AirTalk.org

Chris Ehlbeck · Guest

Hello all. Well the time has come to consider a portable GPS unit. Yes, I
know this is like "Which headset should I buy?" I'm looking more for
opinions and experiences. I've pretty much narrowed it down to the Garmin
GPS III Pilot and the Lowrance 500. I do like the fact that the Lowrance
does come with the yoke mount. I would use the unit on VFR at the time
being. I do want portable as I rent and not all the FBO's airplanes are GPS
equipped. I do like having the extra tool in my flightbag if needed.

So let me have it!
--
Chris Ehlbeck, PPASEL
"It's a license to learn and buy really expensive hamburgers."

Ray · Guest

In my opinion, in this price range, the Lowrance 500 is by far the best
option. In terms of functionality, both the airmap 500 and the GPS III
Pilot are going to be about the same - your basic monochrome VFR navigation
features. But the Lowrance is better in a few ways: 1) the RAM yoke mount
is really nice, 2) the screen is slightly bigger (3" vs. 2.5") 3) it uses
standard SD/MMC cards - you can get a 128Mb card for about $20 now, so
storage space is never an issue 4) the obstructions database is helpful 5)
WAAS support. On the other hand, I can't really think of any reason why the
GPS III Pilot is better than the Airmap...the GPS III's screen can be used
in landscape or portrait modes - but with a yoke mount that's not very
useful. Also, in my experience, previous complaints about lowrance customer
service have been corrected - they once gave me a free database update even
though the problems I was having were because of my computer, not the
airmap.

And the best benefit of all - the Airmap is cheaper! flightessentials.net
has it for $429 shipped, and from time to time I've seen it cheaper
elsewhere. You can also find them used on ebay for much less.

Bottom line: you're not going to be disappointed either way, both are solid
units, and neither should be expected to be as nice as the more expensive
units color/large screen units...so why not get the cheaper one?

- Ray

"Chris Ehlbeck" <cehlbeck (AT) bellsouth (DOT) net> wrote

Chris Ehlbeck · Guest

Thanks for the input Ray!

You're right about the yoke mount. It would be nice. The GPS III would
need to have the mount purchased extra to do that or buy the bean bag mount.
Color screens are not a concern. Monochrome would suit me fine as a good
bit of the airplanes at the FBO already have nice units in them. The
handheld would be extra insurance and for use in airplanes that don't have a
GPS and "I'm not exactly where I thought." situations. Both do appear to be
good solid units and priced competitively.

Thanks!
--
Chris Ehlbeck, PPASEL
"It's a license to learn and buy really expensive hamburgers."

"Ray" <jk11001001 (AT) nospam (DOT) yahoo.com> wrote

Darrel Toepfer · Guest

Chris Ehlbeck wrote:

Chris Ehlbeck · Guest

Thanks. It's beginning to look like the Lowrance.
--
Chris Ehlbeck, PPASEL
"It's a license to learn and buy really expensive hamburgers."

"Darrel Toepfer" <spambait (AT) whodat (DOT) net> wrote

Guest · Posted: Fri Sep 24, 2004 8:00 pm Post subject: Re: GPS time

Between those two, get the airmap 500. It's a lot newer unit..

Now to completely mess you up, you can get a new Garmin 196 for
$680 from Eastern Avionics. Smile

Thats what I paid. I suspect they
would sell the airmap 1000 for a similar price.. You have to push them
a bit to get this price.. FYI

Chris Ehlbeck <cehlbeck (AT) bellsouth (DOT) net> wrote:

ShawnD2112 · Guest

Chris,
Based on my experience, I'd buy a Garmin 90. I got mine second hand for
only £26,000, but it came equipped with the case, the antennae, owners
manual and a Pitts S-1D. A real bargain!!

Shawn
"Chris Ehlbeck" <cehlbeck (AT) bellsouth (DOT) net> wrote

Jerry Petrey · Guest

ShawnD2112 wrote:

Chris Ehlbeck · Guest

Well the Lowrance 500 won out. I went ahead and ordered one from Marv
Golden this afternoon after looking at a number of reviews. I would've been
happy with either I think. But for only $25.00 more than the Garmin GPS III
I get the yoke mount, vehicle mount, SD/MMC card reader/writer, antenna and
unit that is WAAS capable when the time comes. Things that would've been
extra with the Garmin.

Thanks for the help group!
--
Chris Ehlbeck, PPASEL
"It's a license to learn and buy really expensive hamburgers."

"ShawnD2112" <Wylie(nospamallowed)2112 (AT) yahoo (DOT) com> wrote