GPS for PPL use.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: UK
Age: 51
Posts: 768
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I was told that GPS is good as a "backup" to your dead reckoning, probably because I just took the step from student to pilot, but after 5 minutes usage the map and plog went to to the back seat and the gps became my main device for navgation and plog/chart took the role of backup 
Upto The Buffers
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Leeds/Bradford
Age: 48
Posts: 1,112
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I like this very much bet you'll get some flack on that
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: EuroGA.org
Posts: 13,787
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Unfortunately, even today a lot of pilots feel they need to include that phrase "will use it for backup only" when asking questions about GPS, for fear of being jumped on.
Personally I would use the best available tool I have for any job, consistent with being able to use alternatives if necessary.
Personally I would use the best available tool I have for any job, consistent with being able to use alternatives if necessary.
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: UK
Age: 51
Posts: 768
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Don't get me wrong I use a Avmap on the yoke and have memory map running caa charts running as well as I agree GPS is far more accurate and does give me more time looking outside. i do have the paper chart nearby incase I loose signal
Cheers
Cheers
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Norfolk UK
Age: 80
Posts: 1,200
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I fly an L4 Cub which has a perspex roof and allows a lot of light inside and currently have a Garmin E-trex which I bought for walking,cycling etc but it is not really suited for flying.
I am interested in the positive comments re the Garmin 96C,good definition in bright light,good battery life and good facilities,and don't want a large unit as it will sit on a bean bag type mount on the front seat.
Does anyone have one in the S.Norfolk/N.Suffolk area that I could look at?
Lister
I am interested in the positive comments re the Garmin 96C,good definition in bright light,good battery life and good facilities,and don't want a large unit as it will sit on a bean bag type mount on the front seat.
Does anyone have one in the S.Norfolk/N.Suffolk area that I could look at?
Lister
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Dorking, England
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi Lister, the Garmin 96c is good in most light conditions, light & thus portable, and the battery life is excellent. I just use it as a backup aid to see my progress in flight on a pre-planned VFR route. Don't expect to be able to fly and fiddle with the device - the keys are too small for that. I plan my routes using Memory Map Welcome to Memory-Map Navigation Software : Digital Maps for PCs and Pocket PCs with the digital CAA charts (excellent) and the software easily programs the Garmin. After the flight I can then upload the GPS tracks back into Memory Map to see exactly where I've been and keep as a record.
On my multi-week trips, I like to fly with a GPS for primary nav, and another independant GPS as backup. In addition, I'll have the chart on my lap, and keep track of position, as a worst-case backup. So far, it's worked flawlessly!
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Dorking, England
Posts: 170
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Neil,thank you,is the software easy to use?
I'm reasonably OK with PC's,laptops but not a guru.Lister
I'm reasonably OK with PC's,laptops but not a guru.Lister
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: England and Central Europe
Posts: 31
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Personally I would use the best available tool I have for any job, consistent with being able to use alternatives if necessary.
My challenge is remembering to make sure I keep using the map/stopwatch on a regular basis as primary nav, since the skill does decay ever so fast if you don't use it!
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SAYE
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Garmin 296
free VRPs, etc. at VFR Waypoint Add-Ons
free VRPs, etc. at VFR Waypoint Add-Ons
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Poland
Age: 55
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
There is one more choice - PocketFMS - the software one can use on almost every kind of device (laptops, PDA, mobile phones, car navigation...) - I think it is worth to look at.
Join Date: Jun 2007
Location: SAYE
Posts: 281
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
the resources site with the GPS VFR Waypoints Adds-On relocated to :
http://www.vfrdata.com/
http://www.vfrdata.com/
Happy & Safe Flying,
http://www.vfrdata.com/
http://www.vfrdata.com/
Happy & Safe Flying,
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: uk
Age: 57
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Used a 296 then replaced it with a 496 in an RV6 panel mounted. Both screens are fine in direct sunlight. Although the very early 296s had a slightly less bright screen.
I'd have to say I'm not sure the 496 is worth the extra. Yes the faster processor and a features are nice but one thing that iritates me is the addition of airways that really clutter the screen. Having said that I still prefer the garmins the fan lines at a strange airfield are a superb feature.
I'd have to say I'm not sure the 496 is worth the extra. Yes the faster processor and a features are nice but one thing that iritates me is the addition of airways that really clutter the screen. Having said that I still prefer the garmins the fan lines at a strange airfield are a superb feature.
Last edited by steveking; 27th Oct 2009 at 18:27. Reason: missed 496
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: SoCal
Posts: 1,929
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Years ago bought a Garmin 96 (in the - mistaken - belief that the battery life was much better than the 96c). Has gotten me across Europe, around Africa and Australia. In a word - does it what it says on the tin: works.
Doing it again today, would most likely go for the 296 (just cannot bring myself to retiring my 96......)
Doing it again today, would most likely go for the 296 (just cannot bring myself to retiring my 96......)
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: UK
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm planning on buying a map to use as a backup to my GPS. Before you all start on me, I have no intention of using it for primary nav, and it will probably just spend ages in my flight bag - hey, I bet if I ever need to use it, I'll find that I've forgotten to refill the lead in my propelling pencil !
Anyway, I've looked on all the usual web sites, but there seems to be a really confusing variety of maps to choose from - can you clever chaps help please ? Ideally I'd like to get one delivered in a plain brown wrapping in case the chaps down the club get wind of it ....
Anyway, I've looked on all the usual web sites, but there seems to be a really confusing variety of maps to choose from - can you clever chaps help please ? Ideally I'd like to get one delivered in a plain brown wrapping in case the chaps down the club get wind of it ....
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Amsterdam
Posts: 4,598
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
HJ, a word of caution. The delivery method of these new-fangled "paper maps" is totally different from what you're probably used to. You see, they can't send them to your e-mail address, nor offer an internet download. They have to use something called the "postal service" where a guy in a van drives up to your property and stuffs the goods through a small slot which you're supposed to cut in your front door.
Also you don't get automatic updates on these "paper maps". You've got to order completely new ones every year and throw the old ones out.
Oh, and you need to have a "physical address" for this delivery method. If you, like most of us, live in cyberspace exclusively, you're stuffed. In that case you've got to find someone who has such a "physical address" (preferably with something called a "zip code" or "postal code") who can receive the goods for you.
And no, your "physical address" is not the same as your GPS coordinates.
Also you don't get automatic updates on these "paper maps". You've got to order completely new ones every year and throw the old ones out.
Oh, and you need to have a "physical address" for this delivery method. If you, like most of us, live in cyberspace exclusively, you're stuffed. In that case you've got to find someone who has such a "physical address" (preferably with something called a "zip code" or "postal code") who can receive the goods for you.
And no, your "physical address" is not the same as your GPS coordinates.