Which GPS ?

[Alan Coats]

Guys,

How about a little advice, please.

I'm thinking about asking for a GPS for Christmas. Since I'm flying a GyroBee I won't be making any long cross-country flights, but I don't want to get lost over a bunch of wheat fields that all look alike, either.

What would be a good, simple, inexpensive GPS to carry on my 'Bee?

How cheap and simple can you go and still have something that will reliably point the way to a nearby airport and back home?

Thanks,
Alan

[scottessex]

I just bought a magellan 315 off Ebay for $50, it seems like it will do everything I need it to.

[Harry_S.]

I've had the Mag 315 for several years as have several others.

You can get one at K-Mart for about $100, I think.


Cheers

[ventana7]

YOu should look for an old Lowrance 100 on ebay. It will be uploadable with an aviation database which will make flying on any cross country much easier than a K-mart non aviation GPS. Lowrance's came with several mounts that should work almost anywhere.
Rob

[Dean_Dolph]

Rob, if I'm not mistaken the Magellen 315 has a aviation database available for it. At least it did at one time but this is relatively an 'old' GPS and I'm not sure what is still available.

I have a Magellen ColorTrak GPS and a Magellan response to my inquiry confirmed that the aviation database could be installed on it and I believe also on the 310. I think that some one here (Mike Gaspard?) has/had the aviation database CD.

[Canadian Rhino]

From all the ones I have had the lowrance Ifinder H2O is the best for being able to see the screen in direct sunlight. It also has the little 512 meg memory card where you can switch mapping types in minutes. You just load your map data on to the cards with your own pc. A good GPS can save your life up here where I live!;)

[RayAR3]

I love my Garmin pilot III. It isn't color, but it's good enough to navigate with when I'm flying in basic vfr airplanes. Pretty cheap used too.

And if you want to go all the way, one of my old professors just got a Garmin 396 for his Arrow. It's coupled with the 430, so he can have the flightplan on the 430, match it with the 396, overlay it with XM weather, and STILL listen to the XM music!

Okay I'm done.

[Aussie_Paul]

My Magellan 315 has the Oz aviation data base. For a "cheapie" I love what it can do simply.

Aussie Paul. :)

[Harry_S.]

I did have my Mag 315 uploaded with the aviation database. Cost me twenty bucks. It works super.


Cheers

[Alan Coats]

Thanks, guys.

There are a couple of new 315s with aviation data base listed on Ebay. They look like what I need.

I told my wife so she can bid on them.

Alan

[chuter]

Alan,

Do you mind if I bid too? Maybe we can work this so we each get one?;)

[Ron Marlett]

I have a Garmin E-Trex Vista that seems like it would be good in a Gyrobee(at least that's my plan anyway:). It has a built in barometric altimiter as well as a flux gate magnetic compass. When moving between waypoints, it can be configured to display like a HSI (course deviation line overlayed on a compass rose). This is very nice for situational awareness as in a single view it shows which way you are traveling, which direction your intended trackline is going and how far left or right of track you are. It can also display as a bearing line to a waypoint layed over your current course displayed on the compass rose.

It has 2 user selectable data windows in addition to showing the HSI/compass/bearing display. Each window has 20+ selections for the displayed data. I set mine up for ALT and VSI(barometric). I figure only to have engine instrunments and a tube type airspeed indicator/weathervane on the aircraft. The GPS would either get put on the panel with the others or on a knee board(needs to lie nearly flat to use the magnetic compass option). It's display is small so wherever it goes, it needs to be fairly close. I have used it stood on my truck dashboard wedged against the front window and I have no problem reading it at that distance(about arms length). It is waterproof, shock proof and the way I have treated mine, I would say at least bullit resistant:)

It comes with a highway map database and You can upload other map databases to it but I havn't specifically looked into aviation databases. With the range of a Bee, I can load enough waypoints for reachable airports and potential LZ's by hand in a few minutes. In map mode it can locate and list the nearest waypoints to your current position. I think Garmin is just phasing out the Vista so they can be found at the chain stores pretty cheap. Mine cost nearly $300 new. It's replacement is the Vista-C. It has a slightly larger Color display. I havn't checked one out for features yet.

[Alan Coats]

Alan,

Do you mind if I bid too? Maybe we can work this so we each get one?;)



Michael,

Go for it.

If you get yours cheaper, though, you have to split the difference with me :)

Alan

[Harry_S.]

