GPS Ideas

[RD]

Good day,

Can someone give me an opinion on what type of GPS unit is good enough for
me. I'm a GA pilot, very low time, looking for a decent GPS to take along
for some X/C flying in the rentals. Just need to see highways and cities
etc. I'm not very worried about airspace as there isn't much around my local
airport and the charts do a good enough job.

1. Are basic GPS modules such as the ones you take camping/fishing good
enough?
2. What about PalmPilot/Windows CE based hand held units?
3. Is it worth buying a decent Garmin model?

What are your experiences?

Thanks,
Ryan

[C J Campbell]

"RD" > wrote in message
...
|
| 1. Are basic GPS modules such as the ones you take camping/fishing good
| enough?

No. They are almost as expensive as dedicated aviation GPS receivers without
nearly the utility.

| 2. What about PalmPilot/Windows CE based hand held units?

Some are very good, even better than the dedicated units.

| 3. Is it worth buying a decent Garmin model?

Yes.

|
| What are your experiences?

I used GARMIN handhelds for a long time, but now most of the planes that I
fly have panel mounted units certified for IFR. I think it is better to buy
a plane of your own. Form a partnership if you have to. Then you can have a
decent IFR GPS any time you need it.

[Frank]

RD wrote:

> Good day,
>
> Can someone give me an opinion on what type of GPS unit is good enough for
> me. I'm a GA pilot, very low time, looking for a decent GPS to take along
> for some X/C flying in the rentals. Just need to see highways and cities
> etc. I'm not very worried about airspace as there isn't much around my
> local airport and the charts do a good enough job.
>
> 1. Are basic GPS modules such as the ones you take camping/fishing good
> enough?

No. While it's possible to use these they lack the aviation database that
gives you airports/navaids/etc. At the very least, having distance and
bearing to the nearest airport is worth it.

<snip>

--
Frank....H

[Greg Burkhart]

"RD" > wrote in message
...
> Good day,
>
> Can someone give me an opinion on what type of GPS unit is good enough for
> me. I'm a GA pilot, very low time, looking for a decent GPS to take along
> for some X/C flying in the rentals. Just need to see highways and cities
> etc. I'm not very worried about airspace as there isn't much around my
local
> airport and the charts do a good enough job.
>
> 1. Are basic GPS modules such as the ones you take camping/fishing good
> enough?

Some are, look at the features such as number of waypoints and routes. There
are some that are a lot cheaper than the aviation and will work fine for
regular VFR XC's.

> 2. What about PalmPilot/Windows CE based hand held units?

Don't know. I haven't checked them out too closely. Some look good by their
descriptions.

> 3. Is it worth buying a decent Garmin model?

It depends on features, costs, accessories, etc. Check other vendors also.


> What are your experiences?

I have an Apollo Precedus that I've never used for flying. It's bulky and
some of the menus aren't intuitive. It seems to be more hassle than useful.

I used a Magellan Pioneer on a XC from MN to TX. It's a cheap no-frills
non-map GPS that got me there fine. Every fuel stop I programmed in the next
waypoints and leg. It's very limited in the number of waypoints and routes
(1!).

I now use a Magellan 330 Map. It allows 500 waypoints and 20 routes. It
interfaces nicely with the computer and its mapping software, I can edit
routes and waypoints and save them between the computer and GPS. I have put
in over 200 private and public airports around MN and IA by using airport
identifiers and also put in antenna towers as obstructions. I'm pleased with
the 330 and it works well for me. It costs a lot less than the typical
aviation GPS.

Hope this helps. Each person has their own preferences as to what they want
in a GPS. There's a lot of information online about GPS's at these (and
others):
http://gpsinformation.net/
http://www.thegpsstore.net/
http://www.affordablegps.com/
http://www.garmin.com/
http://www.magellangps.com/en/

[John T]

"RD" > wrote in message

>
> 1. Are basic GPS modules such as the ones you take camping/fishing
> good enough?

In my opinion, these types of units are not sufficient for aviation use.
They will indeed give you a position report, but will not likely show items
of interest to a pilot - like SUA's and TFR's.

> 2. What about PalmPilot/Windows CE based hand held units?

This is the type of unit I purchased. Like you, I'm a GA pilot with mostly
recreational flying goals. I also regularly use a PDA outside the airplane
so the "dual use" aspect of this configuration appealed to me.

