Author Topic: Handheld GPS (Read 210 times)

Golfer · « **on:** February 01, 2005, 05:37:22 PM »

Aren't they just wonderful? I use this piece of equipment in every airplane I fly after using zip tiewraps to fasten it to the top of my clipboard yoke mount. It's the one constant in the world of renting/ferrying airplanes. I was cruising along the other day returning home from Oshkosh and I thought about all the times I've used this little guy.

For my multi training, which consisted of myself and 3 others buying a 100 hr block in an airplane (for less than $120/hr in the end) while enlisting an MEI who flew for free, we kept this with the airplane and it was an invaluable timesaver getting around rather than using strictly airways and sectional navigation while on training flights. It allowed us to focus on training and not having to worry about where exactly we were (not hard to find your way around, just saved the 5 minutes or so of figuring it out).

In more than a few airplanes it's been the most valuable (price and piece of mind wise) instrument in the airplane. It's a great backup for a panel mount, and I can't say enough good things about this little squirt. Just thought I'd smile at it for a while since I am using a bigger version of this photo as my desktop for now.

Pongo · « **Reply #1 on:** February 01, 2005, 05:41:32 PM »

great for fishing and golfing too.

Chairboy · « **Reply #2 on:** February 01, 2005, 05:43:08 PM »

Right on.

I have a Garmin GPS III+ I got a few years ago for my motorcycle, and I plan on bringing it with me when I do cross-country. It's got airport codes, so I figure it'll be a good backup for navigation. I'm just starting to learn about VOR and ADF, both of which are very cool, but I'm a big fan of:

A: Backups
B: Timesavers

I plan to avoid using the GPS for actual navigation until I'm comfortable using the various beacons with the panel mount hardware. How's that sound as a plan?

Golfer · « **Reply #3 on:** February 01, 2005, 05:50:26 PM »

Good plan, chairboy. I have a couple friends who use simple handheld GPS units that aren't for aviation but work ok...to a point.

They don't have MOA's, Navaids, Airspace, TFRs and what not programmed, and the pilot III also has airport information loaded into it. Frequencies, runway lengths and so on. If you plan on doing some serious X/C flying after your private ticket, the $500 investment is money well spent on an aviation GPS.

Staga · « **Reply #4 on:** February 01, 2005, 06:11:31 PM »

Friend uses GPS with his boat and he just got himself a new Magellan SporTrak; older was Garmin and he says Magellan, even with same price, is much more robust product than Garmin "toys".

Maverick · « **Reply #5 on:** February 02, 2005, 11:49:05 AM »

When the first moving map GPS came out I decided to g4et one. That old Garmin did well for me and I let the new owner of my Comanche have it with the plane. I don't need it for ground navigation. I'm fine with maps and the occasional download of a yahoo map.

The newer Garmins with the instrument screen is fantastic and an outstanding backup for a electrical failure in the bird.

bunch · « **Reply #6 on:** February 02, 2005, 12:18:53 PM »

I had a guy tell me that mounting it on the yoke like that gave the aircraft a negative dihedral. He was just joking of course.