Which GPS?

[applebyca]

Can anybody give me some advice on GPS's. I'm a PPL out of Liverpool and interested in buying a GPS, but without ever using one I'm having trouble deciding between brands.

I've been looking at the Garmin 296 and the Lowrance Airmap 2000C. They both seem to have very similar features but I was wondering if anyone thought there are any major disadvantages of one over the other.

Ideally would be great if it could double as automotive as well. And will probably buy in Singapore on holiday shortly, so if anyone had any bad experiences or region specific settings to watch out for, please let me know.

Thanks for any relpies

[Aussie Andy]

I am very happy with my Lowrance Airmap 1000 (greyscale). I got it because it has a large screen, and because the database works here and in US (where I sometimes fly) and in Australia (where I will be flying next week, for example). But the software is a joke, and it won't integrate with most VFR planning tools (e.g. the excellent Navbox ProPlan).

Having said that, it is otherwise very easy-to-use and I can readily program flights and waypoints directly into the thing, it comes with an external antenna, cigarette lighter power cable, yoke mount and the display is very good. Also, I have found that the buttons are easy to use in-flight. Lastly it is good value for money compared to Garmin's.

But I wonder, if I was going to fly only within UK/Europe I migth have stuck to Garmin as before... not sure.

Andy

[ex jump pilot]

I have a Medion car navigation system which uses the Pocket PC operating system (which means it runs a "cut down" version of Microsoft's office products). It’s a MDPNA 100 but I don’t think they are made anymore. There are equivalents for sale from other manufacturers.
OK - what has this to do with aviation.
Well, because it's Pocket PC, you can use a free (but can upgrade for a modest £30 or so) package called Pocket FMS which makes an excellent VFR GPS.
I've used Pocket FMS (and have now paid for the full version) quite a bit and am very happy with it. I fly strictly VFR daytime only in good weather (which you may not do).
Since you need a car navigation system as well, see if you can get one that is also a PDA as well.
I've flown 'planes with a proper aviation GPS and am very impressed with it but somewhat think they are more for the pilot who wants to think they are flying IFR.
Hope this helps you decide.
Roger

[IO540]

I have played extensively with PDAs and would suggest, for somebody's first and only GPS, to buy the best dedicated aviation unit he can afford. With a big colour moving map of course. The bigger the better.

Never owned a Garmin but the 296 looks good.

This is not related to VFR or IFR. The 296 would do fine for either.

[Hour Builder]

I have just bought a Garmin GPS III.

Its an impressive piece of kit, and affordable too.

Speaking of which, does anyone have a yoke mount for the GPS I could buy. PM me if you do..

HB

[BroomstickPilot]

applebyca,

I am at the same position you are.

I have recently re-validated my PPL after a break of 40 odd years. I now want to start extending my flying skills with a lot of longer cross country flights. For this, I want a GPS to back up my D/R based navigation.

For the time being, all my flying is going to have to be on club aircraft which don't even have a cigar lighter socket. Later, I hope to buy into a decent aeroplane, that may well have GPS built in, but that will be later.

One thing I have realised is that every single one of the GPS units available has its own peculiar advantages but at the same time one or more serious downsides somewhere or other.

For example, Lowrance 2000, good though it is, only seems to have two hours battery life. Avmap EKP IV, also good though it is, seems to have very poor support from the manufacturer. Bendix King Skymap IIIc, also good though it is, doesn't have its own power supply and needs to be plugged into the aircraft's electrical system or be linked to a seperate battery. I could go on.

The one tip I would pass on to anybody is, don't just buy on recommendation or after a demo in the pilot shop: you might get an unpleasant surprise. Get the full spec from the manufacturer and READ IT CLOSELY. Then choose the GPS that best suits your particular circumstances.

As for me: I'm still looking!

Broomstick.

[IO540]

I've recently learnt that the Avmap EKP IV has a battery life of under half an hour. This is arguably the best aviation GPS out, but this little detail makes it useless, unless you can plug in external power.