> 3. Is it worth buying a decent Garmin model?

This type of unit has some definite advantages. The interface is optimized
for use in the cockpit (for instance, no touch screen or stylus needed) and
they are very speedy. Of course, they may be useful only in the cockpit (a
significant disadvantage for my needs) although some units allow
reprogramming for use with street maps to improve their usefulness.

To compare the dedicated unit to the PDA unit, consider these points:

a) Setup - Both will likely require a remote antenna with its connecting
wire. Both may need external power supplies for extended use (with its
connecting wire). However, the PDA-based unit may need additional hardware
(like a "sleeve" or adapter) in order to attach the GPS receiver. Both will
need mounting hardware (yoke mount or suction cup mount) to keep it close to
your field of view. For use in a rental plane, a dedicated unit will
probably be faster/easier to setup and tear down - but not by much. My iPAQ
slides into the sleeve, I attach the GPS receiver, attach the remote antenna
and I'm ready to go in under 90 seconds (no mounting hardware). I know that
several pilots have begun using Bluetooth wireless remote GPS receivers with
their PDA units. This has the advantage of eliminating one wire from the
setup, but I have no direct experience with these units.

b) In-flight use - The PDA-based unit has the advantage (usually) of a
larger screen. I've seen few dedicated units with screens to match my
iPAQ's screen in terms of readability, but that a purely subjective opinion.
All of these screens suffer washout and glare in bright light. However, the
dedicated units' user interface is typically superior for in-flight use due
to the lack of the need for a stylus. Sure, the PDA software may offer
"rough air" interfaces with larger buttons for use with a finger, but those
take up valuable display area.

c) Battery life - I cannot comment on dedicated units, but the battery on my
iPAQ 3955 will run the PDA and GPS hardware for about 3 hours on its
internal battery (based on my somewhat conservative reserve power setting).
While this is sufficient for most of my recreational flying, I bought an
external battery pack (holding AA cells) for long XC flights.

d) Cost - PDA units can be less expensive. There are low-cost mapping
solutions available and GPS receivers of several formats and styles are
available.

It's a tough call to make - especially without the opportunity to fly with
each of the different types (PDA vs. dedicated). The major factor in my
decision for the PDA-based version was the ability to use the device as PDA
outside the plane. This lets me keep other aviation related software (like
AF/D, eFAR's, logbook, W&B) at my fingertips, as well, without adding an
additional unit of clutter.

See here for more discussion:
http://tinyurl.com/xwoh

You can also review comments on the public discussion forums at:
http://forum.controlvision.com/

--
John T
http://tknowlogy.com/tknoFlyer
__________

[John Bell]

I have to run, so I don't have time to answer all of your questions.
However, I do answer them under the Which GPS chapter of my book at
www.cockpitgps.com.

I think that a generic GPS can be very useful when used properly. I have
nothing against an ation specific GPS receiver. If you have the budget for
one, by all means they are great.

Most of the Garmins are good. I don't like the Magellans. However, they do
have a good built in database of airports. The Lowrance iFinder appears to
offer a lot of potential. I have seen these as low as $129 on the web.

John Bell
www.cockpitgps.com

[Borislav Deianov]

RD > wrote:
>
> Can someone give me an opinion on what type of GPS unit is good
> enough for me. I'm a GA pilot, very low time, looking for a decent
> GPS to take along for some X/C flying in the rentals. Just need to
> see highways and cities etc. I'm not very worried about airspace as
> there isn't much around my local airport and the charts do a good
> enough job.

Consider the Magellan 315. It's a hiker's unit with limited map
functionality - it can display waypoints, "points of interest", your
route and your track but cannot display highways, airspace, terrain,
etc. Out of the box, it comes with all the cities, but there's a free
third-party aviation database with all US airports, VORs, NDBs,
etc. You can pick one up from eBay for around $100-$150. Make sure to
get the DataSend CD and PC data cable so you can upload the aviation
database.

http://home.stny.rr.com/bkw/315/

Wishes,
Boris

[Doug Pearce]

