portable GPS units

alpha · Post by **alpha** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 8:06 pm

My aircraft is already fitted with a Garmin250xl gps but the information is presented in a very numerical form and I would prefere a moving map design. I have looked at Sky Deamon and the Airbox clarity2 and am currently leaning towads the Airbox. I'm after something which is extremaly intuative and easy to use and not filled with loads of functions which I will never use . I also like the use of the Jeppesen map on the Airbox as it is of the same format as the maps we use and thus easy to cross reference. So what I am asking is this. Does anyone have any personal experience in either of these units, and are there other questions i should be asking myself before commiting to a purchase?
I would appriciate any help.

Ian Melville · Post by **Ian Melville** » Mon Sep 05, 2011 8:46 pm

alpha wrote: I also like the use of the Jeppesen map on the Airbox as it is of the same format as the maps we use and thus easy to cross reference.

The Airbox Aware with or Aware Plus with or out the PC Navigations software may also suit your needs.

BTW it is the CAA charts, not Jeppeson. When comparing with SkyDemon also budget for replacement CAA digital charts for the Aware.

I cannot decide between the two myself

Rob Swain · Post by **Rob Swain** » Tue Sep 06, 2011 4:02 pm

alpha wrote:I'm after something which is extremely intuitive and easy to use and not filled with loads of functions which I will never use.

Sounds like you are describing the Airbox Aware. I'm considering one as a supplement to my trusty Garmin GPS III that is fitted in the 'plane. Probably have the Plus version with the added planning bits and pieces to allow the box to tell me where to go as well as where I am!

Trevor Lyons · Post by **Trevor Lyons** » Sun Sep 11, 2011 6:38 pm

I splashed out on a SkyDemon GPS that was on special offer at Sywell. It looks a nice bit of kit, and a chum who uses its associated flight-planning software says it's great. I particularly like the way the NOTAMS crop up on screen: it'll be a relief to know you're not flying though a Red Arrows display! The screen is particularly clear, although you can only usefully zoom in so far.

However, there's no handbook, just a sheet of A4 saying "go to our website for instructions". I can see that while the software is still being developed, they might not want the expense of printing a handbook, but it would be useful in the interim to have at least a pdf guide to download. And I would expect a proper handbook in due course...

The other thing is, as implied above, the software is still "under development". I've been trying it out in the car and have had a couple of crashes. On the other hand, these SkyDemon guys are in England and at the end of a phone to listen and give advice, so I'm going to persevere with it for the time being at least. You wouldn't ever get to talk to Garmin's programmers (but then, you might never need to!). But I'm not going to dispose of the Garmin 196 just yet, although I had intended to sell it to help finance the SkyDemon.

Bill Scott · Post by **Bill Scott** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 10:18 am

Good choice Trevor

Have you explored their forums at www.skydemon.aero/forums

Lots of support there if you're stuck with anything.

Ian Melville · Post by **Ian Melville** » Mon Sep 12, 2011 5:23 pm

Trevor Lyons wrote: I've been trying it out in the car and have had a couple of crashes.

Bet that bumped up your insurance premiums

Light Aircraft Association

portable GPS units

portable GPS units

Re: portable GPS units

Re: portable GPS units