Can Garmin GPS be used for highway and aviation nav?

[tiefflieger]

I asked Garmin this question and have not received a reply yet. Can't find the info on their website and I'm afraid their official answer may not be 100% true. So, anybody use their Garmin 276C or Quest for aviation navigation? Can the Jepp data be loaded somehow? I need a GPS that will do double duty and is waterproof. What are you guys using?

[Twilight Error]

Originally Posted by tiefflieger

I asked Garmin this question and have not received a reply yet. Can't find the info on their website and I'm afraid their official answer may not be 100% true. So, anybody use their Garmin 276C or Quest for aviation navigation? Can the Jepp data be loaded somehow? I need a GPS that will do double duty and is waterproof. What are you guys using?

http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsmap296/

That is the answer to your question.

[tiefflieger]

Ya'but, it's not the answer I wanted to hear! The 296 looks to be identical to the 276C with the exception of the price tag: $1,000 more

There has to be a way to load Jepp data on the "automotive" units.

[yzf1kr]

Externally the 296c looks like the 276c but internally it is far superior.

It has a very powerfull cpu, and it is capable of 3d rendering.

[rcork]

we have an old 196 in the plane and it can be switched over to "car" mode. So I would presume the 296 will do the same. But there isn't an obvious way to load the Jep data to my 276c. Sorry, but you have to pay the man for plane stuff (as I'm sure you know.)

[danbrew]

Originally Posted by tiefflieger

Ya'but, it's not the answer I wanted to hear! The 296 looks to be identical to the 276C with the exception of the price tag: $1,000 more

There has to be a way to load Jepp data on the "automotive" units.

yes, but even the 296 doesn't really use Jepp data. It may use VFR charts, but they certainly don't include any type of approach data. Garmin for sure doesn't want you to to use any of their handheld devices to try and shoot an approach...

[markjenn]

It's more than just data, I think. The aviation units have a bunch of different functions (like a CDI) that aren't in the car units. I suspect the hardware is the same, but there is more to the price of a unit that just hardware - it's software development, database licensing, marketing, channel costs, liability, tech support, etc. As costs go in flying, the aviation units seem to be fairly priced to me.

- Mark

[BurnieM]

Originally Posted by yzf1kr

Externally the 296c looks like the 276c but internally it is far superior.

It has a very powerfull cpu, and it is capable of 3d rendering.

Everything that I have seen indicates that the GPSmap 296 hardware is identical to the GPSmap 276C (except for the label!).

[tiefflieger]

I'm sure it's just a marketing scheme; there's no reason the 276C or the Quest couldn't handle the aviation software. I was hoping somebody on this board had found a hack to make it work.

I''ve been testing a friend's Lowrance Airmap500 unit and it will do aviation and highway navigation (yes, I know it's not in the same league as the Garmin). Guess it's time to hijack my buddy's 296 out of the plane and see if it's worth the investment!

[Kaumajet]

Originally Posted by markjenn

It's more than just data, I think. The aviation units have a bunch of different functions (like a CDI) that aren't in the car units. I suspect the hardware is the same, but there is more to the price of a unit that just hardware - liability,
- Mark

There you go. Add to that, quarterly or 56-day updates. There is more to an aviation GPS from a manufacturer's standpoint than maps. Even if you don't want to use the info.

It doesn't matter what the cases look like. I have done certification flights (as a test pilot) with TSO'd GPS units that looked just like their non-TSO'd cousins, but were far more advanced in every way.

I'm sure it's just a marketing scheme; there's no reason the 276C or the Quest couldn't handle the aviation software. I was hoping somebody on this board had found a hack to make it work.

It is what it is. Do you take that attitude toward the rest of your plane?

[tiefflieger]

Originally Posted by BradVardy

It is what it is. Do you take that attitude toward the rest of your plane?

Yep, just like those nut and bolts that cost 2 cents at the hardware store and $5 bucks if they are aviation certified!

[Kaumajet]

Originally Posted by tiefflieger

Yep, just like those nut and bolts that cost 2 cents at the hardware store and $5 bucks if they are aviation certified!

Right. Do you have any idea what 'certified' means?

The materials in those nuts and bolts are engineered to mate with other materials and minimize or eliminate galvanic corrosion, provide bonding paths, and different types accept different shear and torsional loads. Their material can also be traced to a manufacturer for investigative purposes.

But none of that matters to you, because you're smarter than all that. Go ahead and put bicycle parts on your air machine to save a few dollars.

I wish you a long, safe, flying hobby.

[SNKDTR]

what brad said and along with that aviation shortcomings can be really serious read "dead" while getting lost is just a PIA just my TCW

[pilot]

Originally Posted by BradVardy

Right. Do you have any idea what 'certified' means?

The materials in those nuts and bolts are engineered to mate with other materials and minimize or eliminate galvanic corrosion, provide bonding paths, and different types accept different shear and torsional loads. Their material can also be traced to a manufacturer for investigative purposes.

But none of that matters to you, because you're smarter than all that. Go ahead and put bicycle parts on your air machine to save a few dollars.

I wish you a long, safe, flying hobby.

Brad, I think he's pulling your chain. At least I really hope so.

[Snuffy]

Yep, headed to the nearest Ace hardware and pick up sum nuts an bolts for my Pawnee. Reckon the wings will stay on? Heck, i just carry my cheap Garmin 92 with me just so i can find an airfield when on the scooter. Works for me.