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Thread: Easy to use GPS?

  1. #1
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    Default Easy to use GPS?

    My KF has an old, bulky and not supported anymore Garmin 95 XL GPS.

    For the type of flying I see myself doing, it is more than enough. (It will most likely remain powered down.)

    But for the occasional longer trip, I would like something different, where the main requirement is usability by my wife, (whom always gravitates towards the role of navigator in car trips.) A long feature list not only is not needed, it is not wanted.

    Any recommendation on an easy to use aviation GPS for an intelligent but technology adverse significant other?

    Roberto.

  2. #2
    Super Moderator Av8r3400's Avatar
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    Default Re: Easy to use GPS?

    I am a very vocal fan of my Garmin Aera 500. It is the base model of that series with out weather or extra goodies. I paid $800 for it at Sun 'N Fun in 2010.

    I found learning the unit's operation was very intuitive and logical. It is easy to see, even in the bright sunlight of my Kitfox cabin. The touch screen is more user friendly than the x95-x96 series' buttons from my experience.

    I have it mounted on a suction cup mount on the panel. If I were to add a gizmo mount it would be even better. (I plan to do this in my project plane, but I'm a coward to cut up my pretty yellow panel in my current plane.)

    I still have the Magellen (paperweight pos) in there. It may become a map box soon. It doesn't work due to the last available update being 1997.
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    Default Re: Easy to use GPS?

    Recently installed one, very nice display, simple to operate--no more buttons, just a touch screen.

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    Default Re: Easy to use GPS?

    Naviator on an Android tablet or phone. If you already have an Android device w/a GPS, it's cheap at $50/yr includes up to date sectionals and airport directory. It has lots of features, but you don't have to use them.
    Last edited by enyaw; 07-10-2012 at 10:29 PM. Reason: I can't type.

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    Administrator DesertFox4's Avatar
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    Default Re: Easy to use GPS?

    I had a little time behind a Garmin 500 and found it intuitive and the touch screen performed great.


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    Senior Member jtpitkin06's Avatar
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    Default Re: Easy to use GPS?

    Just about any GPS can be simple and easy by limiting yourself to those functions you wish to use. The simplest of GPS functions are on/off followed by “direct to”. So, if you can turn it on and program a direct course to a fix or airport then you have mastered simple GPS navigation. Ignore the rest of the functions or learn them at your leisure.

    My recommendation is to buy what fits your budget and keep it simple. If your old GPS will accept lat/long instead of identifiers or intersections, then there is no need to update anything for VFR navigation. Just plug in the lat/long and go. No database and no subscription fees.

    JP

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    Senior Member Geowitz's Avatar
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    Default Re: Easy to use GPS?

    I would agree the Aera 500 is pretty intuitive. The Ifly 700 or 720 is intuitive as well and uses georeferenced charts. Also, now that the Ifly720 is out you can find pretty good deals on used Ifly 700's however the screen isn't as bright.

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    Default Re: Easy to use GPS?

    Quote Originally Posted by jtpitkin06 View Post
    Just about any GPS can be simple and easy by limiting yourself to those functions you wish to use.
    True, but the more functions and/or modes of operation a device has, the easier it is to invoke them accidentally, to find yourself staring at unknown screens without an obvious way out, etc. Particularly for infrequent users...

    I am a computer programmer by day, (supposed to thrive in geekery), but more and more often, when using electronic gadgets, I find myself nodding in agreement with Bjarne Stroustrup's quote:
    "I have always wished for my computer to be as easy to use as my telephone; my wish has come true because I can no longer figure out how to use my telephone."

    [ For those unfamiliar with the name, he is the computer scientist that created the C++ language, which probably runs inside your GPS, EFIS, etc., and is often criticized as being "too complex" ]

    Thanks for the suggestions. I'll try Naviator first, because I have a little used 7" Android tablet. Will check the Aera and Ifly manuals next.

    Roberto.

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    Default Re: Easy to use GPS?

    Quote Originally Posted by Av8r3400 View Post
    I still have the Magellen (paperweight pos) in there. ... It doesn't work due to the last available update being 1997...
    Same with the Garmin 95XL I'm talking about - Don't know when support was terminated, but updates are definitely not available any more.
    I wouldn't say "It doesn't work". As jtpitkin06 pointed out, latitude is still latitude, longitude is still longitude. As long as I can enter waypoints it is still usable, but as a relatively "user hostile" device.

    Roberto.
    Last edited by rwaltman; 07-11-2012 at 10:41 AM.

  10. #10
    Super Moderator Av8r3400's Avatar
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    Default Re: Easy to use GPS?

    Mine actually doesn't work. It won't find satillites any more. They must have moved them since '97?
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