which handheld gps?

Another pocket PC solution, uses Bluetooth. I don't know how well it would live in the cockpit...
http://h40059.www4.hp.com/ipaq/solutions/index.php

wrote in message oups.com...
May I suggest something a bit different?

I own a couple of handheld GPSs (including the very nice Lowrance
Airmap 500), and the handheld GPS I have come to use most often is a
Navman PiN PocketPC with built-in GPS ($499 - review at
http://www.pocketpccity.com/articles...n-Pocket2.html)
coupled with the freeware PocketFMS (www.pocketFMS.com). There are
other several other good software packages available for it (see
www.palmflying.com for a full list) if you don't like PocketFMS.

There are several reasons I use this now instead of a dedicated
aviation unit:

1. It cost the same/less than most dedicated aviation units
2. It has a very nice, large, bright colour screen
3. The aviation data is very easy to download, given the connection to
a PC
4. It has a built-in road mapping system for when I get to my
destination
5. It includes a ton of other useful PocketPC feature (Spreadsheets,
flight planning
6. You can add WiFi (many FBOs now have free wifi) with an inexpensive
card. With the WiFi, you can download weather etc. and have it overlaid
on the PocketPC moving map GPS
7. It locks on to the GPS satellites better than any of the other GPS
units I have used
8. It comes with a very useful and sturdy 'suction cup' mount. I have
flown 100 hours with it (including some rather bumpy IMC) and never had
it come loose. I *have* had yoke-mounts come loose before tho.
9. The aviation software (I have used a few different packages) is very
easy to use. The eraser tip of a pencil works just fine to select most
things, and you can assign the buttons (in some of the programs) on the
front of the unit to do the things you do most frequently.
10. It runs off the lighter connector, or it's own built-in battery. I
have seen about a 4-5 hour battery life if it is running on the
internal batteries.
11. It is very compact and convenient. I use it as my PDA, and have
(more than once) had the chance to pop down to a local FBO at lunch and
go up for a couple hours. Very nice to have a backup GPS with you at
all times.
12. You can play solitaire on it when sitting out the rain at the FBO
waiting to launch

There are many fine units out there. But I prefer ther NavMan setup I
have to my buddy's Garmin 295, the Garmin 196 in another plane I fly,
and my Airmap 500. Just something to consider.

Cheers,

Cap

houstondan wrote:
new units are coming out all the time. for those of us in the market
for our first big boy gps handhelds; any pireps please? just do the
2k$garmin and be done with it? what's the real annual commitment to
keep that up and......

my lowrance fishfinder really works fine and will always be in my bag
but it's time.

is the avmap too big?

dan