GPS for the newbie please

[AndyRV7]

Hi,

I am still trying to come up the GPS curve and am hoping someone can simplify things for me. I got my private certificate Monday and would love to purchase a handheld GPS as kind of a graduation present of sorts (my rentals are pretty light on nav equipment). I've been interested in the Garmin 496/495, and now, I like the looks of the AV8OR as well. The size of the screen on the Garmin has always been something that had to be tolerated, not celebrated. In practice though, it might be plenty big enough!?

To try to keep this simple and focused, what I would like to understand is weather capabilities, and the differences between the Bendix and Garmin units, from a features standpoint. Obviously they are both moving map GPS units, but beyond that feature, I don't know enough about the equipment to know what is most appropriate for me. Also, with the weather function, is that primarily an IFR feature? That is, as a brand new low-timer, I can't imagine needing a GPS to tell me if I should be flying or continuing to fly a route. I have to believe that I will be sitting on the ground if there is any question about weather. But I could be wrong about the utility of the weather feature in practice??

So if anyone can patiently help me understand some of these issues, that would be a great start!!

Thanks. Andy

[Ironflight]

Originally Posted by AndyRV7

Also, with the weather function, is that primarily an IFR feature? That is, as a brand new low-timer, I can't imagine needing a GPS to tell me if I should be flying or continuing to fly a route. I have to believe that I will be sitting on the ground if there is any question about weather.

Hello Andy,

I can't help you with a comparison, as I haven't seen a Bendix unit. I do have quite a bit of flight time with the Garmins, and find the XM weather to be indispensable for cross-country flying - VFR or IFR. In fact, since getting XM in the cockpit, I have flown less IFR than every before! I've written quite a bit on how I use the data to make informed decisions - the bottom line is that the weather information you receive in the cockpit is as close to real-time as you can get, and it will tell you a lot about what is both ahead and behind you. This helps in making Go/No Go decisions, and protecting your retreat. When you see ugly weather ahead, you can see at a glance if it is isolated, and you can go around, or need to sit it out. With RV range and speed, it is reasonable to make fairly large deviations on a long cross country, and XM in the cockpit gives you the data you need without having to land and check things out on the 'net - or try and build a mental picture from what you hear on Flight Watch.

The short answer is "YES!" XM weather is a great tool for the VFR pilot to STAY VFR, stay safe, and stay out of trouble, assuming that you are going more than 50 miles from home on a regular basis. I am sure that more products will be coming along, and it will always be tough to decide to buy now, or wait - the Garmins have been great, but I'm sure competition (and evolution) will bring us even more choices. But in my opinion, XM is the greatest enhancement in general aviation cross-country flying since the invention of the wing....

Paul

[brianwallis]

First off... Congratulations to you for achieving a goal that most people will never even venture to start. As far as GPS units go.... I love my Lowrance 600C for a handheld gps. I have a 396 hardwired to my dash that gives me everything I need. I really would not even consider any other GPS units for now. The Samsung looks pretty trick. I don't know if I would spend the money on a 496 yet. Best of luck!
Best
Brian Wallis

[AZtailwind]

Congadulations on your PPL Andy

I can throw out a little comparison FWIW-
I like the 495 we fly in our 6A. It has the large database including safe-taxi and enroute Center Freq. etc. We just looked at the bendix unit and the only thing I don't like is the touch screen. It's hard to get that pen into the place you want it on the screen in turbulance. I have tried that with the PDA unit and it is difficult. Then you drop the pen on the floor.. out goes those types of units for me. We also have a large number of Lorance 2000C units flying in our group. Us older guys like the big screen and vertical orientation. I think it is the best bang for the GPS buck. As for WX, I don't do enough to justify the $50 month cost. When long cross countries means 200 miles, that length can be chewed up in an hour in a RV. So the preflight WX brief works fine for 90% of our flying. I would consider the AV80r unit if it wasn't so bumpy up here in the mountains...Just my $.02- hope that helps

[rvn817j]

Congratulations.

