Handheld GPS Recommendations?

On Tue, 17 Aug 2004 05:43:25 -0500, Darrel Toepfer
wrote:

The 315 will
hold around 18,000 POI's (Points of Interest), which allows me to do all
of the 48 states, VFR/ILS and NDB approaches and Seaplane bases.

Eventually I found that I had too many waypoints in my Garmin, so I
downloaded everything to the computer (using EZGPS software) and
massaged them a bit and made them into two databases, one with
everything I might ever need, the other with the few dozen that I use
on a monthly basis. Then I erased the Garmin's memory and uploaded
just the short version. I make sure that home plate is the first entry


all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put Cubdriver in subject line)

The Warbird's Forum www.warbirdforum.com
Expedition sailboat charters www.expeditionsail.com

My gripe about Garmin is their aviation database. There are no aviation
businesses listed in "City Select" in the auto kit.

So you have an "Aviation" 296 with their latest database and when you get to
an airport there are no FBOs listed, none. But you can find a McDonalds on
Airport Road.


Karl


"Cub Driver" wrote in message
...
On Tue, 17 Aug 2004 05:43:25 -0500, Darrel Toepfer
wrote:

The 315 will
hold around 18,000 POI's (Points of Interest), which allows me to do all
of the 48 states, VFR/ILS and NDB approaches and Seaplane bases.

Eventually I found that I had too many waypoints in my Garmin, so I
downloaded everything to the computer (using EZGPS software) and
massaged them a bit and made them into two databases, one with
everything I might ever need, the other with the few dozen that I use
on a monthly basis. Then I erased the Garmin's memory and uploaded
just the short version. I make sure that home plate is the first entry


all the best -- Dan Ford
email: (put Cubdriver in subject line)

The Warbird's Forum www.warbirdforum.com
Expedition sailboat charters www.expeditionsail.com

Shirley wrote:
Shopping for a handheld GPS. Anyone have recommendations, advice, or cautions?
What features are "must haves"? Which did you think you'd use but don't? Thanks
in advance!

Four years ago I paid $800 for a Garmin GPS 195.
It had the largest screen at the time and battery life was 6-8 hours per
set of six AA batteries.
As with all electronics technology, Moore's Law applies.
We now have bigger, brighter, color, battery efficient portable GPS units.
I certainly canot afford to replace my "old" handheld unit just because
something better has come along. I don't feel I have gotten my moneys
worth out of it, so I will continue to use it for many more years, as
long as it continues to work properly.
Several ways to save money a
a)purchase something fairly new on eBay that the original owner found
deficient and is willing to get rid of at a loss.
b) purchase used (a couple years old).
c) purchase a factory remanufactured/reconditioned unit.

john smith wrote:


Several ways to save money a
a)purchase something fairly new on eBay that the original owner found
deficient and is willing to get rid of at a loss.
b) purchase used (a couple years old).
c) purchase a factory remanufactured/reconditioned unit.

Of purchase something modular.

I'd not thought of this before, but what you're writing makes a lot of
sense. And this would lead one to purchase a PDA solution, I think. The
PDA can be replaced - larger screen, better battery life, faster CPU, etc.
- w/o replacing the software or the GPS itself.

Hmm.

- Andrew

Andrew Gideon wrote:



Of purchase something modular.

I'd not thought of this before, but what you're writing makes a lot of
sense. And this would lead one to purchase a PDA solution, I think.

I have a PDA solution but it is a weak second. I have a Dell Axim X5
and I have tried several of the software packages available. First off
the screen is not bright enough. Second PDA's are not designed for the
airplanes environment. The buttons are too small and too touchy to get
a positive result. The PDA is fragile compared to your GPS. Third,
using a stylus in flight is a joke.


The
PDA can be replaced - larger screen, better battery life, faster CPU, etc.
- w/o replacing the software or the GPS itself.

I just got a new Garmin 96C which is a color unit with the same screen
size as my III Pilot. So far I like it and it also has auto and marine
settings. It also comes with software to upload routes and manage your
waypoints.

You can find a used one on ebay for approx $700. I've had mine for several
years and it was a major improvement over the 195. I mount mine using a RAM
suction cup and it sits on top of the glareshield. Very readable, even in
direct sunlight.

Right now I'm lusting for a 296, but I think I'll wait until they come up
with a GPS/XM Weather combo unit.

Radu


"Shirley" wrote in message
...
Shopping for a handheld GPS. Anyone have recommendations, advice, or
cautions?
What features are "must haves"? Which did you think you'd use but don't?
Thanks
in advance!

Bill French wrfrench wrote:

I bought an AirMap 1000 and for the first
day or so was also underwhelmed.
But after reading through the manual and
a 1300 mile round trip to Oshkosh and back
I've changed my mind.
The large screen and large engineer type
butons certainly make it easy to use in bright
sunlight and turbulence.
[snip]
Price was right and screen size means a lot
when your eyes get older.

Thanks to you and others who replied. A big screen is important to me ... my
eyes aren't what they used to be either! Where did you buy the AirMap 1000?

unicate (Shirley) wrote in message ...
Shopping for a handheld GPS. Anyone have recommendations, advice, or cautions?
What features are "must haves"? Which did you think you'd use but don't? Thanks
in advance!

I bought a Lowrance 500 about two months ago.
The only disadvantage so far is the minute character size.
With my old GPS55 just a glance was enough, with this one I really have to look.
Apart from that it is a great light weight unit.

Before you buy anything just try it, and check what parts you have to buy extra.
With some models you have to buy mounts, cables, adapters etc. separate.

-Kees.