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Best GPS today

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Tommy Walker

Joined: 12 Jan 2006
Posts: 442
Location: Anniston, AL 36207

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 2:34 pm Post subject: Best GPS today

Honest, I'm not trying to star an argument ( I would head over to the 601 list if I wanted to do that. LOL). 



Does anyone have an opinion about the Lowrance 2000C? Is there anything better out there? I'm about to buy one and seek the advice of builders here. 



I'm looking for the most bang for the buck. 



Thanks, 



Tommy Walker in Alabama



Do Not Archive

_________________
Tommy Walker
N25A - Anniston, AL

Thruster87

Joined: 16 Apr 2008
Posts: 193
Location: Australia

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 2:55 pm Post subject: Re: Best GPS today

7" GPS bought on ebay for $150.00 NEW [operating system windows CE] and installed Oziexplorer CE then load your  VNC, WAC, VTC maps into it. Beautiful, Check this forum for more info   http://www.recreationalflying.com.au/forum/navigation/19831-cheap-navigation-mio-moov-oziexplorerce-2.html

psm(at)att.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 3:01 pm Post subject: Best GPS today

Hi Tommy,



It all depends on just which bang you want.



I have a Lowrance Airmap 500 and a Garmin 296.  Both work well, but 

they offer different features and display size and color.  I don't 

know if you can buy an Airmap 500 any more - small  monochrome screen 

and just basic navigation functions with alkaline batteries.  It does 

include knowledge of all airports and Vor's etc.  It works just fine.



The Garmin 296 includes color screen that is larger than the 500, 

terrain avoidance features and probably some other stuff.  It costs 

twice as much and works just fine too.



Both the Lowrance and Garmin units will feed your autopilot and/or 

Dynon HSI.  The new Honeywell lacks this feature.



If you want to use your GPS for IFR you have a whole different set of 

issues to consider.  For sure it must be installed rather than 

portable.  I'm not sure if installing a portable and hooking it up to 

your Dynon HSI counts or not.



I think the big features to consider are terrain, weather, and color 

screen.  Also, different units give more or less information about 

airports.  Some include taxiway drawings and pattern altitudes while 

others just give the radio frequencies.  The exact features probably 

will tell you more than the choice of which major manufacturer you want.



The good news:  You will probably like which ever unit you 

choose.  That is, after you spend the time and energy to really 

figure out how to use it.  I recommend you play with the buttons in 

your car and learn the ropes before trying to use it flying.  In the 

air you just don't have time to play around finding the right button 

for the task at hand unless you have a copilot.



Paul

XL grounded

At 03:34 PM 7/12/2009, you wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  Does anyone have an opinion about the Lowrance 2000C? Is there 

anything better out there? I'm about to buy one and seek the advice 

of builders here.



I'm looking for the most bang for the buck.

Davcoberly(at)wmconnect.c
Guest

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 3:21 pm Post subject: Best GPS today

Well, I haven't flown with mine yet but just playing with it sitting in front of my hanger I think I'm really going to like.  I just got my flight review in a plane with a Garmin 696 and unless you need the weather radar I sure wouldn't spend the difference to have one compared to the 2000C just my opinion I'm sure others will knock me down on this.  David Coberly   [quote][b]

pdn8r(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 3:40 pm Post subject: Best GPS today

A little lost on this - been out of town and got into this thread a little late. What is the 7" gps you're talking about?  Can you give me a manufacturer and/or link?

  

 Thanks!



