GPS Systems

[Steve Chenoweth]

What types of GPS systems are being used by our Brantly pilots? Any favorites or ones that people have had problems with?

Please reply with your thoughts.

[Ron Spiker]

Hi Steve, I'm using the Lowrance Airmap 100 and am very happy with it. I mounted the external antenna just in front of the instrument pod, right above the band on the bubble. I can't recall loosing the signal at all with that antenna, but did without it (just using the built-in antenna). Real nice unit, but I haven't used any other recent ones to compare it with.

[n2141u]

I used the Garmin GPS Pilot III mounted on top of the instrument panel. I had previously mounted a 12 volt power receptacle in front of the panel. It looked good and worked very well.

[RDRickster]

I use the Garmin 196. I like the gray scale and large screen, because it seems easier to get the information I need than the older and smaller color models. Also, night flying is a bit easier because some of the color GPS units are too bright with certain colors (especially yellow).

[Steve Chenoweth]

The 196 looks like a great device. Have you used it for auto or marine navigation as well?

[RDRickster]

I haven't used it for the marine stuff, but I have used it in the car. It was accurate to with one (1) MPH during speed tests. Plus, you can add a data card to put more detailed information in for a specific area. On the aviation side, you can download chunks of chart data for your route. I never had to use the external antennae while flying or driving. The VSI and other features are pretty good, but with a slight delay to instrument panel instruments. I normally use it in map mode because it will give me alerts when coming close to controlled airspace or TFR's. It will even pull up the frequencies for you; kinda cool.

[G-ATLO]

I use a Skyforce Skymap 111C,and it is hard wired in on top of the instrument pedestal.It is colour and also has terrain mapping useful in the welsh mountains.I get a satellite fix in about 45 secs and have yet to lose aquistion.I cannot recommend this unit enough.