The Garmin 96C will meet your requirements of weight, newest features (in that type) and eventually,ease of use. Problem is it retails

 

locally for around $970.....Ian may be looking at this model for his shop

 

however it would need to be set up with a local database of significant Australian airfields.

 

In the meantime,you can download the full product manual from Garmin to learn features and benefits of themodel.

 

Best of luck with your Navs.

 

JL

 

 

[johnprop]

G'day Rodger,

 

There may be another reason why GPS makers don'tinstall SD or CF cards in their products. They can charge $$$ for updates.

 

I understand Garmin charge $50 AUD??/USD?? for each update and if that is correct then buying the GPS is akin to buying a printer for your computer. You are not buying a printer you have bought an ink contract with the printer manufacturer.

 

Just my humble opinion.

 

Cheers

 

Clive

 

 

[facthunter]

I think the updates to which you refer are jeppessen database which have to be updated as countries make changes to their rules airspace Etc depending on the particular use that you require of your GPS YOU MAY HAVE TO DO THIS ONLY RARELY if you use it as a NAV BACKUP ONLY. The garmin downloads are free(the ones that affect the way the unit operates)Nearly all the units under consideration are non TSO'die. noncertified. Regardles of the above, mountains,towns rivers and roads(only occasionally) don't move around much,so its up to you.I just love mine, but they are a lot of money & I still draw lines on maps, & measure distances Etc. & it can do far more than I know how to make it do, I'm afraid. Happy hunting N....

 

 

[David F]

Hi Juilette lima

 

$700 is not the controlling factor in fact I recon I might have to stick my hand in my pocket for up to $1100 It does not matter.What is important is to hear from people like yourself who have bought and are happy (or not ) and are willing to pass the information along.

 

Regards Dave

 

 

[David F]

Hi Jl

 

It looks like a choice between the 96 c or the 196 i am leaning towards the 96c but need to do more homework yet(who would have thought buying gizmos would be so hard) Is the Australian data base comphrensive? I think I will have to get a look at one before I part with my hard earned money.

 

Regards David

 

 

[BigPete]

I bought a Garmin 3600a - that the GPS built into a Palm Pilot.

 

It features a cradle that is attached to the aircraft. The cradle gives you one touch buttons to all the controls of the GPS so ou don't have to use the pen in flight.

 

It works like a charm. I paid $1500A for it locally. Because it is a PDA as well I claimed it on my tax.

 

It has an SD card for extra storage (maps, music, and anything you want).

 

It records all my flight details which I then log on my computer. It has never let me down despite some testers claims that it tends to lock up in flight. You must download an update patch fromn the Garmin website.

 

It has a clear, bright colour screen with many features including low terrain warnings.

 

I will post a few pictures as well.

 

 

 

[BigPete]

Another image

 

 

 

[Guest danda]

Peter could this unit be used for road maping?

 

Don

 

 

[BigPete]

Hi Don,

 

The unit comes with a Pacific Base Map. Which is roads, rivers, airports and cities/towns. See this link: www.garmin.com/include/basemaps/pacific_basemap_iQue.html

 

You can buy all the cities and town street maps. See this link: www.garmin.com/cartography/mapSource/citynavAUS.jsp

 

Here is a link about the GPS itself: www.garmin.com/products/iQue3600a/

 

I used mine in the car just to experiment with it. However because it is an attractive unit and likely to be stolen from the car, I now use it only for the aeroplane.

 

regards

 

PS Because it uses the Palm Pilot operating system it will run third party software. Just do a Google search for Palm Pilot Gps Software, etc etc BigPete

 

 

[Guest Juliette Lima]

Hi Dave,

 

The pics posted by Big Pete look really nice..... easy read layout..I perfer individual instruments to glass panels. To each their own !

 

The 3600a is also neat and the latest offering from Garmin.

 

The 96C is primarily for aviation use however also has roads and waterways modes.

 

The supplied airport database you ask about is an extra,loaded by local suppliers and includes all significant airports and council operated airstrips. I suspect there are many more . These are accurate.

 

It is also supplied with a base roads and cities datadase(compiled in the US)which is predominantly correct....although I would'nt use the map to find Woy Woy or Taree to mention a couple of errors.

 

The 96C will give runway orientation, ASL,length ,radio frequencies etc.,although you would usually check ERSA before heading out as frequencies can change. eg YSCN. I still perfer topre-plan and fly withhard copy details rather than playing with buttons during flight.

 

I gather you may fly out of Cessnock and if so, I am happy to show you the 96C and the older Garmin 3, possibly at the next meeting on Dec 10th.....providing I can get there.

 

Hope that helps a bit.

 

Cheers

 

JL

 

 

[Guest Fred Bear]

How do you find the location of the J160 throttle? I notice that you have it pushed in there fully for some reason. They seem to stick out so far the way they have set them up and I suspect many a people will have or have already started them upat full throttle because some clown has pushed it in to get out of the cockpit or some other reason.

 

Just an observation.

 

 

[BigPete]

Hi Clem,

 

don't know why the throttle is pushed in. I probably did it as I was getting in and out of the jabby to take a few photos.

 

I've never started up with the throttle pushed in as I make sure its all the way out during pre start proceedure.

 

All switches off - Throttle closed - etc - etc

 

It is easy to catch your knee as you get in, but like most things you learn not to do it after a while.

 

Come to think of it now I've said I've never done it - I'm bound to - bugger!

 

regards

 

 

[David F]

Hi JL

 

Yes i do fly out of Cessnock and I would really appreciate a look at your GPS set up.I will be there on the 10 th and look forward to seeing you weather permitting.

 

Regards Dave

 

 

[Guest Guest]

Well just to finish this one off I saw JL ,s96 c at Cessnock and talked to Alex at Mendelssohn pilot supplies Two days later I rang and talked to Harry and ordered one. Arrived the next day(is wrapped up under the tree) but I do have the instruction book I am planning aviation therapy tomorrow pm Will see what the weather is like.Thanks for all your help and commentd.

 

Dave

 

 

[Guest danda]

I also flew a Jab with the throttle between my legs and wit a very large stomach bone and I had all sorts of problems controling the speed on landing and Peter I have started saving thank you for all the info it was great.

 

Don

 

 

[Galpin]

I am learning on a Jabiru with the throttle between my legs. I am not having any difficulties with that. Perhaps I lack a "stomach bone" that is large enough!!