Best VFR external mount or above dash GPS?
Thread Starter
Joined: Oct 2017
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From: Thunder Bay
Best VFR external mount or above dash GPS?
Wondering what is everyone's consensus on the best VFR external mount or above dash GPS? I've used all the garmin 195-495 series and like them very much. The only problem is they are getting older, harder to find, breaking and such. Also have used the garmin aera 500 which touch screen I find annoying to use while flying. In dash GPS's are expensive and the company I am working for doesn't want to invest in them. Looking for any guidance into cost effective worthwhile GPS to purchase and have as a back up or even primary GPS. Thanks.
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 299
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From: the great white north
My Garmin 396 goes wherever I do. It is great for Bush work (user friendly; entering coordinates in any format with a decent moving map) and has worked like a Swiss clock since I bought it 5+ years ago off eBay. They were quite expensive new but mine was about $800 but in like new condition. Also, with actual buttons you can wear warm gloves and still operate it easily.
Garmin 495
with the RAM suction mounts 
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 850
Likes: 0
From: USA
Any tablet-based approach is going to have a lot more capability than a dedicated GPS navigator, at the price of some increase in complexity. But it's hard to beat having a large moving map display that can either be a VFR chart or a vector chart, or even go over to Google Maps if you need to.
If you are an Android aficionado (no Foreflight on Android) allow me to recommend Garmin Pilot, which I run on an Nvidia Shield 8" tablet. The Android version of Pilot has always been the poor sister to the iOS version, but it is finally catching up.
Some things to consider:
- You can mount any tablet to any el-cheapo kneeboard with just a little Velcro, no high-end kneeboards required.
- Overheating in the sun is definitely an issue. Don't leave it on top of the instrument panel or on the seat baking if you want it to work immediately on the next leg. It will cool off and start working, eventually, if you make that mistake!
- If you fly more than 3 or 4 hours a day, battery life can be an issue. Some source of auxiliary power is useful. I use a 10ft, high quality USB cable that has a large wire gauge, and a power adapter that works well in most Robinsons with the accessory power output in the back seat. Get an adapter with multiple outputs so you can share with cell phones or another tablet
Or get one of those auxiliary USB battery packs, they'll keep you running all day long.
- Don't forget you can download a large Google map area for off-line use, if you need it.
- If you've got mobile data to burn, tether the tablet to your phone. Helicopters fly low enough for good cellular service, and you'll get weather, filing, and all that sort of stuff.
- Garmin Pilot interfaces beautifully to the new Garmin ADS-B transponders like the GTX345. GPS data, weather and traffic comes right over to the tablet.
Edited to add: since the OP is in Canada, I think he's going to be best served by either Foreflight or Garmin Pilot.
If you are an Android aficionado (no Foreflight on Android) allow me to recommend Garmin Pilot, which I run on an Nvidia Shield 8" tablet. The Android version of Pilot has always been the poor sister to the iOS version, but it is finally catching up.
Some things to consider:
- You can mount any tablet to any el-cheapo kneeboard with just a little Velcro, no high-end kneeboards required.
- Overheating in the sun is definitely an issue. Don't leave it on top of the instrument panel or on the seat baking if you want it to work immediately on the next leg. It will cool off and start working, eventually, if you make that mistake!
- If you fly more than 3 or 4 hours a day, battery life can be an issue. Some source of auxiliary power is useful. I use a 10ft, high quality USB cable that has a large wire gauge, and a power adapter that works well in most Robinsons with the accessory power output in the back seat. Get an adapter with multiple outputs so you can share with cell phones or another tablet
Or get one of those auxiliary USB battery packs, they'll keep you running all day long.- Don't forget you can download a large Google map area for off-line use, if you need it.
- If you've got mobile data to burn, tether the tablet to your phone. Helicopters fly low enough for good cellular service, and you'll get weather, filing, and all that sort of stuff.
- Garmin Pilot interfaces beautifully to the new Garmin ADS-B transponders like the GTX345. GPS data, weather and traffic comes right over to the tablet.
Edited to add: since the OP is in Canada, I think he's going to be best served by either Foreflight or Garmin Pilot.
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 243
Likes: 3
From: London
I use a Garmin Aera 660 on a RAM mount; it’s perfect for helicopters. You can either plug it in or buy a second battery; you’ll get roughly 4hrs per battery.
With the European/US charts and the enhanced terrain downloaded it is great (I actually “dial down” the map detail). The screen is sharp/clear in sunlight and it’s quite simple to use.
Has some nice features such as GPS derived AGL for your location (a poor man’s RadAlt). I have SkyDemon and iPads like everyone else, but I find the 660 far better.
With the European/US charts and the enhanced terrain downloaded it is great (I actually “dial down” the map detail). The screen is sharp/clear in sunlight and it’s quite simple to use.
Has some nice features such as GPS derived AGL for your location (a poor man’s RadAlt). I have SkyDemon and iPads like everyone else, but I find the 660 far better.
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 122
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From: earth
Depends on why you want one?
Back during my commercial training the 22 had an old garmin 396ish type mounted on top of the dash. The only thing I really used it for was that if I put my landing spot right at the base of the antenna it gave me a perfect steep approach angle.
Flying around the same city all the time all I've ever used a gps for is airspace avoidance and ground speed, so my old garmin 96c has been all I've ever needed,...plus if I did go anywhere unfamiliar, a pink line is a pink line, so,...
If I were flying all over however (and had a butt-load of money burning a hole in my wallet) I'd go for the garmin 696, 'cause I prefer a real gps to a tablet,...and real buttons!
Back during my commercial training the 22 had an old garmin 396ish type mounted on top of the dash. The only thing I really used it for was that if I put my landing spot right at the base of the antenna it gave me a perfect steep approach angle.
Flying around the same city all the time all I've ever used a gps for is airspace avoidance and ground speed, so my old garmin 96c has been all I've ever needed,...plus if I did go anywhere unfamiliar, a pink line is a pink line, so,...
If I were flying all over however (and had a butt-load of money burning a hole in my wallet) I'd go for the garmin 696, 'cause I prefer a real gps to a tablet,...and real buttons!
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 550
Likes: 12
From: Africa
Cooling Fan
True, where the sun is always shining you need a small (50mm diameter) cooling fan to keep the iPad from switching off. Another cable, but yes, it can be done. And it works, no hassles since.
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 550
Likes: 12
From: Africa
GPS hard-mounted to dash
And what do you do in case of a ramp inspection? Or do you have a mod approval for this?
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Florida
And what do you do in case of a ramp inspection? Or do you have a mod approval for this?
Now our mechanic, being a very handy sort of a fella, and who has decades of experience dealing with the FAA and runs his own repair shop, fabricated a mount that uses one of the existing screws and holes to hold it all in place. The unit itself sits on the top of the instrument panel. Therefore it is firmly attached and can't fall off and go through the chin bubble. As I said before be careful using RAM mounts they can fall off and be a hazard in flight.
Our POI has seen it, the POI of the maintenance shop has seen it and, apparently, as nothing was said, nobody has an issue with it.
