researching buying gps (first time)
Excellent stuff!
I read cockpit GPS and found it very informative. My budget for a new/used GPS was max $250 Canadian (tax not incl). Based on the info I read, I purchased a Garmin 72. I used it for a while but returned it as I did not like it for the type of flying that I do. I purchased the Magellan Meridian for under $200.00 I have had it for 2 weeks and I like it. It is easy to use, solidly built, it has a very basic map with airports on it, it has twice the memory of the Gamin 72, it accepts additional memory, it does everything that I want it to do and it fits my budget. I would not hesitate to recommend it as a cost effective supplemental navigation device for the "week-end pilot". K. Kiltz
Thanks for your comments on the newsgroup and your booklet which I have only quickly scanned through. I am trying to make the right decision on what to buy.
Thanks for your comments on the newsgroup and your booklet which I have only quickly scanned through. I am trying to make the right decision on what to buy.
good
I am having a hard time in figuring out how to set the unit to get accurate elevatgions in a car on the go. I fing it interesting to see the change in elevation as I drive. Especially in PA were I often visit.
Excellent book. One of the best reference for me. Use my handheld Vista for almost everything; boat, hike, car ... Also use with Laptop (MS Streets & Trips, Delorme Topo USA) and with SONY Clie SJ22 PDA (just purchased). Looking forward to continue experimenting and investigating. I simply love this technology, and also love my Vista. Keep up the good work.
Hi, Great site with perfect informations. Go on like this - Greetings http://www.naturmittelverkauf.de/ http://www.lastminute-reisen2000.de/
Great site. Simple yet friendly to browse. Great content!
Excellent site. Books are both excellent. I have several books on GPS and yours are every bit as good....in most cases, better. Particularly where you alert users that sometimes you have to follow the shoreline and NOT the GPS....good common sense advice that others fail to make note of.
Want to spend more time reading you articles
I would like to let you know we have just visited your website. Very nice site.
Very interesting to read it. I think ready for printing Ton Take the web version of the web. People will copy it and publish it under there own name. (it's that good)
Great book!!
Very interesting well presented information. Great education for people just starting to use GPS....thank you for taking the time and effort to provide this web page.
Your site was a fantastic and timely find! I'm teaching a new course at our high school this fall - Managing Outdoor Skills, Science and Technology and your site is the best source of information on USING GPS that i've ever come across. Thank you for the effort you put into this. I hope I can find an "internet connected print shop" in our area to get a good copy of your book. RE: your question about teaching gr 4 kids about lat/long - how about seating a kid in a chair that can spin, in the middle of the room and give them a pointer stick. They pretend they are at the centre of the earth and "someone is stomping on the ground up there!"(pick a point on the wall or ceiling) Have them point up (lat) and spin around (long), (from some starting point - prime meridian) to zap 'em. cheers ps...Alternative idea - YOU sit in the chair, blindfolded. Kids post "targets" around the room and tell you how to aim by giving lat/long of target. fpianka@hotmail.com www.norlink.net/~alpinecc/
I often notice, that especially private pilots do not know enough about the problems with handheld gps receivers and that many of them do just believe that they are save as long as they have this units. I always do a manual flight planning (Route, W&B, Fuel) and use a handheld gps as an additional help, no more. Also, to power the gps from a cigarette lighter connector is not a very safe way (from a technical standpoint). In addition, many of the handheld units are far too complicated for use in a small aircraft with a single pilot (he has to fly the aircraft, look around for other aircrafts, communicate with FIS or radar controllers etc. etc.). A better/ another way is, to do the flight planning on a PC (for example: using Jeppesen Flight Star and download the entire route into the GPS)
You offer plain but very precise, and to my knowlege (quite small) a wonderful approach for people who would like to make a precise but not over technical discovery of these wonders called Gps's. Congratulations and many thanks.
John, this is the finest compiled information on the use of GPS I have ever seen. Very nice work. I have 22 years in avionics - navigation (INS) and flight controls, and have always been interesting in personnel use of GPS. I was also interested in how you did the screen capture. The g7towin.home.atbi.com site is no longer valid. .home changed to comcast and I tried variation of comcast without luck. Do you know the current URL? fprince@titan.com
You have nice and well done site thanx
Haven't read the pdf yet, but it looks interesting. Thanks for putting in the effort.
GREAT! Really great I was looking for a site like this for a very long time. Go on!
i'm still newbie in this gps things.. i need manual for my furuno gp-30 gps (actually, i buy this gps second hand) but your text is helpfull though it's not gp-30 manual..
