If you get one from the USA will it have the right database (and any other stuff) to make it operate correctly in the UK?

Well, as intended, I've ordered and just acquired a shiny new Pocket Flymap. There are clearly things I've not got the hang of yet (such as linking it up to the PC and uploading my routes), but I've done some flying with it, and thought it might be worth sharing my impressions:

- It's very small, but virtually all screen. The resolution and screen quality are excellent, and the touch screen okay (a little difficult to use accurately in a moving, vibrating aeroplane - but not impossible).

- Satellite acquisition was rapid, and indications stable. So far as I could tell, indications were (as you'd hope from GPS) very accurate indeed.

- The screen is very visible: I was in a fairly bright cockpit and could always read it IF it was pointed straight at me. So, realistically, strapping it to my leg didn't work fantastically, particularly since I was using my feet quite a lot. So, I think that panel mounting is almost certainly the way ahead - if only with Velcro (it's very light)

- Power consumption seems to be around 30% of full charge per hour

- I liked the use of vectors - the choice of a 5 or ten minutes ahead line was great for planning, particularly at one point when flying into the sun and trying to tweak my positioning into an airfield.

- Controlled airspace ahead is outlined in red, very clear, no irritating messages I have to acknowledge as on some other GPS units.

- If it loses GPS signal, the big clear message in the centre of the screen is very obvious.

- The landscape data is good, but doesn't include elevated obstructions. For example, I took the aircraft a few hundred feet over a 900ft mast which has been there for years, then slightly below mast height a short distance away - not a peep. So, clearly don't rely upon it for this sort of separation. (Please note that my flying discipline in this paragraph is entirely hypothetical)

- I like the "Height over terrain" display, very useful for (a) checking I'm in compliance with Rule 5, (b) checking if I've probably got QFE or QNH set, and (c) setting up an approach into a non-radio airfield if I didn't have QFE.

- Sorry chaps, a MATZ IS NOT class D airspace, this device clearly thinks that it is.

- The power plug is a pain, it doesn't stay in very well, resulting in a less than perfect charging performance when sat on the passenger seat of my car and plugged into the cigar lighter socket. On the other hand, full marks for providing chargers for 2-pin mains, 3-pin mains and 12V car.

- The paper manual is rather limited, I need to read the one on the CD to see if it's any better.

- The Jeppesen charts pre-loaded were last years (I use Jeppesen 1:500,000 charts anyway from personal preference, . I appear to need to log in and update. This could lead one astray, and I'm not yet sure how easy (or free/cheap) chart updates are.


So far, I'm happy that it was a worthwhile buy, but I need to learn my way around the PC software, find a better way of mounting it, and take care with obstructions it won't warn me about!

G

Thanks G for your update, please keep us all informed as you learn more, I had almost made up my mind to go Garmin 296/ 496 now I will re evaluate
tv

Thanks Genghis for the report, interesting reading. Sounds good! If you fiind anything else that you discover in using the unit, then please let us know.

I've used Memory Map for VFR in the UK for a long time now : I've never had a problem with it, and my hardware (Ipaq 4700 and a bluetooth GPS) provides a fantastic quality display and runs for around 8-9 hours even when back-lit (extended life battery).

But ... every new CAA chart update costs £50. Not the end of the world, but this solution only provides a moving-map display, with no other features - which is OK by me, I have plenty of other gizmos to provide GPS guidance etc.

Having now looked at the Pocket FlyMap stuff, I don't think I'd buy Memory Map if I was setting up again. Leaving the hardware aside, full UK software for MM would cost around £210, whereas £300 would buy the FlyMap stuff with Jepp charts for the UK, and an extra £70 would stick the CAA ones on if you wish : and the guys at FlyMap tell me that future updates would come at the same price (i.e. £70 for all 3 CAA maps, as opposed to £150 from MM). And of course, you then have all the "Aviation GPS" features of FlyMap.

The only downside I can see is that whereas you can run the Memory Map software on a PC (inc. tablet forms in the cockpit), you can't do likewise with FlyMap, although they tell me they might do a PC version at some point.

FF :ok:

Yes the only reason I have not bought Flymap is the fact that it wont run on my tablet PC. If they added that to the line up I would buy it at the drop of a hat.

I have all of Europe maps in Memory Map now and it is so useful and easy to use. I do use it in conjunction with another planning tool though. I sometimes export the routes from my Garmin 296 which is great and very easy to do.

