garmin or something else

Joining the discussion late and not sure who wrote:
I should also mention that I
like the "6-pack" panel page on the Garmins as a potential backup in
the event of vacuum pump or electrical failure, and wonder how much
difference the faster refresh rate on the 496 makes for this page. I
guess I am leaning toward a Garmin at this point, but would first like
to hear some other comments on these issues.

In regard only to the comment above about the 6-pack instrument page, I
have a tandem airplane with two Garmin 296's (one in front, one in
back). Since there are no instruments in back, that 6-pack instrument
page not only serves as the dual backup you mentioned above, it also
gives the back-seat pilot/passenger access to info he/she can't see on
the panel itself over the shoulders of the front-seat pilot/passenger.
These little hand-helds are worth their weight in gold, IMO.

On Aug 20, 4:47 pm, dave wrote:
I have a garmin 430 in my airplane and I still carry my old garmin 196.
I do want to get weather so I've been thinking about the
flightcheetah 190 or a software based system that I could run on a
palmtop like the Samsung Q1. I like the idea of using the Samsung
because I could also use it for work. Here's some links
approach systems - software only -http://www.approach-systems.com/apic.asp
True Systems - both hardware and software solutionshttp://www.aviationsafety.com/fl_190.htm
Flightprep - software only but apparently they'll package it with
hardware if you wanthttp://www.flightprep.com/rootpage.php?page=HomeEFBSW
Dave
M35

Has anyone used the software from Approach Systems? I had not run
across this before Dave mentioned it, but it looks pretty good and has
an option for free 30-day trial. I was particularly intrigued by the
attitude indicator page and wonder how well that works. With a Pocket
PC, the Approach Systems software would seem to be similar in many
respects (but cheaper) to the Anywhere Map software.

Kelly

Kelly wrote:

Has anyone used the software from Approach Systems? I had not run
across this before Dave mentioned it, but it looks pretty good and has
an option for free 30-day trial. I was particularly intrigued by the
attitude indicator page and wonder how well that works. With a Pocket
PC, the Approach Systems software would seem to be similar in many
respects (but cheaper) to the Anywhere Map software.

Kelly


Kelly,
Unfortunately I have not tried any of the three that I have suggested.
I never heard about approach systems until I bought my bonanza. The
guy I bought it from is one of the owners. The panel shot in the
brochure is my airplane. I think he was more of an investor and test
pilot of the product than a designer/programmer.

One other pricing issue - database updates. According to the flight
cheetah website Garmin costs about $1000/year vs. $200/year. That's a
significant cost. I'd like to go with a software solution and use an
ultra-mobile PC, UMPC, like the samsung q1. I can use the UMPC for
work which makes buying the package more valuable. Dropping $2500 for
a 496 which admittedly is a very good product doesn't make sense if I
can spend the same or less on a software solution and a UMPC that I will
use for several hours/week for other things. If I did go with a
hardware solution I'd pick the flight cheetah 190 over the garmins.

Dave
M35

On Wed, 22 Aug 2007 15:47:05 -0400, dave wrote:

If I did go with a hardware solution
I'd pick the flight cheetah 190 over the garmins.

That's the direction in which I'm leaning.

The 496 "panel" is nice. However, the 190 has - at a nontrivial
additional price, admittedly - a real electronic AI.

There's also the VistaNav to consider.

I'm hoping all these products are on the floor at AOPA Expo in a couple of
months. I'll get a chance to see them up close, and probably leave the
show with one or the other.

In no particular order, my thoughts one way or the other a

* Garmin is integrated more tightly than the other solutions;
should therefore be more stable.

* Garmin has no upgrade path; the other products permit upgrades
w/o buying new hardware (at least for a while {8^)

* Screen size; bigger is better

* Unit size; smaller is better

* Garmin has AOPA directory and street mapping; Other solutions
have whatever I choose to load onto the general purpose
computer

* Garmin has option of plugging into GNS-430s in the panels behind
which I fly

* "Panel" w/o pitch information vs. AI w/o VSI (is there anything
else in the Garmin "panel" lacking from the other units?)

- Andrew

I have taken my laptop with me a couple of times for local flights
lately just to see how cramped things might feel. I was also by
myself on these flights, when things are obviously least cramped
otherwise. Well, there appear to be a couple of options for a
standard size laptop -- leave it on the right seat if unoccupied, or
fold down the screen all the way and have it on my lap. I have to say
that having the computer on my lap does feel cramped and somewhat
awkward, and as Jay mentioned, having to look down at the screen seems
less than ideal, particularly if in IMC or turbulence. While the
approach plates display very nicely on a full size screen, I think the
disadvantages may outweigh the advantages.

