Approach Plates on PDA (PIREP)

A few days ago there was a thread here discussing how to make use of digital
NACO approach plates on a PDA. The context was that a pilot could download
and print fresh current charts for the primary airport(s) and alternate(s),
and have charts for other airports available on a PDA for use in the event
of diversion to an unplanned airport.

I put a couple of SIAP charts in the iPAQ 4700 and viewed them with Adobe
Acrobat Reader for Pocket PC. It was not ideal but appeared to be usable
with the zoom and pan capabilities of the reader.

Next I bought the Sporty's DVD with the full set of plates and software to
access them. It is good for a desktop but cannot be used on a PDA. The
chart files can be downloaded into the PDA and viewed by Acrobat Reader, but
it is not practical because the file names are cryptic and there is no
software to access the files in a meaningful manner.

Ron Rosenfeld brought up a product from Seattle Avionics called Smart
Plates. I looked into this, and the purpose of this post is to make a PIREP
on what I found out.

I talked with Robert Hamilton (425-455-2209, ).
He said the desktop version of Smart Plates is available at an introductory
price of $99. The Pocket PC version was planned to be available a couple of
months ago but didn't make schedule, it is expected to be out in January.
The desktop version and Pocket PC version will be bundled at a price of
$149, as I understood it. He says that those customers who own the desktop
version when the Pocket PC version becomes available will get the latter
free. (Verify all this with Robert, this is what my notes show.)

Here is how I understand that it will work. You use the desktop software to
build "Plate Packs", which can consist of one chart or the full set of NACO
TPPs. Then you download them to the PDA where they can be accessed by their
software for the Pocket PC. Their viewer has zoom and pan capabilities.

Assuming that you want the full set of charts, you have to initially
download the full set or buy a CD from them for $20. Anytime you want to
update the charts, the desktop software will check them for currency and
download just the changes. Then you download to the Pocket PC and only the
changes are sent over.

You have the choice of downloading from NACO or to download the downsized
charts (about 5X) from Seatlle Avionics. In neither case are there any
additional fees or subscriptions necessary. The software is a one-time
purchase and charts are free after that. (Software upgrades may incur a
fee.)

It looks to me like they have pretty well hit the target with their product,
if it turns out to be easy to use. At least, it covers everything I have
been looking for.

Usual disclaimers apply.

Stan