Handheld PC

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

"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

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

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

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

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"

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" 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.

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

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"