Michael and Alan:

A word of caution...the Mag 315 can easily be downloaded with an aviation database, but...if you buy one, like on e-bay, that database may not cover your region of the USA?!

I had my 315 downloaded with the Southeast Region and it shows all airports and private strips in the SE states. You could have options on what sectons of the USA to download...when you download. Regional downloads would contain all airstrips in that region. The larger the region, the less coverage of the smaller airports and private strips.

I hope I helped you on this.

If you find that your 315 does not have your region...the database can be changed to your preference. No problem!!


Cheers

[Alan Coats]

Thanks, Harry.

Actually, there are about five very small airports that I might fly to - all within 30 miles of my "home" airport. I don't think the aviation data base is going to be a big deal for me.

Alan

[chuter]

I got a 315 from Ebay, looks like it will do just fine for what I need without the aviation database.

Now I can fly with reckless abandon and still find my way back.:rolleyes:

Thanks for all the input on this thread!

[Phil_Ruffin]

The people at Walmart said that a company named Thales bought out Meg. and don't offer the 315 any more.
I was trying to find a Meg. 315 on Ebay but only see a 300. There are a lot of Cobra 5000's. Would a Cobra 5000 do the same as a Meg. 315?

[GyroRon]

Spend a few bucks more and get a aviation based Garmin. It is a investment you can use for years to come. You can pick up a nice used 195 Garmin for under 250$ and it has every airport, radio freq, runway, airspace markings and much much more. And it will last Garmin GPS are the best you can buy.

[Phil_Ruffin]

I did have my Mag 315 uploaded with the aviation database. Cost me twenty bucks. It works super.


Cheers

Harry or anybody,
I got a Mag. 315 for Christmas, where or how did you get yours uploaded with the avaition data?

[Phil_Ruffin]

Harry, just saw you post in another thread about this guy, Scott Ekberg...352-732-3013...scotthe@atlantic.net - I will try to get in touch with him.

[Harry_S.]

Scott can do it for you Phil.;)

Let me know what transpires?!


Cheers :)

[automan1223]

I got a few garmins. They are rugged and dependable plus you can get parts for even the oldest models. Aviation units are the way to go. I have an ol 95xl that is no longer supported by garmin but I got the last update 2003 for free. Then just recently I got a borrowed 195 with moving map and more bells and such. AV Update is about 40 $ but 500+ for the road map part. PLUS it makes a lot of emi on my small vhf. The older 95xl is quiet.

Jonathan

[Brent_Brown]

Hey we got a new 276C. It has blue chart on it now.
Can it be loaded with jepp charts. that are on the 296.

They look the same.

[Rotornut]

SHHHHHHH. Richard is not suppose to see these post!!
He wants a new GPS and the price is not for ME!

MJ :(

[KenSandyEggo]

Hey. I'm looking for a Magellan 310 or 315 GPS, the ones that sold for around $100. They don't seem to be made anymore or carried by anyone. Secondarily, I'm open to any GPS around $100 or less. I don't care about a moving-map or database. I'll program the airports I want myself. I need something mainstream that a RAM mount is available for, or non-mainstream if it has a hard-point mounting system. Anyone upgrading that has one of these older puppies laying around? I couldn't find any on E-Bay. Maybe I wasn't looking in the right place.

[chuter]

Hey Ken,

Check out these on Ebay (hope the link works).........
315 on ebay (http://search.ebay.com//search/search.dll?from=R40&satitle=magellan+315)

[KenSandyEggo]

Thanks, Mike. I believe I'm going to get the one for $135. It's the only one I could find with the aviation database. All the rest were marine or sport. I found some others, but this still seems the best deal for an aviation unit with a new, complete airport database and free upgrades. Guy has an over 99% approval rating too.

[Mike Schallmann]

I just bought one of those off E-Bay --at $135 it offers all I need for the kind of flying I do--

[ToddP]

Uploading the aviation database to the 315/315A/320 is very easy.

The instructions and database are available at:

http://home.stny.rr.com/bkw/315/

Its been awhile since I've done mine. I'll update it in the next couple days. If its as simple as I remember, I would be happy to do it for anyone that needs help. You'll just need to pay for shipping to and from.

[Chuck Roberg]

Todd, I'll take you up on your offer. I have a 315. But I do not have the cables to go to a computer.

Let me know where to send it and what else you need.