Pda + Gps

[NW07]

Hi, I’m looking for a PDA with a built in GPS receiver which can run the Memory Map software. Any thoughts on which is the best?

Many thanks

[IO540]

Arguably the best is a Fujitsu LOOX N 560.

Got one right here. Very nice. And does email via a bluetooth connected GPRS phone too.

The bad news is that Fujitsu have just pulled out of the PDA market.

The good news is that you can pick them up for slightly over £200.

The bad news is that running the CAA VFR charts on a PDA doesn't work well because the screen is too small to show the airspace etc labels. MM and the VFR charts works well on a 7" or bigger screen - look up e.g. Motion LS800.

I would not recommend a PDA for aviation use, for use as the primary GPS. Little fiddly buttons.

[HeliCraig]

I have just bought the said item today, with FlyMap installed. The chap at FlyMap, Tom Hedges, spoke really highly of the LOOX. We spent some time conversing by email about relative merits of different devices; but by all accounts the LOOX has the best screen in bright conditions and does feel "too" small when you are using it.

I have no relation to FlyMap whatsoever (except the product just purchased), so hope the mods don't mind me saying, that they are a thoroughly nice bunch who are very helpful. Tom spent a good deal of time answering my questions (often silly) and offered to host my flying into their office helipad (Wx put pay!); try getting that level of service out of Garmin!

When I have it tomorrow, and perhaps after the weekend when I have used it - I will give you a bit more feedback if your interested. If your local to the Midlands you are more than welcome to PM me and I'll show it to you!

HC

[Whiskey Kilo Wanderer]

I’d recommend the Mio P550.

I’m using it with the CAA 1:500,000 charts and with PocketFMS (for trips beyond CAA Land).

It comes with WiFi, BlueTooth and truly dire battery life! It needs to be fed from the aircraft (12v) supply.

I’m presently using a 2Gb card. This contains all three CAA charts, a selection of PocketFMS FIR’s and a good selection of music tracks. Although the latter are not strictly necessary for aviation….

Safe Flying,
Richard W.

[Justiciar]

I have just bought FlyMap installed on its own dedicated (roadangel) unit. It is very good. Like IO540 I thought these units would be too small to run the digitised half mil effectively but changed my mind once I saw it in action. The benefit of the dedicated unit is that it is more robust, smaller and has a longer battery life that most PDAs. Navigating through the software is very straight forward using a touch screen.

It comes with the software to plan your route on the PC, check NOTAMs and then down load the route. Unfortunately the unit is not compatible with the likes of NavBox. However you can also get the quarter mil charts and next year I shall invest in a set of the Jepperson French charts for a trip to France.

I also wanted something I could easily carry in a Christen Eagle and the unit can be strapped to your knee or wrist, which saves trying to find somewhere to mount it. In all an excellent though quite expensive backup navigation tool.

[The Grim EPR]

I have been using an HP Ipaq 1710 system for both TomTom (in the car) and MemoryMap (in the air). As others have said, not to be used as primary navigation, but a good backup for a position fix.

I've since upgraded to the Garmin 496, but it was a good stepping stone for me. If a person were to be interested in the PDA GPS option, they could maybe find a 1p starting bid on such a system, on a popular internet auction site. Search for: Ipaq PDA & GPS TomTom & CAA Memory Map England South

Merry Christmas!

[HeliCraig]

Just thought I would add that I have now used the Loox (with FlyMap) and it is a very able piece of kit. The screen is bright and large enough for the 1:500,000 charts in the air; even on a sunny day.

Would definitely recommend it.

[tdbristol]

I've used the Loox 560 with FlyMap for about 6 months, and find it excellent.
I use it in a PA28, attached to the yoke (a converted bicycle handle-bar mount) on a short 'swan-neck' which can be angled to give the best readability in sunlight.
It is easy to follow in the air; gives good terrain warnings (although only ever got close enough to the ground on approach to activate them); gives good warnings of restricted/danger areas and airspace.
There is a black line showing easily where you are heading, whether you have a course mapped or not. Also keeps a good track of your actual route which you can then download back to the PC and see overlaid on the CAA chart to see where you really went.

I don't have any problems with the buttons in the air; just get to know what they do (like everything else).

Very easy to plot and use with the Windows software to plan the route then load it onto the PDA, with PLOG for wind-drift/heading alteration etc.
Also shows controlled airspaces and terrain heights en-route well.
With a good colour printer you can do a print out of the relevant bit of the CAA chart with the track on it, so only have an A4 page or two to manage in the cockpit and can do a print-out at closer scale/easier to read than the real chart (need the real chart of course also).

The Google Earth integration feature sounds like a gimmick but I actually find to be quite useful - you can see what the approach to an unfamiliar airfield actually looks like from the height you fly at. I often print out a page or two of this near a new airfield to make it easier to spot it.

Recommend
(1) get the longer lasting battery (lasts maybe 5 hours when fully charged and using the 1-minute backlight auto-off
(2) set the auto-backlight off to a minute to save battery life in the air - its all you need to see where you are/are going

Things to watch out for:
(1) the NOTAMs seem to be incomplete - often find other NOTAMs shown on AIS and given graphically on NotamMap or UKGA.com. Also, the NOTAMs shown are not entirely accurate as it seems that it can only draw circles, and some (exercises etc.) are odd shapes
(2) the battery life indication is not accurate - it will show full when it is far from full. E.g. with the longer-lasting battery it can show full with just 1.5 hours life, but can last 5 hours when fully charged. I find that the larger battery needs overnight if low to fully and the standard battery several hours

[NW07]

Many thanks for all your advice. I have just received a Asus 696, which I am slowly getting the hang of!

thanks once again