Which GPS to buy?

[bruce]

Just wondering what everybody"s using. I currently have a Garmin 196 but it interferes terribly with my VHF but not the UHF. I"m after something with a moving map with distance and speed on the same page. Or if anyone has a solution to the interference problem that would be good too. I have tried my current GPS in different positions, with and without the external aeriel and running off both batteries and 12 volt adaptor, nothing makes any difference. Cheers,Bruce.

[samwilson]

Hi Bruce,I,ve been using my Garmin 296 since they first came out, nothing else has made me want to change as yet.They take the Jeppesen data base so your always up to date if you need be, there are different screen types to choose from and data fields are custom adjustable so have it show what u like.The basic functions are the same as most but having the large color screen and the visual layout of the menu makes it very easy to understand without a manual, however i do have instructional dvd,s for this gps, great for folk new to gps use and hate reading instructions.They are light enough to use with the Ram"s mounts.Exceptional all rounder.

[bruce]

Thanks Sam,

[adrian_clince]

gday brucei have the garmin 60csx series hand held its got alot of features, moving maps , (games for infight fun) etc....and so forth i have used mine a couple of times , got the digital compass so if you start to deviate off course it will still show you the way , with its fancy arrow thing its got , got loads of stuff ,i believe you can have 12 volt hook up if you need , but it does 18 hours on two batteries , i have never bothered with it - (the 12 volt side)with its large screen to easy to read While

[Mark Horan]

Bruce,If you have the GPS on the same circuit (power supply) as your radio then you may be getting interference, could even come down to a bad connection.I use a garmin96 it works fine but I nearly need a set of opera glasses to read it, I would lovee a 196 with its bigger screen!Mark.

[bruce]

Thanks for the info Adrian.Mark, I believe the interference I"m getting is from the unit searching for satellites as its seems to be a static pulse every second or two which I cannot squelch out. I have tried it hard wired to the gyro and also running off AA batteries. I had the same problem when it was on my trike but could reduce the interference somewhat by putting the VHF aeriel up on the kingpost. Borrowed a mates handheld GPS and sat it next to my radio, no problems at all. Just wondering if it"s a common problem with the 196 or just mine.Cheers,Bruce.

[yoshi]

Hi Bruce If you can scrape up a grand then the new Garmin Aera 500 might be worth having a look at. Its basically the replacement for the Garmin 296 as it has been discontinued and the nice thing it is way cheaper. The new Aera range are fully touch screen and operated more along the lines of the traditonal GPS we use in cars. Hope this helps.http://www.clearprop.com.au/gps/gps-...mlCheersDarren

[samwilson]

Would be good to hear some feed back on the new garmin.Also at www.ozpilot.com.au

[asra]

I use a Garmin GPS map 76. They are bullet and idiot proof. I"ve had the thing for about 6 years now. Been dropped I don"t know how many times now, and it has ended up in the drink a few times as well. It gets used for everything and still going strong. Downside is that it is very basic with limited memory and basic graphics. But $300 for 6years I thought it was a good investment.

[gbw]

"Just wondering what everybody"s using."Bruce,I have an iPhone, and hearing folk talk about the flying apps, I downloaded a couple of free ones, which turns the screen into a cockpit. There is also an add on for Tom Tom maps to make it a true GPS.Apple is bringing out the iPad in a few weeks, which will use most of the thousands of iPhone apps.The xstal clear screen is about 9 by 5 inches. It is also touch screen. Could be worth looking into. $500 USGraham

[adrian_clince]

hi graham the iphone... i have the iphone to i have also go a couple of free apps , and im amazed how accurate they are , my service for the phone isnt to flash, and i thought you needed 3g mobile to get better usage out of em im with vodaphone and im a big nervous using such apps out where i am . are you with telstra by any chance?

[Scott Hogan]

I"ve got the "GPS Kit" app on my iphone and it only works with a phone connection. Not much use in the bush.I thought I"d already posted my opinion of the Garmin Aera but dont" know what happened to it, anywayI"d recommend buying one as I"m very happy with mine. It has removable lithium ion battery like a mobile, is water proof, touchscreen, and has the full Jeppesen database whichI"ve never experienced before btw. You can use it in auto mode in your car as well but the database of roads is really old but still works OK.It is awesome. Probably the same features as the 196 and 296 but it"s also got a nice big display as well. In the box you get a dash mount for the car and another mount for the aircraft both have cigarette adaptors and all very high quality.Hoges

[gbw]

" i have the iphone to i have also go a couple of free apps , and im amazed how accurate they are , my service for the phone isnt to flash, and i thought you needed 3g mobile to get better usage out of em im with vodaphone and im a big nervous using such apps out where i am . are you with telstra by any chance?

[bruce]

After looking around for a few weeks, I decided on a Garmin GPSMap 96. Modified the mounting brackets and fitted it today and am quite pleased with it. It pays to shop around though, prices for the same unit from different shops ranged from $465.00 - $650.00. I will post my old GPS on the "for sale" section.Cheers,Bruce.

[gbw]

"I can see the day when many people will use an iPad as their cockpit, relying on their real instruments as back up."Got my hands on an iPad today. Sweeet. The pixels are smaller than the eye can determine, so the screen cannot be made clearer. After you set the brightness, it adjusts to background light. Photos are gorgeous on the screen.It has a GPS chip. (I know Tom Tom have an extra GPS chip in the cradle for iPhone)Sams mates will have to redesign the dash on the Kruza for one of these. Just so easy to read. And you want something bigger, two fingers across the screen.There is a disclaimer on the apps to not rely