PDA/Pocket PC with aviation GPS for European region

[Delta007bhd]

Hello all,

I am looking for a PDA that has an aviation GPS to fly in Europe. I
have the impression the US is way ahead of us on these matters but is
there a similar tool out here in the far east (Europe)?? I am new to
PDA technology and until now I learned on the net that you can have a
PDA with Palm OS or a PDA with windows Mobile OS aka a Pocket PC. What
is best, Palm or Pocket PC? Can I buy ANY PDA and install aviation
software afterwards or are aviation PDA's very type specific? For
instance, I have been reading about Apple's iPhone (and similar
devices referred to as "iPhone killers") but would I be able to
install an aviation gps onto it?
Other functions that I would find very useful:
- organiser/calendar
- e-mail
- digital camera
- scientific calculator
- maybe even a phone function???

Handheld GPS's are very useful in the aircraft but once on ground they
become useless. That's why I prefer an all-in-one pocket pc. I just
don't know where to start.

Thanks in advance all for your valuable input!

[Varactor]

On Mar 27, 3:04*am, Delta007bhd > wrote:
> Hello all,
>
> I am looking for a PDA that has an aviation GPS to fly in Europe. I
> have the impression the US is way ahead of us on these matters but is
> there a similar tool out here in the far east (Europe)?? I am new to
> PDA technology and until now I learned on the net that you can have a
> PDA with Palm OS or a PDA with windows Mobile OS aka a Pocket PC. What
> is best, Palm or Pocket PC? Can I buy ANY PDA and install aviation
> software afterwards or are aviation PDA's very type specific? For
> instance, I have been reading about Apple's iPhone (and similar
> devices referred to as "iPhone killers") but would I be able to
> install an aviation gps onto it?
> Other functions that I would find very useful:
> - organiser/calendar
> - e-mail
> - digital camera
> - scientific calculator
> - maybe even a phone function???
>
> Handheld GPS's are very useful in the aircraft but once on ground they
> become useless. That's why I prefer an all-in-one pocket pc. I just
> don't know where to start.
>
> Thanks in advance all for your valuable input!

I looked at pocket FMS but I think it is too exprensive -so much so I
would rather buy a dedicated handhelp GPS.

Cheers

[Delta007bhd]

On Mar 26, 6:16*pm, Varactor > wrote:
> On Mar 27, 3:04*am, Delta007bhd > wrote:
>
>
>
> > Hello all,
>
> > I am looking for a PDA that has an aviation GPS to fly in Europe. I
> > have the impression the US is way ahead of us on these matters but is
> > there a similar tool out here in the far east (Europe)?? I am new to
> > PDA technology and until now I learned on the net that you can have a
> > PDA with Palm OS or a PDA with windows Mobile OS aka a Pocket PC. What
> > is best, Palm or Pocket PC? Can I buy ANY PDA and install aviation
> > software afterwards or are aviation PDA's very type specific? For
> > instance, I have been reading about Apple's iPhone (and similar
> > devices referred to as "iPhone killers") but would I be able to
> > install an aviation gps onto it?
> > Other functions that I would find very useful:
> > - organiser/calendar
> > - e-mail
> > - digital camera
> > - scientific calculator
> > - maybe even a phone function???
>
> > Handheld GPS's are very useful in the aircraft but once on ground they
> > become useless. That's why I prefer an all-in-one pocket pc. I just
> > don't know where to start.
>
> > Thanks in advance all for your valuable input!
>
> I looked at pocket FMS but I think it is too exprensive -so much so I
> would rather buy a dedicated handhelp GPS.
>
> Cheers

Thanks very much, I just checked the PocketFMS site. It's exactly what
I need although I agree it's rather expensive. Good thing is you can
install the software on any pocket pc that runs on windows mobile so I
won't have to go to a specialised pilot shop for the hardware. You're
mentioned handheld GPS as a cheaper alternative but is it really that
much of a difference in price? I thought these things cost around
500EUR and then you can't even use it as a cell phone neither it has a
calendar,email,surfing,etc functions such as with pda or pocket pc. Do
you need to buy handheld gps updates too?

