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multisync

multisync

Long-Distance Cross Country
Joined
Aug 28, 2012
Messages
1,165
Location
CA
I am using a portable GPS for my newly-installed autopilot. I had an old AV8OR on my shelf that was at least 15 years old so I decided to start with that. Unfortunately it has some issues so I need another GPS. The AP manufacturer recommended a Garmin portable that I could get on eBay for a reasonable price.

Since the AP just needs the GPS data, the requirements are fairly low:
  1. Garmin portable GPS (396, 496, 695, 696, Aero series)
  2. Easy to enter flight plans using text for each waypoint
  3. I will probably not enter flight plans by dragging lines on the display
  4. Screen size is not important because I will look at the screen only when entering the flight plan (not to follow the flight)
  5. Good satellite connection (ideally it will be stored in the side kick panel when in flight)
  6. Recent database available
  7. Price is not a big deal, but no use in spending more for features that I don't need (e.g. XM weather, NEXRAD, etc)
Does anyone have experience with the Garmin GPS's and can give a recommendation?
 
You may find having some of the newest functionality important, at some point I've had an Aera 660 for some years now, a great back up for the panel GPS. Good form factor & can go into a panel with an Airgizmos mount, & not a dinosaur, quite yet.
 
What sort of use do you plan for it?
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Just a GPS data source for an autopilot. The screen quality is not important. As long as I can easily enter waypoints for a flight plan it will be OK. After entering a flight plan it just becomes a data source. I won't look at it again unless I need to change the waypoints. My initial post describes it all.
 
multisync said:
Just a GPS data source for an autopilot. The screen quality is not important. As long as I can easily enter waypoints for a flight plan it will be OK. After entering a flight plan it just becomes a data source. I won't look at it again unless I need to change the waypoints. My initial post describes it all.
Click to expand...
As long as you're only going VFR, that should be fine. I'm not sure that's OK with the FAA under IFR. You might want to confirm that.
 
As long as you're only going VFR, that should be fine. I'm not sure that's OK with the FAA under IFR. You might want to confirm that.
Click to expand...
Only VFR. Requires panel mount for IFR. This is the way both the Trio and Aerocruz AP's work.
 
Garmin Aera 510 should do the trick. I still have mine on the control wheel as backup. Familiar Garmin programming interface. There's one on eBay for $300. I just updated the database last month. Mine is really old but it keeps on ticking . . .
 
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