"R. Hubbell" wrote in message
news:20040305082731.0e32b58f@fstop...


Any prognosticators out there that know what's next from Garmin in
the handheld category? I like the size of the Airmap 1000 but I also
like the company, Garmin, a little better.

Does it really matter? Panel GPS units are becoming extremely common. The
handheld is being relegated to backup status, like a handheld radio.

My guess is that eventually we will see an all-in-one GPS/Nav/Com with
personal ELT, about the size of a cellular phone, with an interface like the
196. Perhaps it will be a cellular phone, too, and even a PDA. Since it
really is intended for emergency use, the com radio only needs a couple of
frequencies such as emergency and weather channels.

In the meantime, I expect to see the 296 introduced sometime this year.