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

Garmin has a new PDA-based aviation GPS which looks kinda cool. It looks
like it docks in a mount/cradle with some extra button controls for direct
to, scrolling, etc.

http://www.garmin.com/products/iQue3600a/

I haven't seen any reviews yet though.

yea, bout the same time i posted the question, i got an e-mail from
sportys (they have not seen any of my money for a month and they're
wondering if i died, or what?) top item is that ique with some kind of
attachment attached to the lower right side. what is that & how does it
work? does it come off for nonavaition use?? at $1000ish it's in the
range i'm shopping and i can see doing checklists there too. all kinds
of stuff. solitare at 5000ft?
anyway...yes, this garmin iq needs research.


dan

Dave,

[talking about garmin 196] The smaller size (compared to 296) means it
fits gracefully on my yoke.

I was thinking the 196 has the same size compared to the 296 (just lacking
color display)?

Best Regards

Kai

Houstondan,

If you are a PDA user, ControlVision or PocketFMS is probably the most
interesting option.

If you like Lowrance, have a look at the Airmaps.

Generally, if the airplanes you fly have a good panel-mount GPS and you
want the handheld as back-up only, I would go with a small greyscale
unit like the Airmap 500.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

3. The aviation data is very easy to download, given the connection to
a PC


Which might be changing drastically this fall, when the navdate will not
be provided for free anymore.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

Kai Glaesner wrote:
Dave,


[talking about garmin 196] The smaller size (compared to 296) means it

fits gracefully on my yoke.

I was thinking the 196 has the same size compared to the 296 (just lacking
color display)?

Oh, yeah, you're probably right. I was thinking of another one that is larger,
maybe 295. Never mind. Thanks for the correction.

Dan,
After checking out the Garmin GPS pilot III, 196 and the
ControlVision Anywhwere Map, we settled for the Lowrance Airmap 1000
paying around $700 for it last year. The reception seems to be much
better than that of the Garmin (we lost signals a couple of times with
the Garmin but never with the Lowrance on the same routes). The
resolution is great on the 5" screen (we use the dual mode HSI/map and
mount the Lowrance on the copilot's side at angle so that both of us
can see at the same time). It is also very to use and included
everything (yoke mount, external antenna, cigarett adpater and even
rechargeable batteries/charger). It also came with a StreetMap program
for the continental US. I did a quick check on the current prices and
seemed that one can get it for around $600-$650 (with rebate of
something like $175 for users of older Airmap). A google search will
show several old threads where details on the Airmap 500/1000 were
provided by several satisfied users.

Hai Longworth

"houstondan" wrote in message
oups.com...
yea, bout the same time i posted the question, i got an e-mail from
sportys (they have not seen any of my money for a month and they're
wondering if i died, or what?) top item is that ique with some kind of
attachment attached to the lower right side. what is that & how does it
work? does it come off for nonavaition use?? at $1000ish it's in the
range i'm shopping and i can see doing checklists there too. all kinds
of stuff. solitare at 5000ft?
anyway...yes, this garmin iq needs research.


dan

I took that to be the GPS receiver and some soft buttons (maybe hard) for
the easy operation of the GPS. It plugs into the expansion slot of the PDA.
--
Jim in NC

Hi Dan,

I shopped around for 3 months or so, and after querying the group, I
settled on the Airmap 1000. I have had it for 4 months now and am
extremely satisfied. I recently earned my Private and it gives me
reassurance (knowing when I'm near Bravo) when flying in complex
airspace (such as the San Francisco Bay Area).

One thing to consider when debating a PDA solution (or so I have been
told by others) is the possibility of entering turbulence, in which case
big buttons are easier to push than small ones. Just a thought.


In .com 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