Looking for a cheap GPS

[mattp1803]

Hey guys, I'm looking to buy a cheap hand held GPS to keep with me on flights. I'm currently trying to do some time building in a 152 w/o GPS, and wouldn't mind having one on board to do some cross country flights.

PM me if you are interested in selling yours, or post in the thread, thanks!

[Chewie von Nubbins]

Just so I understand correctly, the end result for when you finish your training is to have spent around a total $300 of your own money on using a GPS for your training?

If so, then we have almost the same goal. I did a bit of research and found that if you were to buy a new Garmin GPSMAP 296 or 396, and you use it for...let's say...6 months, then you could theoretically sell the unit for roughly $250-$350 less than you originally paid for it. And, you will have had one of the best handheld GPS units available on the market for the duration of your training. Also, the guys at Van Bortal that sell them are the same guys that will buy them back from you.

If you have a SM loan at your school, then you could possibly try to have them cut you a check for the amount of the GPS unit off of your loan account.

I got the GPSMAP 396 with weather. And, I can tell you that it is overkill. I rarely use the weather features on it. The 296 is significantly sufficient for what I am looking for.

Hope this helps.

[majorityof1]

Count me in as another person looking for a cheap GPS. If I get what you are saying Chewie, just buy a kick ass GPS now and sell it back later? It is a good idea, and would be cheap in the long run, but not possible right now. I am looking to spend about 300 bucks on a GPS. Anyone selling I will buy it.

Slightly off topic... Does anyone know what discontinued means in terms of getting updated databases? Is there any huge downside of getting a discontinued GPS?

[MFT1Air]

I did the same as you. I went on ebay and purchased three GPS systems. One was the Magellan 315, one Airmap 100 and another I can't remember. None cost me more the $150. More importantly, I utilize them for night cross countries, and they are superb.

When I step up to a larger aircraft, I'll probably purchase the Garmins, but right now. . .these GPS systems are great.

[MFT1Air]

Originally Posted by majorityof1

Slightly off topic... Does anyone know what discontinued means in terms of getting updated databases? Is there any huge downside of getting a discontinued GPS?

So far, I only utilize the out of date GPS for positioning. Lack of updated databases do not provide, as is rhetorical, updated information. . .which I can get from a sectional.

Unless the airport has moved, I'm not too much concerned with the lack of updates. I've "loaned" out my GPS to virtually everyone at my school, and they thoroughly enjoy the comfort level increased with the GPS they use.

[darrenf]

Here ya go guys, a very cheap GPS.

[majorityof1]

Originally Posted by darrenf

Here ya go guys, a very cheap GPS.

I always have trouble finding the satellites with this unit.

[Chewie von Nubbins]

Originally Posted by majorityof1

Count me in as another person looking for a cheap GPS. If I get what you are saying Chewie, just buy a kick ass GPS now and sell it back later? It is a good idea, and would be cheap in the long run, but not possible right now. I am looking to spend about 300 bucks on a GPS. Anyone selling I will buy it.

Slightly off topic... Does anyone know what discontinued means in terms of getting updated databases? Is there any huge downside of getting a discontinued GPS?

Yep you got it. I went through the same dilemma. I only wanted to spend a max of $400 for the unit. So, the question was.....Do I want a kick-ass unit that I can utilize the hell out of and have a love affair with for the duration of my training? Or, buy an old and outdated POS for $300 that will be worth less than $50 when I am done with it..if I wanted to dump it then. And, I would probably hate and cuss it every time I went up.

Hey, this is a personal choice and I am not bashing the other side of the coin here. To each his own, I guess.

When I am felted and down to nubbins on my loan...(which could be at the very end of my training) I can dump it and will be at the very end of my training.

Whatever decision you make, you cannot go wrong with having a GPS and building massive X/C hours relying on it. VORs and NDBs are for fun, but GPS is for real!

[majorityof1]

I am always down for a GPS love affair, but Ms. Sallie Mae is tapped out! I see the merit in your idea, but it is just not possible. So, it looks like a $300 POS is in my future. I am just looking for something to give me a hand if for some reason I need it. Maybe a good NAV/COM will give me the same warm fuzzy.

[wheelsup]

I'm selling another Garmin V on ebay, starting at $0.01. The last one went for around $90. The bonus is once you land you can drop it into a rental car and get around on the ground as well . I used it during my private days as a backup when not flying all those fancy new fangled aircraft with color GPS installed. It worked well, required a little pre-loading but worth the savings IMO.

[Grumpy01]

OK, here is the deal.

At 64 I think I an about done with flying, so; I have an Garman 195. With it I have the yoke mount, remote antenna and the manual.

Additionally, I have the computer saddle/ cable, or whatever they call it. and a copy of Garman PCX5AVD ver 2.08[ I am unsure if this is still a viable program,it may be] 3&1/4 in disk.

I will sell this for $350.00 Originally $1000 or there abouts.

Since when doing business over the Internet, there has to be a bit of trust between seller and buyer. If you agree to the price and are a "known" member of JC [ not just signed on for this deal] I will send the unit. After recieving it you in turn will send me a "bank money order" for the unit.

If you fail to send the payment or it cannot be cashed, I will get your real name somehow and hound you to death. I will follow you and inform every employer you try that you have failed to pay your debt. Not only that, I will tell your mom .

