GPS Question.... Yet Again

Mike,

Try the main site at www.cockpitgps.com.

John Bell



Now your past has caught my interest... I did some searching and came
across a site... What do you think of this:

http://www.cockpitgps.com/data/

It looks like this guy has made a database to add into the ifinder for
all airports and navigation points. Very interesting... Might just do
the for 25% the cost. What to user defined waypoints show up as on
the screen? Can you make a special graphic for it?

Hey... It is that guy! :-)

Thanks for the information John. I will check it out!

"John Bell" wrote:
Mike,

Try the main site at www.cockpitgps.com.

John Bell

Now your past has caught my interest... I did some searching and came
across a site... What do you think of this:

http://www.cockpitgps.com/data/

It looks like this guy has made a database to add into the ifinder for
all airports and navigation points. Very interesting... Might just do
the for 25% the cost. What to user defined waypoints show up as on
the screen? Can you make a special graphic for it?


--
Mike Flyin'8
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
http://flying.4alexanders.com

I can speak for thre Airmap 500

Sensitivity good without external antenna? (In a C172)

Never had to use it. Mounted on the supplied RAM yoke mount, it has never
lost a signal on me

-Again, Is the wrist strap worth even trying? Does it get in the way?

Never used it, I just stick with the yoke mount

Rob.


"Mike 'Flyin'8'" wrote in message
...
Ok, first off, Sorry to do this to everyone yet again.... I can not
find all the information I seek, so I ask all the experts here. I am
looking for information about the units I list below to help me make a
decision.

I am in the market for a protable GPS. I am not sure which way to go,
but I can say for cerrtain the about $600 is all I want to spend.
Pretty much will settle for Grey Scale....

This means I am in the range of Airmap 1000, Airmap 500, Garmin 96, or
if I push the $'s a bit a Garmin 196 may be within reach, but I think
the wife would not be happy if I spent that much on a "toy." Though,
I have tried to be convincing that it is a life saver in the event of
emergency. Did I leave any decent units out that I should also
consider?

So.... Here are my questions...

Airmap 1000 Questions:
-Is the Airmap 1000 a bit too big for a portable GPS device?
-Is the Wrist strap even worth messing with on a device this large?
-Will this GPS device receive signals reliable without use of the
external antenna?


Airmap 500 and Garmin 96 Questions:
-Sensitivity good without external antenna? (In a C172)
-Again, Is the wrist strap worth even trying? Does it get in the way?

Garmin 196
-It looks like this device has the ability to set on top of the dash
in the plane with the antenna exposed through the windscreen. So I
would imagine if left on top of the control panel an external antenna
is not necessary. So, would an external be needed?
-With the previous in mind, is this device usable if left on top of
the panel?
-Can you reach up and accurately press buttons as needed?
-Is the screen large enough to see if left sitting on top of the
Panel?


General Questions:
How do the GPS Yoke mounts work? I do not own a plane and rent, so is
the Yoke Mount easibly removable, or should I forget that idea all
together and just use a wrist strap? Does it work on a Cessna 172
without getting in the way? Is the wrist strap even worth messing
with?


Of the 4 GPS devices I have listed in or near my price range which is
the best all around device for the money? I think the most important
thing to me is the ability to acquire a signal without the use of an
external antenna. I do not want wires running through the airplane
getting in the way and interfering with the flight controls.

Additionally, I want it to be usable while flying without causing too
much distraction. By that I mean I do not want to be head down trying
to figure out what button to push to switch modes. Single button
presses to switch between functions would be ideal.

Since I do not fly long trips a lot, battery life is not of real
concern. I would be happy with about 4-5 hours battery life.



Mike Alexander
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
See my online aerial photo album at
http://flying.4alexanders.com

"Mike 'Flyin'8'" wrote in message
...
Ok, first off, Sorry to do this to everyone yet again.... I can not
find all the information I seek, so I ask all the experts here. I am


Mike,
Nice web site.

If I were spending $750 on a GPS it would be a reconditioned Garmin 196,

http://tinyurl.com/6b2eq

and this mount:

http://www.propellerheadpilotessentials.com/

This keeps the GPS off the yoke, out of the way, and in "plane" sight. This
is a better mount than any RAM.

The 196 now has an obstruction database for $35, and I bet you could talk
T/A into including it.

Best,
Karl

"Mike 'Flyin'8'" wrote in message
.. .
Ok, first off, Sorry to do this to everyone yet again.... I can not
find all the information I seek, so I ask all the experts here. I am


Mike,
Nice web site.

If I were spending $750 on a GPS it would be a reconditioned Garmin 196,

http://tinyurl.com/6b2eq

and this mount:

http://www.propellerheadpilotessentials.com/

This keeps the GPS off the yoke, out of the way, and in "plane" sight. This
is a better mount than any RAM.

The 196 now has an obstruction database for $35, and I bet you could talk
T/A into including it.

Best,
Karl


The website is something fun for me to do when I don't have enough
dollars to create lift. It is really like putting it together and
working on it. Every minute I spend working on the site reminds me of
my flight. Thanks for the compliment.

As for the GPS, the 196 is certainly a nice unit... I am just
considering all my options to unsure I get the most GPS for the least
amount of money. I am leaning towards the Airmap 500 or Airmap 1000,
but I am not totally sold yet. I wish I could find one to play around
with before I drop a pile of money for one.


Mike Alexander
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
See my online aerial photo album at
http://flying.4alexanders.com

Mike,

I wish I could find one to play around
with before I drop a pile of money for one.


Can you say "return policy"?

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

Mike 'Flyin'8' wrote:

I am leaning towards the Airmap 500 or Airmap 1000,
but I am not totally sold yet. I wish I could find one to play around
with before I drop a pile of money for one.

We're on our second 1000, sold the first one with the C152...

