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#1
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Paul Tomblin wrote: Have you seen one of these in person? According to their web site, they don't have a US distributor. The pictures they show on the web site show a pretty ugly user interface, but maybe that's just an impression. I'd want to try it out before I bought it. Someone posted information that SPORTYs website was diplaying it last week. |
#2
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Have you seen one of these in person? According to their web site, they
don't have a US distributor. The pictures they show on the web site show a pretty ugly user interface, but maybe that's just an impression. I'd want to try it out before I bought it. I have one mounted in between my ram-horn yokes -- so, yep, I see one every few days, in person! The AvMap is sold by every major avionics company, including Pacific Coast Avionics, Gulf Coast avionics, Aircraft Spruce, and dozens of others. They had a record year last year, understandably so. The user interface is butt-simple, and bulletproof. I've only referred to the manual a couple of times since buying it last year at Oshkosh. The AvMap is the best damned piece of equipment in my plane, bar none, and has changed the way we fly. Because the screen is so large, you can actually see your entire route of flight -- even on long-ish trips -- with more than adequate detail. When I tried that trick using my old Lowrance Airmap 300, all you could see was a line. I can't recommend this thing enough. It is just an amazing GPS. -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
#3
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After I sent that post I realized that having terrain data might not
resonate with you :-). The attributes of the 296 that appeal to me (and I suspect others) a Color/ Terrain/Battery Life. It appears from your link that the AvMap has to be plugged in. No other handheld has terrain to my knowledge. Automobile functionality. Marine functionality. Consider that people are spending $750 for comparable automobile navagation and the value will appear better. Also many people only use a handheld GPS as a backup in the airplane and would use it more in their car/boat than in the airplane. Mike MU-2 "Jay Honeck" wrote in message news:zRq8c.88732$po.683130@attbi_s52... The 296 has terrain. That's neat (well, not much use to me around here!), but the AvMap has every instrument approach, runway diagram, and radio frequency -- all depicted on a superior, giant (relatively speaking) color screen that is viewable in direct sunlight. For less money. I just think Garmin will have to come down in price, or AvMap is will eat their lunch. And watch for AvMap to come out with terrain, just to "keep up"... -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
#4
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"Mike Rapoport" wrote in message link.net... After I sent that post I realized that having terrain data might not resonate with you :-). The attributes of the 296 that appeal to me (and I suspect others) a Color/ Terrain/Battery Life. It appears from your link that the AvMap has to be plugged in. No other handheld has terrain to my knowledge. Automobile functionality. Marine functionality. Consider that people are spending $750 for comparable automobile navagation and the value will appear better. Also many people only use a handheld GPS as a backup in the airplane and would use it more in their car/boat than in the airplane. $750? It's two GRAND on an Acura TL!! |
#5
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Jay Honeck wrote: The 296 has terrain. That's neat (well, not much use to me around here!), but the AvMap has every instrument approach, runway diagram, and radio frequency -- all depicted on a superior, giant (relatively speaking) color screen that is viewable in direct sunlight. I have all that on my PDA without having that god awful giant computer to wrestle around. The software also paints an extended centerline to any runway you choose. You can also set the approach end of any runway as your destination. If you'd like you can have it tell you when to descend, at whatever rate you'd like, to end up at what ever altitude you'd like, at whatever distance from the airport you'd like. I also have terrain but don't find that to be useful, and I fly in the mountains. I also have obstructions but you have to be careful not to let the screen get too cluttered. All in full color. All for less than $500. Plus it can wirelessly access the internet. Also I am reading a book on it now too with Microsoft Reader. For less money. I just think Garmin will have to come down in price, or AvMap is will eat their lunch. Avmap has no shot at the Garmin. They aren't competitors. Nobody who is looking for a handheld looks at the Avmap. It's just way too damn big. Avmap could sell that thing for $600 and not do any damage to Garmins market share. |
#6
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Avmap has no shot at the Garmin. They aren't competitors. Nobody who
is looking for a handheld looks at the Avmap. It's just way too damn big. Avmap could sell that thing for $600 and not do any damage to Garmins market share. That's silly. My Avmap mounts perfectly between the ram-horns of my yoke. The only reason AvMap isn't eating Garmin's lunch is marketing, plain and simple. It's sorta the same reason a Holiday Inn Express can remain 100% full while charging $99 per night for a horrible, 200 square foot room and stale bakery in the lobby. Spend that same $99 at our place, and you'll get a 450 square foot, one-bedroom suite, with a delivered breakfast and a jacuzzi hot tub. Marketing -- not value -- is everything with the average consumer. -- Jay Honeck Iowa City, IA Pathfinder N56993 www.AlexisParkInn.com "Your Aviation Destination" |
#7
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Jay Honeck wrote:
That's neat (well, not much use to me around here!), but the AvMap has every instrument approach, runway diagram, and radio frequency -- all depicted on a superior, giant (relatively speaking) color screen that is viewable in direct sunlight. My 195 has all the approaches, runway diagrams, frequencies, etc. I think all Garmin aviation GPSs have had all those things, for many years. Not everyone wants that oversized AvMap beast in their cockpit. I cut out a piece of paper to the dimensions of the AvMap, and sat in my plane with it. It's way to big. But, to each his own. For less money. I just think Garmin will have to come down in price, or AvMap is will eat their lunch. I doubt it. Garmin name recognition, it's excellent GPS engine, and their huge selection of different GPSs (aviation and non-aviation) will probably keep them in front of the competition for many years. Plus, the 296's price will come down, once the excitement subsides. --- Jay -- __!__ Jay and Teresa Masino ___(_)___ http://www2.ari.net/jmasino ! ! ! http://www.oceancityairport.com http://www.oc-adolfos.com |
#8
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Of course, street price for the Garmin will be less -- but it'll have to be a LOT less to effectively compete. They've been able to hold up the price on the 196. The only place I've seen it discounted is Sporty's, where you pay street price but get five percent off if you use the AOPA credit card. all the best -- Dan Ford email: (requires authentication) see the Warbird's Forum at www.warbirdforum.com and the Piper Cub Forum at www.pipercubforum.com |
#9
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But will the 296 finally bring the street price of the 196 down? That's
still my target. "Cub Driver" wrote in message ... Of course, street price for the Garmin will be less -- but it'll have to be a LOT less to effectively compete. They've been able to hold up the price on the 196. The only place I've seen it discounted is Sporty's, where you pay street price but get five percent off if you use the AOPA credit card. all the best -- Dan Ford email: (requires authentication) see the Warbird's Forum at www.warbirdforum.com and the Piper Cub Forum at www.pipercubforum.com |
#10
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I wonder how much a spare Li-Ion battery will cost? Is it propietary or
industry standard? Mike Rapoport wrote: http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap296/# Pretty cool! |
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