AnyWhereMap

[USMC-SGT]

I started a thread similiar to this a few months ago and I think it is money spending time and I want some last minute advice.

I have been looking for a GPS for a little extra situational awareness when flying cross countries especially around the SoCal mountains and I think I have decided on the anywhere map. Ok you got me 80% SA and 20% because I am a gadget junky and like to splurge every so often, but who doesnt?

heres why

Screen size on the Dell Axim X51V is larger than the Garmin 296/396
Terrain Alerts
Airspace alerts
Huge database with many private airports and all navaids
Alot of information regarding freqs, hours, and runway info
Nice moving map with HSI (same with almost all handhelds)
Upgradable (it can never be totally obselete)
Bluetooth (the only cords are the power cord if needed)
I can use the PDA for a PDA base logbook and scheduler while CFI'ing
Price $695.00 cheaper then any other GPS in its category
Able to add pocket plates or upgrade to XM weather if wanted
http://www.anywheremap.com/aviation-gps.aspx

I am choosing this over my final choices which were the:

AvMap EKP IV- $1400.00 no terrain alerts
Garmin 296- $1400 same features as AWM more expensive, more bulky, is it upgradable?
Lowrance Airmap 2000C- can be found for $700 nice unit, not much I can say bad about it except, is it upgradable? and is it as versatile as the AWM would be?
Mountain Scope- I do not know much about it, i do like it but it is annoying that I can not find a way to buy it online. I want to buy a ready to use package and be done with it. From what I hear it is priced around $900 complete though.

Tell me what you think? Does anybody have any input? This is a good chunk of change to spend and I would like to make a good decision.

[Killtron2000]

When you combine everything into one unit it becomes a very big deal if that thing fails. And given that the pocket PC's have an OS and other stuff that can crash I would go with a dedicated GPS. The touch screen and stuff is probably more convenient but a lowrance airmap 500 will get the job done too. Just my $0.02.

[USMC-SGT]

That is a good point,

I have considered something like the garmin 196 and the lowrance 1000, I do however like the color for ease of terrain awareness especially at night.

[ComplexHiAv8r]

I have the AnywhereMap XM with HP Ipaq 4700. I have had it 1.5 years now I guess, no major problems and no failures. Do have an issue that I have to sometimes do a reset on the PDA just at launch. I like that it is portable, and I have used it at hotspots to check email as well. I use the PDA for alot with the Excel/Word on it.

[BrianNC]

I have the Lowrance 2000c and Anywhere Map. I don't think you can beat AWM for upgradability. The other dedicated units very rarely have upgrades. If you look at the AWM page it compares itself directly with the 396, so you can see the comparison. Not to mention as you said, it is also a PDA for use outside the plane.

2000C is nice and big. It's got some cool screen options. No weather or approaches though. The only reason I use it over AWM at this time is I have an older PDA which is slower and is not bluetooth (I've had AWM for about 5 years now). When I get a new PDA I will go back to the AWM.

[surreal1221]

Anywheremap looks like they have a great system going. Last night I tried to shop around, buying the individual items seperatly in hopes of coming in under their $695 base package.

Looks very good, definately something I'll be looking into if I venture into the Part 135 world.

[USMC-SGT]

I thought the same thing...X51 on Ebay, GPS on Ebay, software from AWM and it all seems to work out about the same plus or minus 100 dollars or so. It is worth the extra 100 to me to know it is all new and backed by the company.

Not even 135 but just single pilot trips. I fly alot usually 15 hrs per month of regular GA flying around California, Nevada, Arizona area in aircraft not equipped with GPS and usually one VOR and sometimes at night. It will be great for that. Not to mention, it is not approved for 135, it is simply good for extra situational awareness. you *can not* rely on it as a primary or even secondary.

[Jonesberuitchamp]

if you buy the approaches pack for AWM, is it just yours to use or can you duplicate it and use it on other units?

[BrianNC]

Originally Posted by Jonesberuitchamp

if you buy the approaches pack for AWM, is it just yours to use or can you duplicate it and use it on other units?

Anything you can install in the PDA can be installed on any other device that uses the same operating system I would assume. I'm not sure if it shows your navigating in reference to the approach plate or not if not installed with AWM though.

[USMC-SGT]

When used with a GPS your position is shown as an airplane cursor on top of the approach plate and it tracks your progress.

[BrianNC]

Originally Posted by USMC-SGT

When used with a GPS your position is shown as an airplane cursor on top of the approach plate and it tracks your progress.

Did you see on the site where AWM compares itself to the new Garmin 496?

http://anywheremap.com/pages/awm-vs-496.aspx

[USMC-SGT]

no I had'nt I will check it out though...I didnt even know there was such thing as a 496...what does that cost, $4,000?

[BrianNC]

Originally Posted by USMC-SGT

no I had'nt I will check it out though...I didnt even know there was such thing as a 496...what does that cost, $4,000?

I didn't either until I went over there. I think about $500 more than the 396.

[SteveC]

Garmin just announced it this week. They were going to do it at Oshkosh, but I guess word leaked early so they went with it.

AvWeb intro

Garmin 496

Garmin press release

$2,795 suggested retail price.


.

[surreal1221]

$2800 for the 496, or $1500 for a PDA w/ the same stuff.

I'm pretty sold on the AnywhereMap w/ WX.

[BrianNC]

Here is AWMs comparison to the new features which make the 396 the 496:

Garmin 496: Garmin adds Safe Taxi.
Anywhere Map : has had Taxi Express for over a year.

Garmin 496: Garmin adds highlighted airspace based on your altitude.
Anywhere Map : Anywhere Map has had that for six months.

Garmin 496: Garmin adds AOPA directory.
Anywhere Map : Anywhere Map has 100LL FBO directory with updated fuel prices. Anywhere Map has the Flight Data Access Card so you can access real fuel prices from your cell phone.

Garmin 496: Garmin adds enahanced terrain.
Anywhere Map : Anywhere Map adds enhanced terrain at the same time.

Garmin 496: Garmin FINALLY gets around to adding private airports.
Anywhere Map : Anywhere Map has had private airports for years.

Garmin 496: Garmin pre-loads street maps.
Anywhere Map : Anywhere Map users can add Delorme street maps for a whopping $40 or $100 if you need another storage card.