I just got the AvShop.com weekly flier spam and noticed an old portable GPS
I had looked at a while back. Nice color and Victor Airways, but seemed to
be directed at the Euro Market so I passed it up.
Now the new Geo Pilot claims Weather with just an "antenna option". Anyone
have experience with this model, likes & misses? Most importantly, what's
the detail on the weather option? Is it a built in XM reciever (aka 396) so
I only need an antenna, or do I need to buy the whole XM reciever-antenna
box and interface it (aka the PDA)?

http://avshop.com/product/2974/5 for reference.

Mike Isaksen wrote:
> I just got the AvShop.com weekly flier spam and noticed an old portable GPS
> I had looked at a while back. Nice color and Victor Airways, but seemed to
> be directed at the Euro Market so I passed it up.
> Now the new Geo Pilot claims Weather with just an "antenna option". Anyone
> have experience with this model, likes & misses? Most importantly, what's
> the detail on the weather option? Is it a built in XM reciever (aka 396) so
> I only need an antenna, or do I need to buy the whole XM reciever-antenna
> box and interface it (aka the PDA)?
>
> http://avshop.com/product/2974/5 for reference.
>
>
I just spoke to Dan at AvMap. The GeoPilotII+ will have weather in
September. The unit retails for 1400 and you need a XM receiver for
about 500 more. It's got a 5 inch display and everything else you said
was confirmed. It's nice to see someone giving Garmin a run for thier
money.

Mike,

> Now the new Geo Pilot claims Weather with just an "antenna option".
>

Surprising. It claims that on Avmap's website, too, but no details
about the "option".

Main drawback of the Geopilot is that it has no battery and works off
of ship's power only. So it is not an emergency device.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

"Thomas Borchert" wrote ...
> Main drawback of the Geopilot is that it has no battery and works
> off of ship's power only...
>

Thanks, I missed that on the old model, looks like the new one may have that
covered:

cut from ad: "...the new 300 MHz processor, more compact and practical with
the built-in battery and GPS receiver, and an extra serial port available
for connection with PC and autopilot devices."

I'll keep this one on my short list and see how support and sales go. Maybe
it'll go on my christmas list. I will give it a very close look at the AOPA
convention in Hartford this Fall, and give an update here.

In article <Ti1ui.6531$CE4.4149@trndny03>,
"Mike Isaksen" > wrote:

> cut from ad: "...the new 300 MHz processor, more compact and practical with
> the built-in battery and GPS receiver, and an extra serial port available
> for connection with PC and autopilot devices."

Why are they still using a serial port and not USB?

"john smith" > wrote in message
...
> In article <Ti1ui.6531$CE4.4149@trndny03>,
> "Mike Isaksen" > wrote:
>
>> cut from ad: "...the new 300 MHz processor, more compact and practical
>> with
>> the built-in battery and GPS receiver, and an extra serial port available
>> for connection with PC and autopilot devices."
>
> Why are they still using a serial port and not USB?

Because they are trying to be compatible with autopilots that are still
using serial.
--
Jim in NC

> > "Mike Isaksen" > wrote:
> >> cut from ad: "...the new 300 MHz processor, more compact and practical
> >> with the built-in battery and GPS receiver, and an extra
> >> serial port available for connection with PC and autopilot devices."

> > "john smith" > wrote in message >
> > Why are they still using a serial port and not USB?

> "Morgans" > wrote:
> Because they are trying to be compatible with autopilots that are still
> using serial.

Okay... but what does the autopilot have to do with a portable GPS?
The AvMap portable GPS cannot be connected to drive the autopilot, can
it?

"john smith" > wrote

> Okay... but what does the autopilot have to do with a portable GPS?
> The AvMap portable GPS cannot be connected to drive the autopilot, can
> it?

Yes. Read the website. It's in there.
--
Jim in NC