Handheld PC

[Toks Desalu]

I was wondering if anyone experience using handheld PC for navigation along
with gps receiver and mapping software? If so, are they effective?
Toks

[Bob Moore]

"Toks Desalu" > wrote

> I was wondering if anyone experience using handheld PC for navigation
> along with gps receiver and mapping software? If so, are they
> effective? Toks

Sure...I use an iPAC running the Anywhere Map software. Works great
if you can tolerate all of the connecting wires.

Bob Moore

[Newps]

I have the NavGPS software on my Dell Axim X5. One cord between the Dell
and the GPS, with a fork in the middle for the cig lighter plug that powers
them both. Main downside is the screen can get washed out in bright
sunlight. Very easy to use, IFR or VFR. Cheap too. $180 for the software
and about $80 a year for full IFR airway charts, first year included. You
simply tap in your cleared clearance and the software will put it on the
map, including all bends at intersections. When the GPS is turned on you
simply fly the line. Terrain and obstructions are also part of the cost. I
don't find those useful and usually have them turned off. Towns and roads
are also displayed if you want.


"Toks Desalu" > wrote in message
news:4menc.7845$iF6.848904@attbi_s02...
> I was wondering if anyone experience using handheld PC for navigation
along
> with gps receiver and mapping software? If so, are they effective?
> Toks
>
>

[news.charter.net]

I haven't tried aviation GPS software yet, but I have an Ipaq 1945 with
built in Bluetooth wireless, and I have a Globalsat bluetooth GPS. Works
great in the car. Just plop the GPS receiver on the dash, or rear deck. No
wires to string to it.

--
Ben
C-172 - N13258 @ 87Y

[Brenor Brophy]

I have been using a Palm OS Sony Clie PEG-SJ22 (The cheapest PDA I could
find with a good color screen - $120). I coupled this with Fortuna U2 Serial
"mouse" GPS unit ($100) - this is a WAAS capable GPS using the SiRF Star II
chip-set. There are many types of GPS using this chip-set so they will all
have about the same capability. The GPS receiver is attached to the glare
shield and gets pretty good reception. The PDA is mounted with a G-Force GPS
Mount from PropellerHead (http://prophead2003.sectorlink.org/G-Force.htm)
which is excellent.

For software I use CoPilot (http://www.palmflying.com/copilot.html) which is
probably the very best bit of aviation software you don't have to pay for
(its free). It is simply an excellent flight planning program when coupled
to the (also free) current waypoint database from Paul Tomblin
(http://navaid.com/CoPilot/). For navigation I use a program called Flight
Master GPS (http://www.palmflying.com/mininav.html) which integrates very
well with CoPilot (Plan your flight on CoPilot and then fly it with Flight
Master). Flight Master is very reasonably priced ($40) and provides a basic
moving map (GPS waypoints only, no airspace boundaries or terrain) and an
excellent HSI.

I have tried some of the other GPS moving map programs available for Palm
OS - I haven't really been satisfied with any of them. And frankly, the good
HSI is the more important instrument for me as this setup is designed to be
the battery based navigation backup in case of a complete power loss in IMC.
I'm sure I could fly a pretty good emergency non-precision approach with the
Flight Master HSI. You need a good color screen on the PDA to really make
Flight Master useful IMO. The setup works great, but it did take me a little
while to gather/make the cables I needed to connect the GPS, PDA a battery
backup box for the GPS and the plane power socket.

-Brenor

"Toks Desalu" > wrote in message
news:4menc.7845$iF6.848904@attbi_s02...
> I was wondering if anyone experience using handheld PC for navigation
along
> with gps receiver and mapping software? If so, are they effective?
> Toks
>
>

[Jay Honeck]

> I haven't tried aviation GPS software yet, but I have an Ipaq 1945 with
> built in Bluetooth wireless, and I have a Globalsat bluetooth GPS. Works
> great in the car. Just plop the GPS receiver on the dash, or rear deck.
No
> wires to string to it.

This sounds like an ideal arrangement, but are there any known issues with
interference between the Bluetooth wireless and any other on-board
navigational equipment?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Michelle P]

Toks,
I have a pocket PC (ipaq 4150) with PC Flight System nav gps pro and PC
EFIS(www.pcflightsystems.com). I bought them at Sun-N-Fun. I bought this
due the is user friendliness and I spent a fair amount of time talking
to the owner and his wife.

I have had a couple of primary instrument issues and want a backup. I
have used them on the ground but not yet in the airplane. I am still
waiting for the cradle to mount to the yoke. I hope to give it a try
next week.

