Hand held non-aviation GPS

john smith wrote:
I got up early (4:00 AM) Friday morning and did the "SALE" thing.
Fortunately, I chose stores that had short lines.
The first was COMPUSA at 5:AM for a wireless router ($20).
The second was SPORT AUTHORITY at 5:30 AM for a Magellan Explorist 300
handheld GPS (list $230, sale $100, first 100 shoppers, extra $10 off).
So I got it for $90
It has two modes to select from, LAND and MARINE.
It has many public use airports in its database (I am not sure what the
criteria is).
The nice thing about this unit is that it has an altimeter function.
I used it yesterday for a $100 hamburger run. Speed, altitude, track
recording work well. It will be good backup.
The only item I am not happy with is that it takes a looooong time to
find itself and reestablish the almanac if it is shut down at one
location and powered up at another.

John
I have been using a Magellan Map 330 for a couple of years ( in
Australia) and it did everything I needed it for. Only problem was
when I changed from flying the low wing Warrior to a high wing Cessna ,
I was losing the signal in flight. am not sure about your unit but the
Magellans I am familiar with dont have external antenna jacks like the
garmins and you may have a similar problem. I have the same problem
with getting the signal back again.
terry