Aviation GPS Units

TresCrows · Jan 10, 2003

Hang on one second. I have, of course, a Garmin 3 Pilot. It is indespensible and I love the thing but the screen is small and it does not have the IFR approaches, MAP and FAF etc. The new Garmin 196 does I believe have the IFR approaches and even if it does not it has a larger screen and some additional realy neat features the Pilot 3 does not have. It of course costs more also. I would recommend the Garmin Pilot 3 for heavy VFR and the 196 for IFR backup. I have programmed my Garmin 3 with waypoints to simulate the MAP/FAF for local IFR approaches, I have flown these approaches in real IFR down to minimums using the Garmin 3. Now before someone gets whacko on me and tells me how that is illegal, using the Garmin 3 as a cockpit resourse is entirely legal and when you are in the soup for real it is comforting to have the Garmin 3 there with it's HSI display and it's moving map display backing the VOR/Localizer up with solid useful info that is very easy to enterpret and greatly reduces the work load and increase the confidence factor and most importantly adds to safety of flight, nothing like knowing exactly where you are--all the time--in the clouds.
I used to own a Garmin 90, also a wonderful unit but does not have the cartography the Garmin 3 has. Also I have used the Anywhere Map software in a Compaq palm computer. It blows everything else out of the water. I work on 18 million dollar airplanes that don't have some of the capabilities that a Anywhere Map driven handheld computer has.
I may not be an expert on tractors but I have been a pilot since 1978, I have nearly 4,000 hours, I have Private, Instrument and Commerial ratings. I am an A&P as well and I highly recommend the Garmin 196 over the Garmin Pilot 3 but if you get the Pilot 3 you will not be dissappointed, it is great, I love mine. I flew with another IFR pilot some time back who had been poo pooing the handheld GPS units. One flight with me and my Garmin Pilot 3 convinced him he needed one. He ordered his the very next day, they are great.
I also have a Garmin Etraks and a Magellon unit with Mapsend topo. Useless in an airplane but fine in a car or boat or on the trail. For flying you need the dedicated aviation units with Jeppson data base. J

TresCrows · Jan 10, 2003

Forgot something, when flying spam cans (Cessna 172, 182/185/bla bla and Piper crapola) and just about anything with a yoke I stick my Pilot 3 to the top of the yoke using the piece of velrco that almost every airplane has these days in that location it seems cuz everyone has a Pilot 3 stuck there. In aircraft with a stick I have mounted it to my kneeboard or velcro to the panel glareshield. The antenna can be removed and remote mounted using a small optional suction cup device when using it on a knee board. In my RV7A I will flush mount the Pilot 3 inside the panel with a removable door and it will be backup to and driver for an Anywhere Map loaded palm computer which will provide my main navigation information. Anywhere Map is increadible. J

GaryM · Jan 10, 2003

I certainly defer to your expertise when it comes to aviation GPS units. Sounds like you have lots of experience.

Regarding the velcro, when I first got my III, I mounted it to the dash with velcro. I found that it didn't hold too when when pushing the buttons. The dash was not perfectly flat, and I'm sure that played a part. Do you find the velcro provides a solid mount?

I have that remote antenna mounting unit you mentioned and have used it several times. Mostly if I'm a passenger and handling the navigation. I can have the unit on my lap for better visability.

Anonymous Poster · Jan 10, 2003

I would recommend a Garmin 195 ($800-900). It seems to have most of the functions required in flying including:

1) Variable lighting backgrounds
2) Verticle nav (vnav)
3) Intersections
4) HSI

It seems to be a very reliable piece of equipment.
While it won't let you execute an IFR approach, it will set you up for one.

njrqs · Jan 12, 2003

'Bout bloody time you showed up Trescrows /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

I had been awaiting your response.

I will be a very occasional VFR pilot, having no need (read money) to get an instrument rating therefore it sounds like the Pilot III will do all I want and more.

