Best GPS for GA
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: Yorkshire
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yes - google earth view will work, and you will be able to view your logged flights on the fastplan software. the graphics engine applies to both the desktop planner and the devices themselves. I've seen quite a considerable improvement both in map panning and also map switching eg 1:500,000 to 1:250,000 which is now almost instantaneous.
With regard to European maps, the Jepp maps that Airbox supply can be pricey although they are working on some quite nice alternatives which should be available in August/early September.
Oh and like the Aware systems, all UK airspace definitions are available via download on a mnothly basis for free. It is likely this will be extended into Europe.
With regard to European maps, the Jepp maps that Airbox supply can be pricey although they are working on some quite nice alternatives which should be available in August/early September.
Oh and like the Aware systems, all UK airspace definitions are available via download on a mnothly basis for free. It is likely this will be extended into Europe.
Looking forward to the updates then.
I think being able to view your routes in google earth wiould be good as well as fastplan itself, a bit like the GoFlying website offers for your gps files from other GPS devices.
Join Date: Jan 2008
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New airbox fastplan now offers Notams and Weather downloaded to your device.
Does anyone know if this is the same for the Aware products?
There looks to be a charge to it though see:-
CHARTS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS | AIRBOX
Does anyone know if this is the same for the Aware products?
There looks to be a charge to it though see:-
CHARTS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS | AIRBOX
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Chesham, EGTB Booker
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why not try skydemon? the device the aware runs on costs about 35 on ebay and with skydemon you get custom taylored nav functions aswell? anybody here using this software?
Join Date: Jul 2008
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You're dead right Screetch!
I bought a 5" touch screen GPS navigator from Hong Kong on Ebay for £46 + Postage. After a bit of fiddling about with it and then buying and loading SkyDemon Mobile (The in-flight navigator part of the package) I was able to load a flight plan and fly the route with no problem at all. Notams, weather TAFS and METAR load into the unit when you plug it into an Internet connected laptop or PC. Airspace warnings come up when you go anywhere near controlled airspace. Airfield information and lots of other stuff is a click away and maps for foreign navigation are there to download when you want them for no extra dosh.
For less than £150 I have got a great GPS navigator for my plane that is very well supported by the SkyDemon team and couldn't be easier to use.And when I get back in the car, I can change the memory card over and I've got a road navigator.
I don't doubt that the other GPS products are very good, but £500, £600 or more for (in some cases) less than my SkyDemon unit can do.... Phew!!
I've also just heard that SkyDemon will be bringing out their software on their own hardware devices very soon and I would therefore recommend that when they do, anyone looking for a GPS give it a try.
I bought a 5" touch screen GPS navigator from Hong Kong on Ebay for £46 + Postage. After a bit of fiddling about with it and then buying and loading SkyDemon Mobile (The in-flight navigator part of the package) I was able to load a flight plan and fly the route with no problem at all. Notams, weather TAFS and METAR load into the unit when you plug it into an Internet connected laptop or PC. Airspace warnings come up when you go anywhere near controlled airspace. Airfield information and lots of other stuff is a click away and maps for foreign navigation are there to download when you want them for no extra dosh.
For less than £150 I have got a great GPS navigator for my plane that is very well supported by the SkyDemon team and couldn't be easier to use.And when I get back in the car, I can change the memory card over and I've got a road navigator.
I don't doubt that the other GPS products are very good, but £500, £600 or more for (in some cases) less than my SkyDemon unit can do.... Phew!!
I've also just heard that SkyDemon will be bringing out their software on their own hardware devices very soon and I would therefore recommend that when they do, anyone looking for a GPS give it a try.
Join Date: Sep 2010
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GPS Advice
Ive read about garmin 500 and clarity, but i fly a stampe and need one to strap on my knee, needs to be clear and bright and pick up a signal from my knee, any ideas out there? Thanks
Mark
Mark
Join Date: Sep 2010
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GPS Advice
Ive read about garmin 500 and clarity, but i fly a stampe and need one to strap on my knee, needs to be clear and bright and pick up a signal from my knee, any ideas out there? Thanks
Mark
Mark
Join Date: Jan 2008
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"So Andy 20, what's the build quality like on the Aware?"
Exactly the same as the 45 quid 5" non branded Chinese car sat nav off ebay. In fact it's not as good as that because its a 4.3" no brand name sat nav off ebay for 35 quid. Search and you can find it.
Having said that I do like the product. Mind you i'm not convinced its a huge improvement over the CAA charts and memory map for half the price.
But Skydemon is a world apart very impressive and when tied in with a 5" hacked car sat nav is simply stupendous value for money.
Exactly the same as the 45 quid 5" non branded Chinese car sat nav off ebay. In fact it's not as good as that because its a 4.3" no brand name sat nav off ebay for 35 quid. Search and you can find it.
Having said that I do like the product. Mind you i'm not convinced its a huge improvement over the CAA charts and memory map for half the price.
But Skydemon is a world apart very impressive and when tied in with a 5" hacked car sat nav is simply stupendous value for money.
Join Date: Apr 2009
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That's not technically right; there are over 20 factories across China that make a unit that looks EXACTLY like the Aware unit right down to the orange banding, but standards and component parts vary hugely.
Airbox get their units from one source/manufacturer only to ensure that screen brightness, build quality etc remain consistent.
Buying from Ebay doesn't necessarily guarantee that consistency.
Airbox get their units from one source/manufacturer only to ensure that screen brightness, build quality etc remain consistent.
