I can't help but add my 2 cents worth on this subject. I bought the Garmin 195 last year and paid about $1100 for it. I read every review on as many
units as I could find; I talked to several different owners of different units, and I spoke with several manufacturers/distributers about their product. It was hard to justify spending that much money, but I am very pleased with the unit. I think the Garmin is an excellent product in that it captures satilites quickly and holds them. All indications are that the garmin engine is one of the best in this regard. I also like the fact that the screen on the 195 is big compared to other units. My eyes need big. The only drawback to the 195 is its overall size. It comes with a clamp to attach to the yoke, but the set up is too big for the coupe. I just sit it between my legs, the clamp acting as a stand. I like the fact that it identifies roads, lakes, towns, etc as I fly along. Makes my co-pilot's simultaneous tracking on a section very easy, and gives me a quick ref as to how far I am from anywhere I might want to go, or from where I started or from where I am going. I would not hesitate to get another one, although a smaller cheaper ($700 or so) unit would also be acceptable. I think the extra aviation features are worth the cost of getting an aviation unit. I plug the 195 into my lighter for power so I don't rely on the batteries. The GPS is great for tracking to a specific point since you can not only follow the heading indicated, but you can follow a line drawn on the screen from your place of origination to the place you want to go--if the little plane gets off the line, just fly back to the line. Its also great for just flying around the country side. You don't have to keep track of your exact location on a sectional to keep from getting lost. When it is time to go home or to another airport (for fuel or food/etc), just look at the screen to see how far you are from a given landmark. The GPS also serves as a back up for the heading indicator and compass--it gives an accurate readout of your track vs the bearing to a specific location, as well as the declining distance to your destination and your ground speed. It should be a self-imposed mandatory instrument for every flight. Other than the availability of special aviation features in aviation units, the biggest drawback to some other units is the lack of ground features for reference, and the requirement to key-in lat and lon numbers to locate a specific location. Too risky in my opinion--if you transpose a number, or get your head buried in the machine trying to manipulate it, you are likely to have a big problem. The GPS is too good of an aviation tool to get less than the best. My recommendation is that anyone without an aviation GPS should put it at the top of their wish list for future aircraft/flight improvements. Hopefully the Y2K problem will not affect GPS. Ken Doyle Springfield, Mo Alon N5477E
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