GPS Question.... Yet Again

Ok, first off, Sorry to do this to everyone yet again.... I can not
find all the information I seek, so I ask all the experts here. I am
looking for information about the units I list below to help me make a
decision.

I am in the market for a protable GPS. I am not sure which way to go,
but I can say for cerrtain the about $600 is all I want to spend.
Pretty much will settle for Grey Scale....

This means I am in the range of Airmap 1000, Airmap 500, Garmin 96, or
if I push the $'s a bit a Garmin 196 may be within reach, but I think
the wife would not be happy if I spent that much on a "toy." Though,
I have tried to be convincing that it is a life saver in the event of
emergency. Did I leave any decent units out that I should also
consider?

So.... Here are my questions...

Airmap 1000 Questions:
-Is the Airmap 1000 a bit too big for a portable GPS device?
-Is the Wrist strap even worth messing with on a device this large?
-Will this GPS device receive signals reliable without use of the
external antenna?


Airmap 500 and Garmin 96 Questions:
-Sensitivity good without external antenna? (In a C172)
-Again, Is the wrist strap worth even trying? Does it get in the way?

Garmin 196
-It looks like this device has the ability to set on top of the dash
in the plane with the antenna exposed through the windscreen. So I
would imagine if left on top of the control panel an external antenna
is not necessary. So, would an external be needed?
-With the previous in mind, is this device usable if left on top of
the panel?
-Can you reach up and accurately press buttons as needed?
-Is the screen large enough to see if left sitting on top of the
Panel?


General Questions:
How do the GPS Yoke mounts work? I do not own a plane and rent, so is
the Yoke Mount easibly removable, or should I forget that idea all
together and just use a wrist strap? Does it work on a Cessna 172
without getting in the way? Is the wrist strap even worth messing
with?


Of the 4 GPS devices I have listed in or near my price range which is
the best all around device for the money? I think the most important
thing to me is the ability to acquire a signal without the use of an
external antenna. I do not want wires running through the airplane
getting in the way and interfering with the flight controls.

Additionally, I want it to be usable while flying without causing too
much distraction. By that I mean I do not want to be head down trying
to figure out what button to push to switch modes. Single button
presses to switch between functions would be ideal.

Since I do not fly long trips a lot, battery life is not of real
concern. I would be happy with about 4-5 hours battery life.



Mike Alexander
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
See my online aerial photo album at
http://flying.4alexanders.com

I have a GPS195.
Garmin ships a heavy duty yoke mount with their units.
The yoke mount works nicely unless you have a chart clip or clock which
you intend to use already attached to the yoke.
I purchased a RAM suction cup mount in these cases.
I find it works better by allowing me to place the screen in a more
viewable position.

Mike 'Flyin'8' wrote:
General Questions:
How do the GPS Yoke mounts work? I do not own a plane and rent, so is
the Yoke Mount easibly removable, or should I forget that idea all
together and just use a wrist strap? Does it work on a Cessna 172
without getting in the way? Is the wrist strap even worth messing
with?

i'm sold on lowrance. for about 150$ they'll sell you an ifinder trail
model moving map gps (i've got one) that will get you from here to
there and back again just fine. altitude and ground speed included and
the electronic guts are the same as the big boys. hang it from the air
vent in a 172. it does not have the avaition map database but you do
have a current sectional, don't you? it's even got a "nearest airport"
feature. i finally bought a 1000 to get more avaition information but
really, the 1finder (same case and guts as the 500) is just a great
little machine.


dan

I purchased a RAM suction cup mount in these cases.
I find it works better by allowing me to place the screen in a more
viewable position.


No problem with the suction cup falling off if you have a hard landing
or some speed bumps in the air? I was considering that option as
well.


Mike Alexander
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
See my online aerial photo album at
http://flying.4alexanders.com

i'm sold on lowrance. for about 150$ they'll sell you an ifinder trail
model moving map gps (i've got one) that will get you from here to
there and back again just fine. altitude and ground speed included and
the electronic guts are the same as the big boys. hang it from the air
vent in a 172. it does not have the avaition map database but you do
have a current sectional, don't you? it's even got a "nearest airport"
feature. i finally bought a 1000 to get more avaition information but
really, the 1finder (same case and guts as the 500) is just a great
little machine.


No aviation database yet it has a nearest airport feature... hmm..
Sounds like something to look into... Does it have the small airports
listed as well? For example F70 or KHMT... I would appreciate it if
you could you see if those are listed for me? Does it tell you the
runway orientation?



Mike Alexander
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
See my online aerial photo album at
http://flying.4alexanders.com

Now your past has caught my interest... I did some searching and came
across a site... What do you think of this:

http://www.cockpitgps.com/data/

It looks like this guy has made a database to add into the ifinder for
all airports and navigation points. Very interesting... Might just do
the for 25% the cost. What to user defined waypoints show up as on
the screen? Can you make a special graphic for it?

i'm sold on lowrance. for about 150$ they'll sell you an ifinder trail
model moving map gps (i've got one) that will get you from here to
there and back again just fine. altitude and ground speed included and
the electronic guts are the same as the big boys. hang it from the air
vent in a 172. it does not have the avaition map database but you do
have a current sectional, don't you? it's even got a "nearest airport"
feature. i finally bought a 1000 to get more avaition information but
really, the 1finder (same case and guts as the 500) is just a great
little machine.


dan


Mike Alexander
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
See my online aerial photo album at
http://flying.4alexanders.com

I can speak for thre Airmap 500

Sensitivity good without external antenna? (In a C172)

Never had to use it. Mounted on the supplied RAM yoke mount, it has never
lost a signal on me

-Again, Is the wrist strap worth even trying? Does it get in the way?

