Any retired Apollo 800 Flybuddy Lorans?

The manual just says 800 but there is a page on Optional Datacards.
"Flybuddy Plus is the datacard option and is available as an upgrade for
Flybuddy pilots."

Our unit has a datacard slot in the front and there is something in it but
it may just be a cover or blank plug. Nothing that it says would be on an
optional datacard is active.

Could the data card slot be there and internal components required to read
it missing i.e., part of the upgrade referred to in the manual?

This unit does a fine job for the simple airspace we mostly fly in. I'd
like to put off a GPS purchase for a couple years but it would be nice to
have a database that doesn't predate the change in identifiers of many
airports.

Purchasing a more recent plus version for $150 and swapping it in sounds
like a good option to me, thus my original post. I guess I'll look around
on Ebay.

I have a similar problem with the Foster 500 Loran in my plane. I'd like to
update the database, which was last done 4/96 so that the airport identifiers
are correct and to correct for a few VORs that have been physically moved.
Been watching ebay, but the databases on those are even older. Does anyone
know what the format is in the Foster500 cartridge and whether one could be
updated by massaging a GPS database update and burning it into the cartridge
using an EPROM programmer? I'm not in a hurry to put a panel mount GPS in as
the negligible increase in capability over the existing setup (I have a hand
held GPS) does not justify the steep cost. Since my autopilot can use the
LORAN for input, I'd like to have a reasonably up to date database.

Roger Long wrote:

The manual just says 800 but there is a page on Optional Datacards.
"Flybuddy Plus is the datacard option and is available as an upgrade for
Flybuddy pilots."

Our unit has a datacard slot in the front and there is something in it but
it may just be a cover or blank plug. Nothing that it says would be on an
optional datacard is active.

Could the data card slot be there and internal components required to read
it missing i.e., part of the upgrade referred to in the manual?

This unit does a fine job for the simple airspace we mostly fly in. I'd
like to put off a GPS purchase for a couple years but it would be nice to
have a database that doesn't predate the change in identifiers of many
airports.

Purchasing a more recent plus version for $150 and swapping it in sounds
like a good option to me, thus my original post. I guess I'll look around
on Ebay.

--
--Ray Andraka, P.E.
President, the Andraka Consulting Group, Inc.
401/884-7930 Fax 401/884-7950
email
http://www.andraka.com

"They that give up essential liberty to obtain a little
temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety."
-Benjamin Franklin, 1759

The manual just says 800 but there is a page on Optional Datacards. "Flybuddy
Plus is the datacard option and is available as an upgrade for Flybuddy
pilots."

Our unit has a datacard slot in the front and there is something in it but it
may just be a cover or blank plug. Nothing that it says would be on an
optional datacard is active.

Could the data card slot be there and internal components required to read it
missing i.e., part of the upgrade referred to in the manual?

This unit does a fine job for the simple airspace we mostly fly in. I'd like
to put off a GPS purchase for a couple years but it would be nice to have a
database that doesn't predate the change in identifiers of many airports.

Purchasing a more recent plus version for $150 and swapping it in sounds like
a good option to me, thus my original post. I guess I'll look around on Ebay.


Roger:
It sounds like you are describing a Flybuddy 800 only, no data card and data
card reader, and a plug to cover the data card slot.

Look at the back of the unit, does it say "Flybuddy 800+" or not?

I really can't see any incentive for Garmin AT to offer an upgrade from the
Flybuddy 800 to the 800+, especially since the manufacturing costs exceeds 2/3
of what the Apollo GX55 sells for.

If you can find a Flybuddy 800+ on www.ebay.com for $150 or whatever that is
great. You could also try the www.bennettavionics, wentworth salvage, and
others to see if they have a unit on inventory.

The Northstar M1A or M2 would also do quite well but that would involve
installation dollars. I gather that you are in no position of doing anything
for more than $200, which would certainly rule out my daily fee.


paul k. sanchez, cfii-mei
on eagles’ wings
2011 south perimeter road, suite g
fort lauderdale, florida 33309-7135
305-389-1742 wireless
954-776-0527 fax
954-965-8329 home/fax