Hand-Held GPS

[N49185]

I am thinking of buying a hand held GPS- I have a few questions.
1.) What are the major differences between the $500.00 types, and the $1000.00 and up types?
2.) I have pretty much narrowed it down to the Lowrance Airmap 500 or the GPS pilot 3- Both $500.00 or so.
Any opinions/Ideas on this?

 

[scubabri]

garmin 295

I have a used garmin 295 on ebay, buy it now is 700 bux

Link to ebay

 

[Nolife]

GPS

I'd get a new Garmin 195. They're about $600- 700 now. I had one for a year while at Flight Express and I loved it. It fits on the yoke, has external ant for better sat reception, and plugs into the cig lighter to save your batteries for when the alt fails in IMC. Also has approaches in database, nice for situational awareness when shooting an NBD or A VOR 30 miles away form the station.

Garmin 295 and 196 are both excellent just to pricey for me.

 

[jumppilot03]

I have used the new Lawrance Airmap 1000? It was a great unite. It comes with a external plug and antennae. Big easy to use screen. Dont know the price, but its worth a look.

 

[flyifrvfr]

I will chime in. I have the granddaddy GPS on the market right now, the Garmin GPS196. It has approaches a six pack of instruments which work every bit as well as the airplanes six pack. It has vertical guidance and fits on a yoke. The 196 retails for $990.00 but some places have them as low as $940.00.

 

[goaliemn]

anwyere map

I have anywhere map and you can buy a complete system for about $800. It run on an IPAQ portable computer.

 

[huncowboy]

I have always been wondering what is the advantage of the latest garmin over anywheremap+PDA combo? To me it seems that if someone go with anywheremap (or some other PDA based software) than get more than a GPS.

A PDA you can also convert into a street navigation GPS too and you also have other goodies like E6B, checklist and whatnot.... and of course a PDA. I don't knwo if this can be done witha Treo or not, but if so than you also have a phone.

So... why buy a garmin? Unless of course budget is tight and you buy an older model garmin for $350-400.

Any thoughts on that?

 

[goaliemn]

I have always been wondering what is the advantage of the latest garmin over anywheremap+PDA combo? To me it seems that if someone go with anywheremap (or some other PDA based software) than get more than a GPS.

A PDA you can also convert into a street navigation GPS too and you also have other goodies like E6B, checklist and whatnot.... and of course a PDA. I don't knwo if this can be done witha Treo or not, but if so than you also have a phone.

I use my ipaq everyday. I have a wireless card for it so I can use it at FBOs and coffee shops to check on things. I use it for scheduling and a phone book. I also use it to track my logbook. I also have street atlas for it so I can use it on the ground.

A garmin is great for tracking you flying. That's about it. Most Garmins are also bigger than an Ipaq so its alittle easier to carry around.

 

[flyifrvfr]

Can you get porn on a PDA, if so I'm in.

 

[goaliemn]

Can you get porn on a PDA, if so I'm in.

actually yes. there are porn sites that offer stories/pictures via a service called Avantgo.

 

[legaleagle]

Hey, I have a Garmin 195 for sale.

Hey, I have a Garmin 195 for sale.

Check out the details somewhere on the web. It is in perfect condition with all accessories, ext sat rec, yoke mount, cigareet lighter.

It has a Gigantic screen, weight and balance with ability to save data, etc. Will sell for $450. The only screen that is similar in size is the new Garmin 196. Will save you $550 over the new 196. Recent database included

PM me if you are interested.

 

[thee12nv]

Garmin 296..

The new color version of the 295 just came out.. very nice.. but pricey at around 1700
http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap296/

 

[Mr. Cole]

Actually, it's the color version of the 196.

Dave

 

[Loafman]

Actually, it's the color version of the 196.

Dave

Not really. The box is the same, but there's far more features and different, more situationally-aware screens. A buddy has the 196 and I have a 295, and this one blows them both away. Ouch. I hate having to spend another $1700 just to keep up with having better toys than my buddy.

 

[sky37d]

I have a C-MAP EXPIIIC
cool gps

which is readable, has v-nav, all the way points, approaches, and is, I think, the most readable unit around

 

[Mr. Cole]

Loafman,

I agree that the 296 has more features, particularly the terrain and obstacle database. But I was saying that it was closer to the 196 in terms of the form, the menus, the panel page, etc than the 295. It seems like a great toy as long as the battery life is better than the 295 when not plugged in. I have a 196 and can't see myself paying $1700 for the 296 anytime soon, but stranger things have happened.

Dave

 

[fossil123]

I have the Lowrance 500 and its awesome. I fly single pilot for 135 company and i love it. It's a great value. All the acessories alone for a garmin is over $200. Lowrance is all included with antenna, yoke clip, case, and charger. The only bad thing is that it doesn't have approaches but that's a minor inconvenience. You shouldn't trust a handheld anyway for approaches. It's a good buy.