Anyone use the Teletype GPS?

NCSteve · 05-13-2004, 08:03

Hi,
I'm looking for a handheld GPS that I can use for both aviation and driving. The Teletype GPS looks good. Does anyone have any experience with this product? Any other recommendations?

Thanks for the help,
Steve

Superfueler · 05-14-2004, 10:55

Never used it, but I'm not sure using a PDA based GPS would be that good, for the simple reason of trying to use a stylus while flying. What happens if you drop it, or you are in turbulence? I have a Garmin Pilot III, and it has big rubber buttons, and there have been times it has been hard to make changes, because of the bumps.

NCSteve · 05-14-2004, 11:37

Good point. Though, I'm really thinking of it more as a backup to a panel mounted GPS (also, since the panel mounted GPS on the airplane that I fly is in sort of an awkward position requiring me to lean way over to get a good look at it, I thought the handheld might also be more convenient, at least for "normal" flying).

Medpilot 2 · 05-14-2004, 19:50

I got a Garmin 196 last Sept and absolutely love it. Great as a back up. You can line yourself up with the runway centerline miles out. Nearest function is great for finding FSS/airport/center freq./and many more. Battery life with rechargeable batters is about 12-16 hours with back lighting on. It's been a great flight companion these last few months and I just ordered the new Garmin 296 which is basically the same as the 196 with the addition of a color screen and terrain cautions and alerts, sectional chart-like topographic data, a built-in obstacle database.

http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap296/

You could probably pick up a 196 on Ebay for around $700

flyandscuba · 05-17-2004, 11:47

The Garmin 196 is a great little GPS. I used mine in the airplane, the car (interfaced with a laptop for a bigger screen), and on the boat.

I went to Sun-n-Fun this year with full intention of upgrading my 196 for the new color 296. However, when I saw the unit in person -- and realized the screen was slightly smaller than the 196, I decided to wait. Then, while at the show -- I discovered the C-Map EXP III-C Pro Gold unit by AvMap. I was hooked! Especially when I was shown it will automatically lay out SAR grids unde rthe flight plan function -- something I really can make use of!

http://www.avmapnavigation.com/Aviat...AP/EKP3Pro.asp

If price is a consideration for you, keep an eye on the Lowrance 1000. The engineers at the show let me play with a color prototype that will be available for the AirVenture show dates. This will be the most economical full-featured portable color GPS unit on the market. Integration of the unit with Satellite XM signals for "near real time" weather depiction is planned for the near future too.

http://www.lowrance.com/Aviation/default.asp