Like Dave, ideally I would like to find a solution that would serve
more than just one purpose. If I could use the display device in the
plane and for PDA/email/computing functions on the ground, I would
feel more justified in shelling out a nice chunk of change. I looked
at the HP ipaq 5715, which seemed to be a decent pocket PC with built
in GPS for $400. It has a 3.5 inch (diagonal) screen, which is the
same size as the Garmin 396/496. Has anyone used the ipaq in the
cockpit?

Kelly

I had a chance to play with an Avmap Pro nice unit slim and fast not all the
frills of the garmin unit but nice large & clear display. Simple to use
also. I am buying one when I get the extra funds.

http://www.avmapnavigation.com/index.php?swt=1203&ipr=9


"Kelly" wrote in message
ups.com...
I'm trying to figure out what portable device to buy to provide in-
flight weather, as well as terrain info. Electronic approach plates
and enroute charts, as well as flight planning capability, would also
be a plus, but not essential. I fly a Cessna 172 that is already
equipped with a Garmin 430. I have read about both the Garmin 396 and
496, and I borrowed the 496 to use for a couple of flights. I have
also checked out several EFB-type systems online, such as through
Anywhere Map, Voyager, and Chart Case, which can be used on a laptop
or tablet, or in some cases, a smartphone.

I would be interested to know if anyone has had good luck with either
a laptop or smartphone medium, and what software package was used.
Also, I know how the 396 and 496 differ, but would like to know if you
think the 496 is worth the extra $600. I should also mention that I
like the "6-pack" panel page on the Garmins as a potential backup in
the event of vacuum pump or electrical failure, and wonder how much
difference the faster refresh rate on the 496 makes for this page. I
guess I am leaning toward a Garmin at this point, but would first like
to hear some other comments on these issues.

Thanks in advance.
Kelly

oh. APRS can be used with Icom 706 hf also.


"Kelly" wrote in message
ups.com...
I'm trying to figure out what portable device to buy to provide in-
flight weather, as well as terrain info. Electronic approach plates
and enroute charts, as well as flight planning capability, would also
be a plus, but not essential. I fly a Cessna 172 that is already
equipped with a Garmin 430. I have read about both the Garmin 396 and
496, and I borrowed the 496 to use for a couple of flights. I have
also checked out several EFB-type systems online, such as through
Anywhere Map, Voyager, and Chart Case, which can be used on a laptop
or tablet, or in some cases, a smartphone.

I would be interested to know if anyone has had good luck with either
a laptop or smartphone medium, and what software package was used.
Also, I know how the 396 and 496 differ, but would like to know if you
think the 496 is worth the extra $600. I should also mention that I
like the "6-pack" panel page on the Garmins as a potential backup in
the event of vacuum pump or electrical failure, and wonder how much
difference the faster refresh rate on the 496 makes for this page. I
guess I am leaning toward a Garmin at this point, but would first like
to hear some other comments on these issues.

Thanks in advance.
Kelly

On Aug 19, 8:34 pm, Kelly wrote:
I'm trying to figure out what portable device to buy to provide in-
flight weather, as well as terrain info. Electronic approach plates
and enroute charts, as well as flight planning capability, would also
be a plus, but not essential. I fly a Cessna 172 that is already
equipped with a Garmin 430. I have read about both the Garmin 396 and
496, and I borrowed the 496 to use for a couple of flights. I have
also checked out several EFB-type systems online, such as through
Anywhere Map, Voyager, and Chart Case, which can be used on a laptop
or tablet, or in some cases, a smartphone.

I would be interested to know if anyone has had good luck with either
a laptop or smartphone medium, and what software package was used.
Also, I know how the 396 and 496 differ, but would like to know if you
think the 496 is worth the extra $600. I should also mention that I
like the "6-pack" panel page on the Garmins as a potential backup in
the event of vacuum pump or electrical failure, and wonder how much
difference the faster refresh rate on the 496 makes for this page. I
guess I am leaning toward a Garmin at this point, but would first like
to hear some other comments on these issues.

Thanks in advance.
Kelly

Fujitsu 5000 series Stylistic tablet PC with tansreflective display
and integrated bluetooth running Voyager (EFB) w/ wxworx rcvr.. I use
a waas enabed BT GPS reciever (less than $100). The stylistic
transreflective is sunlight readable (the more sun the better) and the
Voyager package is outstanding. Forget the Garmin - go tablet. You
can find it all on e-bay (except Voyager)