I have recently purchases my second Garmin the GPSMAP196 it covers aviation
with the full database, marine and a motoring street guide. It's very
good!
"RD" > wrote in message
...
> Good day,
>
> Can someone give me an opinion on what type of GPS unit is good enough for
> me. I'm a GA pilot, very low time, looking for a decent GPS to take along
> for some X/C flying in the rentals. Just need to see highways and cities
> etc. I'm not very worried about airspace as there isn't much around my
local
> airport and the charts do a good enough job.
>
> 1. Are basic GPS modules such as the ones you take camping/fishing good
> enough?
> 2. What about PalmPilot/Windows CE based hand held units?
> 3. Is it worth buying a decent Garmin model?
>
> What are your experiences?
>
> Thanks,
> Ryan
>
>

[Steven Barnes]

"RD" > wrote in message
...
> Good day,
>
> Can someone give me an opinion on what type of GPS unit is good enough for
> me. I'm a GA pilot, very low time, looking for a decent GPS to take along
> for some X/C flying in the rentals. Just need to see highways and cities
> etc. I'm not very worried about airspace as there isn't much around my
local
> airport and the charts do a good enough job.
>
> 1. Are basic GPS modules such as the ones you take camping/fishing good
> enough?
> 2. What about PalmPilot/Windows CE based hand held units?
> 3. Is it worth buying a decent Garmin model?
>
> What are your experiences?
>
> Thanks,
> Ryan
>

I bought a Garmin Pilot III a year ago. I looked at several
camping/fishing/driving types. My dad has one. Good for knowing your ground
speed & track, but having to enter your own waypoints would be a pain. It
was worth the extra money to get all that already loaded. Airports, VORs,
etc. It even has frequencies for the waypoints. Rather a pain to get to
them, though while flying.

I have a Cherokee 180 with a VFR KLN90. I rarely hook up the Garmin anymore,
except when I'm flying near a class B area. It depicts the class B rings
nicely. My panel KLN90 does not. Helps me keep track of where I am. Shows
roads, rivers, etc. KLN90 does not.

My CFI has his iPAQ setup for GPS usage. He likes it, but I'm not sure I'd
like to fumble with a stylus while flying.

Anybody know where to get yoke mounts? I like mine, but on my new plane, it
doesn't wrap over the front very well, & sticks up to block some of my DG.
I'd like to shop around a bit.

Enjoy.

[SeeAndAvoid]

Howdy,
For what you described in your first paragraph, you could easily get by with
a Garmin Etrex. I got one (Legend) for about $140 new on ebay and am very
happy with it. It has airports, major highways, cities, some rivers and
lakes, and you can plug in plenty of your own waypoints. It won't have
airport identifiers in the database, or VOR's, etc. But it'll do what you
described.

The only time my Etrex sees aviation use is when the kids are bored in the
back of the plane. I have an Ipaq 5555 and Anywhere Map, and love it. I
have the previously mentioned wireless "bluetooth" GPS, it has WAAS, and can
move easily from car to airplane, as can the Ipaq. Each unit has their own
built in rechargeable batteries, so back up is not a problem. Like "John T"
said, there is the matter of the yoke mount, clip, sleeve, etc.
I used to own an Airmap300, and it was a fine unit also.
An IFR GPS in the panel would be ideal, but the PDA route is so adaptable
(Windows based) and I use it outside of the airplane plenty, I'd still
probably use it. Matter of fact some IFR GPS's output can go directly into
the PDA for the GPS signal. I'll probably get a Garmin GNC300XL and use it
this way, but it aint cheap.

Do you think you'd use it for street directions? If so I'd consider the
Garmin StreetPilot. Big color display, all the info you want, and it talks
to you for directions. Probably chews through the batteries though.

Good luck, Chris

[Cub Driver]

>Can someone give me an opinion on what type of GPS unit is good enough for
>me. I'm a GA pilot, very low time, looking for a decent GPS to take along
>for some X/C flying in the rentals. Just need to see highways and cities
>etc. I'm not very worried about airspace as there isn't much around my local
>airport and the charts do a good enough job.

I use a Garmin III Plus as my main (not primary :) navigation tool in
the Cub. I did download a data chunk of airports and other landmarks
within 200 miles ($4.50?) , massaged it on my computer with Easy GPS
(free), and uploaded it to the Garmin.

