Jay (3D) wrote:

One of the reasons that we went with the DeLorme is that in its newer
versions it is actually very easy to use. When trying to find the
route, you can just enter the lat/long in the destination window in
virtually any format and it figures out what you mean and sets the
route. We do use it in the motorhome on the big dash but have a Jotto
Desk that we can put in and out of the toad (or any of the other cars)
in just a few seconds. On an articulated mount, the Jotto Desk can be
positioned to put the laptop screen in easy view of the driver and the
voice command function means that you don't need to be fiddling with
keys while driving.

That sounds good! I didn't know they did that.

There are other choices that have worthwhile features and could be
considered. Garmin makes quite a range of car navigation capable units,
and many of these also have the aviation databases. There are other PDA
programs like TomTom that will run on Palm PDAs, Pocket PC, and even on
cell phones like the Treo 650, and units made by Navman and others.

The most important consideration is the acceptance of the intended user,
so it's best to involve them as soon as possible. Too many pilots choose
things (crew car, crew radio, whatever) that they like, instead of what
their crew will like. It makes choosing something harder when you
consider the crew, but then you have a happy crew that actually uses the
stuff.

My wife's advice is simple: "Land at airports and get an aerotow retrieve"!

--
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Eric Greenwell
Washington State
USA