Help chosing a GPS

Vortex_driver · Post by **Vortex_driver** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 5:03 pm

Hey Guys

I'm looking to buy a personal GPS for my next float season. I flew last summer a couple time with my friend's GPS (which has a moving map) and loved it really bad.

I've been told that the company I'm gonna go work for, doesn't have really good GPS on board, so I decided to buy myself one.

I'm limited to 500$ and I want a moving map.

My friend got the "ifinder H2O from Lowrance". which is about 300$ with the CD Creator map.

I have also seen an "AirMap 500 from Lowrance". This one is 439$ with the Jeppesen database of all the airports and strips in Canada and all frequencies, runways data, services,ect... It also comes with the CD Creator map, an external antenna, and a holder...

I think it's a pretty good deal, but I'm wondering if anyone had any better suggestion of Garmin or Magellan, or whatever mark, that works well and has a moving map with all the lakes, mountains... I don't necessarly want all the aviation database, but since that one is within my budget, it certainly interests me.

I'll be flying northwestern ON on floats, but maybe also on wheels during the winter.

Also, if anyone have the Airmap500, I'd like to hear your comments.

Thanks

SuperDave · Post by **SuperDave** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 5:29 pm

Hello,

I ordered a Garmin 295 from Pacific Coast Avionics last fall, and it was relatively cheap, and they wanted to get rid of them 'cause the 296 and 396 were selling like hotcakes. I think all in all it cost me 600 canadian dollars, and it's still a capable unit.
I never used it much though...actually, on the really shitty days it came in handy, but I still relied on the 'ol map...the map never runs out of batteries or "loses coverage". None the less, it's a nice piece of mind on long crappy trips, but I found myself getting fixated on it sometimes. Which-ever unit you chose, know how to operate it very well before going flying with it. You don't want to have your head inside the cockpit too much on a shitty day trying to figure out how to use that damn unit...

Have a good summer!

Super

Vortex_driver · Post by **Vortex_driver** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 6:28 pm

I think you had a really good deal... I saw the 296 for about 1600$ on garmin website and the 196 is 800$, and I'm not sure if it's US or Can.

Looks like an interesting one though...

Highsea · Post by **Highsea** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 8:20 pm

I love my Garmin 96C (colour) and I have out try the 96 (Grayscale) too. It's a great hand held..... I have used my for Hiking, Sailing, and Flying. The 96 is not only waterproof, but also floats!! ( I have to say I tested that one day

) The only downside is the sceen size.......

http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap96/

Tiny Voices · Post by **Tiny Voices** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 8:32 pm

Hear they make GPS on paper now

.Kidding man!!!Please don't jump me.

Pinocchio · Post by **Pinocchio** » Wed Mar 15, 2006 9:19 pm

find a way to muster the funds for a 295 minimum......

It has enough memory with the card for the entire Canadian Map quest mapping - something you'll find a requirement as all detail ends shortly north of the border without it.

Yes, the ole map IS preferred however knowing precisly where the next puddle is when the shit's down is VERY comforting. Also mount it as close as possible to your line of sight out the windscreen - not quite a HUD but at times close.

You won't regret the investment long term.

LH · Post by LH » Thu Mar 16, 2006 12:00 am

Got the 296 and really like the downloads for it......specially the one where you can keep track of your flight data and download it later into your PC. Careful also with the "Obstacle Reporting" on the Garmins........the accuracy gets less the farther north you go in Canada.........and Garmin will admit that and state so. Ditto for the 396 and also for their XM WX reporting.........it ain't available yet in Canada. You'll go some to beat a 296 if you can afford the $1779.95 CDN (http://www.gpscentral.ca). Find a better price and they'll match it.

Pinocchio · Post by **Pinocchio** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 5:33 am

<b>"Careful also with the "Obstacle Reporting" on the Garmins........the accuracy gets less the farther north you go in Canada......."</b>

Always a good idea to overfly ALL towers & powerlines ect in your local area on a "good" day and record the precise locations.

shimmydampner · Post by **shimmydampner** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 8:55 am

If all you're using it for is VFR float flying, you don't need to waste your money on an aviation one. Get this at Wal-Mart for $190 and spend the other $310 on the real important stuff:

Of course, if you're one of those guys that has to have the fanciest gizmo to feel like a good pilot, you can spend an extra $100 to get the colour version.

cyyz · Post by **cyyz** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 12:42 pm

Not to slag all the people with a garmin and those who suggested a Garmin, but if you call any radio store or place that sells gps's, Garmin is just a "big name brand." I'm not saying that they're bad, but since his budget is $500 he could get a similar product for less if it didn't carry the garmin logo...

just curious · Post by **just curious** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 1:46 pm

I got the Garmin barebones etrex for 100 bucks. I used it to store all my off'strip waypoints when shifting to other aircraft.
Its waterproof and shock'proof which is good cause I{m a klutz, and a cheap one at that.
I don t care about movingmap, it has a big arrow that says this way.

bush pilot · Post by **bush pilot** » Tue Mar 21, 2006 1:17 pm

Try this site:

http://www.cyberpilotshop.com/item469.htm
or
http://www.cyberpilotshop.com/item93.htm

The later is what I have, it was great in the bush on those crapy days or the long flights trying to find the best ground speed at which ever altitude. The only down side was you could not download any maps with better detail. The smallest lake that would show is around 3sq miles.

or if you can get the extra funds I suggest this one.

http://www.canada-shops.com/Stores/vipp ... 832.2.html

You do not have to worry about batteries if you plug it into the cigarette lighter and then keep a set in the unit for backup, as well as get to know your area first its best that way.

