AirTalk.org

Sam D. Thomas · Guest

I just passed my check ride and earned my private ticket last week.
I'm now starting to do some extended cross country work and would like
some input as to GPS units. I have researched (3) units and would like
some "real-world" opinions as to features, usability and support.
Here are the units I'm looking at:

Gramin's GPSMap 296
AvMap's EKP-IV
Lowrance's AirMap 2000C

I believe that the GPSMap 296 has the most features and best support but
the screen is only 3.5".

The EKP-IV has a large 7" screen and has most of the features that
Garmin offers but it's Italian made and operates off of internal power
i.e. the 12V DC cigarette outlet inside the cockpit. Seeing that I still
rent airplanes, I will have to make sure the adapter in the cockpit is
working in order to use this unit. The EKP-IV offers a "Go-Pak" battery
device that gives you up to 2 hours use and has (6) batteries installs
for emergency power.

The AirMap 2000C has a 5" screen and offers most of the same features
the others do but is $500.00 cheaper. Like the EKP-IV, it operates off
the 12V, in-cockpit adapter and has emergency batteries for backup.

All the above units offer several mounting options and software /
hardware capabilities to meet various demands and requirements.

I'm looking for some feedback for owners or past owners that can give me
real world opinions and pro / cons.

Thanking you in advance.

SR20GOER · Guest

Several I know in passing use the GPS 296 after owning other other types and
brands.
I have a Magellan and the battery and updates situation means I would never
have another.

Look for updates ability and the capability of the GPS several years
downstream to still update.

Also, some GPS work with flight planning software. I believe Garmin works
with at least one computer FP here in Oz. Means you can do all your plan in
the FP software and download to the GPS - beats one finger loading.

On the other side, the changing technology - eg ADS-B - and the speed of
technology means it may be best to buy the cheapest and turf it for a newie
in 2 years. Also, as more aircraft get GPS fitted as standard, I am now
finding my hand held spends more time at home than in the air.

"Sam D. Thomas" <sdthomas (AT) houston (DOT) rr.com> wrote

James Ricks · Guest

Mike 'Flyin'8' · Guest

I will second your opinion on the Lowrance AirMap. You get get one
here for $795.

http://www.airplanegear.com/lowrance.htm

This is where I purchased my AirMap 1000 and I am very happy with it.

houstondan · Guest

agree. never owned the others but i've got 2 by lowrance and i'm very
happy with the quality and dependability. price seemed fair.

dan

Robbie S. · Guest

You may also want to look at Anywhere map. They also have XM weather, which
is really great to have.

....Robbie.

"Sam D. Thomas" <sdthomas (AT) houston (DOT) rr.com> wrote

Nick Weyer · Guest

I settled for a 500 from Lowrance. I am very pleased with it. I fly a
Cessna 172 and it sticks right on the wind screen off to my left handy but
still out of the way. I thought about he 1000 but after talking to a guy
who used Garmin, 1000, and 500 he suggested that if you are renting get the
500. Especially in a Cessna 172 as the 1000 would block to much. If you
own you could mount where you want. Having said that I bought from a place
in Indiana http://www.airplanegear.com/lowrance.htm They were very helpful.

"houstondan" <danjones57 (AT) gmail (DOT) com> wrote

bdlongworth@surfbest.net · Guest

Sam,
We have used the Airmap 1000 over a year and are quite pleased with
it. The only Garmin product I used was the GPS III pilot. We much
prefer the larger screen of the Airmap. Not sure whether the Garmin
296 had better GPS receiver than the III pilot but we lost reception on
the that unit 2 out of the 10 or so trips which it was used. In the
first year or so after getting our PP tickets, we flew all cross
country trips with just pilotage and dead reckoning to gain experience.
We only occasionally used the Garmin for cross reference and to check
the ground speed.
The Lowrance airmap has been heavily utilized for its obstacle
database and to make sure that we don't violate any airspaces. We also
like to review the flight tracks after our instrument practices and
flights. Its reception has been quite good and we have never lost the
signals. Before getting the cigarette lighter installed in our plane,
we used the supplied rechargeable batteries which we replaced every
other week (approximately 10hrs).

Hai Longworth

Flyin'8@here.com · Guest

"Nick Weyer" <nickw (AT) bcmac (DOT) com> wrote: