Best GPS for under $1000 (portable for panel mounting)

gmcjetpilot · #1 09-23-2011, 11:28 PM

I was going to put a Garmin 196 in the panel or find an upgrade 396 or 496, to complement my Dynon EFIS and Grand Rapids EIS engine monitor. I like the idea I can take it out to program it or what ever, using an Air-gizmo panel mount.

Garmin Aera 500 (spelling is right I guess)?
Small, more of a car like GPS touch interface I gather.
I like the hard buttons on the older Garmin's.
Touch screen might be a pain in the bumps?

The iFly 700 GPS with a big 7" diagonal screen...
May be too big to fit on the panel with ease. It has
cheap yearly updates and uses sectional as a back ground.
http://ifly.adventurepilot.com/

AvMap V is out... I always liked the look, but for some
vauge reason I've been warned away from them?

iPad? I see mention of this around? Whats the word on that?

Garmin 396 or 496 would still be best? Thoughts?

I'd love a fancy integrated system, $2,500, $7,500 or on up, but that is overkill for a RV-7 sport plane day/night VFR, occasional XC. (I am an ATP with no real desire to fly SEL single pilot IFR, did enough as a CFI)

My self imposed limit is $1000, however if there is a quantum leap in performance I'd go to $2000. I don't really care about XM weather capability (fee service right). Nice, but not going to use it.

I had over 1000 hours in my RV-4 with a Garmin 195 mounted right in the middle of the panel... that was a joy and did magic navigation in route.

sailvi767 · #2 09-24-2011, 05:23 AM

I can tell you that prices are dropping fast. I just purchased a 696 on ebay for 1475. 496's are now under 1000 and I figure my 396 is only going to be worth about 500.00. There are a bunch of 696's on Ebay at the moment. I would look in that direction. There is a small fraud problem on Ebay with some items. Look at the sellers feedback and location. DO NOT BID ON THE 696 in INDONESIA! Look at their feedback and you can tell pretty fast if its a legit auction.

George

pierre smith · #3 09-24-2011, 05:30 AM

George, I have two 496's...one in my Air Tractor and another in my -10....my first loves, not the 430W that shares panel space in my -10.

Talk about an abundance of information at the push of a button! Just the 'nearest' button, shows nearest Airports (you can add grass strips) FSS, ARTCC and their frequencies, Towns, and so on. Probably as much bang for your buck as you can get. I'll bet that $1,000 buys you one.

Best

RWoodard · #4 09-24-2011, 05:48 AM

I installed a 496 in my panel and recently purchased an iFly, too.

I've only taken a couple of flights with the iFly installed, but I really like it so far. I like being able to see exactly where I am on a sectional chart. The scren resolution on the 496 is great, but it's not the same as seeing the little airplane symbol move over the sectional chart.

As for user interface, I like the Garmin's buttons over the iFly's touch screen. Of course the upside to the touch screen is that when you're done touching it, the whole thing is usable as a map. The total space of the 496 including the buttons is *almost* as much as the iFly, but only about 50% of that real estate is screen with the rest being input buttons.

Realistically, I think a person would get used to either unit and would be happy with either. I also appreciate the $69/yr unlimited updates with the iFly as compared to ~$45/each for just the nav data on the Garmin.

For what it's worth...

RickWoodall · #5 09-24-2011, 06:26 AM

For $1000 you can get an ipad 3g generation 1 with skycharts, and a bendix av80r. Love that combo, works great for me and both get used on trips...with or without the plane. Bendix works great in the car, kids enjoy the ipad and it lets you get weather etc anytime your near a wifi with no monthly fees.

Amazing what is out there at low cost. Moving map on vfr charts is great on ipad, back up panel on bendix is great too. I also have gps on my dynon skyview...so...thats three gps...i am good for vfr i think.

Mel · #6 09-24-2011, 06:35 AM

If you are not concerned about weather, consider the 495. It has everything the 496 does except weather.
I LOVE mine!

DennisRhodes · #7 09-24-2011, 07:10 AM

I have an I Fly basic unit I bought several weeks ago with the intention of raffling if off for a good cause (our BBQ) however don't think I will do that now. The unit is for sale and you can fill out the original registration with your name. The unit is excellent GPS /map and I just don't need it in my RV9 I have a 396 . I also had a 196 wired in the panel with Gismo and latter upgraded to 396. Caution on that the 196 and 396 and latter have a different plug in for the power and data out . So be careful or you will have to replace the plug and rewire. The I fly is available for $500 ( $50 discount from on line price) It is really a great unit with good screen size and a lot of information easily accessible. The unit its the on line "base" package. DennisRRhodes@gmail.com

David-aviator · #8 09-24-2011, 07:17 AM

My 295 isn't as old as your 195, George, maybe I can hang in there a while longer and watch the prices come down some more.

The new stuff is dazzling. The choices are many and the features much more than needed for basic VFR. The old clunker 295 couples with Navaid, has a quick nearest feature and hasn't lost me yet, so I can hang in there a while longer.

The development of ADS-B is stirring up the market. I believe the products coming are driving Garmin prices down already. When some of these devices are IFR certified with ADS-B, Garmin's virtual lock on that market will be gone.

Ironflight · #9 09-24-2011, 08:14 AM

We've got an extra 396 that we keep meaning to advertise George - it's yours for $999 (since you set the price)....

Other offers entertained of course.....

Paul

tkatc · #10 09-24-2011, 08:36 AM

I would reconsider the weatheer option. I have it on my Garmin Aera 596 and I absolutely think it is invaluable. It also will alert you to TFRs that may pop up along your route of flight. RVs can cover some ground so even the best planned flight could be diverted because of a number of things and with the XM subscription, you are covered. HIGHLY recommend. It's like flying without GPS. Yes, you could, but would you really want to these days? The touch screen takes some getting used to but is easily done with a pen or some type of "stylus" device to pin point what you want to select.

If you are dead set against an XM wx subscribtion, I would just go with an iPad 3g. They are plentiful, can be picked up used even cheaper, and if you find it is not right for you there is a larger population to sell it to. You really can't lose. It offers much more than a dedicated aviation GPS when you are not IN the plane. And while I believe there is enough software out there to currently make the iPad the ideal buy, there are serious companies out there developing more and more software and they are collaborating with the FAA to make things "legal". For a portable without weather, it can't be beat.

AOPA had a recent article in AOPA PILOT magazine about the development of software coming for the iPad. VERY promising stuff. I got my iPad as a Christmas present and I thought, "Great, just what I need, another Apple product that will suck you dry buying APPS and such". I have found it hard to imagine life without it. Surf the internet, read books, replaces my paper charts, flight plans, etc etc.

Can you tell I'm an iPad fan?