Again, GPS advice...

Oh, no fear there! Solder splatter and my jeans are familiar with each
other. I've just decided to declare the device as end of life. If I'd
been completely candid, I'd have also mentioned the fact that the
newest DB I can find for this device is almost 4 years old. I think a
refresh is in order.

So if I get a new one, the old device will probably wind up becoming
useful in some other way and will definitely represent zero loss
should I foul up the battery replacement...but that only becomes
possible if I've another on hand to fly with. Rather than buy myself
back into the Garmin trap with the same built in calendar trap, I
figured it's time to reshop the entire proposal. That seems to be my
basic reaction when I'm not satisfied with the results I got out of
the first foray.

Thanks for the excellent suggestion!

Greg

On Feb 6, 5:07 am, wrote:
wrote:
So my Garmin Pilot III is complaining to me that the internal battery
I also realize that you may have some money burning a hole in your
pocket. If you buy a new GPS, then fix the old one, you've got
a second one for the copilot's yoke, or for in the car, or whatever.
Or, if you can fix the Pilot III successfully, you've got some time to
compare new models and maybe wait for a deal.

Matt Roberds

wrote in message
ups.com...
What do you think of the on-device route planning? Are you satisfied
with the device's sensitivity? Sounds good so far!

Thanks!

Greg

First, unless you have someone in the airplane to do either the flying
or the button-mashing, I don't recommend doing on-device route building.
With that out of the way, I do program the unit from the front panel while
sitting at the kitchen table -- on occasion. The advantage to programming
with my desk-top or lap-top is the larger database in the computer compared
to what you have on the SD card in the unit and the versatility of the
computer mode.
From Radio Shack I picked up a gizmo to plug in a wall socket and
provide 12VDC power for the unit at the table. You will want to get one of
those.
I have had no significant problems sitting at the table and capturing
enough satellites using the internal antenna. Occasionally, the satellite
constellation will be sparse and the unit will drop in and out. Putting the
remote antenna [that came with the unit] in the kitchen window fixes that. I
have flown with the 2000C clamped on the yoke of the C-172 I fly and had no
problems acquiring with the internal antenna -- but as a matter of course, I
use the remote antenna on the glareshield. I don't have it velcro'd down so
sometimes in bumpy air it bounces in my field-of-view. I seldom use the
external antenna when I use the 2000C in the car on the road.

Summary: The on-device programming is adequate, but I prefer using the
computer. The sensitivity is fine on internal antenna, but I prefer using
the external. Most of my trips are to destinations I've already loaded and
saved on the SD disk so the only time I have to do any programming is a new
destination or for a different set of scenery. [Most of those are also
covered by previous trips.]

--
Regards,

Casey Wilson
Freelance Writer
and Photographer

Lowrance 2000c is superb value.
I switched from Garmin a few months ago & love it

We've got a 2000c on the pilot's yoke, and a Garmin 496 in an Airgizmo
panel dock on the co-pilot's side.

The 2000c is a better GPS than the 496, for roughly 1/6th the cost of
the Garmin. It has a bigger, better display, and I like the way it
displays things better.

That said, the 496 does things the 2000c can't. Airport diagrams,
AOPA information, live weather, TFRs, and road trips are just a few of
thel things that the Garmin does well.

If you don't need any of those things, the 2000c is the best GPS value
on the market, period.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

Yes, it most certianly is!

Dave

On 5 Feb 2007 18:47:18 -0800, wrote:



Is the Lowrance the way to
go?





Greg Chapman
http://www.mousetrax.com

I really like my Lowrance 2000c. Came with all the fixin's also, so no need to buy any other mounts for it. The battery
life is poor, but that is the only limitation I have discovered. Contrary to the other post, I have no problem
programming it either on the ground or enroute...


wrote in message oups.com...
: So my Garmin Pilot III is complaining to me that the internal battery
: has stopped functioning (hats off to it) and it's time to look for
: another portable.
:
: Man was I surprised to see that there is essentially nothing
: comparable to the Pilot III in its price range anymore! Was I ever
: even more surprised to see just how pricey all the Garmin offerings
: seem to be anymore!
:
: The search, then, is on. Garmin appears to be off my list unless
: someone can give me a compelling reason to change my mind. XM weather
: is of almost zero interest to me (another subscription service is not
: something I want or need). I do have a need to plot a flight plan
: directly into the device from its own control panel. So far, it looks
: like I can get a better GPS by looking at the EKP IV or the Lowrance
: 2000c. And on a price comparison alone, the Lowrance is the decided
: winner.
:
: Does anyone here see something I'm missing? Is the Lowrance the way to
: go? Does Garmin really deliver something unique to justify their
: pricing? And the EKP?
:
: Thanks in advance!
:
: Greg Chapman
: http://www.mousetrax.com
:

Casey Wilson wrote:
From Radio Shack I picked up a gizmo to plug in a wall socket and
provide 12VDC power for the unit at the table. You will want to get
one of those.

If you're using a desktop PC to program the GPS, you've probably already
got a good +12 V source inside the PC. Each four-wire disk drive power
connector has two ground wires in the middle, +5 V on one end, and +12 V
on the other. Connect a fuse holder and a cigarette lighter receptacle
to +12 V and ground. Put a 2 to 5 A fuse in the fuse holder and you've
got a +12 V source to run your GPS, recharge your cell phone, etc. It's
probably not a good idea to plug in an actual cigarette lighter element
because that draws quite a bit of current (9-10 A or so).

Of course, the wall-plug supply is portable, if you want to play with
the GPS or recharge its internal battery at a remote location. Rat
Shock's 22-505 power supply is stunningly overpriced at $30; any store
that sells cell phone accessories should be able to sell you the same
thing for $10 or so.

Matt Roberds

Greg:

I, too, have the Garmin III Pilot and find it incredibly cost-effective.
If it does everything you need, why not just have the battery replaced.
Unfortunately, Garmin has a flat rate for repairs on this unit (mine went
back over the summer) of $150, IIRC. Another option is to find a
working one on eBay or Craigs List (local advantage!)