I once had an employer who told me not to look at mapswhen I am flying people they get nervous, and that was the first week there. I told him that they could fell nervous and get to there cabin or feel fine and be lost!

switchflicker · Post by **switchflicker** » Wed Mar 22, 2006 11:02 am

Try GPSCentral.ca

Just got a Garmin Quest from them and it's great. I managed to get a "factory rebuild" which is a brand new unit in a broken cardboard box (I'm sure) Saved a bit of coin that way.

Maverick · Post by **Maverick** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 8:42 am

you could also try GPSCity.ca

Good folks to deal with.

critical engine · Post by **critical engine** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 3:54 pm

the new Lowrance 600c just came out today! Looks pretty good. I think it comes with Terrain Awareness Too. It is the 500 in color!! Gonna go check it out on the weekend.
http://www.lowrance.com/Aviation/Products/AM600C.asp

Either that or the Lowrance 1000. Its black and white, but is sweet.

To save some money, look at your local marina store. Lowrance only made marine GPS's until the owners kid took up flying (so the story goes) Most boat centers sell Aviation GPS's for cheaper.

make sure you go look and play with them first

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Mr. North · Post by **Mr. North** » Thu Apr 20, 2006 5:00 pm

My handheld eTrex is aslo extremely handy for marking rocks, bouys, and fishing holes. And consider getting one thats waterproof and/or floats! You'd hate to drop that tool in the drink!

w squared · Post by **w squared** » Fri Apr 21, 2006 12:21 pm

Make sure you get one that is jam-resistant. With all those new-fangled anti-GPS EW units out there, it's a must-have

http://www.avcanada.ca/forums2/viewtopic.php?t=17974

critical engine · Post by **critical engine** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 12:23 am

hey

bought the lowrance 600c. sweet!!!!!!!!!! has terain warning,and came with map create for the entire USA and Canada. the canadian version is given to you at the time of purchase. this little unit is color and works like a charm. it has so many features i dont know where to start.

anyway, just thought id give you my 2 cents. the only prob is the unit come with a 512meg card. the terrain warning is about 400 megs. doesnt leave alot of room to add maps. i contacted lowrance and the VP is tryin to work something out for a rebate to upgrade to the 1 gig card. the unit comes with its own special card reader. the terrain warning is non transferable so thats where the prob lies. great thing is, Lowrance is willing to help solve the issue!

Big Pratt · Post by **Big Pratt** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 6:22 pm

Does the terrain warning cover Canada?
What about Garmins 296/396, do they cover canada as far as terrain warnings and obstructions?

Thanks

Dust Devil · Post by **Dust Devil** » Sun Apr 23, 2006 9:38 pm

Big Pratt wrote:Does the terrain warning cover Canada?
What about Garmins 296/396, do they cover canada as far as terrain warnings and obstructions?

Thanks

I haven't seen terrain warning on my 295. I have seen it on the 296 however

critical engine · Post by **critical engine** » Mon Apr 24, 2006 9:41 pm

the terrain warning covers canada. on the 600c

this is a fun little toy!

Vortex_driver · Post by **Vortex_driver** » Fri Apr 28, 2006 7:33 am

how much did you pay for the 600c ...

just curious

onceacop · Post by **onceacop** » Wed May 03, 2006 8:39 pm

I'm With Shimmy,

I use a $200 ground pounder Garmin III Plus. Has the moving map, no aviation data base, but for bush ops I enter most of the places I wanna go anyway. I can run 24 hours on a set (4) double A's.
Even though I have a KLX135 in dash I use the handheld unit 99% of the time on a ball mount clamped to my tubing. No matter what I fly whether the plane has a working cig.. adapter or not I can be operational with a long running self energized unit. No need for an external antenae or suction cup mount on the windscreen. I have flown 56000 miles, to AK and back numerous times and never lost a signal with the stub antenae. Ft. Ware, Ingenika, The Cinnamon Bun strip, and places between have been seen with my little handheld. The bigger units like the 295 on up suck juice. If you have a power source fine, I like mine to take out of the a/c and hunt or fish and use it extensively to find reefs for Lake Trout or hunting locations before daylight in the mountains.

Carrier · Post by **Carrier** » Mon Jun 05, 2006 3:48 am

Questions for critical engine:
In a post on 22 April 2006 you mention you bought the “Canadian” version of the AirMap 600c. I am interested in this product for use in Africa but am finding it difficult to obtain information. I am not able to go into a nearby pilot supply shop to try one, have the staff demonstrate how it works and show that it will cover the issues I am uncertain about. The Lowrance website does not answer my queries.
Has the issue of the larger card and the rebate been solved?
What versions of the AirMap 600 are there and what updates will each accept? I ask this because your post above refers to a “Canadian” version. Are there versions for some countries or were you referring to what should be described as the North American version? Lowrance in the past has referred to only North American and International versions of their GPS units. Similarly I have seen Garmin refer to only three versions of theirs.
Will a North American version accept an International update and vice versa? The main reason for this is that suppliers offer the North American version at a lower price than the International version. While I am now intending to use the unit in Africa I have to keep in mind that I might have to fly elsewhere in future, including in North America or the Caribbean. I would want the unit to be usable there in future as well as in Africa.
Would it be possible for me to buy a North American version and use the one free update to obtain and install the current International database on it? Like any customer I do not want to pay any more than necessary or than that paid by other customers.
I will appreciate your help with the above queries.

rotorfloat · Post by **rotorfloat** » Tue Aug 01, 2006 8:47 pm

*BUMP*

Critical Engine, what say you after nearly 4 months with the 600C? I'm in the market.

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