Magellan GPS 310
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 162
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From: UK
Magellan GPS 310
Not wanting to hi-jack the current thread on GPS, I'm really curious as to the following
"Who has Control" states in the other thread that he uses a Magellan 310 for aviation.
On looking at the spec for this GPS, it states that it is 'multi purpose, without the fuss of an aviation database'
I want to purchase a cheap model, (not a lot of cash left- can't afford anything more expensive!), and this model retails at about £130, which sounds great. However, being new to GPS, how is this one used in an aircraft without the database? Would it be suitable and easy to get to grips with for an amateur like me?
Who has control: If you're reading this, please could you give some input, same goes for anyone who knows. Thanking you all in anticipation.
"Who has Control" states in the other thread that he uses a Magellan 310 for aviation.
On looking at the spec for this GPS, it states that it is 'multi purpose, without the fuss of an aviation database'
I want to purchase a cheap model, (not a lot of cash left- can't afford anything more expensive!), and this model retails at about £130, which sounds great. However, being new to GPS, how is this one used in an aircraft without the database? Would it be suitable and easy to get to grips with for an amateur like me?
Who has control: If you're reading this, please could you give some input, same goes for anyone who knows. Thanking you all in anticipation.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 14,480
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From: UK
I have the Magellan 300, which is the slightly cheaper version of the same.
It allows you to store 100 waypoints (I think I said 20 the other day, but was wrong). The way I use it is to do my planning the old-fashioned way, and programme my waypoints, route, and diversions in before setting off. Most routes can be reduced to the permitted 10 waypoints, it just means a little extra work before flying.
The device, by the way, although basic, is very reliable and I'd recommend it.
G
It allows you to store 100 waypoints (I think I said 20 the other day, but was wrong). The way I use it is to do my planning the old-fashioned way, and programme my waypoints, route, and diversions in before setting off. Most routes can be reduced to the permitted 10 waypoints, it just means a little extra work before flying.
The device, by the way, although basic, is very reliable and I'd recommend it.
G
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 357
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From: North Weald, UK
G_STRING
I have to confess to a small untruth here, Its not a Magellan 310, I think it has 'Explorer' or something similar on the front. But in functionality, it is the same as as 300/310 type. I use it in a Cessna 152 with no problem, it lies on its side on the coaming and keeps tracking quite happily like that.
It will store 100 waypoints, and one 10-leg route. (Downside is each waypoint name is only 4 characters) It will tell you groundspeed, which way to turn to your next waypoint, and how many degrees to turn, cross-track error and time to go to next waypoint.
It sounds as though Genghis & I use it the same way, draw lines on map, study the route, read the Flight Guide & use the GPS as a check.
It won't replace a map, so you have to be comfortable with map-reading and 'positional awareness'
Anything else I've missed off, Genghis??
I have to confess to a small untruth here, Its not a Magellan 310, I think it has 'Explorer' or something similar on the front. But in functionality, it is the same as as 300/310 type. I use it in a Cessna 152 with no problem, it lies on its side on the coaming and keeps tracking quite happily like that.
It will store 100 waypoints, and one 10-leg route. (Downside is each waypoint name is only 4 characters) It will tell you groundspeed, which way to turn to your next waypoint, and how many degrees to turn, cross-track error and time to go to next waypoint.
It sounds as though Genghis & I use it the same way, draw lines on map, study the route, read the Flight Guide & use the GPS as a check.
It won't replace a map, so you have to be comfortable with map-reading and 'positional awareness'
Anything else I've missed off, Genghis??
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: North Weald, UK
G_STRING
I have to confess to a small untruth here, Its not a Magellan 310, I think it has 'Explorer' or something similar on the front. But in functionality, it is the same as as 300/310 type. I use it in a Cessna 152 with no problem, it lies on its side on the coaming and keeps tracking quite happily like that.
It will store 100 waypoints, and one 10-leg route. (Downside is each waypoint name is only 4 characters) It will tell you groundspeed, which way to turn to your next waypoint, and how many degrees to turn, cross-track error and time to go to next waypoint.
It sounds as though Genghis & I use it the same way, draw lines on map, study the route, read the Flight Guide & use the GPS as a check.
It won't replace a map, so you have to be comfortable with map-reading and 'positional awareness'
Anything else I've missed off, Genghis??
I have to confess to a small untruth here, Its not a Magellan 310, I think it has 'Explorer' or something similar on the front. But in functionality, it is the same as as 300/310 type. I use it in a Cessna 152 with no problem, it lies on its side on the coaming and keeps tracking quite happily like that.
It will store 100 waypoints, and one 10-leg route. (Downside is each waypoint name is only 4 characters) It will tell you groundspeed, which way to turn to your next waypoint, and how many degrees to turn, cross-track error and time to go to next waypoint.
It sounds as though Genghis & I use it the same way, draw lines on map, study the route, read the Flight Guide & use the GPS as a check.
It won't replace a map, so you have to be comfortable with map-reading and 'positional awareness'
Anything else I've missed off, Genghis??
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 357
Likes: 0
From: North Weald, UK
Apologies for the multipule postings, computers are female - never interrupt one when its busy!