Buying from Ebay doesn't necessarily guarantee that consistency.
Join Date: Dec 2003
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"Ive read about garmin 500 and clarity, but i fly a stampe and need one to strap on my knee, needs to be clear and bright and pick up a signal from my knee, any ideas out there? Thanks"
Mark,
I have no experience with biplane open cockpit.
I have a Garmin GPSMAP296,and a Garmin Area 500.
The 296 is slow to get satellites.
The G 500 fast - I suspect it has a Sirfstar III or equivalent chipset.
Fast also means sensitive and the Area500 will work reliably in poor situations that 296 more than struggles with - ie deep in a room with a large window, so I suspect it will work well in biplane but i can't be sure.
I prefer the G296 due ergonomics. ie buttons/rocker cf touch screen.
You could use the 296/495/496 with the external antenna connected - it works very well.
Hope this helps
John
Mark,
I have no experience with biplane open cockpit.
I have a Garmin GPSMAP296,and a Garmin Area 500.
The 296 is slow to get satellites.
The G 500 fast - I suspect it has a Sirfstar III or equivalent chipset.
Fast also means sensitive and the Area500 will work reliably in poor situations that 296 more than struggles with - ie deep in a room with a large window, so I suspect it will work well in biplane but i can't be sure.
I prefer the G296 due ergonomics. ie buttons/rocker cf touch screen.
You could use the 296/495/496 with the external antenna connected - it works very well.
Hope this helps
John
Join Date: Sep 2010
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Thanks John
Most helpful.
I was contemplating Clarity v G500 or 550, sounds like the 500 or 550 would be a worthwhile investment.Ill have to wear a velcro suit and wrap it up in velcro!
Cheers
Mark
Most helpful.
I was contemplating Clarity v G500 or 550, sounds like the 500 or 550 would be a worthwhile investment.Ill have to wear a velcro suit and wrap it up in velcro!
Cheers
Mark
I have a Garmin 495 and have been extremely happy. It is robust easy to use and the map updates are much faster than the earlier versions. The good news is that the Aera seems to be taking over and so some very good deals are available on e-bay for slightly used units. However I use mine in North America so I am not sure how the map data base works in the UK.
Join Date: Sep 2010
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"Skydemon is a world apart very impressive and when tied in with a 5" hacked car sat nav is simply stupendous value for money"
Indeed. The mobile part of the software package is mighty and seems to work with a great many cheap devices (with a little bit of jimmying!
)
"I've also just heard that SkyDemon will be bringing out their software on their own hardware devices very soon"
After speaking to Tim at SkyDemon recently, it seems that he is very close to having a dedicated peice of hardware. Likely to be similar in cost to the Clarity and the Aera 500 but with those lovely charts...
Indeed. The mobile part of the software package is mighty and seems to work with a great many cheap devices (with a little bit of jimmying!
)"I've also just heard that SkyDemon will be bringing out their software on their own hardware devices very soon"
After speaking to Tim at SkyDemon recently, it seems that he is very close to having a dedicated peice of hardware. Likely to be similar in cost to the Clarity and the Aera 500 but with those lovely charts...
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I went for the cheaper option, a PDA GPS and Memory Map with the CAA charts.
I'm about to fashion some sort of way of propping it up rather than keeping it on my lap but it does the job nicely
I'm about to fashion some sort of way of propping it up rather than keeping it on my lap but it does the job nicely
Pompey till I die
Join Date: Nov 2006
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Calrity
Reading this thread the Calrity seems to be the GPS of choice. As I understand it SkyDemon can't export to it ? I know SkyDemon do their own unit but it feels safer to go with a longer standing make though ?
Join Date: Jan 2008
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Personally I don't think the clarity unit is a patch on Skydemon and if you go down the hack your own ebay sat nav approach its a good 400 quid cheaper.
You can also download a months trial as well.
And in my eyes the clarity unit is simply a chinese sat nav with there own software running on it.
You can also download a months trial as well.
And in my eyes the clarity unit is simply a chinese sat nav with there own software running on it.
Join Date: Jun 2010
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I'd second the SkyDemon option. Your choice whether to buy the official unit or hack a cheap Chinese device to save money, either way the complete pre-planning solution (including printed plogs) and GPS in cockpit moving map is outstanding.
Join Date: Sep 2010
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It seems like the hacked ebay Sat-nav is a popular choice for other SkyDemon users. I see that on other forums there are guys that can go into greater depth as to how that can be done...
I prefer the option of hardware support though. I like the option of being able to ring them up if I need help with something!
I prefer the option of hardware support though. I like the option of being able to ring them up if I need help with something!
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"I prefer the option of hardware support though. I like the option of being able to ring them up if I need help with something"
I work from two different airfields and kick about a 3rd. Its getting to the point were so many people have hacked chinese sat nav either for memory map or more so lately Skydemon that you can always find at least one expert.
I work from two different airfields and kick about a 3rd. Its getting to the point were so many people have hacked chinese sat nav either for memory map or more so lately Skydemon that you can always find at least one expert.
Join Date: Apr 2008
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The Clarity was supposed to have an update available before Christmas to bring it in line with Skydemon. It doesn't appear to have happened yet.......
Having said that I am mightily impressed by my Clarity and it does everything I need.
I get the impression from other threads that putting Skydemon on a GPS unit yourself is not as easy as it sounds................
Having said that I am mightily impressed by my Clarity and it does everything I need.
I get the impression from other threads that putting Skydemon on a GPS unit yourself is not as easy as it sounds................