Best GPS for GA
Thread Starter
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 36
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From: Leeds, Yorkshire. UK
Best GPS for GA
Hi Everyone,
I am considering purchasing a portable GPS and was looking for some advice as to which one gets your recommendations for GA use? Does anyone have any advice or recommendations? I have looked at the Garmin Aera, Garmin 495 and the Bendix AV80, but they all look pretty much the same though quite different prices.
Any help is very much appreciated!
I am considering purchasing a portable GPS and was looking for some advice as to which one gets your recommendations for GA use? Does anyone have any advice or recommendations? I have looked at the Garmin Aera, Garmin 495 and the Bendix AV80, but they all look pretty much the same though quite different prices.
Any help is very much appreciated!
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 691
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From: Yorkshire
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 96
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From: uk
Why the change of view?
I seen a Garmin 500 in action,
The Breadcrumb trail.. The Nearest VOR, Nearest airfield.. Frequency List
and whatever else is way better. Even the unit itself seems decent compared to the Clarity.
I do like the Claritys maps, Airspace warnings and charger tho..
Inflight charging for the Garmin seems like a messy pain in the arse
chris
I seen a Garmin 500 in action,
The Breadcrumb trail.. The Nearest VOR, Nearest airfield.. Frequency List
and whatever else is way better. Even the unit itself seems decent compared to the Clarity.
I do like the Claritys maps, Airspace warnings and charger tho..
Inflight charging for the Garmin seems like a messy pain in the arse
chris
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 76
Likes: 0
From: Chesham, EGTB Booker
does the garmin aera also have air space warnings?
You should also consider that for clarity and aware you only get UK maps. I havent seen any for Ireland or the rest of europe.
However If you do fly to unknown locations that is where the gps will help you most. You wont need it in the local area around your home airfield
You should also consider that for clarity and aware you only get UK maps. I havent seen any for Ireland or the rest of europe.
However If you do fly to unknown locations that is where the gps will help you most. You wont need it in the local area around your home airfield
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 691
Likes: 0
From: Yorkshire
Why the change of view?
I seen a Garmin 500 in action,
The Breadcrumb trail.. The Nearest VOR, Nearest airfield.. Frequency List
and whatever else is way better. Even the unit itself seems decent compared to the Clarity.
I do like the Claritys maps, Airspace warnings and charger tho..
Inflight charging for the Garmin seems like a messy pain in the arse
chris
I seen a Garmin 500 in action,
The Breadcrumb trail.. The Nearest VOR, Nearest airfield.. Frequency List
and whatever else is way better. Even the unit itself seems decent compared to the Clarity.
I do like the Claritys maps, Airspace warnings and charger tho..
Inflight charging for the Garmin seems like a messy pain in the arse
chris
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Oxfordshire
breadcrumbs, nearest airfield/VOR etc is all in the development program - the weather/NOTAMS for the system are due in the next two weeks, available as a download via Fastplan. also new graphics engine for the system allowing fasting map panning etc . will be ready for the next release.
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 21
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From: Cardiff
Get a Garmin 196. Has never let me down. comes with all the mounts you could need and since b&W screen AA batteries last forever.
Great Product. Great company. I have been using garmin for a wide range of things all my life and I have never had any problems.
Great Product. Great company. I have been using garmin for a wide range of things all my life and I have never had any problems.
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 76
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From: Chesham, EGTB Booker
right there are other countries available but for £99 per country. So when flying from Uk to Germany might work out very expensive as you need Uk plus at least 2 additional countries. This is £600 for the clarity plus 2x £99 for the maps. Not very compatitive - however I do like the function of the clarity as it is plane and gives you all you really need
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 691
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From: Yorkshire
breadcrumbs, nearest airfield/VOR etc is all in the development program - the weather/NOTAMS for the system are due in the next two weeks, available as a download via Fastplan. also new graphics engine for the system allowing fasting map panning etc . will be ready for the next release.
sounds excellent this.
Hopefully my view route in google earth will work on the next release. Id like to be able to downlaod my routes and view them after the flight, presume this is the breadcrumbs function.
The graphics engine, is that for ther actual device? i.e will it make the devbice run smooter/faster?
Thanks
Liam
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Oxfordshire
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.
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 159
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From: Basingstoke
I've had a Clarity for about a year. Very pleased overall. Battery life is a little short, realistically 1.5 hours but you can charge it on the go. I've called in to see the company to get my software updated and they are genuinely decent people and always willing to help you out which counts for a lot in my book.