The 196 is way too dear for my liking. They tell em the screen on the III Pilot is pretty small but hey my eyes still work OK so I'll go with that.

The Palm Pilot option intrigues me, having read a few articles on them but at this stage, the basic GPS will do me.

"Spam Cans" - Those of us that learn to fly in regional cities don't have access to the other fancy things. 172/152/182 is all that is on offer in my town so it's all I know.

Plus in country towns like this, most farmers etc. fly highwings due to fencing, grass etc. etc. so there aint much else around.

Having said that my mate is getting near the end of his RV8 project and I am keen to give that a go one day.

Cheers !!!!

JATO_RaT · Jan 12, 2003

Neil, I wouldn't take the "spam can" comment as demeaning, aviation types have all types of attitudes. My good friend flys for United and with all the problems going on there he's been demoted to the lowly, crummy, crappy, POS, Boeing 767. He hates them after flying around in 777's the last few years. Of course, he complained after flying Navy jets and having to fly around in crummy civilian planes. Its all relative, I learned in a Cessna 152 and still have a warm spot for the ol spammer. My dad flew Navions with JATO rockets strapped on the belly as a test pilot for Aerojet. They also did reverse fires for short field landings as well. The many pictures I have are great to look at. Have fun with the GPS, it is "too cool", Rat...

TresCrows · Jan 12, 2003

I think you will really like the GPS Pilot 3. One thing you should realize is that it cannot accept data base uploads like the 196 can for other than Aviation use. The 295 can also upload street maps etc. I think the Pilot 3 can only use the Jeppeson data base that comes in it. It can be updated via the Garmin site using a cable to your 'puter. There is a Street Pilot but for some reason you cannot load that basemap into the Aviation Pilot 3 as I understand it. Anyway, you will like the Pilot 3. It is a marvel and very easy to use, just don't get so completely dependent upon it that you forget seat of the pants navigation, is so easy to get spoiled.
Yep--SPAM CANS, Bug Beaters whatever. I shot some approaches today in a 172, strange flying along at 95 knots. Your friends RV8 will probably top 200 and you will have to work and plan ahead to slow down to 95. Aviation is more weird that Tractordom, you got the guys who fly jets who look down on the prop guys, you got the Military guys who still think they are in Mig Alley, you got the Tailgear guys that think Trikegear is for sissys and then you got the Experimental crowd that defines anything store bought since 1960ish to be a spam can! /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif . You got the bizjet folks who hire themselves pilots and the rag and tube old timers who think dope is something you paint on to Grade A linen. No self respecting aeromachine has a steering wheel--!
Hey, what keeps you from falling off the planet down there being as you are upside down? seems spam cans might be the last of your worries. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif Take care, have fun with the Pilot 3. Don't fly the RV8 if you don't want to own one. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif J

njrqs · Jan 12, 2003

Not heard "Spam Can" before !!!

Yes I think the RV8 will be cool.

I don't have the 5 years that it has taken him.

Maybe when he gets sick of it.....................

He reckons 160-180 knots with the engine/prop.

Cheers

TresCrows · Jan 13, 2003

Neal----STOP---HOLD north at the Garmin Fix, expect further clearence at Feb 1, 03.
There is a new Garmin my sources tell me that will soon be announced at approx 500 dollars US (no idea in upside down play money) that will run the Anywhere Map softwear. It will also act as a PDA similar to Palm using the OS system. I think it may also have a touch screen etc. Anyway, you might want to hang loose if such a unit will interest you since I have a feeling it will be multifucntional. It is not on the Garmin website yet but my source is reliable. J

centex · Jan 13, 2003

I have a Magellan NAV 6000 and a Garmin NAVMAP 175. Both are good to at least 300 MPH. They cost about the same but the Magellan is a much better instrument and as a result I almost never use the Garmin.

njrqs · Jan 14, 2003

I am a sucker for inside info...............

