wodens Posted May 23, 2010 Share Posted May 23, 2010 I'm still kitting myself out for the day I finally take to the sky, so I'm also spending time seeking advice on the best kit to use. One thing I am looking in to at the moment is whether people prefer a combined GPS and vario, or whether separate units are the best way forward. If I run a Google search on this I get overwhelmed by results, so thought I'd post on here for some thoughts from people who are already out there using them. If I could ask two simple questions - which do you prefer, and why? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timm9227 Posted May 23, 2010 Share Posted May 23, 2010 Hi Neil , Was in the same boat as you and one of the bits of kit that I'm not having to replace or upgrade so far is my Garmin GPSmap 60CSx . It can be set to show speed , heading , verticle speed , odometer , total time , elevation and time of day all on one screen . It can log flights and it's all downloadable to my pc somehow Still getting to grips with it but I'd recommend one. Got mine off of E-Bay for £130 second hand. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_b Posted May 23, 2010 Share Posted May 23, 2010 http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Variometer-Brauni ... 1c12a37a36 Does what it should and more. GPS is not so accurate Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_6095 Posted May 23, 2010 Share Posted May 23, 2010 I have the Garmin 60 Csx as well and I am very happy with it. I have even got the basic OS mapping you can get from Garmin on it which is handy. Pretty easy to flick between map and data modes in the air with gloves on. The screen does not reflect the sun too much either. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_k Posted May 23, 2010 Share Posted May 23, 2010 The Bauniger pete b is referring to is perfect, you don't need a complicated one. I bought the previous model (AV Pilot) off ebay for £100 some time back. I haven't bothered with a GPS, if I'm going somewhere I'll use a map and compass. A good look at the route on Google Earth before hand can be helpful.. Cheers, Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wodens Posted May 25, 2010 Author Share Posted May 25, 2010 Cheers Gents, a good bit of information for me to chew on. It'll be a little while before I need to actually go out and buy one so I'll have a good read about the different models mentioned. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_b Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 Cheers Gents, a good bit of information for me to chew on. It'll be a little while before I need to actually go out and buy one so I'll have a good read about the different models mentioned. Well get on and get your bum in the air you are missing some good flying weather Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wodens Posted May 25, 2010 Author Share Posted May 25, 2010 Pete, I was hoping to arrange something for next week, but was asked to go to Italy instead to visit our factory. The following week I'm booked for the USA, so hopefully the following week I'll book some time off. Hopefully.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pete_b Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 Good, remember we have to do things like work to enable us do the things we love. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alan_k Posted May 29, 2010 Share Posted May 29, 2010 Neil, there's a Digifly VL100 vario on ParamotorsUK for £50, under Equipment. Cheers, Alan Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asquaddie Posted May 29, 2010 Share Posted May 29, 2010 Anybody thought about the NATS ‘Aware’ system yet! I know the altimeter is not that accurate and battery life is short, but if you connect it to your motor and with the airspace proximity built in with free downloads – it must be a ‘look at’? Tony Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skyraider Posted June 4, 2010 Share Posted June 4, 2010 Check out the Oregon 550 features, it has everything you want PLUS it sends your GPS coords to other Oregon and Colorado users...if for some strange reason your buddy goes down and you didn't see him/her, you can fly to where he or she is. Treat yourself, Marko D Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phil_P Posted June 6, 2010 Share Posted June 6, 2010 And as I'm sure all pilots are aware, we shouldn't use GPS as our primary means of navigation, should we Just playing Devil's Advocate a little there, so don't get stressed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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