Thank you for site. Looks very well done, and I will try downloading and reading thru. If you happen to have printed copies, please advise and I would most likely purchase a printed copy. (sort of a "reference guy" ) VERY NICE JOB ON SITE. Bob FitzGerald 1047 Castle Rd. Geneva, N.Y. 14456 315 789-6618
I am glad to find work done on the use of GPS for dead reckoning. I am writting a small article on safe procedures for landing off-field and felt something needed to be said about the sometimes chimerical attraction of a GPS. I have finished my own short section on using the GPS for soaring navigation and am interested to learn more from a broader perspective. If you're interested I could email it to you when it's finished. Thanks, and I've paid the $10 for the download.
I was looking for a website to help explain GPS and the differences in aviation and non-aviation GPS units. I was hoping to get one for both... but I think I will purchase a portable aviation version later, and get a decently-equipped outdoor model in the mean time. I really like the Garmin series, and based on your book - it sounds like a good choice. Thank you.
I was looking for a website to help explain GPS and the differences in aviation and non-aviation GPS units. I was hoping to get one for both... but I think I will purchase a portable aviation version later, and get a decently-equipped outdoor model in the mean time. I really like the Garmin series, and based on your book - it sounds like a good choice. Thank you.
looks like some good text so far, just started reading thanks for the info SGT. Fitz USMC
Great, great site! Lots of usefull information for anyone interested in aviation, navigation and the use of a GPS. Keep up the good work!
I have used GPS tchnology for a lot of years, well before there was mapping and the ability to lock onto more than three satellites. I had no dillision that I new it all but your book taught me plenty more than I anticipated. Many training organizations that have any naviagation componenet should have your books as manditory reads for theirs students. Very well done.
I met you briefly on the flight to FRA last week. If you can get a STR flight, we could meet here and if weather pewrmits I will take you to a glacier for a couple of landings. Send me your email adress and I will forward a pic of the Snowbird parked at 15.000 ft, close to the Matterhorn. Best regards Thomas
great reading!!!!!! will recomend to all my friends. I can see that you dedicated a sustantial ammount of time in research. well documented
Thanks
I was steered to your site from teh Ison BBS. Have begun Building a Ison Himax and hope to use the info you provided on this site. You have helped clear a lot of things up for me!
John: I couldn't resist signing your guestbook. Forgive the sarcasm. No harm intended. I will catch up on your new material so I can eventually get a powerful all-purpose GPS for car, and kayak... (or is that kar and cayak?). Talk to you soon my friend, Mike
thanks for you work
An excellent review
Well written and useful.
I am just flying through, but will get back to read your site carefully... picked up your link from the sci.geo.satellite newsgroup...
Very good ..
Excellent Guide
Many greatings from germany and thanks a lot for this great site.
I just downloaded and printed your Basic GPS Navigation book. To me as a novice GPS user (not even that, still have to buy), it doesn't look basic at all! I'm overwhelmed by the amount of detail at this moment, but being a 'beta' type person I look forward to figuring it all out. Thanks for making this available at no cost! - KB
I just downloaded and printed your Basic GPS Navigation book. To me as a novice GPS user (not even that, still have to buy), it doesn't look basic at all! I'm overwhelmed by the amount of detail at this moment, but being a 'beta' type person I look forward to figuring it all out. Thanks for making this available at no cost! - KB
Awesome Site, Informative Information and it's a MUST READ for any pilot using a GPS!!! Keep up the GREAT WORK!!!
Awesome Site, Informative Information and it's a MUST READ for any pilot using a GPS!!! Keep up the GREAT WORK!!!
Hi John,
Hi John,
Hi John,
Hi John,
Hi John,
Hi John,
Hi John,
Hi John, I tried to pay for your book but Amazon just would not co-operate, I see if I can mail you payment! Looking forward to reading your book.
Thanks for info
Nice site. I am still reading the books.
i was Gest on this site. I has no Boad or Plane, but i am very interestet in the Fly. This website is very good I send you best greets from Berlin and wish you very good Christmas days Thomas Richter waldwicht@gmx.de
I am a flight simmer and I love to fly my planes. Thanks for a great site for learning this aspect of navagation.
Just checking my PDA.
Are you a former pilot in the RAF ? Email me at GCAflyboy@AOL.com
Your book has helped me learn to use a GPS and how to set them up for flying and traveling by boat and auto. Thank You, I found the information very helpful.
Thank You very much for this excellent book. Actually I was just in desperate need for such a detailed tutorial that would explain basic old-skool navigation (bearing, turn, xte, etc.) togehter with gps from a professional point of view. I always knew there are much more efficient ways of using gps but my personal lack of knowledge prevented me from doing so. This book helped me a lot. I always use gps paired with a good map while geocaching and hiking, sometimes driving. Who knows - some day I might be boating so this book is the best for homework. Thanks a lot!