I am however a recreational pilot, so I don't do towered airports as a
rule.

www.pipercubforum.com/garmin.htm -- scroll down for the Easy GPS link.

all the best -- Dan Ford
email:

see the Warbird's Forum at www.warbirdforum.com
and the Piper Cub Forum at www.pipercubforum.com

[Thomas Borchert]

Rd,

> Just need to see highways and cities
> etc. I'm not very worried about airspace as there isn't much around my local
> airport and the charts do a good enough job.
>

Well, I have to ask: why do you want one, then? GPS is great for airspace
awareness, it is better than charts for that. But if you don't fell a need
there, why not spend the money on flying?

If you are using a PocketPC anyway, the PDA solutions might be best. If not,
I'd look at the Lowrance Airmap 500 and the Garmin III Pilot for entry-level
units. Many people think the Airmap 500 offers a better value.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

[Thomas Borchert]

John,

> To compare the dedicated unit to the PDA unit, consider these points:
>

you forgot: In-flight entertainment. Your PDA will double as an MP3
music player on long flights which can be connected to the intercom.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

[Thomas Borchert]

Steven,

> Anybody know where to get yoke mounts?
>

RAM mounts are hard to beat. Not the cheapest, but probably the most
rugged and definitely the most versatile.


--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

[Tom Jackson]

I have a Garmin GPS III (not the "Pilot" version - received it as a gift)
I use it in the aircraft all the time, and love it.
Out of the box, it contains virtually no information, other than highways,
water, cities, etc.
However, using any one of many on-line sources for generating
airport/navaid/obstruction waypoints, and other software to upload these to
the unit, I now have a very nice unit. It shows all of the airports within
a 200 mile radius (indicated by an airplane symbol,) all of the VOR's, and
all of the towers >1,000' AGL (indicated by a tower symbol.) The unit is
limited to 500 of these user-defined waypoints, but if I decide to take a
longer trip, I can easily go to a website and generate waypoints for the
route and upload these instead of the 200 mile radius ones.

Also, just about any unit can be used with other PC based moving map
software. I am starting to play around with Oziexplorer, using the FAA
sectional charts that Kyler Laird has provided on his website. Wow - what a
neat little, cheap moving map solution!

"RD" > wrote in message
...
> Good day,
>
> Can someone give me an opinion on what type of GPS unit is good enough for
> me. I'm a GA pilot, very low time, looking for a decent GPS to take along
> for some X/C flying in the rentals. Just need to see highways and cities
> etc. I'm not very worried about airspace as there isn't much around my
local
> airport and the charts do a good enough job.
>
> 1. Are basic GPS modules such as the ones you take camping/fishing good
> enough?
> 2. What about PalmPilot/Windows CE based hand held units?
> 3. Is it worth buying a decent Garmin model?
>
> What are your experiences?
>
> Thanks,
> Ryan
>
>

[David Megginson]

RD wrote:

> Can someone give me an opinion on what type of GPS unit is good enough for
> me. I'm a GA pilot, very low time, looking for a decent GPS to take along
> for some X/C flying in the rentals.

I just bought a Garmin 196, and it's an astoundingly good unit (and easy to
mount in different planes).

If you want to pay a lot less, though, you can try a non-aviation Magellan
315; I've used one for a while, and since it's so small, I'm keeping it as a
backup. Here are some of the benefits:

1. Cheap.
2. Small and light enough to carry in a jacket pocket.
3. Waterproof (and it floats).
4. Free, up-to-date U.S. aviation database available from
http://home.stny.rr.com/bkw/315/

Here are the drawbacks:

1. Map display includes points only, no lines (i.e. no highways, coastlines,
or SUA).
2. Does not inform you when it loses satellite lock.
3. No support for an external antenna (though the internal one works well).
4. You have to buy the PC cable/cigar-lighter adapter separately.

If I were starting from scratch, and didn't want to spend USD 800-900 on a
Garmin 196, I'd probably buy a snap-on GPS for a wireless PDA. I think
there's some clever software that can also download weather over a wireless
connection and show it on the PDA along with the aviation data.


