GPS - EAGLE EXPLORER
Andrzej Kobus
Has anybody heard anything good about a GPS called Eagle Explorer (12
channels)?
Larry Mitchell
On 8 Mar, '97, Andrzej Kobus wrote:
>
> Has anybody heard anything good about a GPS called Eagle Explorer (12
> channels)?
Check the sci.geo.satellite-nav newsgroup or Peter Bennett's (sp?) web
site (sorry, don't have the URL, but he posts frequently in that group).
The Eagle is one of two new 12-channel GPS receivers (the Garmin 12XL is
the other) that set a new standard in sub-$300 USD units. The Eagle
seems to be selling for about $200, the 12XL for $250 or less.
Both apparently substantially outperform other products in the price
range; the Eagle is described as larger, with a bigger display but not
so easy to operate one-handed. I haven't seen it.
I purchased a 12XL a week ago from VIT electronics:
http://www.vitinc.com/nn/mud/el/
it appears pretty terrific - unfortunately the weather hasn't cooperated
and I haven't used it in the cockpit. NOTE: The 12XL _does not_ have the
99KT limit of previous "non-aviation" Garmins.
Mfr's Product description (my comments):
*12-channel (parallel) receiver, built-in antenna (better sensitivity,
lock, sat tracking & accuracy than older units w/ external antenna)
*Moving map plotting w/ TracBack [tm] (it works. Tracks can be
downloaded to Wintel pc via a freeware called Waypoint+; Delorme's
Street Atlas 4.0 let's you plot tracks on a detailed map).
*Go-to Highway and Graphic compass pages ("compass shows track + bearing
to waypoint _if_ you're moving; both displays useful to glider pilots
when used w/ route function).
*Up to 500 waypoints; 20 routes (both can be stored, recalled, edited,
also can be uploaded from PC - testing in car, on foot & sim mode
confirms easy to use).
*Proximity waypoint function warns of hazardous areas (12XL does NOT
have airspace info. For sailplane pilots, this is not so important; this
function allows user-defined radius, could warn of controlled airspace.
You still should fly w/ a map & maintain situational awareness).
*4 AA batt, 10hr life (works great w/ Rayovac rechargable alkalines).
Subjective impressions: Mind that I haven't seen / viewed the Eagle.
1) When wearing sunglasses outdoors, text on the Garmin screens is at
the lower limit of legibility for my 48year+ eyeballs. Indoors w/
reading glasses, no problem. The moving map / compass displays &
waypoint list (in "BOLD") are legible @ cockpit viewing distance.
2) I have ordered (not here yet)
a) a velcro leg strap from
http://rampages.onramp.net/~mze/
for cockpit use - kneeboard on one leg, GPS on the other.
b) a 4-pin Garmin-connector-to-DB9 cable (make your own with a
connector from):
http://home.cdsnet.net/~purple/
for PC datalink and
c) a Garmin brand MX-BNC external adaptor (just in case).
I plan to use the 12XL for instructing glider students & personal glider
flying.
In a year there will be something better. For now, this looks great.
Larry Mitchell
Clarification / Additions:
1) The "MX-BNC external Adaptor" mentioned in the previous post is for
an external _antenna_, just in case the 12 XL's built-in doesn't sustain
good lock in the cockpit. The 12XL requires a "powered" external
antenna: if it doesn't sense a current draw by the external antenna, it
won't switch from the internal one. However, a passive external antenna
can reportedly be used by connecting a resistor across the antenna
element and its ground plane.
WARNINT: I HAVEN'T TRIED THIS - do it wrong & you could toast the GPS.
I hope an external antenna is not even required but will post results
here after some flights. If it is, I have the plans / details & will
post them as well.
2) As per a new post in sci.geo.satellite.nav by the guru's of that
newsgroup: Not all GPS receivers work w/ all software (because the data
stream output by the receiver isn't formatted such that a specific s/w
can use it).
Joe Mehaffey & Jack Yeazel are the guru's. Both are retired Lockheed
engineers & have invested their own time & $$$ to provide accurate,
unbiased info to GPS users. Sorta the Paul Bickle / Richard Johnson of
the GPS world?
Specifically, they report the Eagle Explorer will not work w/ Delorme's
Street Atlas 4.0. As SA 4.0 seems the defacto std. mapping s/w, this
would make the 12XL better than the EE if you want to download, keep /
print post-flight tracks.
The name of the Micro$oft mapping / trip planning product escapes me,
but some posts in sci.geo.satellite.nav report returning the latest rev
because although it's supposed to, it simply doesn't work w/ GPS's
(any???).
SA 4.0 was in the Dallas Morning News Office Depot sunday supplement @
$39,95 My week-old WWW order direct from Delorme @ $49.95 hasn't arrived
yet...who says electronic commerce is better?