Good work and great site!
fabulous web site please keep up the good work
Your "Cockpit GPS" is comprehensive and well organized. I skipped some of the chapters since I do not ever envision coming close to IFR flying in ultralights. Better to have the chapters to skip, than not have the chapters and want them. This was a valuable resource in my continuing research into aviation GPS units. Thanks for the information!
This is a test
Great info. Thanks.
Haven't had it long and still trying to learn how to get the best use out of it. The manuals don't tell you much in that area, so am reading what I can. Will let you know how it goes.
Thanks for the great work. Your book is really helpful.
Enjoyed and learned from Cockpit GPS. Thanks for the effort of creating it.
I appreciate the info on the data cable for older Garmin GPS
Just a heads up to those in Canada that might be considering this unit. The mapping detail of Canada is pathetic to say the least. Therefore you must upgrade the base map when it becomes available. The shop where I bought mine never told me that theirs was specially set up from Lowrance for demo purposes and that the one I purchased would require additional upgrading.
Thanks for the information you've provided. In the past couple of days I've been able to program my Map 330 with navaids and waypoints for flights I'm planning to take this summer. I'm still going through your page, and I appreciate the time you've spent putting it together.
Thanks for the information you've provided. In the past couple of days I've been able to program my Map 330 with navaids and waypoints for flights I'm planning to take this summer. I'm still going through your page, and I appreciate the time you've spent putting it together.
Like I said, just looking for some info right now. Certainly, if I find your information helpful, I'll contribute.
To say that you put allot of work into this is a very big understatment. How did you become such an expert? Anyway, I am very impressed and enjoyed your hard work. Also thanks for the pictures of the YAK. I have never seen that model before. $35,000 seems to be a very reasonale price. I hope we meet on the road again. Take care. Danny
This site is superb. When I have read it all, I will perhaps be able to comment further. I shall recommend it not only to flyiong and boating chums, but also to colleagues at work (Maritime Studies section of Liverpool John Moores University Engineering Dept.) Cheers!!
Truly appreciate the hard work and effort put in to write such books. Furthermore to offer such knowledge basically for free is really honourable. I just downloaded the article and have not yet read it. Upon completion of the book I will give you my comments via email. Thanks again for sharing your valuable knowledge. Warmest regards/Chew
I needed to quickly know where a waypoint was for an FMS simulator test today and this was a big help. Thanks.
Dear John, Thanks for the Cockpit GPS Guide. Although I have a pretty good background with GPS equipment, it's always nice to read another pilots ideas, and as always, I've learned something new. --------- Garmin's GPSMAP 296 --------- I thought you might want to hear about my experience with Garmin's GPSmap 296, so here's some details. I purchased the new GPSMAP 296 at Sun 'n Fun and flew with it back to Indiana, about 700 miles in a C182. The unit really works as well as Garmin suggests. If you own a GPSMAP 196, you'll be at home with the 296. The lithium rechargable batteries works great and lasts as long as advertised, even with the backlight on. The terrain warning and obsticle warnings are also great and work as expected. The display was bright, sunlight readable, and the mapping detail is excellent; airspace, MOA's, restricted area's, and all Navaids show up extremely well. The display is more like a sectional than a typical GPS and the colors make things much easier to pick out. The processor is also fast and panning in map mode works just like the 196 even though it's moving colors. The software is improved over the 196 with some added feature, and with some OS upgrades it'll be even better. Don't get me wrong, the unit operates flawlessly, but Garmin always strives to update their software. One thing I hope Garmin offers for the 296 in the near future is a headset/intercom interface. It would be great to hear the terrain/obstical warnings in your headset. Since the 296 outputs sound in driving mode, I would think this feature would be easy for Garmin to add. Thanks again for all your efforts. Sincerely, Richard
FOR SIMPLE GPS (GPS 12) When boating and sailing in waterd full of stones it might be very necessary to keep as near to the routeline as possible. TURN right takes you in a stright line to the next waypoint, that is true but there might be something nasty like stones or low water on the stright route. The amount of the TURN reading that tells you that you are dangerously off road depends on the obstacles etc. When tacking you can in advance figure out danger readings on both sides of the track In such situations I should recommend to take a course 90 degrees off the course and return to the right path. The highway can best tell you when you can turn to the next waypoint. I had such a problem in a dense fog two years ago and had to stay were I was until the fog disappeared. Using the GPS in this way might well have helped.