All the best,


David

[Gerald Sylvester]

> However, using any one of many on-line sources for generating
> airport/navaid/obstruction waypoints, and other software to upload these to
> the unit, I now have a very nice unit. It shows all of the airports within
> a 200 mile radius (indicated by an airplane symbol,) all of the VOR's, and
> all of the towers >1,000' AGL (indicated by a tower symbol.) The unit is
> limited to 500 of these user-defined waypoints, but if I decide to take a
> longer trip, I can easily go to a website and generate waypoints for the
> route and upload these instead of the 200 mile radius ones.

which website do you use? Do you happen to have a list of
websites that offer these waypoints?

thanks

Gerald Sylvester

[Frederick Wilson]

Ryan,

I have been using a simple Garmin 12XL GPS for I guess the better part of 6
years now. I even take it with me when I fly for the National Guard in the
good ole Huey. I have programmed several waypoints and airports into it. It
works real good for what I need. Especially since in the national guard, on
tactical missions we are using ground map with MGRS this GPS has it. It has
a bunch of map datum to choose from too.

I have all the local airport programmed into it. One reply here says that
the nearest airport features are nice. I bet they are. I have found myself a
few times looking for an airport. But for the most part I program all the
navaids and airport in the vicinity of my route.

FWIW, I've been looking the palmpilot stuff too. It will be interesting to
see what turns up here. I know one of the common complaints about them, is
that they are hard to read in direct sun light.

Fred


"RD" > wrote in message
...
> Good day,
>
> Can someone give me an opinion on what type of GPS unit is good enough for
> me. I'm a GA pilot, very low time, looking for a decent GPS to take along
> for some X/C flying in the rentals. Just need to see highways and cities
> etc. I'm not very worried about airspace as there isn't much around my
local
> airport and the charts do a good enough job.
>
> 1. Are basic GPS modules such as the ones you take camping/fishing good
> enough?
> 2. What about PalmPilot/Windows CE based hand held units?
> 3. Is it worth buying a decent Garmin model?
>
> What are your experiences?
>
> Thanks,
> Ryan
>
>

[Greg Burkhart]

"Gerald Sylvester" > wrote in message
nk.net...
> > However, using any one of many on-line sources for generating
> > airport/navaid/obstruction waypoints, and other software to upload these
to
> > the unit, I now have a very nice unit. It shows all of the airports
within
> > a 200 mile radius (indicated by an airplane symbol,) all of the VOR's,
and
> > all of the towers >1,000' AGL (indicated by a tower symbol.) The unit
is
> > limited to 500 of these user-defined waypoints, but if I decide to take
a
> > longer trip, I can easily go to a website and generate waypoints for the
> > route and upload these instead of the 200 mile radius ones.
>
> which website do you use? Do you happen to have a list of
> websites that offer these waypoints?

I've used these to get data from:
http://www.airnav.com/ for airports and NavAids and
http://wireless2.fcc.gov/UlsApp/AsrSearch/asrRegistrationSearch.jsp for
antennas and towers.
I put the data into spreadsheets, export it to my GPS mapping software then
download it to the GPS. Works fairly well.

There are aviation databases available for download which are quite large. I
remember downloading a database once and deleting all the waypoints that
were above or below certain latitudes and longitudes to get the list down to
the state/area that I would do +95% of my flying.

[Tom Jackson]

Waypoints along a route, towers, etc. (slightly out of date)
http://131.238.38.204/~sarangan/aviation/garmin/index.html
More updated information, world-wide, no obstructions, GPX format, which may
need to be converted to a format for your import/export software (see
Topographix website): http://navaid.com/GPX/
FAA GeoTIFF sectionals: http://aviationtoolbox.org/raw_data/FAA_sectionals/
Oziexplorer: www.oziexplorer.com



"Gerald Sylvester" > wrote in message
nk.net...
> > However, using any one of many on-line sources for generating
> > airport/navaid/obstruction waypoints, and other software to upload these
to
> > the unit, I now have a very nice unit. It shows all of the airports
within
> > a 200 mile radius (indicated by an airplane symbol,) all of the VOR's,
and
> > all of the towers >1,000' AGL (indicated by a tower symbol.) The unit
is
> > limited to 500 of these user-defined waypoints, but if I decide to take
a
> > longer trip, I can easily go to a website and generate waypoints for the
> > route and upload these instead of the 200 mile radius ones.
>
> which website do you use? Do you happen to have a list of
> websites that offer these waypoints?
>
> thanks
>
> Gerald Sylvester
>

[David Megginson]

Tom Jackson wrote:

> Waypoints along a route, towers, etc. (slightly out of date)
> http://131.238.38.204/~sarangan/aviation/garmin/index.html
> More updated information, world-wide, no obstructions, GPX format, which may
> need to be converted to a format for your import/export software (see
> Topographix website): http://navaid.com/GPX/
> FAA GeoTIFF sectionals: http://aviationtoolbox.org/raw_data/FAA_sectionals/
> Oziexplorer: www.oziexplorer.com

The DAFIF includes world-wide coverage for larger airports and virtually all
navaids:

https://164.214.2.62/products/digitalaero/index.cfm

The information is available both in fixed-length field files and in
tab-delimited files (suitable for importing into a spreadsheet). I've used
the DAFIF to generate custom GPS Canadian aviation databases.

