Recommendations for mobile GPS units

I was thinking of getting one too. Does anyone know if these handheld units work on commercial aircraft? I'm often curious as to the aircraft's flight path, especially when I fly at night.

 

I have a Garmin V, its smaller than the StreetPilot and doesn't talk. It does give directions and has a highly detailed map with the gas stations, resturants etc.. I like Garmin products, its my 2nd GPS unit from then.

A colleague has a StreetPilot and likes it alot, except for the voice command which he says nags too much if you don't do what it tells you to do!

You can use GPS units on a plane if you have a window seat.

 

I don't know about aircraft, maybe if you held it right by a window it could get a signal but with all the metal there probably is a problem. Im sure however that they are banned on aircraft. Either for the slight possibility that they may interfere with navigation equipment. Or because if you where a terrorist you could track a flights exact heading. But Garmen IMHO is the best brand out there.

 

I've had the original StreetPilot for a couple of years. It doesn't have color or voice navigation. I think the StreetPilot III can automatically plot the "best" route? Mine won't do that either, you have to program the route by marking each turn.

Re: airline flights... If you're at a window, you can probably get a good signal. But I don't think GPS is on the list of approved devices since Sept. 11. Previously it could have made the crew and other passengers nervous if they weren't into the super neat-o coolness of the gadget, but these days it would make them VERY nervous. They'll think that only a hijacker would want to know the plane's exact position, altitude, speed, and heading.

 

I'm curious myself about the airline restrictions, I'm going to Alaska in August again so I'll have to pack my backpack and hiking gear...
I've used a Magellan MAP 410 on a plane pre-9/11 and was able to get an OK signal at a window seat. Was neat to know the cities your flying over and that stuff. The lady next to me thought it was a cell phone
You should also check out Magellan's Neverlost system which I think is what Hertz uses in it's rental program, at least as a comparison to the StreetPilot III. I can't say that I've ever used it but I was a passenger in a person who had a Hertz with it and it was pretty good. It had the streets around a shopping mall and stuff like that.
Jay

 

GPS receivers are not listed in the FAA list of banned contraband. Probably the only thing they do is make sure the thing turns on and off.
Strangely enough, anytime I've gone through security with my cell phone or Palm on me, security has always wanted me to turn them on and off to make sure they were "legit." On my last flight a few weeks ago, I had the cell phone, my Palm, a pager and a minidisc player in my carry-on. Nobody said a word. They never asked me to take them out and turn them on, even when I got pulled aside for additional screening of my bag.

 

GPS may not be on the FAA's list, but I think the airlines have their own lists too. You can probably carry it on the plane, but they might not let you use it in flight.
There is a wealth of GPS comparison information at http://joe.mehaffey.com .

 

As far as GPS units and airplanes, I took a trip back in May with some friends where we flew from the DC area up north to Providence, RI. One of my friends is an air traffic controller, he specifically asked if he can use the GPS unit onboard. They said yes, as long as you wait until the airplane has reached cruising altitude. Pretty cool, once he turned it on and it picked up a signal, the altitude did read 32,000 ft!

Andrej

 

yeah, I used my old Magellan MAP410 once on flight from Florida back to Newark and it was real cool knowing what (major) cities you are flying over. It was at night and you could easily tell the major cities by looking at the amount of light coming from them. The young lady next to me thought it was a cell phone. But it must of been odd because I had it on by the window for most of the trip yet didn't say one word... I think if I started talking to it, she would of freaked out. But I guess that would of been cruel
Jay

 

I use Delorme Street Atlas 9.0 and it works great. It works with my laptop and plugs into my USB port. The only time I have had any problems is when driving in NYC (too many tall buildings).

Ive used this unit while navigating more than 10,000 miles now and would not leave home with out it

Gregg

 

you need the captain's permssion to use the GPS on a commercial flight, period. It does not matter what's on the FAA's list or the airline's list, if the PIC says no, you are breaking the federal code by turning it on, have fun with that. If you asked during cruise the flight attendant could ask for you and they'd probably say yes, however the NON aviation handhelds I thought stopped working over XX speed.

the altitude function is pretty inaccurate BTW, because of the geometry it can be off quite a bit depending on how many SAT's are locked in. I don't know how many the hand helds track at any one time? three probably?

 

Up to yes, but probably not continuously. I think 5 is the magic number for flight navigation, or maybe it's 7, I don't recall i guess.