I have yet to pass my PPL (Private Pilot's Licence) but aim to within the week.

My new Toyota is due here within a week (after a 3 month wait) so the GPS is on hold until truck is sorted (and paid for) so yes I will hang off until I hear more on this unit and you let me know !!

$500US = approx $900+ Aussie which is what I was quoted for the GPS III.

Cheers and keep me posted

TresCrows · Jan 14, 2003

Neal. what I was told by someone who works for that company is that their new IQue PDA will be available with an Aviation data base. Since this is a multi-fuctional device that can load street maps and marine maps and all that it might be pretty neat. Jeppeson currently only offers their aviation data base in Garmin's dedicated aviation units. I was also given a hint this would happen at or before the U.S. Sun-n-Fun flyin, the second largest Sport Aviation flyin in the world next to Oshkosh.
The problem with inside info is that it could just be internally generated rumor but it still maybe worth holding off a bit to see if this comes to pass.
Hey good luck with your check ride. J

Anonymous Poster · Jan 14, 2003

Neil,

Good luck with the check ride. It was a while ago (1989), but mine was 1.2 flight and 1.0 ground. I preflighted the airplane the night before to make sure no last minute panics (like oil) showed up. I marked all the ADs, inspections, and 337s with post it notes the night before also. I had W & B all computed. I got the wx for the cross country early that morning and had the flight log all computed. Double check it with a flight planning program (like AOPA). All the required forms, id, and of course the cash was sitting on the table when the DPE walked in. We just went through the material that I produced and he asked a few questions.

Just fly exactly like you have been trained!!!

centex · Jan 15, 2003

I got my license in 1987 and made two trips before deciding that it was much too expensive to make short trips of less than 250 miles. My parents lived 160 miles away and by the time I traveled to the airport, preflighted and fueled the airplane, made the short flight, and traveled to their house from the airport it took more time than driving and cost ten times as much. I stopped flying when I went out to do touch and goes to stay current and forgot to take off the full flaps on the takeoff. I will never forget the fear I had of having to remove the flaps at low altitude. Flying is fun, expensive, and very unforgiving of any mistake. I did not start flying, scuba diving, and riding motorcycles until I was 45 and started to have aches and pains. It was at that time that I decided that I could afford to die since my kids were grown and not dependent on me anymore.

njrqs · Jan 16, 2003

Don

I know what you mean with the short trips.

If there is a highway between the 2 towns, normally just as easy to drive.

But MORE FUN to fly.

Where I am there are many rural towns with basic roads.

Today I went west for work. approx 1 hour in the plane vs 3 or more in the car. So I flew and can claim the expenses for my business.

So that is the way to go.

I wanted to fly since I was a kid but funny how it took me until we knew we were having kids (purely conincedence) for me to start.

3 years later I am almost finish (learning to fly that is !!)

Cheers

njrqs · Jan 18, 2003

Passed my licence test today.

Phew....................

MikePA · Jan 19, 2003

<font color=blue>Passed my licence test today.</font color=blue>
Congrats, Neil! We're going to have to work an airplane into that sig soon! /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

Anonymous Poster · Jan 19, 2003

Congrats!!!!

Well, it looks like you didn't scare the flight examiner too much!!! Welcome to the small cadre of licensed pilots. Any surprises on the checkride???

Next step: get an instrument rating!!!! You can start studying for the written exam right now for cheap.

Keep flying with conservative personal minimums.

Blue skies and tailwinds.

njrqs · Jan 19, 2003

Any surprises on the checkride???

Other than scaring the *** out of centre who saw us turn back to a field then dissappear off their radars while practicing a forced landing. No!!!

Instructor pulled the throttle off while we were still in a MBZ area and I didn't inform the MBZ of my intentions (when practicing we normally don't so as not to alarm people) but there wash an RPT aircraft in the MBZ and centre held him there until he found us again.

So yes, after 3 years I can wander off into the never never !!

Cheers