Looking for a good GPS. On a budget so 396 is out.

[allen]

Anybody out there using the Airmap 2000c?

http://www.sportys.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?DID=19&Product_ID=6696

Also looking at these as an option.

AvMap Geo Pilot
http://www.sportys.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&Product_ID=6842&DID=19

Avirmap 1000
http://www.sportys.com/acb/showdetl.cfm?&Product_ID=6296&DID=19

Because of space I am also considering the Garmin 295. Anybody have some first hand experience with any of these systems that are willing to share?

[mwilli7119]

I have used a 295 for quite some time now. works fine for me. screen can be just a little tough to see in direct sunlight, but that' s no real big.

have not connected it to an autopilot yet but the documentation says its a snap.

[allen]

Can the 295 display MOA's, TFR's and things of that nature? Will it prompt you before you enter the airspace for airports? (Class B, C and D) How is the map refresh rate?

The real nice thing about the 2000c is the elevation alerts an the large screen. However, the large screen just makes for a larger device overall. Hard to justify the extra cash if I can get away with a 295 that has a smaller footprint in the cockpit.

[wvshoem]

Right now I am planning on a  Garmin 196 for the GIB. It has lots of features including a pseudo instrument panel and fairly large screen. They are often available on e-bay and are relatively inexpensive because of the introduction of the 296 and 396.

William

[Radioflyer]

I thought I was all set to bid on a Garmin 196. The panel page, especially for the GIB, was aluring. I'm now prefering the Airmap1000.

For less than price of a used 196, you can get a new 1000. The 196 does not have terrain awareness, the 1000 does. The larger display is a big bonus for my eyes. I'm thinking the overlayed EFIS type graphics over a map might be more useful than the panel page alone. There seems to be a philosophical difference between Garmin and Lowrance on displaying Turn Coordinator info...Lowrance does not think it A GPS should display a TC facsimile.  Not a big gain/loss, aty any rate.

Anybody using the 1000?

[mwilli7119]

This link will let you compare all the Garmin products including discontinued ones like the 295.

[allen]

Your link did not post.

http://www.sportys.com/gps/

This is the link I have been using to compare. However, they do not list the 295.

Radioflyer: I did not think teh 1000 had the terrain awareness. According to the sporty's website it indicates that this is not a feature until the 2000c.

[wvshoem]

Now I'm liking the Airmap 1000 for the GIB. Bigger screen than the 196 with roughly the same features for less money.

I love it when I learn something new.

[Drew]

I have the Airmap 500---and it works great for the cost.  The airmap 500 displays and alarms the airspace.  It does not do TFRs nor does it even do the Washington DC ADIZ.

You can put AnywhereMap on your PDA.  It will download the latest and greatest TFRs prior to takeoff.  You can take up your current PDA to see if you will have any sunlight compatability problems.

I mount the GPS so that it is pretty close to my chest (Longez---ram mount on right side of fuselage-------Cozy--ram mount on fiberglass section of canopy--by my chest).  If the GPS is too big (which the 1000 and 2000 can be) it may block some of your instruments---so be careful.

[allen]

Drew,
       Roughly how far did your GPS sit from your chest. I have never sat in the front of a Long-Ez so I am having a tough time mentally picturing how things would look.
       Anybody out there have some photos of a person sitting in the nose of a Long with the canopy open and closed? I'm 5'6" at 178lbs. What kind of fit will I be.  How much space will I have if I mount the GPS in the same location that Drew mounted his when he still had his LE?

Allen

[Radioflyer]

Yes, I stand corrected about the Terrain Alert in the Airmap 1000...it does not have it. Actually, what I was thinking is that it has ''obstacle" awareness while the Garmin 196 does not.

[Drew]

If you look on my homepage (http://home.earthlink.net/~swensonaw/id9.html) on the top left picture--you can kind of see over my right shoulder the GPS in position (this one happens to be an Airmap 100 (before I got my 500).

So...how close to my chest?  I estimate my eye to screen to be about 12 to 15 inches.

Next time I am in the area, I'll show you the setup on my Cozy---very similar.

[EZRider]

I have been flying the Garmin 296 in a Bonanza and plan on using it in the Longez.  I has everything but uplinked weather.  Easy to read and the battery lasted over 8 hours on my last trip!

[Snappy]

The 296 has alerts for airspace and terrain.  I tested the terrain feature in clear air and it's pretty darn accurate.  Wouldn't fly IFR with obsured mountain tops inroute, but it keeps you safe on a dark nights.

I flew the anywhere map for a couple years and like the Garmin much better for view-ability and call for a flight brief to pick up TFR's/SFR's enroute.

Drew, I checked out your web page which you did a nice job on.  What is the check valve you used for the breather onto the #1 exhaust?  I've been fighting the breather system for way too long now.

[Drew]

I will have to check to see if I have a part number--I'll check when I get home.  If you have the CPs, it is called out there.

Basically you get a pipe nipple to fit the part.  Cut the pipe at a 45 degree angle.  Take it to the weld shop.  

On my Cozy, I just run the breather out by the right side pipes---no nothin' in between.  The builder originally had too small of a breather pipe which caused him to blow the nose seal.  He had a oil-air separater that did not return the goo to the engine.  And he "solved" the too small breather hose by having a "blowoff" valve.  I ripped the whole thing out and put the correct size tube.