Bill Pagan EAA Tech Counselor #4395

601XL QBK/Corvair/N565BW (RES)

--- On Sun, 7/12/09, Thruster87 <alania(at)optusnet.com.au> wrote:



  	  Quote: 	
		  

From: Thruster87 <alania(at)optusnet.com.au>

Subject: Re: Best GPS today

To: zenith-list(at)matronics.com

Date: Sunday, July 12, 2009, 6:55 PM



 --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Thruster87" <alania(at)optusnet.com.au (alania(at)optusnet.com.au)>



7" GPS bought on ebay for $150.00 NEW [operating system windows CE] and installed Oziexplorer CE then load your  VNC, WAC, VTC maps into it. Beautiful





Read this topic online here:



http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=252705#252705</.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List" target=_blank>http://www.matronics.p;                   -Matt Draronics.com/contribution" =======





	


           [quote][b]

jgswartout(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 3:58 pm Post subject: Best GPS today

Here's my 1.5 cents:  I use a NavSim NavCruiser Pro for work.  It's designed for marine use but they also have an aviation version which I can't comment on because I haven't tried it.  I like the features, and it's quite customizable, and I plan to try it out in the air when I get my plane up there.  It's quite versatile in the formats it supports.  My issue is that I haven't yet found a chart/database that I like for bush flying.  Topo maps just don't have enough contrast.   You need to get your face too close to the screen to see anything.  I have not seen aeronautical charts on a computer screen, but a friend had an AnywhereMap on an iPaq a few years ago, and as I recall, it's nice to look at in a parking lot, but up in the air, you still have to squint.   I'd love to hear others' experience--I am definitely not an expert in the field of aviation GPS.  Actually haven't done a biennial in a few years--too busy building the %^&*() air plane!  The other matter is picking a machine to run the software on.  Sunlight-readable screens are very pricy, I've found.

   

 Keep the thread going.

  

 John

 CH-801/TMX-O360

 On Sun, Jul 12, 2009 at 7:38 PM, Bill Pagan <pdn8r(at)yahoo.com (pdn8r(at)yahoo.com)> wrote:

 [quote]     A little lost on this - been out of town and got into this thread a little late. What is the 7" gps you're talking about?  Can you give me a manufacturer and/or link?

  

 Thanks!



Bill Pagan  EAA Tech Counselor #4395

601XL QBK/Corvair/N565BW (RES)

--- On Sun, 7/12/09, Thruster87 <alania(at)optusnet.com.au (alania(at)optusnet.com.au)> wrote:

 

  	  Quote: 	
		  

From: Thruster87 <alania(at)optusnet.com.au (alania(at)optusnet.com.au)>

Subject: Re: Best GPS today

 To: zenith-list(at)matronics.com (zenith-list(at)matronics.com)

Date: Sunday, July 12, 2009, 6:55 PM



  --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Thruster87" <alania(at)optusnet.com.au>



7" GPS bought on ebay for $150.00 NEW [operating system windows CE] and installed Oziexplorer CE then load your  VNC, WAC, VTC maps into it. Beautiful

 



Read this topic online here:

http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=252705#252705http://www.matronics.p;                   -Matt Draronics.com/contribution" =======

 



	
  

 

 	  Quote: 	
		  



arget="_blank">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List

ttp://forums.matronics.com

_blank">http://www.matronics.com/contribution



	




[b]

Tommy Walker

Joined: 12 Jan 2006
Posts: 442
Location: Anniston, AL 36207

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 4:21 pm Post subject: Re: Best GPS today

Thanks for the replies.



I am actually looking for something that a non GPS user can learn to use fairly quickly.  The buyer for my plane asked me to buy him one.  I noticed the 2000C at ACS was $699.  My friend Rick Roberts (of CH701-Suzuki fame) has one and likes it.  



What the buyer needs is something with a large screen that is easy to use.



I had an Airmap 300 back in the 90's and it was pretty good.  It did lose it's GPS signal on occasions.  I read some comments on some of the lists where people said their 2000C lost it's signal....



Just trying to get all the facts before I spend the gentleman's money.



Thanks,



Tommy Walker in Alabama

Do Not Archive

_________________
Tommy Walker
N25A - Anniston, AL

psm(at)att.net
Guest

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 4:54 pm Post subject: Best GPS today

Hi Tommy,



I'm afraid you are trying to live the impossible dream.  GPS units 

just don't come in easy to use.  The number of issues the user must 

understand and the number of choices he has just make this a device 

with a really steep learning curve.