Stuart,

You have a PM.

FF :ok:

I Noticed :)

Stuart or FullyFlapped,

Have you seen or tried the new Memory Map GPS 'Personal Navigation Device'?

I have Memory Map software on my PC and load the routes into my Garmin 76 but was thinking of getting the new PND.

No sorry I hadn't heard of that one.

I just spoke to Flymap at AeroExpo and moaned at them about the lack of Tablet PC support. Although there was a lot of muttering about sunlight readable screens and vibration and altitude damaging hard drives there main gripe seemed to be they were worried about piracy issues! What a pathetic excuse.

I also overheard an interesting conversation between two of their staff about the fact that the CAA had just told them they were going to provide their chart data a lot more cheaply in the future. This should bode well for Memory Map users as I'd be surprised if they didn't then do this for them as well.

I desperately wanted to go to AeroExpo to ask this very questions but a childs birthday on Saturday and a christening on Sunday meant I missed it this year.

That is a lot of tosh because piracy is just as easy on a PPC. In fact I bet it is easier.

They will get my money if they come out with a tablet pc version!

The CAA electronic maps price is a rip off currently but it is going to be more common in the future on electronic devices I guess. I love memory map with them on, that's for sure.

Flymap's argument was that software on a PPC can be tied to the Device ID and even serial no. But you just need to scout around on any P2P network to see that this hasn't exactly stopped people copying other software. Plus you can get devices called dongles that plug into the parallel or usb ports of PCs that are in fact incredibly secure - this is how a lot of expensive software is protected and it is a cheap solution so there really is no excuse.

Yeah, the CAA have been charging a lot for their data so it's great news that they are apparently 'dramatically cutting the cost' to Flymap. Fingers crossed that it also applies to Memory Map and that both companies pass on the saving.

Until they see the light and come out with a Tablet PC version my money is staying firmly in my pocket...

PocketFMS HTC Advantage
 

I wonder if the 5" HTC Advantage might bridge the gap between the little 3" screens of most PDAs and the large and rather expensive option of a tablet PC? Im sure you're right that an 8" screen is fantastic, but in a microlight cockpit I just don't have that much real eastate, even on my leg (I'd never be able to bank left). And the Advantage has built in GPS, 3G broadband for in-air weather updates and a passive touch screen for when you've dropped the stylus under the rudder pedal....

Well I still use my garmin GPS 12XL handheld which comes with a 50x30mm monochrome screen and it's still the same marvellous piece of kit as it was when released back in '98 (I think).

Would tell you all to run out and buy one but they don't make them anymore. However just had a quick look on ebay and there is one currently going for a fiver. Might get one as a backup or a birthday prezzie for the mrs. Should really keep that quiet as you will all go out now and bid up the price.

Tells me where I am to the nearest 20ft and that's good enough for me. Have used it in some rather busy airspace as well as places hundreds of miles from the nearest VOR and it hasn't got me arrested or killed yet.

http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/...AL._AA280_.jpg

Sexy little number, eh?

I am still in the process of studying etc for the PPL and already have memory map for my PDA and a bluetooth GPS unit. If a route is planned on MM and then you (attempt to) fly it, is there an option to view the flown route afterwards to evaluate how accurate you were??

Yes, MM will plot your track on the map, and retain this through power-down.

You have to delete these track overlays eventually otherwise the map gets covered in them :)

I don't recall the detailed config but look under Overlays and making them visible. It's a great feature.

Thanks for that IO540..

At the risk of detracting from the subject of airborne GPS, how accurate are GPS receivers for speed? The reason I ask is that this morning on the way to work I locked the cruise control on at a shade under 70mph (A9 dual carriageway before folk pipe up!) and passed a fixed gatso that I have passed hundreds of times at similar speed and the xxxxer went off!!

Pulled over and hooked up my Ipaq, fired up TomTom and set off again. With the cruise re-engaged my speed was showing as a steady 65mph.

RudeNot2

I wouldn't think your instructor would be happy using a gps for your cross country exercises, the idea is, you navigate using a chart

No indication was given that myself or others were going to use GPS during training as a method of navigation.

My interest goes as far as having the GPS / PDA combo running but in a bag or out of sight so that I may compare planned route to that actually taken after the flight.