I am currently looking at replacing my old Skymap II which lives in the emergency bag, with something that might be actually useful, and the 296 looks like the one. The 496 is better (and can be used for car navigation too) but is a lot more expensive. These Garmins are lightweight and have very good battery life - over 10 hours in actual use I gather.

I believe Navbox can also load routes into the 296, which is a big plus (check this though!).

[LysanderV8]

I have had a Garmin 296 since April and have been very impressed indeed. The battery life was important for me, as I do not have a cigar lighter, and it is excellent, especially when you turn the backlighting down a tad. It will happily go on for up to 10 hours, which is rather longer than the aircraft or my bladder !

Updating is so easy as well on the Garmin website, and not expensive at $35. We also have a Skymap IIIC panel mounted in the aircraft, which was there when I bought it. I tried to get used to it and failed. The refresh rate is slow and I just did not find it easy, having got used to the 296. Data updates are very expensive, around £100, and involve having to send off for a new card, so no on line updates possible.

The 296 comes with a yoke mount, charger etc and it simply does exactly what it says on the tin.

Lysander

[Julian]

IO,

Get yourself a AvMap EKP IIIC, essentially the same unit just a redefined front end from what I can see.

I have one and the (rechargeable) battery life is roughly 3.5 hours, the cable for the battery is actually a 'cigar lighter' type so if you have a 12v output in your aircraft you can plug it in there.

J.

[S-Works]

I have used a Garmin 296 since they first came out and a 196 before that. Just taken delivery of a 496 and am impressed with that. Just about to write a few lines on it for flyer. The Garmin kit is first class, the 296 has over 10hrs battery life and superb display. I power mine from the aircraft but use the standard ariel and have only had a couple of lost sat instances in over a 1000hrs of use. I use it as a backup to my GNS430 which is my primary nav source (dont bother with all that old DR tosh).

I hope the 496 delivers in the same way.

[applebyca]

Thanks for all your replies so far. There is a wealth of knowledge out there. Some very valid points and the thought of needing a cigar adapter in the club planes is a big one. Until the right share comes along also. Hoping to do an IMC over winter, and a GPS will provide a good backup/reference tool.

Kind Regards

[360Auto]

Hi

Might be the wrong forum but I have a 196 for sale. Can anyone suggest a web site that I can advertise it for sale. It's a bit too specialaised for ebay.
Any takers? 07974 726603

[acuba 290]

Hi

Might be the wrong forum but I have a 196 for sale. Can anyone suggest a web site that I can advertise it for sale. It's a bit too specialaised for ebay.
Any takers? 07974 726603

write me PM with your price;)

[acuba 290]

at the moment a bought IPAQ hx4700 and use PocketFMS with ThinkNavi GPS mount and works perfect;) Maybe one day second hand Garmin for bacjup, but first choice is PocketFMS for me:)
This mount is really great for Pocket PC http://www.pocketgpsworld.com/thinknavi-gps-mount.php

[StillStanding]

<For example, Lowrance 2000, good though it is, only seems to have two hours battery life>
Only about an hour on alkalines, assuming you press the button every minute or so to get the display visible again. It really needs to be powered via the cigar lighter.
Otherwise it seems great and excellent value. Comes with 3 different mounting systems. There is a simulator on their web site which is very useful to try before you buy.

[the dean]

applebyca..

i use a garmin 430...no problems...

used a plumbed garmin 90 for years...no problems..

used a garmin 95 up and down to north africa..no problems although it was battery powered only....!!

i agree ...get the most dedicated AVIATION one you can afford with moving map..the bigger the better...of course if you can get one of the bigger ones with radio etc so much the better but i presume you are not looking for one you can plumb into an aircraft but a hand held one...i am not familiar with the 296 but i take it that you can move it around and have it battery powered or plumbed....

i have used some other types and found them good...but i am just used to the garmin at this stage...

try to see what you want in operation before you choose...but if you intend to use a battery powered ANYTHING...remember to get the raw data going on the dashboard in case the batteries run down....:{ ...keep the finger running along the map...!!!:D

good luck with your purchase...:ok:

dean