Last year I went to a safety seminar on using GPS.  It was sponsored 

by the FAA and AOPA Safety Foundation.  It was mostly about using GPS 

for IFR navigation, but many of the issues raised have application in 

VFR flight too.



Perhaps the most telling point that I remember was about single pilot 

IFR flight.  This was a very common event a few decades ago.  One of 

my friends flew hard IFR often in his Globe Swift - a twitchy plane 

with only 2 hours of fuel.  He thought nothing of it.  Today, single 

pilot IFR is considered a safety hazard - particularly if you don't 

have a working autopilot.  The reason?  GPS.  These little gizmos 

take so much attention that a pilot can't fly the plane and twiddle 

the GPS at the same time.



Which ever GPS you select, I think you should plan on spending many 

hours getting familiar with it.  That way you can program it on the 

ground before takeoff and when you need to do something to it in the 

air you know exactly which button to push to get what you want.



Paul

XL grounded

At 05:21 PM 7/12/2009, you wrote:



 	  Quote: 	
		  What the buyer needs is something with a large screen that is easy to use.

Thruster87

Joined: 16 Apr 2008
Posts: 193
Location: Australia

Posted: Sun Jul 12, 2009 5:48 pm Post subject: Re: Best GPS today

[quote="pdn8r(at)yahoo.com"]A little lost on this - been out of town and got into this thread a little late. What is the 7" gps you're talking about?  Can you give me a manufacturer and/or link?

  

 Thanks!



Bill Pagan EAA Tech Counselor #4395

601XL QBK/Corvair/N565BW (RES)

--- On Sun, 7/12/09, Thruster87 <alania> wrote:



  	  Quote: 	
		  

From: Thruster87 <alania>

Subject: Re: Best GPS today

To: zenith-list(at)matronics.com

Date: Sunday, July 12, 2009, 6:55 PM



 --> Zenith-List message posted by: "Thruster87" <alania>



7" GPS bought on ebay for $150.00 NEW [operating system windows CE] and installed Oziexplorer CE then load your  VNC, WAC, VTC maps into it. Beautiful





Read this topic online here:



http://forums.matronics.com/viewtopic.php?p=252705#252705</.matronics.com/Navigator?Zenith-List" target=_blank>http://www.matronics.p;                   -Matt Draronics.com/contribution" =======





	


            	  Quote: 	
		  [b] 	
Brand doesn't matter as long as you can access the Windows CE and add software to the  SD card.

Gig Giacona

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 1416
Location: El Dorado Arkansas USA

Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 5:16 am Post subject: Re: Best GPS today

As a fellow resident of the South One of the first things I suggest is a GPS with XM weather. T'Storms pop up and if you are going to be doing any significant amount of X/C in the Southern summer you will have one pop up in front of you at some time.



There are several GPS's with XM 3/4/696 are of course the best known.

_________________
W.R. "Gig" Giacona
601XL Under Construction
See my progress at www.peoamerica.net/N601WR

Tommy Walker

Joined: 12 Jan 2006
Posts: 442
Location: Anniston, AL 36207

Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 2:23 pm Post subject: Best GPS today

Thanks for all the replies.  

   

Lots of interesting stuff out there.  

   

Tommy Walker in Alabama  

N8701T Reserved  

Do Not Archive  

       [quote][b]

_________________
Tommy Walker
N25A - Anniston, AL

Ron Lendon

Joined: 10 Jan 2006
Posts: 685
Location: Clinton Twp., MI

Posted: Mon Jul 13, 2009 3:06 pm Post subject: Re: Best GPS today

Tommy,



I have the Lowrance 2000C and have flown it about 100 hours.  It is easy to use, easy to see, and easy to update online.  I am a gadget/geek so keep that in mind about my comments about easy.

_________________
Ron Lendon
WW Corvair with Roy's Garage 5th bearing
CH 601 XLB
N601LT - Flying
http://www.mykitlog.com/rlendon
Corvair Engine Prints:
https://sites.google.com/site/corvairenginedata/

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