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which GPS I should BUY?


Bobby CAU

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im currently using SKYMAP IIIC in my CTSW, but im informed to have another one GPS for standby just in case the main one having an issue when cross country.

to be frank, i wanted to replace the current one (if possible).

 

please advise me which brand i should buy and any possible to replace the current one?

 

regards,

Bob CAU

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I keep a Garmin 96C and an iFly 720. The 96C is portable and I use it to download my flight data to my home PC. The iFly 720 does what an iPad with and EFB does, and can also send NMEA to your autopilot if you desire to hook it up that way. Plus it's brighter than an iPad.

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im currently using SKYMAP IIIC in my CTSW, but im informed to have another one GPS for standby just in case the main one having an issue when cross country.

to be frank, i wanted to replace the current one (if possible).

 

please advise me which brand i should buy and any possible to replace the current one?

 

regards,

Bob CAU

 

It seems you've presented us with two different situations, with two different answers.

 

As an emergency backup, I use a Garmin 295. They should be available pretty cheaply, and will get you where you want to go if your primary goes belly up.

 

Also in emergencies, an iPhone or Android phone with an aviation GPS app could serve as a backup. Probably about a $100 solution if you already have a smart phone.

 

As a replacement, I've had good luck with Garmins for many, many years, and any current model from them would be a good choice, dependent only on your budget and size constraints. I use a 496, but the new Aera line has gotten a lot of good press and I have a feeling touch screens are the future.

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I have a new CTLS, one of the first to be delivered with a Garmin 796. I also have flight experience in a CTSW with the Garmin 696, Garmin 496 and the Bendix Aviator AV80r. Hands down the new Garmin 796 is fabulous (and my personal favorite)! A very nice upgrade from the 696. Touchscreen in flight is so much easier to maneuver quickly versus physical buttons and menus. If I were searching for a main GPS the 796 to me is worth the price of admission. I have used the Bendix AV80r as a small portable backup GPS and it does a more than adequate job in that role. I too would have preferred one of the new Area's as a backup but chose the Bendix because of the fact it was for backup purposes, cheaper and more than adequate in a pinch! Attached is a pic of my former CTSW after I had a Garmin 696 put in. Second pic is the new 796 installed in the new CTLS.

 

NOTE: Look in the "FOR SALE" section of this forum. NC Bill is selling his Garmin Area for a good price! Might be worth looking into!

 

http://ctflier.com/index.php?/topic/1309-garmin-aera-560/

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If you're looking for straight backup and minimal cost, you could go the Android tablet route and add Naviator for $50/year (chart subscription). All shapes and sizes available ranging in price from $150 to whatever you want to spend.

You could also go with an Android phone as a backup. The new Samsung Galaxy III has 4.8" screen which is basically the same as an Aera 5xx. There is also the 5" Note.

For backup GPS and primary charts, I'm an iPad + Foreflight guy, though. Some find the 10" screen a bit unwieldy but it works for me.

I'd suggest waiting on replacing your primary, if possible. There is a rumor that Garmin will announce an ADS-B weather capable GPS in the next few months. This could save you $50+/month of you're a current XM subscriber.

 

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