Anywhere Map's New Quadra GPS Portable

[Bill Palmer]

Here’s a link to Anywhere Map’s comparison of their new Quadra with Garmin’s Aera and Bendix’s AV8OR:

http://www.anywheremap.com/pages/Gar...vs-Quadra.aspx

According to Anywhere Map, the Quadra easily wins against the Aera and AV8OR in every category (Resolution, Features, Size, Updates, and COST).

For you Garmin Aera and Bendix AV8OR fans out there, what’s missing from, or wrong with, Anywhere Map’s comparison other than brand loyalty and software interface familiarity?

Thank You,

Bill Palmer
Chino Hills, CA

[Guy Prevost]

I see no mention of serial data output ability.

Historically, that is what the Anywhere Map products have been missing. Basically, they're great if you want to look at the GPS on your panel. However if you want the GPS to integrate with your autopilot, glass panel, radios, etc. you're out of luck. Still a great product, but that's a deal killer in my book.

[breister]

Ummm, well some of us have plenty of GPS outputs on our panel and just want an EFB.

Looks good, and lifetime subscription beats annual subscription. Maybe this year...

[apkp777]

I had an early Anywhere map for IPAQ and loved it. I like the quadra but don't see that is has a PFD? The AERA does.

[cawmd82]

Remains the big question here.......

My experience with various consumer platform gadgets is that they are unreadable in the RV environment.

[L.Adamson]

Originally Posted by cawmd82

Remains the big question here.......

My experience with various consumer platform gadgets is that they are unreadable in the RV environment.

Good question, as I have no idea. But I can say one thing for sure. My Garmin 696 is bright & crisp in every RV condition imaginable. I have a Lowrance 600c on the right side, that is unreadable sometimes. So, yes, I'd like to know how this product stacks up against the 696 with sunlight.

L.Adamson --- RV6A

[Snowflake]

I'd want to see the sunlight readability too. I've got the Aera 500, mounted high on the panel under my glareshield, and right in front of me... I flew it for the first time on a sunny day this past Saturday, and while it was readable in all attitudes, it definitely got washed out when the sun was behind me. Readable with difficulty would be a good description. Unfortunately my passenger said she couldn't read it at all.

I'm always disappointed with comparisons that don't compare apples to oranges. Sectionals, Approach Plates, and Enroute Charts are included in the top table, but they're not part of the $595 unit. Sure, they put little asterisks there to explain that later, but really, the unit is still pretty impressive on its own without those items in the chart.

I see no mention in the chart of any automotive capability. How is the turn-by-turn navigation once you get from A-B and need to rent a car? My Garmin is perfect for that, and moves seamlessly from my -6 to my Mazda.

[Bill Palmer]

After several e-mail message exchanges with Anywhere Map, I have some updated Quadra information for your information and comment:

The Quadra’s screen brightness is 380 nits. I don’t know how this compares with the Aera; my Google search skills must be meager! The AV8OR Horizon 3D has a screen brightness of 300 nits, but I could not find the screen brightness spec for the basic AV8OR. My guess is that the Quadra, Aera, and AV8OR all have about the same screen brightness; equivalent to the typical automobile touch-screen GPS and limited by their portability/battery life. Of course, an in-person, side-by-side comparison would be best to check the relative screen brightness.

Also, although the Quadra has no external antenna direct plug-in, Anywhere Map sells a Haicom Bluetooth GPS ($149) along with a 2-way vdc splitter ($15). On the main webpage, look under “Products” then “GPS Units” for the Haicom and “Products” then “Power Accessories” for the splitter. Of course, you can buy the splitter just about Anywhere (no pun intended!), and there are probably other, less expensive, Bluetooth GPS products that might work just as well as the Haicom.

Quadra External GPS Functionality, at least as far as I can interpret Anywhere Map’s responses to me: The Haicom communicates with the Quadra via Bluetooth (WiFi) and provides WAAS-enabled GPS data to the Quadra. The 2-way splitter powers the Quadra as well as continuously recharges the Haicom’s batteries. I don’t know if it’s good to have Bluetooth/WiFi running around the cockpit, but that’s Anywhere Map’s alternative to a plug-in external antenna.

Well, anyway, I hope this info helps clarify Quadra’s position in the aviation portable GPS market. For me, since I would like to panel-mount my portable GPS, I would like to see the Haicom’s capability demonstrated with no Quadra or cockpit “hiccups.” Also, I would like to personally check the Quadra’s screen brightness vs. the Aera and AV8OR. Maybe someone on this forum could give us all an “Airshow Report” at the next opportunity (Sun ‘N Fun?).

For the Quadra, by the time you add $200 for the sectional map capability, another $165 for an external GPS signal source, and possibly another $200 delta for the EFB capability ($1,165 total), you start to approach the price of an Aera 510. On the other hand, except for the lack of an RS232 interface (a deal-breaker for those relying on their portable GPS for autopilot guidance and other communications), the Quadra provides strong specifications and an excellent feature set. When you also consider the low cost of the Quadra’s updates, the Quadra appears to come off very well, IF the Haicom really works and the screen brightness is acceptable.

In Summary: I suppose the whole aviation portable GPS marketplace boils down to “Different Strokes For Different Folks!”

My Personal Opinion Only!: IF, and ONLY IF, the Quadra comes through with respect to the Haicom interface and screen brightness, I’ll buy a Quadra. For my requirements, the Quadra has the best feature set, and I really like the low-cost updates. Otherwise, it’s off to Aera or AV8OR land!

Best Regards!

Bill Palmer
Chino Hills, CA

[az_gila]

Originally Posted by Bill Palmer

.......

For the Quadra, by the time you add $200 for the sectional map capability, another $165 for an external GPS signal source, and possibly another $200 delta for the EFB capability ($1,165 total), you start to approach the price of an Aera 510.
....

...the Aera does not seem to have actual Sectional maps.

From Garmin - "Its detailed chart-style shaded mapping"

The Anywhere map standard flying map display seems fine.... I haven't tried my new ATC in the plane yet, but the auto mode works fine...

A true sectional display (the Anywhere map option) on less than a giant screen may not be effective, since it's a scanned, geo-referenced copy and text size would change as you zoom in and out...

You probably don't need that option...

[Bill Palmer]

Anywhere Map is on Sun ?N Fun?s Current Exhibitor List, booths A-011 and A-012. Can someone check-out the Quadra and give us an objective report? (. . . Screen brightness; Haicom remote Bluetooth GPS link, software features, etc.) It would be ?above and beyond the call of duty? if you could somehow get an Aera, AV8OR, and Quadra side-by-side in the same, preferably sunny, lighting conditions.

Thanks! (In Advance)

Bill Palmer
Chino Hills, CA