E-Mail rmax62@comcast.net

[wheelsup]

Here is a list of the last two 195's that sold on ebay, both sold within the past week:

$188.16 (shipped) - 195 w/ yoke mount, 12v adapter (although GPS doesn't accept input) and case
$202.50 (shipped) - 195 w/ yoke mount, computer serial connector, ac adapter, 12v adapter, manuals, case.

I'd say fair market value for grumpy's 195 would be around $200 shipped...(not trying to snub you grumpy, just pointing out it's over priced IMO).

[Grumpy01]

Nothing wrong with opinions.

If anyone wants mine, they pay my price.

Get one cheaper elsewhare, more power to ya.

[myron96]

Ive got a 295 ill let go for 425

[Struggling Baron Dude]

I started looking around for one after flying with Flight Express for a bit and figuring out that the avionics are all over the place. Here's what I came up with...

How does FREE sound? There's a catch though, you have to have either a laptop or Windows CE device. In either case, it must have either an internal GPS receiver, or external add-on (about 60.00 bucks if you don't have).

Go to http://www.approach-systems.com/downloads.asp and download the free copy.

To answer some questions that will come up- YES, it does include an up to date obstruction database. NO, it will not be able to be updated automatically. You will have to reinstall every month, but for free what do you expect?

What I did was download it to an HP IPAC, and created a flight plan for my daily run. My habit now is to get in plane, plug in unit (I have an external GPS antenna), open up the flight plan section and load flight plan of run for day, then go fly. It sequences in reverse automatically, and has more functionality than I thought it would for free (shows lakes, roads, cities, MCA, MEA, waypoints, VOR, NDB, airports, Victor airways, etc.).

I think what they are doing is giving away the core program to entice others into purchasing the add on products (like approach plates, etc.). If you go that route, it is still very reasonable (upgrades to software is 89.00/year and to keep plates up to date continuously is 99.00/year)- compare to anywhere map for example.

Happy Skies,
Dude

[bdhill1979]

I have a Garmin GPSMAP 96C that I bought and used for the same reasons all of you are talking about. I used the heck out of it through training but now everything I fly has a 430/530 in it so it just sits in the bottom of my flight bag. I love it dearly, but it may be time to let someone get better use out of it.

The aviation database is about 2 years old, but an update is $30 from Garmin.

I would say $400 or best offer including shipping.

This includes:
The unit itself (in excellent condition)
Yoke mount
software
I will load it up with whatever Topo region you want

[mattp1803]

Hey all, thanks for all the input and offers. I actually just purchased a Lowrance 2000C on ebay. I'm planning on using it for a couple months, then selling it on ebay again. Thanks again!

[pedro]

Has anyone tried loading any airmaps on a Garmin 60CsX? I'm not really interested in selling it but was wondering if this was possible. thanks and sorry to hijack.

[bdhill1979]

Originally Posted by pedex

Has anyone tried loading any airmaps on a Garmin 60CsX? I'm not really interested in selling it but was wondering if this was possible. thanks and sorry to hijack.

I tried on a GPS MAP 76c, no go. But I don't have "Computer Programming Skills", let alone bow hunting skills.

[pedro]

Originally Posted by bdhill1979

I tried on a GPS MAP 76c, no go. But I don't have "Computer Programming Skills", let alone bow hunting skills.

lol...I figured it wouldn't do the moving maps and airspace. I did some more research and found a guy that is creating the way points for all the airports to import into it. I kinda doubt he would just give out that info though. Imagine how long that would take! Here is the link to the gps forum i found that on

http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/ind...owtopic=123689

[wheelsup]

Originally Posted by pedex

lol...I figured it wouldn't do the moving maps and airspace. I did some more research and found a guy that is creating the way points for all the airports to import into it. I kinda doubt he would just give out that info though. Imagine how long that would take! Here is the link to the gps forum i found that on

http://forums.groundspeak.com/GC/ind...owtopic=123689

Tell him he is wasting his time, it was done MANY YEARS ago.

Airport waypoints for Garmin Units

VOR's and NDB's for Garmin Units

Instructions

Make sure to let him down softly .

[pedro]

wow. thats a huge list. thanks!

[Lord Vader]

Originally Posted by mattp1803

Hey all, thanks for all the input and offers. I actually just purchased a Lowrance 2000C on ebay. I'm planning on using it for a couple months, then selling it on ebay again. Thanks again!

I had a 2000C last year. I didn't really like it though. It's mainly designed for airplanes that have a cigarette adapter available. The batteries only last about 1.5 to 2 hours. Be sure to bring lots of AA's with you if you don't have an plug in.

[mattp1803]

Originally Posted by Lord Vader

I had a 2000C last year. I didn't really like it though. It's mainly designed for airplanes that have a cigarette adapter available. The batteries only last about 1.5 to 2 hours. Be sure to bring lots of AA's with you if you don't have an plug in.

Snap! Yeah, I might have to invest in some rechargeables.

[bdhill1979]

Originally Posted by wheelsup

Tell him he is wasting his time, it was done MANY YEARS ago.

Airport waypoints for Garmin Units

VOR's and NDB's for Garmin Units

Instructions

Make sure to let him down softly .

Now thats impressive