I'm one to look at experimental aviation as exactly that - experimental. Look at all the great innovations that have come from this part of aviation. I also like some of the economy related to experimental aviation and that is primary bias my response to your question will show. Of course, the system I use and recommend is also innovative.

For many years, I've used the Anywhere Map product. You can acquire your own hardware (I currently use both an HP hx4750 and a Dell x51v Axim with bluethooth gps receivers). The Anywhere Map license and update service are comparatively inexpensive and are well supported. You can also upgrade to XM weather, but I have not done that yet. Database updates are monthly and TFRs are every 4 hours (easily done via the internet).

With the devices you have flexibility for other uses also - I have an automobile mapping system on my Dell that works great. You also have the whole suite of Windows Mobile products available and wireless and bluetooth, etc., etc.

I am also able to hook up my hx4750 to my MS FSX and have the flight simulator drive the Anywhere Map gps. If I am planning a trip to somewhere that I have not been, I can fly the trip on my simulator and be that much more prepared. It is also a great way to learn the functionality of your gps by practicing at home!

The list of benefits and flexibility is long. Do your due diligence. Some folks may not like Anywhere Map, but it is usually because of the 'techie' requirement, not the robustness and value of the offering.

Good luck with your new ability to continue learning.

[rvn817j]

Originally Posted by AZtailwind

Congadulations on your PPL Andy

Then you drop the pen on the floor.. out goes those types of units for me.

I solved the pen problem -- drilled a hole in the little plastic pen, got some elastic string / thread type stuff at a craft store and tied the rig beside my seat. It can hang there the whole flight (but I also have a neat little hole that it stows in).

If that has a malfunction (and it has not for many years), I always have the extra one on the side of the PDA or extra extra one on the second PDA that I use for display of my artificial horizon (and other GPS steering and navigation fuctions).

[gbrasch]

I fly my medivac helicopter in weather I would not venture into in my Tri-Pacer or my RV, when completed. Like others have said, my 496 with XM helps keep me VFR and around storms, especially flying at night. I find it to be, literally, a lifesaver, not only the weather, but the terrain avoidance feature keeps me safe at night flying in territory my company considers "Hostile/Mountainous". You may not need it on a day to day PPL basis, but it you ever do, you will be glad you had it. Hope this helps.

[AndyRV7]

Wow, that's all good info and some things I didn't even think of (like weather at night).

I called and spoke to a really patient guy at the shop I've bought all my pilot supllies from, after I posted this. He had a 496 and gave me the low-down on it. I was a little smarter (and leaning toward weather) after I got off the phone. But he said the same thing, if you fly X-C, the weather has proven to be well worth the expense, if not, maybe you don't need it. He also said the weather was very accurate in a real-world sense. It sounds like you guys agree!?

One other thing though before I go and look at the other units mentioned here. He said that you could derive accurate cloud cover and cloud base info. I would think that would be at least as valuable as (maybe more than), the ability to see a thunderstorm. What I mean is not that convective weather is not a great threat, but depending on your location, you might be far more likely to run into a low layer ahead than a big column. In those cases, I would think you could decide to continue if you could tell the layer was above say 4000' for example. Is the XM weather actually able to give you this weather in a reliable way?

Thanks again for the congratulations too. I AM excited to keep learning now!!

[n5lp]

Originally Posted by AndyRV7

...He said that you could derive accurate cloud cover and cloud base info...

You can get METARs with XM weather. These are the same station based observations you could get from Flight Service or other sources. They cover one specific location and are generally issued once an hour unless changes meet "Special" criteria.

XM weather gives no cloud base information in areas where there is no aviation weather reporting. The only cloud coverage information available is a type of satellite photo that gives very general and non-detailed information and that may not show low clouds at all.

[AndyRV7]

OK, good clarification, thanks.