Aviation GPS Units

[njrqs]

Brains trust................

Am searching for a hand-held GPS unit for use in aircraft. I don't own the plane/s hence the need for a handheld with eventually some form of mounting device.

There are very limited types (over here) of aviation specific handheld GPS and have narrowed the search down to a Garmin GPS III Pilot.

It seems to be a popular unit here.

I understand I could get by with some of the non-aviation units but not all of them can keep up with the speeds of aviation.

I also figure as this is the PRIMARY use for my GPS, (although I may use it for fishing etc.) I may as well spend a bit more to get something designed specifically for flying.

One day it may save my life so I figure that is a big thing.

Anyone have experience with this or any other unit. Also any mounting or other tips/techniques etc.?

I have failed to find any other manufacturer of handheld aviation units here.

Cheers

 

[Hank]

<font color=blue> Anyone have experience with this or any other unit. Also any mounting or other tips/techniques etc.? </font color=blue>

Neil, I have the Garmin GPS V, which I use strictly terresterially (well, on the ground, anyway).

The highest level of accuracy I have achieved is here in the AZ desert, where I can acquire 8-10 satellites well, and I get 3D differential accuracy of 12ft or so. A far cry from the early hand-held Garmin I had 8 years ago.

As far as mounting goes, it appears the GPS III comes with a "dash mount" included, and this should work well. I had to purchase an "automobile mount", which resembles your dash mount. I mounted it up on top of the dash, so the antenna could have better exposure to the sky, but also close to the driver's eyes, because the screen is so small. So, even though the antenna is barely under the glass, it gets excellent acquisition.

I also purchased an additional mount for the ATV/Mule, so the unit can move back and forth with ease.

 

[HalseyGreen]

I have the Garmin etrex Legend unit, this is a small hand held unit about the size of a cell phone, use it for road trips and playing around. Accuracy is around 21 feet with 3 satelites and I have had it down around 10 feet with 5 or more. Really like the feature that permits you to interface it with a computer and with Street Atlas software and you can download Garmin's maps to the 8 meg memory for when you don't have the computer. You can find your way just about anywhere. Haven't used it in an aircraft but I don't see why it wouldn't work, except the screen is small, but it does have zoom in and out. If you are looking for mounts check out the RAM line, I have seen aircraft yoke mounts for most GPS's on their web site. Hope this helps

 

[TxBilly]

Neil
Look at <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.garmin.com>http://www.garmin.com</A>
Billy

 

[JohnMiller3]

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.garmin.com/aviation/products.html#portable>Garmin Aviation GPS Units…</A>

<font color=blue>… keep up with the speeds of aviation…</font color=blue>

I don’t know for sure, but I think most of the units are “3/4” digits for groundspeed, so I don’t think that would be a problem with a “non-aviation” unit…

The way I understand it, the Aviation units for $549-$2000… get you runway layouts, aviation routes, etc. would be overkill and somewhat useless if you mainly intend on using on the ground…

I had one of the first Garmin one channel units given to me as a gift (~about '94-95?), and I traded it in for a 12 channel Eagle at the time… Now I’m am ready to buy another updated unit… and it will be a Garmin! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[RanchMan]

<font color=blue>I understand I could get by with some of the non-aviation units but not all of them can keep up with the speeds of aviation.</font color=blue>

I have used a Garmin GPS III+ in aircraft without problem on a fairly regular basis.

Yes, when it is down to the 120 ft. scale screen, because you are going so fast, it is constantly changing screens (which takes about 1 second for the unit to switch screens), but with it on a slightly higher scale, it scrolls nicely. (The 120' scale mode is hardly applicable when you're going 400-500 mph - I mean, you're traveling @ about 700+- feet per second anyway.) I know someone who has used their Garmin eMap in aircraft too, and they said it worked fine, but since I wasn't there, I can't comment on how fast it scrolled at various scales.

The III+ had the dash mount available for it (which looks like would fit the V) which you could permanently mount and when you arrive @ your destination, you could simply pop out the GPS and put it in your pocket.

I've had my GPS III+ for several years now and have found it to be a very good unit. I'm sure the V has much nicer features, but I can't comment on it much (other than to say I'd like to try one out! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif).

If you are going to use your GPS for potentially life endangering navigation in an airplane, I personally might look in to something built for that purpose. If it is more for a curiosity/trivia/nice to have, then I suspect that most of the upper echelon of Garmin handheld products would work for you with regards to "speed" and accuracy.

 

[PitbullMidwest]

The Garmin GPS III Pilot is the unit recommended to my wife by her instructor and the owner of the FBO she flys from. She has dropped some not-so-subtle hints that it would make a fine anniversary gift /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif.

 

[hazmat]

I've got a Garmin 48 that I use on my boat & hiking. Very happy with the unit. I heartily recommend the company's products.

 

[Jeffintheburg]

I have the Handheld Lowrance Airmap 300. I purchased an extra storage card. When Im flying I use the memory card for aviation. It automatically warns me when Im approaching restricted airspace. I use the extra storage card for street maps. It also has a cable to connect to a pc for uploading and downloading maps and info. I have been very happy with its performance. It came with a portable mount and the capability to mount the antenna remotely.

Some if my friends have the Garmin and some have the Lowrance. They are both good GPS's. Alot depends on the type of flying you do and the bells and whistles.

Keep the keychain pointed at the floor.

 

[njrqs]

Thanks all

Where in the world can a man post a question when going to bed and get up to this sort of responses !!!

I think I'll go with the Garmin III Pilot.

When I say could save my life, no I won't be depending on it for navigation 100%, instead relying on the VFR in which I am taught. But I can see that with a lot of airfields entered, that the Goto/Nearest button COULD one day be a lifesaver.

I am not familiar with some of the models you guys quoted, but Mrs. Pittbull being recommended to get this unit, as well of 3 guys in my club just buying one is good enough for me.

What the heck, I might order it today. They say they can ship it over night so I will have the weekend to play with it.

Cheers