Wish I had of bought a Garmin now, Lowrance customer service stinks!
You have good coverage. You answer the questions that I had to learn the hard way, (With Use) That the book did not cover on basic usage. My GPS has saved me a lot of hours on the rivers. wish I would have had your page when I was learning. James
none yet
Keep up the good work!
I purchased Cockpit GPS and it has become my primary reference with regard to using my GPS in the flight situation. I highly recommend it to anyone wishing to get the most from their GPS unit Thanks very much for the compliment.
John, you sat next to us on a flight to Orlando. We were going to Disney World because our son had won a sweepstakes. Enjoyed our discussion. Your restaurant suggestion was very good. Being a Flight Simmer, this site is very interesting. Regards
Excellent! I can't say I am a GPS beginner, but I am no expert at it either. The docs are excellent references to me as it reminded me of some of the basics, as well as teaching/clarifying a few enw things as well.
Thanks for pulling all the info together. I was going to put together something similar if I didn't find your site. Most useful!
Hi John, I just wanted to stop by and say HI. We sat together on a recent flight and chatted about gadgets, toys, a mutual friend, and life in general. A very nice looking site. I haven't had a chance to get into it in detail, but plan to as time permits. Stay well, take care, and NON ILLIGITIMUS CARBORUNDUM! (A little Latin lingo, there!) Bill..
please check www.pocketfms.com Freeware (although donations seem to be very welcome) worldwide navagation with flight-planning, W&B and everything you can think of. Not only moving map but also all navigation data, flightplan, automatic weatherinfo included, avoid any type of area's you like etc. And it works just fine since the last releases. Really amazing what these people made for GA-pilots! To my humble opinion as a result of this software owning a PocketPC becomes a must for pilots......
I just discovered your site, and have not yet fully read even the one document that I stumbled on---but it seems terrific. obviously a labor of love. so, I just wanted to thank you. I will read it very carefully. I just sold my RV-9 (GNS-430), and will be purchasing an RV-10 (CNX-80). because I will have to rent until then, I think I will purchase an airmap 1000. I have to admit I am one of those pilots who trust GPS's with good maps and terrain avoidance so much that I would not fly without one. in fact, I strongly feel that they should be mandatory as gyro backups---I can easily hold the plane level AND maneuver to an airport if the gyro's go out in IFR; I could not do so without. chances are that everything else in my airplane will die before my handheld GPS will die, especially if it has a hookup for electric input and battery input. IMHO, an ok pilot like myself *with* a working handheld GPS can survive total avionics failure. examples of dead pilots with (creeping) vaccuum failures abound, of course. now I need to go back to what got me to your site---looking for whether I can find good mounts to place the airmap 1000 into my VW Passat and one a control stick (not yoke). regards, /iaw
I am a electronics engineer by profession,I am into GPS systems and tracking.I did like to have more details connected to this subject....thanking you for ur excellent work in this site.
Great work! It's about time someone explained those ever evolving machines. Can I link this page to my site? www.wingsoregon.com I think many pilots will find this site useful! I will find myself perusing the site alot in the future.
Your book cleared up a lot of issues for me re using my new etrex. Thanks!
Just getting into APCalc. Haven't used anything yet.
I downloaded the PDF version, and will send a contribution as soon as I get a change to read some of it. On first perusal, I am quite impressed. Thanks for your efforts! SE
Hi John, Thanks for writing the basoc gps navigation booklet. By searching the internet for data how to use the gps for kayaking i found your site. It's the most best site in explaining how you can navigate with a gps. greetings peter bell
eTrex Vista was bought before I started flying. It has been used for walking and driving. Now it is used for flying. Despite have used it continuously for two years I am still learning! So I read what I can find to get more tips.
eTrex Vista was bought before I started flying. It has been used for walking and driving. Now it is used for flying. Despite have used it continuously for two years I am still learning! So I read what I can find to get more tips.
eTrex Vista was bought before I started flying. It has been used for walking and driving. Now it is used for flying. Despite have used it continuously for two years I am still learning! So I read what I can find to get more tips.
Learned a number of new things, and I still haven't finished the book!
I really like you VNAV whiz wheel. I used it going into ATL on the Rome arrival and found it reduced the workload. Thanks. You should consider joining the Bluecoat forum (www.bluecoat.org)
Don't give up quite yet. I just found your site and will let the other folks at KRMY know about it. Thanks, Bill
Excellent reading. even though I am versed with GPS with several years experience, I still found the information to be interesting and well written.
