GPS Question.... Yet Again

Hi Mike!

On Sun, 13 Mar 2005 18:51:10 -0800, Mike 'Flyin'8'
wrote:

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?

I am 5' 9" , partner is 6'4". He says no, the knob on the mount
blocks the 0 -800 RPM portion of the tach for me if I sit perfectly
straight..shift my head to the right an inch or two, and my answer is
no as well...

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

It turns 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?

Yes, absolutely for us...

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... :-)

I don't know either... the AM 1000 has large widely spaced buttons,
easily reached with your thumbs while firmly holding the yoke.

We tried several, and the most difficult was a Garmin 196 mounted at
arms length in the center of the panel. OK on the ground, but in rough
air, just try to push a small (correct) button at arms length with
you (and your hand) moving opposite to the panel in rough conditions.


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.

As above, not an issue with us on our 1974 "M" model

What about using this AirMap 1000 on a
suction cup mount connected to the lower left side of the front
windscreen? Workable?

Yes, should work OK, but when it gets bumpy, having your
thumbs/hands/buttons/GPS and yoke locked together takes the pain out
of the operation..

..
We REALLY happy with the AM..But that is just us, YMMV!

Good luck..

Happy to answer any other ???? U may have...

As you may guess by now, we tried several (in other 172's) and we
shopped hard

Dave

Thanks Dave. Appreciate your input. I actually placed the order for
the AM1000 today. I will first try the Yoke Mount as suggested and if
it becomes a distraction I will get one of those suction cup mounts
for the windscreen. I think I will like the yoke mount, however, I am
not so sure I will like the GPS turning with the yoke, that may be the
gotcha for me...



On Tue, 15 Mar 2005 22:38:47 -0400, Dave
wrote:

Hi Mike!

On Sun, 13 Mar 2005 18:51:10 -0800, Mike 'Flyin'8'
wrote:

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?

I am 5' 9" , partner is 6'4". He says no, the knob on the mount
blocks the 0 -800 RPM portion of the tach for me if I sit perfectly
straight..shift my head to the right an inch or two, and my answer is
no as well...

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

It turns 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?

Yes, absolutely for us...

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... :-)

I don't know either... the AM 1000 has large widely spaced buttons,
easily reached with your thumbs while firmly holding the yoke.

We tried several, and the most difficult was a Garmin 196 mounted at
arms length in the center of the panel. OK on the ground, but in rough
air, just try to push a small (correct) button at arms length with
you (and your hand) moving opposite to the panel in rough conditions.


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.

As above, not an issue with us on our 1974 "M" model

What about using this AirMap 1000 on a
suction cup mount connected to the lower left side of the front
windscreen? Workable?

Yes, should work OK, but when it gets bumpy, having your
thumbs/hands/buttons/GPS and yoke locked together takes the pain out
of the operation..

.
We REALLY happy with the AM..But that is just us, YMMV!

Good luck..

Happy to answer any other ???? U may have...

As you may guess by now, we tried several (in other 172's) and we
shopped hard

Dave


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

Mike,

I will get one of those suction cup mounts
for the windscreen.


You'll be pulling it out of the carton the AM1000 came in - it's
included.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

As Tom says, "it's in the box"..

And it's a good one.. NOTHING chincy about the "RAM"
mounts...

Would really be interested in your impressions about the
unit when you get it.

The manual is one of the best I have seen as well...


Dave


On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 09:48:31 +0100, Thomas Borchert
wrote:

Mike,

I will get one of those suction cup mounts
for the windscreen.


You'll be pulling it out of the carton the AM1000 came in - it's
included.

When I get a chance to play around with it I will post a PIREP and
note my first impressions... Should be quite entertaining....

Thanks for everyone's input, very much appreciated!!


On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 19:20:36 -0400, Dave
wrote:

As Tom says, "it's in the box"..

And it's a good one.. NOTHING chincy about the "RAM"
mounts...

Would really be interested in your impressions about the
unit when you get it.

The manual is one of the best I have seen as well...


Dave


On Wed, 16 Mar 2005 09:48:31 +0100, Thomas Borchert
wrote:

Mike,

I will get one of those suction cup mounts
for the windscreen.


You'll be pulling it out of the carton the AM1000 came in - it's
included.


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