Download the 1000 emulator/simulator from Lowrance:
http://www.lowrance.com/Software/PCS...p1000_demo.asp

I also have a Magellan 315 I keep current through he
http://home.stny.rr.com/bkw/315
Typically they can be found used for around $100...

Airmap 1000 Questions:
-Is the Airmap 1000 a bit too big for a portable GPS device?

Nope

-Is the Wrist strap even worth messing with on a device this large?

Nope

-Will this GPS device receive signals reliable without use of the
external antenna?

Yes


Airmap 500 and Garmin 96 Questions:
-Sensitivity good without external antenna? (In a C172)
-Again, Is the wrist strap worth even trying? Does it get in the way?

Garmin 196
-It looks like this device has the ability to set on top of the dash
in the plane with the antenna exposed through the windscreen. So I
would imagine if left on top of the control panel an external antenna
is not necessary.

Correct

So, would an external be needed?

No


-With the previous in mind, is this device usable if left on top of
the panel?
-Can you reach up and accurately press buttons as needed?

No. not in any rough air

-Is the screen large enough to see if left sitting on top of the
Panel?

No


General Questions:
How do the GPS Yoke mounts work?

The RAM mount with the AirMap 1000 is superb


I do not own a plane and rent, so is
the Yoke Mount easibly removable,

Yes the Ram mount is easily Removed

or should I forget that idea all
together and just use a wrist strap? Does it work on a Cessna 172
without getting in the way?

Yes it does

Is the wrist strap even worth messing
with?

NO



Of the 4 GPS devices I have listed in or near my price range which is
the best all around device for the money?

The AM 1000 has by far the largest screen, useful for older eyes
and single button presses, important in Rough air

I think the most important
thing to me is the ability to acquire a signal without the use of an
external antenna. I do not want wires running through the airplane
getting in the way and interfering with the flight controls.

Additionally, I want it to be usable while flying without causing too
much distraction. By that I mean I do not want to be head down trying
to figure out what button to push to switch modes. Single button
presses to switch between functions would be ideal.

We chose the AM 1000 becauses of this...

Since I do not fly long trips a lot, battery life is not of real
concern. I would be happy with about 4-5 hours battery life.


Would be close, keep the backlight off...

Dave

Dave,

Thanks for your input! So if I mount the AM1000 on the Yoke, it does
not block any of the instruments in the cockpit?

When you turn the Yoke, does the AM1000 stay vertically aligned, or
does it turn with the yoke?

Since the AM500 and AM1000 are pretty much the same unit (Except for
size) Is the extra $200 a good trade off for screen size? I have not
seen either of these units in person so I am not sure how dramatic the
difference on the screen is... I drew out two boxes that are the exact
size of the units, and the AM1000 is quite a bit bigger... I am
certainly leaning toward either the AM500 or AM1000, but trying to
justify the money in my head... If the AM500 does exactly what I
want, and the screen/button size is usable then I would be happy. If
however, the buttons are too small to be easily used during flight,
then I would be very disappointed. My currrent solution is jsut not
working... The PDA using GPS software and a CF card. It is just not
practical. How the heck am I supposed to use the little stylus during
flight... :-)

Obviously you thought the cost was worth the extra size on the
screen... I am just afraid the size of the unit would block some of
my view in the cockpit. What about using this AirMap 1000 on a
suction cup mount connected to the lower left side of the front
windscreen? Workable?





Airmap 1000 Questions:
-Is the Airmap 1000 a bit too big for a portable GPS device?

Nope

-Is the Wrist strap even worth messing with on a device this large?

Nope

-Will this GPS device receive signals reliable without use of the
external antenna?

Yes


Airmap 500 and Garmin 96 Questions:
-Sensitivity good without external antenna? (In a C172)
-Again, Is the wrist strap worth even trying? Does it get in the way?

Garmin 196
-It looks like this device has the ability to set on top of the dash
in the plane with the antenna exposed through the windscreen. So I
would imagine if left on top of the control panel an external antenna
is not necessary.

Correct

So, would an external be needed?

No


-With the previous in mind, is this device usable if left on top of
the panel?
-Can you reach up and accurately press buttons as needed?

No. not in any rough air

-Is the screen large enough to see if left sitting on top of the
Panel?

No


General Questions:
How do the GPS Yoke mounts work?

The RAM mount with the AirMap 1000 is superb


I do not own a plane and rent, so is
the Yoke Mount easibly removable,

Yes the Ram mount is easily Removed

or should I forget that idea all
together and just use a wrist strap? Does it work on a Cessna 172
without getting in the way?

Yes it does

Is the wrist strap even worth messing
with?

NO



Of the 4 GPS devices I have listed in or near my price range which is
the best all around device for the money?

The AM 1000 has by far the largest screen, useful for older eyes
and single button presses, important in Rough air

I think the most important
thing to me is the ability to acquire a signal without the use of an
external antenna. I do not want wires running through the airplane
getting in the way and interfering with the flight controls.

Additionally, I want it to be usable while flying without causing too
much distraction. By that I mean I do not want to be head down trying
to figure out what button to push to switch modes. Single button
presses to switch between functions would be ideal.

We chose the AM 1000 becauses of this...

Since I do not fly long trips a lot, battery life is not of real
concern. I would be happy with about 4-5 hours battery life.


Would be close, keep the backlight off...

Dave


Mike Alexander
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
See my online aerial photo album at
http://flying.4alexanders.com

A suggestion...

Make a cardboard cutout of each of the GPS you're investigating -- actual
size. Then take them with you next time you fly. After you preflight,
sit in the cockpit and place the cutouts in various places until you
find the most convenient & comfy place for you.

If you discover the best place is in the middle of the cockpit, in
thin air, then you know you need to figure out what type of
"arm attachment" you'll need.