Nice of you to put this up - the beauty of the Internet is how many people <do> share information. I run the newsletter for our small yacht club, will include pointer to your site.
Nice site, interesting text--curious what (if any) luck you're having with the shareware publishing model; I have a similar project I'm trying to decide what to do with.
I posted an analytical solution to your crosswind traking vs. homing problem on rec.aviation.ifr
After a recent training, one of my fellow pilot was telling me about how they ended up shooting an approach using GPS Altitude information. A few days later we were happily flying at FL470 and noted an error of 1300', then the discussion started.........thanks for all the info.
As a Flight Instructor, I have very little extra cash. I'd love a nice aviation GPS, but until then I just gotta say: Your site was so much help! Thanks for all the work you put into it.
Is there any simple software to convert GPS V to the GPS III Pilot to use in aviation ???
Very informative info, publish and you'll make money off of student pilots. Thanks!
Nice and informative
John, this is an excellent reference and it answers lots of questions that could not be answered by just reading those manuals. I hope that most of the guys who download your work also pay for it! I just did and wish you great success. Rolf
Taking a GIS course & needed these points! Thanks!
still reading. how do I send you $5.00us? email: jakekroe@mts.net
Thanks so much for all the info. Some of obvious stuff and even more stuff that should have been obvious! Great job. Please don't abandon this project. It will undoubtedly help many people.
Thanks for the info. on everything. Enjoyed flying with you. Russ
Minor nit about your document: to legally fly an approach using GPS as primary navigation, it *must* say "GPS" in the title, even for RNAV approaches. I just discussed this with an FAA examiner who concurred. It came up because there are some VOR/DME RNAV approaches at KFNL that can't be flown with GPS and require older RNAV equipment. The Garmin 430 database will have a small "gps" next to legal approaches and this one didn't have it (which was surprising, and prompted my question to the FAA). This is stupid, but in the same category as an "NDB 33" approach before it became "NBD or GPS 33". Done
Student pilot, looking for some recommendations on an aviation GPS. My Magellan GPS2000 still serves the purpose for basic ground nav, but is of limited use for aviation due to it's age and very basic functionality... Payment will be forthcoming as soon as I sort out my PayPal situation - seems my credit card is no longer there, and that was unexpcted...after already downloading your book. Thanks for your understanding!
John, You've got a winner in this book. Why don't you publish it? Regards, Antonio Thanks for the compliment. I have thought about it, but I am often updating it and publishing would freeze the text.
Excellent work! It is clear you also have great passion for flight, and implementing flight the way it was meant to be.
Excellent work! It is clear you also have great passion for flight, and implementing flight the way it was meant to be.
Lowrance has been a disappointment because they never got the obstruction DB implemented or the terrain avoidance feature. Some of the land features weren't implemented either. In general the documentation isn't complete on things such as how does one select AGL and MSL. Your site is invaluable. Thanks for the great effort for the rest of us. Dick Harriff
Looking at a 182, love maps with terrain ( fly over lots of mountains) not IFR, but might do it this time. See our site www.stillwaterlanding.com Bill M
If you Dads name was Harold Bell from WV. Please contact me belljas@earthlink.net
Excellent - thanks a lot !!
Your site is obviously a labor-of-love. Thanks for sharing with the rest of the "great un-washed"... Best regards, Dan Condon
You have a great site and show great empathy for those who need to learn. I am retired and 69 years of age and have always been interested in GA. My father used to take me on weekends in 1940, or so, to the grass strips near my house to watch the Stinson's and Cubs practice. Of course the grass strips were all shut down in 1942 so we limited ourselves to the Youngstown, Ohio commercial airport with their DC3s coming and going. If I can pass the physical I will get my license and hopefully build a Van-7A soon. I can't tell you how much I appreciate your site and the small token I have sent does not reflect your site's true value.
I just got back into flying after a 30 yr haietus and so many things changed in that time. GPS was brand new to me, and, really a mystery. . . .that is until I found your site. The instruction booklet that came with the unit is almost useless. I can't thank you enough for de-mystifying it for me. I have used it on several cross country's and am still amazed at how it makes navigating so simple, compared to how I used to use the VOR's and pilotage. Again, thank you.
I'm impressed. Not like anything else I've seen on the subject.
This is a wonderful guide! Thanks for taking the time to write the document. I can truly say that before reading your guide I was nowhere near getting the most from my GPS. However, I feel much more educated now and reaping the reward of comprehending the unit. Thanks again!
I'm taking a General-ed computer science course & writing a term paper (group project) on GPS. I needed info on Marine and Aviation GPS; your site was my primary source of data; thank you very much for this informative and easy to use site! |