Thread: LOW COST PORTABLE GPS

My GARMIN 496 is all I need when flying my CTsw. However, I'm considering purchase of a automobile-type, low cost GPS and wish to know if it will function in my CT? I'd use the unit in my car and carry it in my airplane as a spare/backup - IF it will work! The GARMIN "nuvi 350" sells here in the USA at Walmart for $148. It has a 3 1/2" diagonal screen and a windshield suction mount plus ac and dc charging cords. It runs on a lithium battery. It can store hundreds of waypoints, even by entering lat/long. I'd appreciate comments from any of you who have experience with this or similar GPSs. DonBo

Personally, I prefer using a GPS for aviation as my backup - a black & white screen Lowrance, which doesn't cost much.

Garmin 96 and 96C are small, powered by AA batteries, and fairly cheap ($200-300). It mounts perfectly on the small bar in front of the spar carry through - out of the way yet easily visible. Bonus: It uses the same data/power plug as the x96 series, so if your 396 dies on the flight, you can plug in the 96C to provide heading data to the autopilot and ADI (if you have one).



Doug

I have a nuvi 255W that works great in the plane to record tracks, but is useless for aviation. Like Doug, I keep a 96C in the plane. It's my logbook, essentially, since I take it with me to download tracks after flights. It will get you where you're going if your 496 craps out.

OK, I have decided not to purchase an automobile GPS, but I still want a low cost aviation GPS as a backup for my GARMIN 496. My visors prevent me from hanging a 96C on the cross bar. I have been offered a used GARMIN 196 for half of what Aircraft SPRUCE asks for a used one. I'd considering mounting it on the glareshield center directly above my 496, and leaving it ON during flight displaying the six- instrument black/white page while I'm navigating with my color 496. One Member provided a photo of his panel which showed this arrangement - but I can't locate it. I'd like to know how he mounted it. In event of a 496 failure, will the 196 accept the antenna and power cables from the 496 ? Sorry to go on and on about this. Thanks for any help you may provide. DonBo

you could try a 295 garmin they have gotten realy cheap and has back up batterys if you should lose power.the 295 is very reliable and easy to use will not hook up to power plug for 496 but antenae is standard on both.

How did we ever make it with only steam gages and a compass?

I don't know, but I think I like the new technology better.

Has anyone tried the Bendix King AV80R moving map which is currently competivley priced in the
UK at about £480? It provides both air map and all the facilities of the more expensive Garmin as
well as the facilities of a TomTom road GPS.
I have taken the plunge and ordered one and will let you know how it performs in my CT2K.

Peter

I'm sure it wouldn't be ideal, and I don't have one to try, but how would a cell phone w/gps work. Like an i-phone.