Best portable GPS?
Join Date: May 2005
Location: Aberdeen, UK
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@rans6 - just tried plotting a route to Reading, and guess what, my unit does it too! Thankfully, I'm hundreds of miles from Reading.
Can you PM me with the web link to save me bothering Danny?
Cheers,
S.
Can you PM me with the web link to save me bothering Danny?
Cheers,
S.
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Dahn Saa'af
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This THE AWARE AIRSPACE ALERTING TOOL | AWARE is expected to be released in Feb 2010. From only £149 as the basic airspace alerting device with lifetime free NATS airspace updates or £250 including navigation it looks to be a no-brainer.
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: EuroGA.org
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I think the Aware is a very neat product, and about time...
The lack of European maps is a bit of a pity and they could easily open it up to user-supplied maps, but presumably the decision was made to differentiate the product from the others made by Airbox, to get them to co-operate on the very low price.
Whether this is relevant I don't know. Many UK VFR pilots are quick to point out that they never go abroad, and anyway the s. UK chart shows a piece of France anyway. And those that do go abroad probably have a reasonable GPS already.
The lack of European maps is a bit of a pity and they could easily open it up to user-supplied maps, but presumably the decision was made to differentiate the product from the others made by Airbox, to get them to co-operate on the very low price.
Whether this is relevant I don't know. Many UK VFR pilots are quick to point out that they never go abroad, and anyway the s. UK chart shows a piece of France anyway. And those that do go abroad probably have a reasonable GPS already.
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Norfolk UK
Age: 80
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Looks to be ideal for a lot of us,a pity the battery life is so short for those of us with no power on board.
Just noticed they do a Powermonkey,what's that?
OK googled that and it seems to be a portable power source,not sure how long it lasts with the Aware though?
Lister
Just noticed they do a Powermonkey,what's that?
OK googled that and it seems to be a portable power source,not sure how long it lasts with the Aware though?
Lister
I think the Aware, coupled with my ancient Garmin 100 which gives bearing, track and grounspeed, will be a good low cost solution for my aerial wanderings. Just hope they can do it at the suggested price.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: uk
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I've had the 296 and now the 496 in my RV6. Both are great and I am really at ease with their functions. The unit also drives my autopilot perfectly.
My only little gripe is on the 496 you get all the airways displayed, which can really clutter the map to a point that it becomes unreadable. Quite often these are airways above a TMA and to make it worse if you move the cursor to highlight a TMA it will default to show the altitude of the higher airway which can lead you into thinking you have more height available. It would be nice to have a disable airways button in the software.
My only little gripe is on the 496 you get all the airways displayed, which can really clutter the map to a point that it becomes unreadable. Quite often these are airways above a TMA and to make it worse if you move the cursor to highlight a TMA it will default to show the altitude of the higher airway which can lead you into thinking you have more height available. It would be nice to have a disable airways button in the software.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Yorkshire
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Looks to be ideal for a lot of us,a pity the battery life is so short for those of us with no power on board.
Just noticed they do a Powermonkey,what's that?
OK googled that and it seems to be a portable power source,not sure how long it lasts with the Aware though?
Lister
Just noticed they do a Powermonkey,what's that?
OK googled that and it seems to be a portable power source,not sure how long it lasts with the Aware though?
Lister
There is a powerchimp
powermonkey
and powergorilla.
With amount of power produced in that order.
See
https://powertraveller.com/faq/detail.php?id=000012
Join Date: Apr 2008
Location: Up in the clouds
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i have just bought an av80r. Havent really played with it yet but from first glance it looks very easy to use. To be honest i think im going to sell it as my car has gone wrong badly.
if anyone is interested, PM me!
if anyone is interested, PM me!
Join Date: Nov 2002
Location: London
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I've used the Garmin series for a few years. Started with the b/w 196 and now have the 495 (which also has VRPs).
They are very good and reliable, although as others have already said, entering a flightplan is a right pain and the UI isn't what I'd call immediately intuitive. That said, once you've got the hang of it it's straightforward.
They are very solid and have good battery life - much better than the Aera series apparently.
I dropped my perfect unit in a strong wind on the apron at Kemble, and it hit the ground and tumbled along
. A few scratches but still working fine. I think for a more 'dainty' unit that would have been it.
Whatever you get - keep it in a case when you leave the a/c!
They are very good and reliable, although as others have already said, entering a flightplan is a right pain and the UI isn't what I'd call immediately intuitive. That said, once you've got the hang of it it's straightforward.
They are very solid and have good battery life - much better than the Aera series apparently.
I dropped my perfect unit in a strong wind on the apron at Kemble, and it hit the ground and tumbled along
. A few scratches but still working fine. I think for a more 'dainty' unit that would have been it.Whatever you get - keep it in a case when you leave the a/c!
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Luton
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I've not used either the Garmin or AV80r, but have an Airbox Clarity GPS and can recommend that - it's been very good so far.
The PC desktop planning software is a bit limited, but they are developing that at the moment, with further releases due later in the year.
Further detail in this thread.
The PC desktop planning software is a bit limited, but they are developing that at the moment, with further releases due later in the year.
Further detail in this thread.
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Yorkshire
Age: 41
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with regards to the fast plan software, ive updated mine today. A few issues
I have noted that in fastplan even though I have Ft set in settings as my preferred reference to height on thr map itself it still shows it in metres.
Also there seems no easy way of going back to the main screen from say the map without completely exiting the program and re opening it.
Google earth view does not work correctly either. When click view in google earth all mine does is open the google earth program and nothing more.
Hopefully these issues can be addressed in future versions and Notams/WX will be added.
Alan does the google earth function work on yours?
I have noted that in fastplan even though I have Ft set in settings as my preferred reference to height on thr map itself it still shows it in metres.
Also there seems no easy way of going back to the main screen from say the map without completely exiting the program and re opening it.
Google earth view does not work correctly either. When click view in google earth all mine does is open the google earth program and nothing more.
Hopefully these issues can be addressed in future versions and Notams/WX will be added.
Alan does the google earth function work on yours?
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: Oxfordshire
Age: 51
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NOTAMs and WX is being worked on at the moment and there will be plenty of updates in the weeks to come correcting various bits and pieces. pm me if you need further info or wish to help...
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Slovakia
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I have flown dozens of hours with AV8OR, 3 hours today. I am satisfied. And it is a very good car navigator too. Before that I used Garmin car navigators (4-5 year older types), AV8OR is much better.
