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ericmpmail-rv10(at)yahoo.
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 Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 12:58 pm Post subject: Avmap IV, Anywhere MAP, and Garmin 496 review |
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I've recently bought the AVMAP and gave it a brief
test flight under IFR during a lesson (I have about 12
hrs IFR inst.) I ended up returning it for the
following reasons.
1) It is big, which is great - but it is really too
big for my Cherokee 180 yoke in horizontal and too
tall vertical.
2) In map mode, it does not overlay an HSI. I really
did not like this. It also jumped around from track up
to north up, etc. I'm sure if I worked with it more I
would have gotten it to settle down. However, in my
scan - I have only ~ 2-3 seconds to spend looking at
the GPS. Not enough time to worry about track vs
north, etc. Also plane would jump around in position
on the screen. The screen is big enough that it should
always be centered. In vertical mode, the plane is far
enough down on the screen that you are almost looking
at your lap.
3) Screen is bright, very legible, but critical items
are small on the screen. VOR, NDB's etc are hard to
read.
4) Menu logic takes getting use to. small joy stick on
unit was biggest disappointment. It was inconsistent
in operation and did not provide positive feedback.
5) No easy way to export/import flight routes or
tracks
6) ~ 90 min battery life
7) No XM Weather yet. They have a USB port but not
audio out.
 Database was 6+ months out of date on receipt and
no free upgrade to current.
9) Antenna was fantastic and reception was very good
even in the garage. They have apparently moved to 20
channel GPS but mine had 12 channel. (Old stock?
Ordered from one of their largest dealers...)
10) Too wide to fit within the constraints of an audio
stack panel mount.
11) Terrain was high res and nicely done
12) Did not use airways or approach features.
13) Only used for 2 hrs in flight + 5 hrs on the
ground so consider this a first impression.
Anywhere map:
I've been using this system for years. I current use a
Dell 50v, with a bluetooth GPS, and current anywhere
map software. I've decided that I need a new option as
touch screen is not good for IFR
1) Compromise. If you have and need a PDA, not a bad
option. I have a blackberry now and don't use the PDA
for anything else.
2) Screen is not very bright, not as good as IPAQ
units (also had one of those). Washes out in direct
sun and AR coating on screen not as good (wear a black
shirt and not white... unless you want to see yourself
in the screen.)
3) Zoom delay is significant - ~ 4 seconds for a
detailed screen
4) Display is a little bit smaller than Garmin but
display logic is not as good by far. non-tower
Airports are in a magenta that washes out easily.
Discussed this with them and they wanted to duplicate
sectional - but doesn't make sense if you cannot read
airport details
5) Touch screen interface is biggest liability. if
it's bumpy, you will have trouble entering info and
navigating menu's. This was key motivation for seeking
a replacement.
6) I do not have XM weather for anywhere map, I think
it is pricey
7) I will be selling this system soon, with yoke
mount, GPS, etc...
If you lose the plane power, PDA battery drains
quickly. Night dim on the 50V is still bright enough
to be a distraction.
Garmin 496:
After trying potential options, I returned the AvMAP
IV and bought a 496. I have not flown with it yet in
the plane, but I have flown it all over the place
using simulator mode (and car)
First impressions:
1) Garmin has a polished product that really works
2) All the area where the PDA/AvMAP let me down,
Garmin seems to have gotten right. Menu is very
intuitive and easy to follow - despite complexity of
the unit. Rocker button is excellent.
3) XM Weather is incredible. You can flip through
weather charts on the ground and conduct your own
pre-flight briefing - Nexrad, satellite, metar, TAF,
freezing level, cloud tops, winds, TFR's, airmet,
sigmet, etc in a couple of minutes. Great background
for when you call the briefer...
4) Weather overlay with moving map is great. Easy to
get rid and bring back all the weather too. Very fast
screen updates.
5) Screen is 3.8", just a little bit bigger than Dell
50v. However, it is much brighter and display logic
from Garmin is excellent. Everything you need to see
is big, bold and easy to read from a distance. I can
see how panel mounting would work for this unit. I
think it would be way to far away for Anywhere map.
This was one of my concerns when buying the unit and I
am surprised how good it is.
6) approaches: Database has all the intersections but
only the FAF and Runway for stored approaches. You can
create routes that mimic the approach. I think best
will be to make the intersections big on the map
(weakness of Avmap) and use it as reference while
setting up approach, then load approach while nearing
FAF and fly as reference. I have not played with VNAV
yet, but it seems one of the weaker features of the
Garmin.
7) Support. Free update coupon with unit and existing
database expired in November.