The FAA database, which has more detail for the U.S. (but nothing for the
rest of the world), is available on a CD-ROM, but people occasionally make
online copies available. Here's a mirror of both the DAFIF and the FAA NASD:

http://ftp.umr.edu/pub/faa/


All the best,


David

[John Bell]

> which website do you use? Do you happen to have a list of
> websites that offer these waypoints?

Gerald,

Hot of the press, try my site with my low tech solution: www.cockpitgps.com

John Bell

[resident cynic]

I've read all the reponses available to date, ans I haven't seen any
recommendation for my favorite -- AnywhereMap. This software runs on a
many PPCs, and works really very well. It is explicitly designed for
aviation use, rather than being an auto/marine base with aviation overlays.

Look at www.anywheremap.com


On Fri, 5 Dec 2003 11:32:09 -0600, "RD" > wrote:

> Good day,
>
> Can someone give me an opinion on what type of GPS unit is good enough for
> me. I'm a GA pilot, very low time, looking for a decent GPS to take along
> for some X/C flying in the rentals. Just need to see highways and cities
> etc. I'm not very worried about airspace as there isn't much around my local
> airport and the charts do a good enough job.
>
> 1. Are basic GPS modules such as the ones you take camping/fishing good
> enough?
> 2. What about PalmPilot/Windows CE based hand held units?
> 3. Is it worth buying a decent Garmin model?
>
> What are your experiences?
>
> Thanks,
> Ryan
>

[David Johnson]

My first experience with a GPS was to use a small non-aviation
unit (same as the small Lowrance, but sold under the Eagle brand
name). Propped it on the glareshield. It worked fine for a CAVU
flight (which that one w
as). Had to do my homework first, and
program in appropriate waypoints before flying.

Next I flew nearly all the way across the country and back, using
a borrowed Garmin GPS90. Overall, it was a fantastic improvement
in ease of navigation - but less than perfect. Lost signal once
just after takeoff into marginal visibility (it quickly came back,
and the visibility soon improved as well). Later on I noticed
that some of the airport identifiers on the moving map didn't
jibe with the Sectionals. This was to cause some consternation
toward the end of the trip when I was forced to divert due to
lowering clouds, rising terrain, and an SUA - all at once. The
alternate I had in mind wasn't identified in the GPS Database by
anything recognizable (and I didn't have time to solve the mystery
at that point). Fortunately, another alternate was both identifiable
and reachable. Afterwards I found out that the database was long
out of date, and a number of identifiers had been changed.

After that I had to have my own, and bought a Garmin GPS92. This
unit, used with an external antenna, has performed nearly flawlessly
for about four years. To me, having a database that allows instant
selection of any airport or navaid is worth it's weight in gold.
Almost all the homework has been done for you in advance. I do
occasionally use it to drive a mapping program running on my laptop.
Have only used this for ground navigation to date, since finding
a place for even a small laptop is difficult in a cockpit.

If I were starting again, I'd go for the Garmin 196. The pricetag
(about double the 92) has kept me from upgrading.

I haven't tried the PDA approach, so can't comment on it.

David Johnson

[Walter Kronester]

Dear Ryan,
like you, I am also flying and soaring with rented planes. So I always carry
a handheld outdoor GPS with me. Now I am using a Garmin eTrex Vista, before
this I used an eTrex Summit and a GPS 12Map. The Vista is very small and
light, has a base map, and is able to store a long track log. Since I also
use it for mountain hiking, I like the included compass and barometric
altimeter.
I store airports and navaids of my area as user waypoints with the program
g7towin from Ron Henderson http://www.gpsinformation.org/ronh/. You will
find a good descripion of how to do and where to get from John Bell
http://www.cockpitgps.com/.
In fact I do not use the GPS unit inflight very often, but I love to have it
with me as a backup.
Best regards Walter