Never used it, I just stick with the yoke mount

Rob.


"Mike 'Flyin'8'" wrote in message
...
Ok, first off, Sorry to do this to everyone yet again.... I can not
find all the information I seek, so I ask all the experts here. I am
looking for information about the units I list below to help me make a
decision.

I am in the market for a protable GPS. I am not sure which way to go,
but I can say for cerrtain the about $600 is all I want to spend.
Pretty much will settle for Grey Scale....

This means I am in the range of Airmap 1000, Airmap 500, Garmin 96, or
if I push the $'s a bit a Garmin 196 may be within reach, but I think
the wife would not be happy if I spent that much on a "toy." Though,
I have tried to be convincing that it is a life saver in the event of
emergency. Did I leave any decent units out that I should also
consider?

So.... Here are my questions...

Airmap 1000 Questions:
-Is the Airmap 1000 a bit too big for a portable GPS device?
-Is the Wrist strap even worth messing with on a device this large?
-Will this GPS device receive signals reliable without use of the
external antenna?


Airmap 500 and Garmin 96 Questions:
-Sensitivity good without external antenna? (In a C172)
-Again, Is the wrist strap worth even trying? Does it get in the way?

Garmin 196
-It looks like this device has the ability to set on top of the dash
in the plane with the antenna exposed through the windscreen. So I
would imagine if left on top of the control panel an external antenna
is not necessary. So, would an external be needed?
-With the previous in mind, is this device usable if left on top of
the panel?
-Can you reach up and accurately press buttons as needed?
-Is the screen large enough to see if left sitting on top of the
Panel?


General Questions:
How do the GPS Yoke mounts work? I do not own a plane and rent, so is
the Yoke Mount easibly removable, or should I forget that idea all
together and just use a wrist strap? Does it work on a Cessna 172
without getting in the way? Is the wrist strap even worth messing
with?


Of the 4 GPS devices I have listed in or near my price range which is
the best all around device for the money? I think the most important
thing to me is the ability to acquire a signal without the use of an
external antenna. I do not want wires running through the airplane
getting in the way and interfering with the flight controls.

Additionally, I want it to be usable while flying without causing too
much distraction. By that I mean I do not want to be head down trying
to figure out what button to push to switch modes. Single button
presses to switch between functions would be ideal.

Since I do not fly long trips a lot, battery life is not of real
concern. I would be happy with about 4-5 hours battery life.



Mike Alexander
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
See my online aerial photo album at
http://flying.4alexanders.com

thanks...that site looks interesting. one good thing about the lowrance
is that they have little nonpropriatary data cards (mmc?) you can write
stuff onto. i got the map create6 package, another 100$ or so...which
has a data r-rw function. pick what you want from the cd, dump it into
the mmc and you've got all of southeast texas or whatever. but it's not
an avaition database.

even without the data stuff, if iwant to go to some distant airport i
just get the airport directory, get the long/lat and set an airplane
icon(or any of made 30 different icons) there to mark the waypoint. set
"goto that waypoint" and you're done but for the flyin. distance, time
to arrival. i have a list of waypoints for a lot of the local airports.


as to runway orientation, no.

i would never suggest this but...if you push the waypoint button just
as you're touching down on your favorite runway then the machine can
get you within a few feet of that spot next time.

oh, and lowrance runs on regular "aa" batteries. nothing special. i've
got cigarette adapters too but most of the local rentals do not have
the power plugs. besides, batteries are easy and cheap.

dan

even without the data stuff, if iwant to go to some distant airport i
just get the airport directory, get the long/lat and set an airplane
icon(or any of made 30 different icons) there to mark the waypoint. set
"goto that waypoint" and you're done but for the flyin. distance, time
to arrival. i have a list of waypoints for a lot of the local airports.

You said something here which leads me to another question...

Does this unit calculate the distance, TTA, and show current GS and
heading?



Mike Alexander
PP-ASEL
Temecula, CA
See my online aerial photo album at
http://flying.4alexanders.com

"Mike 'Flyin'8'" wrote in message
...
Ok, first off, Sorry to do this to everyone yet again.... I can not
find all the information I seek, so I ask all the experts here. I am


Mike,
Nice web site.

If I were spending $750 on a GPS it would be a reconditioned Garmin 196,

http://tinyurl.com/6b2eq

and this mount:

http://www.propellerheadpilotessentials.com/

This keeps the GPS off the yoke, out of the way, and in "plane" sight. This
is a better mount than any RAM.

The 196 now has an obstruction database for $35, and I bet you could talk
T/A into including it.

Best,
Karl