Ability to easily download tracks and import into
google map, etc. (See www.vansairforce.net)
9) flight log - looks interesting, have not tried yet
10) panel page - fast refresh rate. Will try partial
panel with this alone this weekend (with instructor of
course!)
11) 496 comes with all the acessories (auto, yoke
mount, Li-ION battery). AvMAP does not. Yoke is
another 70-100, batteries ~ 50 (NiMH AA). No automount
for the avmap (and no database).
12) I ordered full aviator XM package, easy to switch
from one to the other. I also got the XM audio for
6.99 more. Wish they had NPR too, but BBC is ok.
13) Safetaxi is a nice feature. I never liked Anywhere
maps version and never used it. It has my home field
in it. I'm surprised it "comes on" at the map scale
that it does and I thought it would wait until much
closer (or more zoomed in). Perhaps a setting issue. I
can't find any info on what airports are or are not in
the Safetaxi database but it seems they picked mostly
big tower fields with crossing runways. (makes sense)
14) I did drive along with the preloaded auto map.
This works well and is very similar to the one in the
car. Our 2nd car does not have mapping so perhaps I
will take along on big trips.
Is the Garmin 496 worth ~ 2800? I think so.
Situational awareness is fantastic - XM pushes TFR's
out as well and if you don't like it a year from now I
bet you can find a buyer for a fair fraction of the
original.
I was surprised how little independent info was out on
comparisions. That's why I took the time to write this
up. Hopefully, some of you have found it useful.... I
may eventually put in the RV-10 with an SL-30 and
mode-S transponder. For less than 9k you could have
ILS/VOR approaches, traffic, weather, XM-radio,
linking to SL-30 for radio frequencies, and 496 can
also drive an autopilot (via GPS to CDI conversion
box. Dynon for Attitude, HSI display, etc for another
~ 3k.
1/5/07
Eric Panning
Flying Cherokee and building 40150 (stuck on
fuselage..)
| | - The Matronics RV10-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
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indigoonlatigo(at)msn.com
Guest
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| Posted: Fri Jan 05, 2007 8:12 pm Post subject: Avmap IV, Anywhere MAP, and Garmin 496 review |
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Thanks to everyone. Thanks Eric for this great, informative post.
JOhn G
DO Not Archive
| Quote: | From: Eric Panning <ericmpmail-rv10(at)yahoo.com>
Reply-To: rv10-list(at)matronics.com
To: rv10-list(at)matronics.com, eric_panning(at)yahoo.com
Subject: Avmap IV, Anywhere MAP, and Garmin 496 review
Date: Fri, 5 Jan 2007 12:57:39 -0800 (PST)
I've recently bought the AVMAP and gave it a brief
test flight under IFR during a lesson (I have about 12
hrs IFR inst.) I ended up returning it for the
following reasons.
1) It is big, which is great - but it is really too
big for my Cherokee 180 yoke in horizontal and too
tall vertical.
2) In map mode, it does not overlay an HSI. I really
did not like this. It also jumped around from track up
to north up, etc. I'm sure if I worked with it more I
would have gotten it to settle down. However, in my
scan - I have only ~ 2-3 seconds to spend looking at
the GPS. Not enough time to worry about track vs
north, etc. Also plane would jump around in position
on the screen. The screen is big enough that it should
always be centered. In vertical mode, the plane is far
enough down on the screen that you are almost looking
at your lap.
3) Screen is bright, very legible, but critical items
are small on the screen. VOR, NDB's etc are hard to
read.
4) Menu logic takes getting use to. small joy stick on
unit was biggest disappointment. It was inconsistent
in operation and did not provide positive feedback.
5) No easy way to export/import flight routes or
tracks
6) ~ 90 min battery life
7) No XM Weather yet. They have a USB port but not
audio out.
Database was 6+ months out of date on receipt and
no free upgrade to current.
9) Antenna was fantastic and reception was very good
even in the garage. They have apparently moved to 20
channel GPS but mine had 12 channel. (Old stock?
Ordered from one of their largest dealers...)
10) Too wide to fit within the constraints of an audio
stack panel mount.
11) Terrain was high res and nicely done
12) Did not use airways or approach features.
13) Only used for 2 hrs in flight + 5 hrs on the
ground so consider this a first impression.
Anywhere map:
I've been using this system for years. I current use a
Dell 50v, with a bluetooth GPS, and current anywhere
map software. I've decided that I need a new option as
touch screen is not good for IFR
1) Compromise. If you have and need a PDA, not a bad
option. I have a blackberry now and don't use the PDA
for anything else.
