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Gps
Open question to our membership and guests:
What kind of GPS do you have or use in your planes and what do you like and dislike about it?
I'm looking to replace the Magellan SkyNav 5000 in my plane that is no longer supported and it doesn't work that well, anyway. I'm considering a portable more than a traditional panel mount like the SkyNav or the mega $ 430/530.
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Re: Gps
I use the garmin 196 got it for a good price from someone upgrading, and it works well.
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Re: Gps
For $650 the AirMap 2000C was my choice and have been quite pleased with it.
It has a large 5 inch, 256-color diagonal display with a resolution of 320x240. It has terrain awareness that can also display a profile view of upcoming terrain and an ETA to that point. It included MapCreate mapping software that allowed me include additional "local landmarks, etc." via the MMC/SD card reader/writer that comes with it. Plus all the gear I needed to install it - like the remote amplifying antenna, cigarette power adapter, yoke mount and suction-cup mount bracket. Additional features included a customizable HSI screen that can be displayed from a menu of over 20 options.
I have never used a Garmin, but the combination of the price and features of the Lowrance 2000C made it a cost effective choice . . . and I have not been disappointed.
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I tend to shy away from Magellan products as I have been through 2 units in my truck (both went south within a year). I have owned a Garmin Nuvi for the last 3 years, a Garmin 295 for the last 4 and a 396 for the last 2 years. I have not had a stitch of trouble with any of them.
I will highly recommend the Garmin 396 as I like having the weather feature (and XM Radio) I can activate for extended trips. The used ones are droping to a palatable price now.
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Magellan no longer makes aviation units and it sounds like Lowrance won't for much longer, too. From my experience with what I have, getting something that is no longer supported or produced is not good.
I've been thinking of a Garmin 196 for it's unbeatable reputation and cost. I'd like a 495 or 695, but they are just too costly for me (I've no use for XM).
Now I read in AOPA that Garmin will stop production on the 196 and 495/6 soon, in favor of the aera 500 series touch screen units.
Man... :confused:
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I have the Lowrance 2000c and love it. The large screen is the best feature. I use the Landing Guidance feature at new airports. Being able to have weather would be very nice and weather is not available on the 2000c.
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I have the Iq3600a in the kitfox and has worked great, but small screen compared to the Garmin 696 in the RV which is absolutely amazing. I plan on getting the 1inch ball mount for the kitfox so I can move the 696 back and forth between planes when I do a long distance in the kitfox. Otherwise the Iq will stay in the kitfox.
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I have a Garmin 296. This is my third Garmin. My 1st was a first generation 45XL. It started doing strange things so I sent it in for repairs. Garmin couldn't reproduce my problem so they sent me a new one. Such good service and no other problems in the last 10 or 12 years is why I went back with Garmin. James Thomas
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I started with the Garmin 196, nice and simple, quite cheap also. Then upgraded to the Garmin 296, just had to get some nice color. Then I wanted the nice terrain and faster processor, with the addition of private airports, so I upgrade to the Garmin 495 (this is the one without the onboard weather subscription). I really like it, just big enough to see, but small enough to not take up all your panel space.
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Re: Gps
Jim, I have used the anywhere map system for about 5 years now, 1st on a PDA and now with the ATC display that I purchased at OSH this summer. I have had good success with the anywhere map system and found it to be the most reasonably priced unit at about 500 bucks. The pros of this unit: finger touch navigation (no stylus required for the on screen button displays) easy to use with more functions than I will ever use, nice display that can be user modified to different features (VFR, IFR, Emergency etc) , obstacle and terrain warnings. Cons : sunlight readability is better than the PDA I used to use but still not perfect, some of the functions that the operators manual describes are not currently functioning as advertised. As an example , the manual states that when the emergency mode is selected (in case of lets say an engine out) that the on screen view will automatically go to the range to show airports that you can glide to based on altitude. In reality this does not happen and the range goes to 21 miles every time this mode is selected. The company should not put this stuff in the manual until it is ready for prime time.
Overall I find the unit capable for my navigation needs and I would recommend it . I have attached a photo of my install in my Series 5. Bruce