Which portable gps do you use for flying/driving?

Anyone have any tips for an inexpensive portable GPS unit for
all-around use that isn't too terribly expensive ($500) and has a
bright color screen?

I've been using a Garmin GPS V for the past 5 years or so, and the
screen's so small I have to hold it close to my eyes when I want to
see details, and the screen's never been very bright, but it's not a
bad all-around as far as functionality goes. I've looked at some of
the auto-oriented models, but few seem to have a direct-to function.

I also have a Pocket PC, but don't want to spend more on software and
a gps antenna for it than I would on a decent portable dedicated gps.

Thanks!
DK

On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 16:46:23 -0400, DK wrote:

Anyone have any tips for an inexpensive portable GPS unit for
all-around use that isn't too terribly expensive ($500) and has a
bright color screen?

I use a Garmin 60CS for driving, hiking, kayaking, and biking. It
also rides in my flight bag as a backup nav system.

If you're not going to hike, boat, or bike, there are better units
specifically designed for driving, but I think it's the cats ass for
all around usage!

DK wrote:
I also have a Pocket PC, but don't want to spend more on software and
a gps antenna for it than I would on a decent portable dedicated gps.

I have a Navman PiN100 PDA that has a GPS already on it... I have used
it with PocketFMS and it works acceptably... Sometimes, I'll just use my
laptop with a USB GPS... Not as bright of a screen, but it is definitely
nice to have all that screen real estate...

I use PocketPC with TomTom for driving and Anywhere Map for flying.

TomTom 6 for PocketPC (US/Canada) with SiRF III WAAS bluetooth GPS
antenna (Globalsat BT-359) was $179 from www.semsons.com.
AnywhereMap is $95 from www.anywheremap.com.
Yoke mount and car mount -- additional $80

My PPC is HP 4705 -- a bit slow by today's standards, but both apps
work quite well on it.

Make sure your PPC is compatible with the above before buying.
----

Alternatively: Lowrance 600c is getting good reviews. $500

- Tom

On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 16:46:23 -0400, DK wrote:

Anyone have any tips for an inexpensive portable GPS unit for
all-around use that isn't too terribly expensive ($500) and has a
bright color screen?

I've been using a Garmin GPS V for the past 5 years or so, and the
screen's so small I have to hold it close to my eyes when I want to
see details, and the screen's never been very bright, but it's not a
bad all-around as far as functionality goes. I've looked at some of
the auto-oriented models, but few seem to have a direct-to function.

I also have a Pocket PC, but don't want to spend more on software and
a gps antenna for it than I would on a decent portable dedicated gps.

Thanks!
DK

Avionics West are selling the Lowrance 2000c for $689 at the moment. Hard
to beat.

I use Pocket FMS, iPAQ HX4700 and Holux bluetooth GPS. Also have mitac mio
A701 (phone PDA GPS, but haven't tried it as a nav unit yet). All of the
PDAs have poor sunlight readability.

Kevin


"Tom L." wrote in message
...
I use PocketPC with TomTom for driving and Anywhere Map for flying.

TomTom 6 for PocketPC (US/Canada) with SiRF III WAAS bluetooth GPS
antenna (Globalsat BT-359) was $179 from www.semsons.com.
AnywhereMap is $95 from www.anywheremap.com.
Yoke mount and car mount -- additional $80

My PPC is HP 4705 -- a bit slow by today's standards, but both apps
work quite well on it.

Make sure your PPC is compatible with the above before buying.
----

Alternatively: Lowrance 600c is getting good reviews. $500

- Tom

On Sat, 17 Mar 2007 16:46:23 -0400, DK wrote:

Anyone have any tips for an inexpensive portable GPS unit for
all-around use that isn't too terribly expensive ($500) and has a
bright color screen?

I've been using a Garmin GPS V for the past 5 years or so, and the
screen's so small I have to hold it close to my eyes when I want to
see details, and the screen's never been very bright, but it's not a
bad all-around as far as functionality goes. I've looked at some of
the auto-oriented models, but few seem to have a direct-to function.

I also have a Pocket PC, but don't want to spend more on software and
a gps antenna for it than I would on a decent portable dedicated gps.

Thanks!
DK

Dk,

An allround unit just doesn't make any sense financially.

Get an Airmap 600c for flying and any good street navigator GPS (I like
the TomToms) for driving. Cheaper than any all-in-one solution.

If you absolutely want it to be one unit (why???), consider the AvMap
Geopilot or the Garmin 296. If you want XM weather, too, the 496 is it.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)

I like the Lowrance 500 (although I have the 600c and like it for the
terrain mapping, but the thing I miss from my 500 is that the display was so
much brighter than the 600c). Best thing about Lowrance is that everything
you NEED is not an 'accessory' to buy, like with Garmin.

--
=-----
Good Flights!

Cecil E. Chapman
CFI-A, CP-ASEL-IA
Reid-Hillview Airport, San Jose, California

Check out my personal flying adventures from my first flight to the
checkride AND the continuing adventures beyond!
Complete with pictures and text at: www.bayareapilot.com

"I fly because it releases my mind from the tyranny of petty things."
- Antoine de Saint-Exupery -

"We who fly, do so for the love of flying. We are alive in the air with
this miracle that lies in our hands and beneath our feet"
- Cecil Day Lewis -
"DK" wrote in message
news
Anyone have any tips for an inexpensive portable GPS unit for
all-around use that isn't too terribly expensive ($500) and has a
bright color screen?

I've been using a Garmin GPS V for the past 5 years or so, and the
screen's so small I have to hold it close to my eyes when I want to
see details, and the screen's never been very bright, but it's not a
bad all-around as far as functionality goes. I've looked at some of
the auto-oriented models, but few seem to have a direct-to function.

I also have a Pocket PC, but don't want to spend more on software and
a gps antenna for it than I would on a decent portable dedicated gps.

Thanks!
DK

Ï "Cecil Chapman" Ýãñáøå óôï ìÞíõìá
et...

I like the Lowrance 500 (although I have the 600c and like it for the
terrain mapping, but the thing I miss from my 500 is that the display was
so much brighter than the 600c). Best thing about Lowrance is that
everything you NEED is not an 'accessory' to buy, like with Garmin.



What do you mean??
My 296 came in big old box full of accessories of which I only use the carry
case and the yoke mount.

"KevinBlack" wrote in message
...
Avionics West are selling the Lowrance 2000c for $689 at the moment. Hard
to beat.


Any idea what the difference is in battery/charge life between the 2000c and
the 1000? I didn't see it mentioned on the Lowrance web site.

I have been considering the 1000 for aviation and driving, I don't do much
hiking and such. Anyone have any ideas on it's suitability for both.

Tom,

You'll get 9 to 12 hours out of 4 AAs with the 1000, but only 1 to 2
hours with the 2000c.

I have been considering the 1000 for aviation and driving,


In land mode, the Airmaps will not give you turn-by-turn instructions -
they'll simply draw a straight line from present position to
destination.

--
Thomas Borchert (EDDH)