2) Screen is not very bright, not as good as IPAQ
units (also had one of those). Washes out in direct
sun and AR coating on screen not as good (wear a black
shirt and not white... unless you want to see yourself
in the screen.)
3) Zoom delay is significant - ~ 4 seconds for a
detailed screen
4) Display is a little bit smaller than Garmin but
display logic is not as good by far. non-tower
Airports are in a magenta that washes out easily.
Discussed this with them and they wanted to duplicate
sectional - but doesn't make sense if you cannot read
airport details
5) Touch screen interface is biggest liability. if
it's bumpy, you will have trouble entering info and
navigating menu's. This was key motivation for seeking
a replacement.
6) I do not have XM weather for anywhere map, I think
it is pricey
7) I will be selling this system soon, with yoke
mount, GPS, etc...
If you lose the plane power, PDA battery drains
quickly. Night dim on the 50V is still bright enough
to be a distraction.
Garmin 496:
After trying potential options, I returned the AvMAP
IV and bought a 496. I have not flown with it yet in
the plane, but I have flown it all over the place
using simulator mode (and car)
First impressions:
1) Garmin has a polished product that really works
2) All the area where the PDA/AvMAP let me down,
Garmin seems to have gotten right. Menu is very
intuitive and easy to follow - despite complexity of
the unit. Rocker button is excellent.
3) XM Weather is incredible. You can flip through
weather charts on the ground and conduct your own
pre-flight briefing - Nexrad, satellite, metar, TAF,
freezing level, cloud tops, winds, TFR's, airmet,
sigmet, etc in a couple of minutes. Great background
for when you call the briefer...
4) Weather overlay with moving map is great. Easy to
get rid and bring back all the weather too. Very fast
screen updates.
5) Screen is 3.8", just a little bit bigger than Dell
50v. However, it is much brighter and display logic
from Garmin is excellent. Everything you need to see
is big, bold and easy to read from a distance. I can
see how panel mounting would work for this unit. I
think it would be way to far away for Anywhere map.
This was one of my concerns when buying the unit and I
am surprised how good it is.
6) approaches: Database has all the intersections but
only the FAF and Runway for stored approaches. You can
create routes that mimic the approach. I think best
will be to make the intersections big on the map
(weakness of Avmap) and use it as reference while
setting up approach, then load approach while nearing
FAF and fly as reference. I have not played with VNAV
yet, but it seems one of the weaker features of the
Garmin.
7) Support. Free update coupon with unit and existing
database expired in November.
Ability to easily download tracks and import into
google map, etc. (See www.vansairforce.net)
9) flight log - looks interesting, have not tried yet
10) panel page - fast refresh rate. Will try partial
panel with this alone this weekend (with instructor of
course!)
11) 496 comes with all the acessories (auto, yoke
mount, Li-ION battery). AvMAP does not. Yoke is
another 70-100, batteries ~ 50 (NiMH AA). No automount
for the avmap (and no database).
12) I ordered full aviator XM package, easy to switch
from one to the other. I also got the XM audio for
6.99 more. Wish they had NPR too, but BBC is ok.
13) Safetaxi is a nice feature. I never liked Anywhere
maps version and never used it. It has my home field
in it. I'm surprised it "comes on" at the map scale
that it does and I thought it would wait until much
closer (or more zoomed in). Perhaps a setting issue. I
can't find any info on what airports are or are not in
the Safetaxi database but it seems they picked mostly
big tower fields with crossing runways. (makes sense)
14) I did drive along with the preloaded auto map.
This works well and is very similar to the one in the
car. Our 2nd car does not have mapping so perhaps I
will take along on big trips.
Is the Garmin 496 worth ~ 2800? I think so.
Situational awareness is fantastic - XM pushes TFR's
out as well and if you don't like it a year from now I
bet you can find a buyer for a fair fraction of the
original.
I was surprised how little independent info was out on
comparisions. That's why I took the time to write this
up. Hopefully, some of you have found it useful.... I
may eventually put in the RV-10 with an SL-30 and
mode-S transponder. For less than 9k you could have
ILS/VOR approaches, traffic, weather, XM-radio,
linking to SL-30 for radio frequencies, and 496 can
also drive an autopilot (via GPS to CDI conversion
box. Dynon for Attitude, HSI display, etc for another
~ 3k.
1/5/07
Eric Panning
Flying Cherokee and building 40150 (stuck on
fuselage..)
|
| | - The Matronics RV10-List Email Forum - | | | Use the List Feature Navigator to browse the many List utilities available such as the Email Subscriptions page, Archive Search & Download, 7-Day Browse, Chat, FAQ, Photoshare, and much more:
http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?RV10-List |
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