Handheld GPS

[flyingfool]

I use a Garmin GPSMap76 which saved my butt more than once at the two way rifle range (Iraq). Just used it to get to and from Oshkosh. I velcro it straight to the dash and use an external antenna. Downside is it doesn't have an aviation database so I have to add waypoints for airports.

Stay away from Lowrance, my wing man has one and he was off course most of the time. ~Chris

I'm buying your wingman's (Ken's) Chief. The GPS/handheld com radio were both not included. Which is OK as it gives me some time to research what I want. Are you sure it was the GPS unit that was "off course".

I like the old Garmin III pilot that Garmin no longer makes as far as size etc. I tend to lean towards favoring Garmin products. The size of the 296/396/496 seems overboard for a Chief. And the new smaller Garmins have the buttons on the top of the unit and the map below which seems completely backwards to me. Why would you want to be pushing buttons and your hand block the screen versus putting the bottons on the bottom so you can see the screen with your hand out of the way???

All I want is a smaller moving map that shows airspaces. Particularly control towers (Class B, C & D) and restricted and prohibited. It does not have to be color but I would like to be able to update the database. I'm a little concerned about buying an older unit as I worry that Garmin will at some point not support or provide the update software. Is this a valid concern, or is the update downloads universial enough? I also want one that can use standard AA or off the shelf alkaline batteries.

Does anyone know which models meet my needs listed above?

[FlyChamps]

I have a Garmin 96C and t's a great unit for the Champ with most of the useful functions but without many of the frills. The color map is small but very usable and has kept me clear of airspace problems in Cincinnati, Charlotte and Atlanta. It's not cheap at about $500 but it's a solid value for that money. It runs on 2 AA's so batteries are not a big issue - I use rechargables and keep a backup pair of alkalines close to hand if needed.

Note for Joe: I have the RAM double ball-joint mount for my 96C. It works well in the Champ - I clamp it to the tube just in front of the door and am able to get the screen positioned for a reasonably clear view. It wasn't cheap but it is well made.

Also, glad the new job did come through for you. I hope you enjoy it.

[joea]

FC,

Thanks and I have a RAM mount for my SP3 Garmin and its very good, so nice to hear that their newer mounts are as good.

New job is keeping me a lot busier than expected but supposed to slack off in 3-4 weeks. Hope so as I need some time off to fly the Aeronca!

Joe A

[skyking3286]

After following the thread I decided to UPgrade my 1994 Garmin 38 to a eBay Garmin III+. Only $40 for the unit and it runs great. The 38 still ran, but the screen was dropping a lot of horizontal pixel lines and was starting to go.
Anything more than that for an Aeronca smacks of overkill! I can put the airports I need into it via Waypoint + software and a DeLorme street atlas.
Keep a couple of generations behind the latest and you can still have fun!

[flyingfool]

Skyking. Is the Garmin III+ the aviation version? Or is it the new streetmap version? From your discussion it appears you have to put the airports in by waypoint.

If it is the old aviation unit. Can you still get downloads or software to keep the maps up to date? I really want to make sure I don't bust an airspace.

[Jerry Eichenberger]

I'll toss in another vote for the Garmin 96C. Relatively inexpensive, and I just put it up on the glareshield, and look at it every now and then. Has nice pages for a good moving map, as well as an HSI page.

It could be velcro'd to the panel, but I've been too lazy to do that.

Don't lay it face down on the glareshield, might scratch the display glass cover (how do I know that?).

Also, it's easy to change its reading to miles and mph. Who wants info in knots in a Champ?

[Roger Anderson]

Skyking. Is the Garmin III+ the aviation version? Or is it the new streetmap version? From your discussion it appears you have to put the airports in by waypoint.

If it is the old aviation unit. Can you still get downloads or software to keep the maps up to date? I really want to make sure I don't bust an airspace.

Reference the Garmin III Plus, unless it says Garmin III Pilot, it's the non aviation one. I think the Pilot model is still getting a much higher price, even on EBay. The III Plus does have many municipal airports already shown, but you will have to load any others you wish. For it's used price, for just Aeronca type flying (no airspace shown though), it does a good job.

Jerry.....you're right. No to Knots. Too depressing.

[Jerry Eichenberger]

I never understood the changeover to knots back in the 1970s. If we were going to change to anything, it should have been to kilometers. Knots, like Celsius, is a less precise measurement - fewer divisions in a given spectrum. Celsius is worst, with only 100 degree divisions between 32 and 212 in Fahrenheit. Hence, far less precise; by almost 1/2.

Stupid.

[lundq]

I'm going to show my stupidityness here but how does one go about updating their GPS database? I bought a Garmin 195 and the database is probably about 4 years old. Do you have to buy a subscription or can you just update it from a website from time to time? Costs? Any direction would be appreciated.

Ron

[flyingfool]

I'm going to show my stupidityness here but how does one go about updating their GPS database? I bought a Garmin 195 and the database is probably about 4 years old. Do you have to buy a subscription or can you just update it from a website from time to time? Costs? Any direction would be appreciated.

Ron

My recommendation would be to call Garmin directly to fine out what you need to do speficically for the 195.

I do know the newer units you can download from Gamin's website and connect the unit to your computer. There is a cost but I do not know how much. With Sectional charts costing nearly $9 every 6 months ($18 per year), I'd guess it would be comparable in cost but that is just a 100% guess.

[Roger Anderson]

I'm going to show my stupidityness here but how does one go about updating their GPS database? I bought a Garmin 195 and the database is probably about 4 years old. Do you have to buy a subscription or can you just update it from a website from time to time? Costs? Any direction would be appreciated.

Ron

Garmin still supports the 195 and others. However, a one time update of the Jeppeson database is around $50, done through your computer. An annual subscription, every month update, is about $300. I have a Lowrance and it's about the same costs. Probably a one time update would be worthwhile, but then I let mine go for several years before considering it again. For VFR Aeronca flying, I don't rely on the GPS databases as much as I do just sectionals. For planning a route, you can print out usable portions of current sectionals from different sites. Navmonster.com is one. Oh....here's a link to the Garmin site.
http://shop.garmin.com/aviation/databases/

[lundq]

Thanks for the replies guys. I'll check out Jepp and Garmin. The database on my new purchase is older than I thought. It still has our airport's old identifier in it which I think changed about 5 - 6 years ago? I'm not going to go the subscription route, just a one time update will do just fine. Thanks again.

[joea]

Ron,

I just did it on the 496 and its the same process for the 195. I would do it every couple of years on my 195 and that worked fine.

Joe

EDIT, here is the link to the maps on the GPS 195:

http://shop.garmin.com/aviation/databas ... GPSMAP+195

It can be difficult to find at times so wanted to pass it along.

[lundq]

Thanks a million, Joe. Seems like I always get the answers I'm looking for when I post, no matter how stupid my questions are. I also like that everone here is so respectful which isn't always the case with some forums. Thanks, again. Ron

[joea]

Ron,

Glad to help.

If you would feel more at home I could start calling selected people "poopyheads" but doubt that it would help much. We called Nathan "tater" for a week or two and it just did not stick so guess we will have to be friendly instead!

Take care,

Joe