G_STRING
Please can you contact me on the e-mail address in my profile. I have tried to e-mail you, but the mail got bounced.
G_STRING
Please can you contact me on the e-mail address in my profile. I have tried to e-mail you, but the mail got bounced.
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 14,480
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From: UK
I've a feeling it's 5 letters not 4 - triv.
No, I think you summed it up well. Like all handhelds it occasionally loses the plot, especially inside a metal cockpit. But, so long as you use it as a backup, and always check the word "tracking" is displayed at the bottom before trusting a reading, I think it's a good tool.
G
No, I think you summed it up well. Like all handhelds it occasionally loses the plot, especially inside a metal cockpit. But, so long as you use it as a backup, and always check the word "tracking" is displayed at the bottom before trusting a reading, I think it's a good tool.
G
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 162
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From: UK
Who has control
I've tried to email you, but am getting a barred message.
Please feel free to try again at the pilot.pprune.com address. Failing that, could you email me on [email protected]
Thanks
Ghengis - Thanks also for your replies. One more thing, if I may:
From the replies I've had, and from the other thread, it appears that you CAN use GPS systems without an aviation database in flight. For the uninitiated, (me!), what exact difference does the aviation database make? (Is it stuff like VORS DMEs runway details, etc, or is there more?)
I've tried to email you, but am getting a barred message.
Please feel free to try again at the pilot.pprune.com address. Failing that, could you email me on [email protected]
Thanks
Ghengis - Thanks also for your replies. One more thing, if I may:
From the replies I've had, and from the other thread, it appears that you CAN use GPS systems without an aviation database in flight. For the uninitiated, (me!), what exact difference does the aviation database make? (Is it stuff like VORS DMEs runway details, etc, or is there more?)
Moderator
Joined: Feb 2000
Aviation Qualifications: CPL
Posts: 14,480
Likes: 178
From: UK
The basic difference between having a database and not.
Say I want to fly a straight route to Bembridge EGHJ. (Not actually a good idea, 'cos that'll infringe Solent CTA from here, but never mind).
With a database, I put in GOTO - EGHJ, and it points me the right way.
Without a database, I spend 60 seconds on the ground entering a waypoint, lets be imaginative and call it "EGHJ", with the lat and long N50 40.68 W001 06.55. This latter information I got from Pooleys, which I need anyway for the airfield details.
Having done that, I put in GOTO - EGHJ, and it points me the right way.
So, a bit more work on the ground is basically the difference.
If you fly a lot of IFR, the better ones have all the standard airway junctions, VORs, etc. with their standard names. But, you are always at liberty to enter the ones you need for a specific trip, then wipe them afterwards to make space. But frankly, if you're doing that sort of flying, you'll have an altogether more expensive panel mount GPS anyway.
That's about it really.
G
Say I want to fly a straight route to Bembridge EGHJ. (Not actually a good idea, 'cos that'll infringe Solent CTA from here, but never mind).
With a database, I put in GOTO - EGHJ, and it points me the right way.
Without a database, I spend 60 seconds on the ground entering a waypoint, lets be imaginative and call it "EGHJ", with the lat and long N50 40.68 W001 06.55. This latter information I got from Pooleys, which I need anyway for the airfield details.
Having done that, I put in GOTO - EGHJ, and it points me the right way.
So, a bit more work on the ground is basically the difference.
If you fly a lot of IFR, the better ones have all the standard airway junctions, VORs, etc. with their standard names. But, you are always at liberty to enter the ones you need for a specific trip, then wipe them afterwards to make space. But frankly, if you're doing that sort of flying, you'll have an altogether more expensive panel mount GPS anyway.
That's about it really.
G
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 162
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From: UK
Sorry to bring this one back to the top, but I've got 2 more questions for all you knowledgeable people out there:
1 Can you actually buy an aviation database 'add on' for the 310, making it effectively into a 310a ('cos I can't find one of those to buy initially)
2 Failing that, is there a book of sorts with details of the Lat. and Long. position of towns/countries/waypoints in the UK?
Thanks once again
1 Can you actually buy an aviation database 'add on' for the 310, making it effectively into a 310a ('cos I can't find one of those to buy initially)
2 Failing that, is there a book of sorts with details of the Lat. and Long. position of towns/countries/waypoints in the UK?
Thanks once again
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 57
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From: United Kingdom
G_STRING
Don't know about the add on database, (perhaps somebody else can advise?), but with regards to the lat & long, try this site:
<a href="http://geography.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.astro.ch%2Fcgi-bin%2Fatlw3%2Faq.cgi%3Flang%3De" target="_blank">http://geography.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.astro.ch%2Fcgi-bin%2Fatlw3%2Faq.cgi%3Flang%3De</a>
Dead long address, if it doesn't come out as a link, cut and paste it for ease of use!
FD
Don't know about the add on database, (perhaps somebody else can advise?), but with regards to the lat & long, try this site:
<a href="http://geography.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.astro.ch%2Fcgi-bin%2Fatlw3%2Faq.cgi%3Flang%3De" target="_blank">http://geography.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.astro.ch%2Fcgi-bin%2Fatlw3%2Faq.cgi%3Flang%3De</a>
Dead long address, if it doesn't come out as a link, cut and paste it for ease of use!
FD
