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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.

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.

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.

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).

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

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.

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.