Portable GPS Opinions Please

vdsteelman

vdsteelman

Well-Known Member
Hi all,

I am in the market to buy a portable GPS and am up in the air (no pun intended) on what to look for. I am partial to Garmin's since I did most of my training in a/c's with a 430 but not so excited about their prices. Are there any other brands out there that are comparible to Garmin but less expensive? I don't need all the bell and whistles, just waypoints, approaches, airport data, etc. I am looking to spend between $500 and $1000. Thanks in advance for your help!:)
 
I just happen to have an AnywhereMap ATC with XM-Weather for sale if you're interested...

PM me if you are.
 
They have recently (as of last week) discontinued the Garmin 296/396. Check in with some dealers like Aircraft Spruce, Gulf Coast Avionics, Sporty's, Pacific Coast..... The 196 is still being produced and is a great unit too, not all the bells and whistles. A lot of the Garmin handhelds have automotive and marine modes built in too. All units, even NOH's have a 1 year warranty. Can you tell I work there yet? Plus, their aviation product support is AMAZING ;)
 
vdsteelman said:
I don't need all the bell and whistles, just waypoints, approaches, airport data, etc. I am looking to spend between $500 and $1000. Thanks in advance for your help!:)
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No approaches on a handheld (duh).

If you can live without the airport data, the Garmin eMap ($20 off ebay). Program in the lat/long of every airport, navaid, and intersection of skyvector. Should take about 2 hours to do. Enjoy the $980 I just saved you.

http://forums.jetcareers.com/general-topics/96006-handheld-gps-recommendation.html
 
must watch this thread.

the aera 510 looks pretty sweet if you ask me, but the price, eh, not so much :(
 
Even though I don't work for Garmin, I'll put in a shameless plug for them anyhow. Sorry to hear they discontinued the 296. I have one that I really like. The display is big enough to be useful (perhaps a little bigger than the 430's map display. There probably will be some bargain prices on them since they've been discontinued

Approaches are included in the database, btw. Although you can't legally use a handheld GPS for navigation on an IFR approach, you CAN use it for purposes of "situational awareness"
 
Ask yourself how often you're going to use it before putting down that much money for an aviation specific GPS. If you will only use one periodically, like I do with mine, I'd spend as little as possible. I bought a very lightly used Garmin 195 for $100, and updated the database for another $50. It does not include full approaches, but does depict the final approach course as an aid to situational awareness.
 
I opine that you should fly for awhile without one and learn how not-all-that-hard it really is. I'm more dangerous with a 430 than with a six pack and an OBS because I'm in serious danger of going to sleep.
 
Boris Badenov said:
I opine that you should fly for awhile without one and learn how not-all-that-hard it really is. I'm more dangerous with a 430 than with a six pack and an OBS because I'm in serious danger of going to sleep.
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yup!

i only want a handheld GPS for XM weather, nothing i fly has radar :(
 
After dropping a chunk of change on an ATC, though I do like it alot, I would rather have just gone wiht DrunkenBeagles suggestion and spent the 20 bucks. Then I could have used the rest and gone to the strip club and had an awesome story and only be out the same amount of money.
 
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