Need advice on a handheld GPS

[chuychanga]

I'm about to start a new job hauling frieght in some ancient, not-so-well equipped aircraft. I am looking for a handheld GPS that I could use to get into an airport in the soup if the sh_t hit the fan.

I know some have approaches in the database and some have a vector-to-final function. The Garmin 196 and 295 have both of these, but I can't be spending a grand on this. Are there any cheaper models that have these features? What about the Garmin III?

Also, anyone know of a good source for a used handheld? I looked on ebay, but most are priced almost as high as a new one.

Thanks
Ned

 

[350DRIVER]

What about the Garmin III?

Does not have the "vectors to final" feature although with a nifty imagination you can make this model work... It does have other features that I do find beneficial though.


go with the 295- very sharp unit not to mention the added features that the III does not have.

Attempt to talk the director of ops into putting the Garmin 430 in the aircraft that u will be flying. We have the 430 in the A90, B100 and it is a nice unit...

good luck

3 5 0

 

[wingnutt]

GPS III, hands down.

i had a 195, and found the bulk/battery load/crappy antenna to be more of a problem than its worth. i just bought a III off ebay for $301. ya gotta go thru every day or two and watch the bidding. it is true, sometimes they go for 460-ish when a new one is 499. it took me about 2 months of playing the system, but i got one that was overlooked somehow

my only complaint is that it runs on batteries only. no way to hook into airplane power as far as i can tell.

on the other hand, 4 AA batteries are worth 24 hours continuous use, minus backlight of course.

good luck!

EDIT oh yea, it has auto zoom feature that will zoom into destination airport as you get within range and put you right on runway centerline...does a real freightdog need anything more? lol!

 

[Loafman]

The 295 wins hands down, but I had a 195 before the 295 and it saved my butt in the soup once. I was making an emergency landing due to a low oil pressure/level indication and descended from 13000 ft to the ILS at Quincy, IL. I had plenty of time to overlay the approach on to the 195, and I'm glad I did. The localizer flagged on a 3 mile final, so with no oil pressure and no prospect of a missed approach (single engine Bonanza) I continued on the 195 CDI (1/4 mi scale) and the still operable glideslope to a 400 overcast / 1 mile vis landing. You could say I owe my life as well as the lives of 3 other people to a peice of non-TSO'd non-IFR approved handheld equipment. The same 195 came in just as handy when an HSI failed to un-cage when I reset it. The HSI display on the Garmin is a no-gyro blessing. Compass turns are a thing of the past.

A handheld is a great insurance policy. I know the 295 is expensive, I bought mine when they first came out. Sunday afternoon private pilots have the luxury of not being required by their job to fly low IFR. We don't have that luxury. How much is your life worth?

Besides, the 295 has CDs available to load very detailed background cartography, so when you get to your destination, throw it in the rental car, and pull up <nearest ATM> <nearest titty bar>. : )

 

[Skaz]

Ive had my GPS Pilot III since I started my CPL training in 1997...never let me down, not even once. Been flying in the african bush for 4 years...Fantastic piece of kit. Unfortunately some f*(%ing Ovambo stole it and my entire pilots bag outta my truck.

Now got a new one with updated database! yeeha....asorry but I dont know anything bout the 295 etc , but either one, you cant go wrong.

 

[bigD]

I have a Garmin 195. I love the big, easy to read screen, and the HSI feature is just awesome. My only complaint is its size - it's pretty bulky compared to something like a Pilot III. If it's just me flying and I'm in a bigger cockpit (big to me means Bonanza, Saratoga, etc...), the size doesn't seem to be a big deal. But when in a 152, it really stands out!

Overall though, I can't complain, and with used prices dropping now that the 196 is out, you can get one for a pretty reasonable price.

 

[FearlessFreep]

Since you are just starting work with a cargo carrier just a couple of words to take heed to.

First off, don't discuss your plans to bring a handheld GPS on your flights with management even though the aircraft are minimally equipped. Handheld GPS'es are not certified for use for IFR as I am sure that you are aware. Management might not be too accepting and may even have restrictions on their use. If this is your first 135 job which I sense it is, things are run a little differently than Part 91. There is a lot more oversight and regulations. Try to keep your nose clean while you are first starting out.
Someone here suggested trying to persuade management into having some fancy piece of equipment installed. Cargo Operator - forget it. Your lucky he doesn't have you sitting on a crate, or better yet a box that's part of your cargo.

Secondly, depending where you are operating, how long your legs are and if you will be flying during highly congested times/airspaces the handheld is more a nusiance than a help. It can become a dangerous distraction.

If you do use one get something simple that will allow you to change routings and get DIRECT TO entries with the fewest keystrokes possible. I had a Garmin 295 and used it as a backup on a cargo operation. There is so many keystrokes necessary for input of information and building or changing routes that it just about made the d*mn thing not worth the bother.

In the cargo realm of operations what the GPS is good for is giving you situational awareness, assistance in tracking in between VORS when situated a long distance apart, groundspeed readout, and distance/time to your destination. You may be more apt to monkey with the unit when heading to your outstation which in most cargo ops is a small municipal airport. When you head back to the hub or your base which in most cases is a large and very busy airport, before you get into the terminal area turn off your handheld, it will just be a distraction.

If you can maintain radio contact remember that you are " /RV" (Radar Vector Equipped)

Just remember to practice KISS! (Keep It Simple Stupid!)

Good Luck and Congratulations on your new job.

 

[chuychanga]

Thanks for all the advice. I think I'll just keep checking ebay for a Garmin III. We have the GNS 430 in a few of the planes I instruct in and it is a great piece of equipment, but I can assure you that this place won't be picking one up anytime soon.

I fly in the soup all the time without a GPS, but when you're instructing it's a lot easier to make a no-go decision based on wx. This is something I just want to have for a little more insurance for those really bad days. It's my understanding that a lot of the pilots at this company carry one, but I don't know the DO's feelings about it. I'll check into it.

Thanks again.

Big D- is that you Dustin? It's Ned from PCA.