Michelle

Toks Desalu wrote:

>I was wondering if anyone experience using handheld PC for navigation along
>with gps receiver and mapping software? If so, are they effective?
>Toks
>
>
>
>

--

Michelle P ATP-ASEL, CP-AMEL, and AMT-A&P

"Elisabeth" a Maule M-7-235B (no two are alike)

Volunteer Pilot, Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic

Volunteer Builder, Habitat for Humanity

[Newps]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:KEqnc.57722$kh4.3413479@attbi_s52...


>
> This sounds like an ideal arrangement, but are there any known issues with
> interference between the Bluetooth wireless and any other on-board
> navigational equipment?

You're VFR, who cares? One problem is the GPS runs on rechargeable
batteries, so no cord but you will have to recharge after every flight.

[Tom Hyslip]

I use an IPaq 3700 with Compact Flash GPS and www.pocketfms.com This is a
nice setup because there are no wire with the CF GPS, and you can run
everything on the battery power of the IPaq and expansion pack. I use the
expansion pack with the external battery and get around 4-5 hours of battery
time.

Pocketfms is also free, and works really nice. Moving map, airspace
warnings, flight planning, 5 closets aiports at the push of a button.


"Michelle P" > wrote in message
link.net...
> Toks,
> I have a pocket PC (ipaq 4150) with PC Flight System nav gps pro and PC
> EFIS(www.pcflightsystems.com). I bought them at Sun-N-Fun. I bought this
> due the is user friendliness and I spent a fair amount of time talking
> to the owner and his wife.
>
> I have had a couple of primary instrument issues and want a backup. I
> have used them on the ground but not yet in the airplane. I am still
> waiting for the cradle to mount to the yoke. I hope to give it a try
> next week.
>
> Michelle
>
> Toks Desalu wrote:
>
> >I was wondering if anyone experience using handheld PC for navigation
along
> >with gps receiver and mapping software? If so, are they effective?
> >Toks
> >
> >
> >
> >
>
> --
>
> Michelle P ATP-ASEL, CP-AMEL, and AMT-A&P
>
> "Elisabeth" a Maule M-7-235B (no two are alike)
>
> Volunteer Pilot, Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic
>
> Volunteer Builder, Habitat for Humanity
>

[Jay Honeck]

> > This sounds like an ideal arrangement, but are there any known issues
with
> > interference between the Bluetooth wireless and any other on-board
> > navigational equipment?
>
> You're VFR, who cares?

Personally, I like having all of my navigational equipment working. If I
ever needed to do the VOR approach back into Iowa City, or got stuck having
to shoot the ILS into Cedar Rapids, I'd like to know that everything in the
plane is working properly.

Just because I don't yet officially have that little piece of paper in my
pocket doesn't mean that I'm not competent to shoot these two very simple
approaches. If the weather ever traps me on top, I'll want that ace in the
hole.

Now, back to the question: Are there any known issues between Bluetooth and
any navigational equipment?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Toks Desalu]

(I have zero experience with gps)
I recently bought a Dell 3XI. Yet, I am struggling on finding which gps
reciever and software I should buy. Looks like there are many of gps
recievers and softwares out there. Can anyone tell me the pros and cons of
various gps recievers out there? Notable, there are many similar softwares
but the price ranges are all over the place. Some are free and some are as
high as 300 bucks. That made it difficult for me to determine which product
that is useful for me. Any suggestions?

Toks Desalu
PP-ASEL
Dyin' to soar!

[Newps]

"Tom Hyslip" > wrote in message
om...
>
> Pocketfms is also free, and works really nice. Moving map, airspace
> warnings, flight planning, 5 closets aiports at the push of a button.



I looked at PocketFMS and a number of others. Didn't like it at all. Looks
like crap on the screen.

[Newps]

"Toks Desalu" > wrote in message
news:cHtnc.13271$xw3.899642@attbi_s04...
> (I have zero experience with gps)
> I recently bought a Dell 3XI. Yet, I am struggling on finding which gps
> reciever and software I should buy. Looks like there are many of gps
> recievers and softwares out there. Can anyone tell me the pros and cons of
> various gps recievers out there? Notable, there are many similar softwares
> but the price ranges are all over the place. Some are free and some are as
> high as 300 bucks. That made it difficult for me to determine which
product
> that is useful for me. Any suggestions?

I looked at the CF card GPS's but they are ridiculously priced. I got the
cable that goes to my Gamin Pilot III, so now I have triple moving map
capability. Another neat feature is Microsoft Streets and Trips for the
Pocket PC. Just loaded it onto the Dell a few days ago so haven't had a
chance to use it much.

