A Full Spectrum Of GPS’s — In Color

Gemini Sparkle

Key Takeaways:

  • The market for aviation handheld GPS and navigation technology is rapidly expanding, offering a wide array of advanced options for pilots.
  • New hardware caters to different budgets, from high-end, feature-rich color moving-map GPS units with terrain awareness and flight instrument emulation (Garmin 396) to more affordable color, terrain-aware alternatives (Lowrance Airmap 600c).
  • Sophisticated software solutions are now available to bring advanced features like 3D synthetic vision, "highway-in-the-sky" guidance, and terrain views to various portable devices like PDAs (e.g., Mercury Computer Systems' VistaNav).
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Garmin’s 396 offers an uber-impressive handheld color moving-map gps in a unit that is terrain-aware, capable of imitating a full panel of flight instruments, and brimming with more features than most average pilots might safely use while attempting to concurrently control an aircraft. An offering for those who tend to shop in another price point entirely (under $500) Lowrance’s Airmap 600c brings color and terrain awareness to the less indulgent masses. Shown off at their booth at Sun ‘n Fun, the brightly colorful screens of Lowrances latest offerings drew crowds in the middle of the afternoon, on a Tuesday. For those who believe the best isn’t always the most capable, but simply what’s best for your needs the range of handheld gps offerings is growing fast. Not good enough? How about synthetic vision for your pda? Mercury Computer Systems is now offering software compatible with a range of computer devices that brings, ” 3d=”” synthetic=”” vision,=”” highway-in-the-sky=”” (hits)=”” flight=”” path=”” guidance,=”” terrain=”” views=”” and=”” approach=”” display”=”” to=”” virtually=”” any=”” compatible=”” small=”” screen=”” of=”” your=”” liking.=”” in=”” short,=”” if=”” you’ve=”” been=”” out=”” the=”” market=”” for=”” a=”” while,=”” or=”” you’re=”” just=”” now=”” shopping,=”” going=”” be=”” wowed=”” perhaps=”” very=”” pleasantly=”” surprised.<="" p="">

Mercury Computer Systems is now offering software compatible with a range of computer devices that brings, ” 3d=”” synthetic=”” vision,=”” highway-in-the-sky=”” (hits)=”” flight=”” path=”” guidance,=”” terrain=”” views=”” and=”” approach=”” display”=”” to=”” virtually=”” any=”” compatible=”” small=”” screen=”” of=”” your=”” liking.=”” in=”” short,=”” if=”” you’ve=”” been=”” out=”” the=”” market=”” for=”” a=”” while,=”” or=”” you’re=”” just=”” now=”” shopping,=”” going=”” be=”” wowed=”” perhaps=”” very=”” pleasantly=”” surprised.<="" p="">

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