If anyone has other alternatives to PocketFMS, please drop in a line.
Do pilot shops actually sell PDA/PocketPC's with aviation GPS software
installed? I looked on transair.co.uk and flightstore.co.uk but I only
found handheld GPS's but nothing like a PDA that has all the other
office functions.

Thanks

[Andy Hawkins]

Hi,

In article >,
> wrote:
> If anyone has other alternatives to PocketFMS, please drop in a line.

Depends what you want from a GPS really. I have a copy of Memory Map running
on a PDA, hooked up to a Bluetooth GPS receiver.

I have a copy of the official CAA charts on it, and can put in simple flight
plans that it will then tell you to follow. It has no 'database' as such
though, but it's useful as a double check that you are where you think you
are.

I'm still a new PPL, so actually enjoying doing VFR Nav the 'old fashioned'
way. That might get old fairly soon though!

Andy

[BT]

There are a lot of PDA's running a lot of different Soaring Software.
Not sure there is anything that matches it in the powered world.
Check out www.wingsandwheels.com for PDA and Soaring Software.

"Delta007bhd" > wrote in message
...
> Hello all,
>
> I am looking for a PDA that has an aviation GPS to fly in Europe. I
> have the impression the US is way ahead of us on these matters but is
> there a similar tool out here in the far east (Europe)?? I am new to
> PDA technology and until now I learned on the net that you can have a
> PDA with Palm OS or a PDA with windows Mobile OS aka a Pocket PC. What
> is best, Palm or Pocket PC? Can I buy ANY PDA and install aviation
> software afterwards or are aviation PDA's very type specific? For
> instance, I have been reading about Apple's iPhone (and similar
> devices referred to as "iPhone killers") but would I be able to
> install an aviation gps onto it?
> Other functions that I would find very useful:
> - organiser/calendar
> - e-mail
> - digital camera
> - scientific calculator
> - maybe even a phone function???
>
> Handheld GPS's are very useful in the aircraft but once on ground they
> become useless. That's why I prefer an all-in-one pocket pc. I just
> don't know where to start.
>
> Thanks in advance all for your valuable input!

[Flaps_50!]

On Mar 27, 8:48*am, Delta007bhd > wrote:
> On Mar 26, 6:16*pm, Varactor > wrote:
>
>
>
> > On Mar 27, 3:04*am, Delta007bhd > wrote:
>
> > > Hello all,
>
> > > I am looking for a PDA that has an aviation GPS to fly in Europe. I
> > > have the impression the US is way ahead of us on these matters but is
> > > there a similar tool out here in the far east (Europe)?? I am new to
> > > PDA technology and until now I learned on the net that you can have a
> > > PDA with Palm OS or a PDA with windows Mobile OS aka a Pocket PC. What
> > > is best, Palm or Pocket PC? Can I buy ANY PDA and install aviation
> > > software afterwards or are aviation PDA's very type specific? For
> > > instance, I have been reading about Apple's iPhone (and similar
> > > devices referred to as "iPhone killers") but would I be able to
> > > install an aviation gps onto it?
> > > Other functions that I would find very useful:
> > > - organiser/calendar
> > > - e-mail
> > > - digital camera
> > > - scientific calculator
> > > - maybe even a phone function???
>
> > > Handheld GPS's are very useful in the aircraft but once on ground they
> > > become useless. That's why I prefer an all-in-one pocket pc. I just
> > > don't know where to start.
>
> > > Thanks in advance all for your valuable input!
>
> > I looked at pocket FMS but I think it is too exprensive -so much so I
> > would rather buy a dedicated handhelp GPS.
>
> > Cheers
>
> Thanks very much, I just checked the PocketFMS site. It's exactly what
> I need although I agree it's rather expensive. Good thing is you can
> install the software on any pocket pc that runs on windows mobile so I
> won't have to go to a specialised pilot shop for the hardware. You're
> mentioned handheld GPS as a cheaper alternative but is it really that
> much of a difference in price? I thought these things cost around
> 500EUR and then you can't even use it as a cell phone neither it has a
> calendar,email,surfing,etc functions such as with pda or pocket pc. Do
> you need to buy handheld gps updates too?
>
> If anyone has other alternatives to PocketFMS, please drop in a line.
> Do pilot shops actually sell PDA/PocketPC's with aviation GPS software
> installed? I looked on transair.co.uk and flightstore.co.uk but I only
> found handheld GPS's but nothing like a PDA that has all the other
> office functions.
>
I didn't say it's cheaper, but you can find bargain GPS's esp. if they
are last years model... I addd the price of pocket fms to the price of
a suitable PDA the added the GPS antenna and the total came to the
almost the same price as a new $600 Garmin.