[Ben Smith]

> You're VFR, who cares? One problem is the GPS runs on rechargeable
> batteries, so no cord but you will have to recharge after every flight.

The BT-308 kit I bought came with a 12vdc charger, as well as an external
antenna. So I guess you got wires again, all of a sudden. But at least
you won't have to have anything going from the PDA to the GPS.

[Ben Smith]

> Another neat feature is Microsoft Streets and Trips for the
> Pocket PC. Just loaded it onto the Dell a few days ago so haven't had a
> chance to use it much.

For road nav, I use PocketMap Navigator.
http://www.pocketmapstore.com/

It's pretty slick. I don't rely on it for turn-by-turn type directions, but
I like to have it running to keep a constant ETA to where I'm going.

[John T]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:aTsnc.57065$0H1.5573100@attbi_s54
>
> ...I'd like to know
> that everything in the plane is working properly.
>
> Just because I don't yet officially have that little piece of paper
> in my pocket doesn't mean that I'm not competent to shoot these two
> very simple approaches. If the weather ever traps me on top, I'll
> want that ace in the hole.

I've heard of no problems with Bluetooth GPS/PDA systems (and have read of
many such users). However, comptency and legality are two separate issues
when it comes to shooting approaches...

--
John T
http://tknowlogy.com/TknoFlyer
http://www.pocketgear.com/products_search.asp?developerid=4415
____________________

[Toks Desalu]

Which gps receiver did you buy?
Toks

"Tom Hyslip" > wrote in message
om...
> I use an IPaq 3700 with Compact Flash GPS and www.pocketfms.com This is a
> nice setup because there are no wire with the CF GPS, and you can run
> everything on the battery power of the IPaq and expansion pack. I use the
> expansion pack with the external battery and get around 4-5 hours of
battery
> time.
>
> Pocketfms is also free, and works really nice. Moving map, airspace
> warnings, flight planning, 5 closets aiports at the push of a button.
>
>
> "Michelle P" > wrote in message
> link.net...
> > Toks,
> > I have a pocket PC (ipaq 4150) with PC Flight System nav gps pro and PC
> > EFIS(www.pcflightsystems.com). I bought them at Sun-N-Fun. I bought this
> > due the is user friendliness and I spent a fair amount of time talking
> > to the owner and his wife.
> >
> > I have had a couple of primary instrument issues and want a backup. I
> > have used them on the ground but not yet in the airplane. I am still
> > waiting for the cradle to mount to the yoke. I hope to give it a try
> > next week.
> >
> > Michelle
> >
> > Toks Desalu wrote:
> >
> > >I was wondering if anyone experience using handheld PC for navigation
> along
> > >with gps receiver and mapping software? If so, are they effective?
> > >Toks
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> > --
> >
> > Michelle P ATP-ASEL, CP-AMEL, and AMT-A&P
> >
> > "Elisabeth" a Maule M-7-235B (no two are alike)
> >
> > Volunteer Pilot, Angel Flight Mid-Atlantic
> >
> > Volunteer Builder, Habitat for Humanity
> >
>
>

[Paul Sengupta]

"Newps" > wrote in message
...
> I looked at the CF card GPS's but they are ridiculously priced.

About $100.

http://www.semsons.com/comflasgpsre.html

Paul

[Eric Ross]

Toks Desalu wrote:

> I was wondering if anyone experience using handheld PC for navigation along
> with gps receiver and mapping software? If so, are they effective?
> Toks
>
>

My friend has AnywhereMap on his iPAQ. It works very well if you need
the full approach plates, etc. We both concluded for VFR piloting, that
my Lowrance Airmap 500 was nicer as it had a longer battery life, had
less to hook up(just the external antenna) and was easier to operate one
handed. It was a personal preference thing as both units worked well.

Eric Ross

[Matthew P. Cummings]

On Fri, 14 May 2004 15:01:37 -0700, Eric Ross wrote:

> My friend has AnywhereMap on his iPAQ. It works very well if you need
> the full approach plates, etc. We both concluded for VFR piloting, that

Anywheremap does not include approach plates, that's a different program,
refer to http://www.anywheremap.com/ for details.

> less to hook up(just the external antenna) and was easier to operate one
> handed. It was a personal preference thing as both units worked well.

If you use Bluetooth gps devices you can eliminate more wires, but as you
say battery life is limited to probably at best 4 hours. I plug mine in
so that I don't have to worry.