GPS

[JTobias]

Just checked out the Garmin 695 - looks nice.
I've always said that the 496 just needed a bigger screen - and now they have.
Might be worth going to see one in the flesh.

Joel

[nigelh]

Be very careful with the flymap . I may be wrong , but i was told that they now no longer have a deal with the caa for maps so in future all the maps will be jeppenson . A new one is coming out which will have caa maps but also an artificial horizon ontop of synthetic vision ( i think ). This gives you a picture of the view in front of you and everything within say 100ft is in red !!! These can ( not recommending this ) be used giving you all the info you need for instrument flight ( already used in gliders) AND will have a new TCAS based on satellite . Not a good time to buy imho as this new gear coming out in new year.

[Firefly01]

I have used a 296 for years and think it is great, would like to upgrade to the 495, but can not justify the cost for what is basically just a faster update speed. I also had a friend make a knee board for it and it works exceptionally well. Nice when jumping in and out of different aircraft.
FF01

[EN48]

Garmin 696

Just received new Garmin 696 and "installed" today in the helicopter. Large screen is great improvement over 496, as is completely revised user interface. Very intuitive, especially if one has any 430/530 experience - possibly the easiest to use GPS available. So much so that many will not need to look at the manual. Most impressive in terms of features and overall quality. Highly recommended. Expensive compared to 495/496 but cheap compared to 530, and with a larger screen.

I found that by mixing and matching various parts in the RAM mount product line, using some in a way not originally intended, it was possible to construct a mount that attaches/removes to/from a seat rail in the Enstrom 480 in seconds - very slick and easy, with no holes to drill, nothing permanently attached to the helo. The same RAM fitting which attaches to the seat rail also carries a mount for a satellite phone.

[FLY 7]

GPS -Cyclic Mount?

Anyone mounted a GPS (ideally Garmin 296/496) on the cyclic of an Enstrom 480/B, or similar, (see cyclic on l/h PIC side, in top photo above) ?

The idea is to have a second GPS in line of sight, and easily reachable to input info. Question is - how to locate it ?

[Flying Bull]

Mobile phone gps program

Hi all

http://we-travel.co.cc/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&view=frontpage&Itemid=1〈=en
works with open source maps.

Evenso there are no flying maps availabe yet (have to check, if you can create your own maps), its a nice little program for the new mobile phones with inbuild or via bluetooth coupled GPS.
Different to most GPS-programs for mobiles, it works totally offline, that is without downloading maps (you have to have them on your phone)
So when abroard you won“t be surprised by the bill from your provider.
Nice back-up, when installed on you phone ;-)

Greetings Flying Bull

[toptobottom]

I've used the Flymap L for just over a year and it works great - and I've just uploaded the latest Jeppeson and CAA 1/4 mill and 1/2 mill maps, so I think they still have the deal with the CAA.

Flymap fell out with its UK distributor, Wills Engineering, last Autumn but Wills has subsequently developed its own version called Airbox which has just been launched (I think); I've seen adverts on Transair's website. Anyone got one? What's the verdict? I notice it's a fraction of the price I paid for my FlyMap (£4k )