I have been using a Garmin Etrex Legend for a while. It works great and is a whole lot cheaper than aviation units. There was the time though when I was flying back from somewhere and the weather started looking pretty bad. I checked the AWOS at a nearby airport and got the dreaded "Lightning in all sectors" in the comments section just as I saw a bolt that was probably 30 miles away but looked like it was right by wingtip. The thunderstorms in Florida pop up out of nowhere pretty quick sometimes. As I was franticly typing in the name of the closest town to the airport since the airports are not in the database on the unit and hoping I could fly towards the town and see the airport I was wishing that I had sprung the extra couple hundred bucks for a GPS with an aviation database. That is not the first time I had wished that either. I will have a 396 before next summer's thunderstorm season with XM weather.
Brian Kraut Engineering Alternatives, Inc. www.engalt.com -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]On Behalf Of Doug Rupert Sent: Thursday, November 17, 2005 7:44 PM To: 'KRnet' Subject: RE: KR> GPS Frank I bought an old Lowrance Worldmap 1000 from a boat for 80 dollars. Lowrance doesn't make them anymore since they figured out that if they change the name to Airmap 1000 they can sell it for a bundle more than a boat owner will shell out. Way cool moving map and huge screen so a magnifying glass isn't needed to see what's on the screen. Not color but the money saved can be better used on radios the way I figure. A quick check of the local boatyards or e-bay under marine section yields a load of treasures that are easily adapted to aircraft usage. Actually been looking at the GPS steering servo from the boat to be used as a simple autopilot. If that servo is strong enough to steer a 40 foot yacht I'm sure it won't have a problem pointing a KR in the right direction. Doug Rupert Speaking of GPS, I saw a GPS unit that plugs into your computer for about $80 (US) the other day. Looks good for those who are using lap-tops in-flight. Frank _______________________________________ Search the KRnet Archives at http://www.maddyhome.com/krsrch/index.jsp to UNsubscribe from KRnet, send a message to [email protected] please see other KRnet info at http://www.krnet.org/info.html
