What GPS ?

[pierre]

GPS

I see there are many new brands of GPS's out there. Panasonic; Mecer and all sorts of Streetmaps versions for +_ R2500.Are they any good? All I need is to pin point a waypoint with a arrow to fly to that point. I am after the BIGGER screen. My GARMIN II Screen grows smaller over the
years..see
Idea what to buy next.
Thanks
pierre

[andreb]

Pierre.
I am not expert on GPS, but I bought Garmin 296. It has a HUGE colour screen and is easy to use. Can be used for Marine and road navigation as well. Works for me, but pricey.
Good luck

[Biggles]

Demon, are you using the road navigation function? I believe the 196 also should be able to do road navigation.

I have the Garmin 196, and very happy with it. Monochromr scheen but very good.

[Bacardi]

pierre, if you're like me, buy the cheapest one, as I am too dof to use it anyway. I have a thing called summat similar built into my tjorrie and the lady directs me back to my house every morning, takes me ages to get to work...

[ZULU1]

Pierre, Just remember if you buy a 196/296, great tools and are very good in the car and boat and all the other good things. They do give out rf and you will have to do some mods to your comms systems. No problem but it exists. I used a plain Garmin 76 for about 2 years, big screen, monochrome and so on (marine though) but disconnected thefunction. Everything your GPS 2 has and some more. You can see in bright daylight. No hassles and reasonable priced, no degree to leearn it. Some swine nationalised it..now I have a etrex vista. I only really use the GPS for ground speed in any event.

Zulu1

[Dre'man]

I use a Foretrex 201. It is very basic and can strap on to your wrist or the bar on a trike. Doesnt have maps but will do trail, waypoints and routing.
It is also waterproof and battery is rechargeable (15hrs).

I use it mostly for ground speed and to double check alt.

You can also download your tracks and routes to pc or google earth.

New are about R2000.

[Bushpig]

I use a 296 and an etrex vista. 296 is great with the big screen easy to use and looks awesome!

[Mogas]

Garmin 196 gets my vote.
Big screen.
Aviation, marine and road friendly.
Easy to fit/remove (don't leave it in my plane)
Price now good, about 5-6K
I have no RF issues with it but it is far from my radio.

[RV4ker (RIP)]

"Budget" 196
"Best" IMHO 296

Depends on your needs. If you want to see ground speed and heading any cheapie will do. I like the Garmins as they show all the "new" airspaces and have most freq if I need to divert etc...

296 is nice, but IMHO not worth double the 196. The 396 and 496 are a waste in SA.

[Ian]

"Budget" 196
"Best" IMHO 296

296 is nice, but IMHO not worth double the 196. The 396 and 496 are a waste in SA.

Ditto - and its great to replay the log on your PC afterwards using Mapsource :D

Was very happy with my 196 till it got into trouble... , but the advantage of the 296's battery should also be taken into account.. (it lasts long and the contacts dont go 'dirty' with vibration)

ian

[t-bird]

I have a 296 in my Gyro. I am now busy changing the radio’s aerial.
Interference on 124.8 mhz is so bad that you can hear nothing.

I had a 96 c in my Thunderbird and first gyro. I would say that it is the best value for money.
Battery life is excellent and more user friendly than the 296

[ZULU1]

The 196/296 cretes a rf ingress into the radio and we have spent many, many hours to rectify this.

As we had made our Vee antenna for Australia, and by mounting them on a trikes king post fixes the problem. Physically away from the device in question. In every case they have to date solved the 296 interference.

Now we have not sold any to the Gyros yet, however if the problem is big enough I will tool a cast ally bracket and it will most definitely solve the problem. Are there sufficient Gyros to help me design the installation and what type of Gyro are most common ?? We have just completed tooling for fix wing Microlights and same results.

There are many forum users that use the Vee rabbit with success so why not fix the Gyros as well..

eish Zulu1

[cobra]

Lowrance Airmap 600C , can only be used for Aviation pr direct route with a 4x4

Try it - Lowrance AirMap® 600C Emulator

http://www.lowrance.com/Downloads/Emula ... C_demo.asp

It works with a SD card and a card reader is supplied (has no USB connection).

Track and Wayoints can be converted to Mapsource format for import into mapsource.

I'm happy with the product and can recommend it, PS no interference on Comms

http://www.lowrance.com/Products/Aviation/AM600C.asp

[John Boucher]

I use a GARMIN E-Trex Legend-C which is suitable for my needs. Also has auto routing capabilities for road use!

I added proximity alarms for the areas I fly in!

196 / 296 is the way I am going next!

[Biggles]

Something to look out for is whether a GPS has the Jeppeston Database or equivalent. Very useful if you fly in airspace that is chopped up like a feuding bunch of hill-billies would divide a multi-tear wedding cake.