Cheers

[Delta007bhd]

> I didn't say it's cheaper, but you can find bargain GPS's esp. if they
> are last years model... I addd the price of pocket fms to the price of
> a suitable PDA the added the GPS antenna and the total came to the
> almost the same price as a new $600 Garmin.

Do you need to buy updates for a Garmin too or are they free? From
what I read I can find a PocketPC/phone with built in GPS antenna and
lots of other functions for around 300-400eur, then I could install
PocketFMS for 150eur which is still cheaper than the Garmin. Plus,
with the Garmin you can't email, phone, browse the web, use a calendar
etc. Updating PocketFMS does seem to become expensive over time
though, 15eur/month for database updates and 60eur if a program update
comes. Therefore my question does it cost a lot to update a handheld
GPS such as Garmin or is it a one time fee and free updates for a
lifetime?

What about Jeppesen products? Their site is not very clear about what
you can do with their programs and I couldn't find prices either.
Jeppview, Flitestar, Jeppesen Internet Flight Planner (JIFP),...?

To Andy:
what I want from a GPS on my pda is accurate position, moving map,
flightplan with track line deviation and steering info. So basically a
backup navigation tool.

[Andy Hawkins]

Hi,

In article >,
> wrote:
> what I want from a GPS on my pda is accurate position, moving map,
> flightplan with track line deviation and steering info. So basically a
> backup navigation tool.

Memory Map will do that then. Might be worth a look to see if it has charts
for your area. I'm not sure but I *think* you can import your own charts
into it too.

What it *won't* be able to do is warn you about airspace, do 'direct to'
some airfield, that sort of thing. However, if all you want to do is be told
where you are, and how to follow a pre-drawn line on the map, then it should
do just fine.

CAA 1/2 mill charts come in at about UKP 20, including a copy of Memory Map.

Andy

[Delta007bhd]

> CAA 1/2 mill charts come in at about UKP 20, including a copy of Memory Map.

Memory map does look like a nice and affordable alternative to
PocketFMS but until now I haven't found any info on their site if they
have the entire eu region for air naviagtion. I did find european maps
for other countries than uk but these seem to be for land and sea
only. Not sure where to find how to import your own maps either but I
don't have any digital maps anyway. Still looking...

If anyone else wants to share their info, go ahead. Looking for Pocket
pc/smartphone with built-in GPS to be able to use in the plane with
aviation maps for Europe to increase situational awareness.

[Morgans[_2_]]

"Andy Hawkins" > wrote

> What it *won't* be able to do is warn you about airspace, do 'direct to'
> some airfield, that sort of thing. However, if all you want to do is be told
> where you are, and how to follow a pre-drawn line on the map, then it should
> do just fine.
>
> CAA 1/2 mill charts come in at about UKP 20, including a copy of Memory Map.

Another thing Anywhere Map can do is display near real-time weather with Weather
Worx.

If you look on E bay, you can sometime find some sweetheart deals on handheld
computers, and sometimes on the software. My son got a deal on both items for
50 bucks, or something stupid like that. He got the whole shebang! Everything
above; handheld, GPS antenna and receiver, and all the software! I want to
sneak into his house with my spare key and seal it some night, sometimes! <g>
--
Jim in NC

[Delta007bhd]

> If you look on E bay, you can sometime find some sweetheart deals on handheld
> computers, and sometimes on the software. *My son got a deal on both items for
> 50 bucks, or something stupid like that. *He got the whole shebang! *Everything
> above; handheld, GPS antenna and receiver, and all the software! *I want to
> sneak into his house with my spare key and seal it some night, sometimes! <g>

Damn! What's his address? lol:) Thanks for the info, I'll have a look
on ebay later, you never know.