Anywhere Map

brian whatcott

unread,

Dec 13, 2009, 1:25:23 PM12/13/09

to

I've tried the low end gps for navigating and they do the job,
if you punch the destination correctly etc., etc.
But even these whet my appetite for "One touch n Fly" guidance
like the 696 - way too much money though.

So I came across the Anywhere Map running on a PDA or PocketPC.
They go for about $595 new - which is closer to my price point
This looks like it would suit - but not many used ones show up...

Any other worthy gadgets?

Brian W

Monty

unread,

Dec 14, 2009, 3:00:17 PM12/14/09

to

I use FlightMaster (www.flightmaster.net), formerly known as AeroPDA.
It runs on my tungsten E2, and would run better on a T2, but for the
short time I've had it, I've been very happy with it's capabilities
and performance. Its internal database is updatable from www.navaid.com,
and it bluetooths to my GPS receiver that sends out standard NMEA
pakcets once a second. The software (FlightMaster) cost me $189, the
Tungsten E2 cost...heck, was it $200? I can't remember. I'm sure a
used one would have ben just fine..and the GPS reciever I got on eBay
for $60. A couple more bucks got me a RAM yoke PDA holder and I'm all
set. I only have two concerns/issues: the limited battery life on the
PDA and GPS receiver, but my 12V converter powers both of those
devices so it's really not a concern after all, and flying into the
sun makes it difficult to see the PDA screen without blocking the sun
somehow. Other than that, I'm very satisfied with the arrangement.

brian whatcott

unread,

Dec 14, 2009, 7:43:25 PM12/14/09

to

Yep, it's this kind of setup I had in mind. The reviews are not very
complimentary about the wireless hook up to the GPS NMEA 4800 baud bit
stream though. A hard wired, or local GPS seems to be preferred as more
rugged - well rugged, except for trhe teensy weensy plug to the PDA. A
wireless rig seems better to me, if it can be made reliable, no doubt.

Regards

Brian W

brian whatcott

unread,

Dec 15, 2009, 12:39:20 AM12/15/09

to

I took a look at the web site. Darn! The usable PDA's are clearly called
out.
And I just bought a Garmin iQue M5 PDA with GPS at a reasonable price.
416MHz PXA 272 processor - 64MBRAM, 64MB ROM. That suits NavZilla's
offering though...

Brian W

Wayne Paul

unread,

Dec 15, 2009, 9:26:38 AM12/15/09

to

"brian whatcott" <bet...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message news:mYWdnS9_8oJYRrvW...@giganews.com...

I have been using a GPS/PDA combination in my glider for several years. My initial system consisted of a Garmin 12xl, Compaq Aero 1550, and a 12 volt to 5 volt converter to power the PDA. I was running Glider Navigator II software on the PDA.
(http://www.soaridaho.com/photogallery/Mackay/17900_MSL.jpg)
Though this is a relatively crude system, it provides best speed to fly, distance to destination, the altitude you are above (or below) what is required to glide to destination landing pattern, etc. In the above picture you will notice that I am 25 nautical miles out of Mackay, ID and 6307 feet above the altitude to enter the Mackay pattern at 1,000 agl.

This winter I am updating the system by replacing the Aero 1550 with an iPaq hx4700. The iPaq has a color screen with good visibility in bright sunlight, more memory, more powerful processor, and an improved operating system. I will be running XCSoar software which can facilitate digital terrain maps and adds terrain avoidance to the altitude required glide calculations.

I believe the GPS/PDA combination is a commonly overlooked inexpensive solution for a general aviation navigation aid.

Wayne
http://tinyurl.com/N990-6F

stanwa...@gmail.com

unread,

Dec 15, 2009, 12:17:26 PM12/15/09

to

I use oziexplorer running on a laptop with gps powered from same
laptop. You scan your own VFR maps and you always have your position
on a moving map format which is familiar - especially since you have
the paper map open on your knee. You can have waypoints, can plot
courses to follow, display time to waypoint, speed etc. It is possible
to plot IFR charts, pre-plot approaches to grass strips etc. It is
even possible to use oziexplorer 3D. You can have a log of the flight
and replay it - with altitude info (needs some converting to heights
flown). You can give it a free try with oziexplorer trial. Scan a map
and stitch it together and without too much effort you have position
accuracy of better than 100 metres for a big map - much better for a
small map (depending on your calibration accuracy).

Stan

brian whatcott

unread,

Dec 15, 2009, 5:09:05 PM12/15/09

to

That's a moving map method that I've seen offered too.
I was hoping for identified airports that I can select and fly to with
guidance data as "instant" as possible. I think the map approach you
have in mind
is more labor intensive than I was hoping for....

Brian W

brian whatcott

unread,

Dec 15, 2009, 5:18:09 PM12/15/09

to

Wayne Paul wrote:

> I have been using a GPS/PDA combination in my glider for several years. My initial system consisted of a Garmin 12xl, Compaq Aero 1550, and a 12 volt to 5 volt converter to power the PDA. I was running Glider Navigator II software on the PDA.
> (http://www.soaridaho.com/photogallery/Mackay/17900_MSL.jpg)
> Though this is a relatively crude system, it provides best speed to fly, distance to destination, the altitude you are above (or below) what is required to glide to destination landing pattern, etc. In the above picture you will notice that I am 25 nautical miles out of Mackay, ID and 6307 feet above the altitude to enter the Mackay pattern at 1,000 agl.
>

/snip/
> Wayne
> http://tinyurl.com/N990-6F
>

I like the clips holding your navaids in place. The RAM clip I bought
for a similar shaped Garmin 90 was more bulky, but din't secure the GPS.

Thanks for the clues..

Brian W

Wayne Paul

unread,

Dec 15, 2009, 6:28:06 PM12/15/09

to

"brian whatcott" <bet...@sbcglobal.net> wrote in message news:CLidnYAavdirlrXW...@giganews.com...

Brian,

The bracket I built for the PDA is fastened to the side of the instrument pedestal with an automobile rear-view mirror bracket. They can be purchased from any automotive parts supplier. (NAPA, etc.)
http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder/Construction/Misc/N990_0.JPG
http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder/Construction/Misc/N990_1.JPG
http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder/Construction/Misc/N990_1a.JPG
http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder/Construction/Misc/N990_3.JPG
http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder/Construction/Misc/N990_2.JPG
http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder/Construction/Misc/N990_4.JPG

Wayne

brian whatcott

unread,

Dec 15, 2009, 7:46:32 PM12/15/09

to

Wayne Paul wrote:
>
> Brian,
>
> The bracket I built for the PDA is fastened to the side of the instrument pedestal with an automobile rear-view mirror bracket. They can be purchased from any automotive parts supplier. (NAPA, etc.)
> http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder/Construction/Misc/N990_0.JPG
> http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder/Construction/Misc/N990_1.JPG
> http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder/Construction/Misc/N990_1a.JPG
> http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder/Construction/Misc/N990_3.JPG
> http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder/Construction/Misc/N990_2.JPG
> http://www.soaridaho.com/Schreder/Construction/Misc/N990_4.JPG
>
> Wayne
>

Loved the pix. #2 really told the story, for me. Thanks

B