difficult purchase... thinking out loud...

[VJ]

Hello,

As celebrated in this thread, I recently got my pilot license. I'm now considering the purchase of a GPS for backup (and comfort) purposes. I'm considering the following (in order of price):

1. Garmin iQue 3600
2. Garmin GPSMAP 296
3. Garmin GPS 96c + IBM X41 Tablet + Jeppesen Flitemap

The iQue 3600 is a Palm pda with built in GPS and navigation software. It is intended for aviation and offers most features of a stand alone GPS at a lower cost. The upside: it is a PDA as well. The downside: on forums it doesn't seem to perform well in all conditions (stability, reception, ...), and it seems less rugged than other GPSes.

The GPSMAP 296 is a mapping GPS which is intended for aviation. It displays moving maps and information just like the iQue 3600, but runs much more stable and seems to perform better (reception, ...). The upside: can be used as car-navigation (not important for me, I have one built in in my car). The downside: single function (thus expensive when used not that frequently - approx. 2x the price of the iQue3600).

Finally, the GPS 96c is a simple GPS that can display basic maps (not as detailed as the other two, i.e. elevation is not included). The Jeppesen Flitemap software however allows a PC to be used as navigation system (offering moving map with all info when coupled with a GPS - hence the 96c). The upside: a laptop (which I don't have yet and which would be convenient), flight planning is possible with software (routes, filing flight plan, weather, ...; and it can be printed!), big screen, cheaper considering usage (total price approx. 3x the iQue3600, main investment is the laptop). The downside: bigger (perhaps not convenient in a cockpit?), more devices.

All options work with the same Jeppesen data, so as far is the content is considered, all ofer similar functionality when it comes to navigation and mapping.
The weight to carry everything around is not important to me (considering I intend to take my camera on trips, and I intend to buy a proper camera backpack as flightbag to hold both the camera and flying accessories).


I know it could be hard to judge this, but on the other hand the opinions of someone from the outside (= more open minded?) can be interesting. So, what do you guys think?


Jörg

[LvR]

From bitter experience, I would say the IQ is a complete waste of money - it never seemed to know exactly where it was, and never seemed to be able to repeatably agree with my much older and cheaper GPS3.

The others I have no personal experience with, but personally would prefer something with Jeppeson built into the unit itself

[VJ]

Ha, so this seems to confirm what I heard about the iQue... So it is off the list then.

Well, both the GPSMAP 296 and the 96c have built in Jeppesen maps, but the 296 itself offers additional features (more waypoints, longer routes, ...) and a bigger display.

The fact that I am considering the purchase of a laptop has made me consider the 3rd option (96c + laptop + Jeppesen software). The 296 is slightly under €1600, the 96c is under €700. I suspect for most stuff the 96c would be adequate, but if one is considering a laptop as well, it seemed interesting to combine them. Esp. as the 96c + Jeppesen software is still cheaper than the 296. Another advantage of having the Jeppesen software is that (I think) one also has the detailed airfield charts. They are available at the club, but the printouts aren't always very clear.

Someone at the club has the Jeppesen FliteMap software, and it allows for extremely easy flight planning. Guess I'll talk to him about the moving map feature for inflight use.

The best solution would be the 296 + laptop + Jeppesen software, but as I don't intend to use it professionally, I feel this would be too expensive.


Jörg

[ALBPM]

I've been looking at GPS units as well.

Right now this looks like a good deal

http://www.thegpsstore.com/Detail-Garmin-Quest-GPS.asp

These guys have decent prices and packages.

[VJ]

Euhm yes... But it isn't for aviation...


Jörg

[Jon P. Inghram]

You could also try a GPS 18 with a laptop and/or PDA.

Might be worth it to at a look at the manuals for the GPSs on Garmins site too, that way you get a better feel for what the different interfaces are like.

[JTD]

From bitter experience, I would say the IQ is a complete waste of money - it never seemed to know exactly where it was, and never seemed to be able to repeatably agree with my much older and cheaper GPS3.

Hmmmmmmm, i can't quite recognise what you describe there.
I have an ique and i have no problems with it. At least compared to other pda's with gps it's by far the best (i haven't any experience with the gps only units).

The iQue 3600 is a Palm pda with built in GPS and navigation software. It is intended for aviation and offers most features of a stand alone GPS at a lower cost. The upside: it is a PDA as well. The downside: on forums it doesn't seem to perform well in all conditions (stability, reception, ...), and it seems less rugged than other GPSes.

With regard to reception, my ique always seems to have connection to 8-12 satellites. That it's not as rugged as the other Garmin products is very true (they even say so themselves).

All in all it works very well in my car.

[LvR]

Hmmmmmmm, i can't quite recognise what you describe there.

Dont show it a tree or try and use it in the field when its overcast or just come close to a metal roof etc ............

It seemed to be extremely picky about what and when you could expect reliable/repeatable data from it.

Had it replaced with the same results - sold it eventually and now still rely on the old GPS3.

Been eyeing the Quest and Map76cCS for a while now

[VJ]

You could also try a GPS 18 with a laptop and/or PDA.

Might be worth it to at a look at the manuals for the GPSs on Garmins site too, that way you get a better feel for what the different interfaces are like.

Yes, but I like the fact that the 96c can display maps... It probabely could suffice on its own, but this makes it interesting if the laptop is to cumbersome (small flight) or out of order.



Jörg