Controlvision Anywhere map

[Keith Lane]

I have an opportunity to purchase an Anywhere Map GPS in almost unused condition from a fellow who has lost his medical, and has zero interest in attempting to get it renewed. He is really offering it to me at a near giveaway price, and I will in all likelihood buy it even if just for the PDA.

Does anyone here have any experience with one of these?

I played with it a bit yesterday/last night, and coming from an old Garmin 89 without the moving map or color, with only a database of airports and VOR's it seems like I'm getting flush toilets for the first time.

Right now it has a 2006 database, but I'm pretty sure I could update it for less than I would pay for a new unit.
Thanks

 

[Ken Ibold]

Depends on the version and the PDA. There are many combinations of software/PDA models that lock up frequently. I have also heard that keeping the thing running, regardless of version, it a tech-heavy skill. I abandoned considering Anywhere Map products because of the reports I'd read, opting instead several years ago for a Garmin 296, since replaced by a Garmin 496.

When I was considering AWM, my primary concern was the small screen size -- which I'm told is even worse in flight than you might think it would be when testing in on the ground.

BTW, the 296 is for sale ( )

 

[Larryo]

I have an opportunity to purchase an Anywhere Map GPS in almost unused condition from a fellow who has lost his medical, and has zero interest in attempting to get it renewed. He is really offering it to me at a near giveaway price, and I will in all likelihood buy it even if just for the PDA.

Does anyone here have any experience with one of these?

I played with it a bit yesterday/last night, and coming from an old Garmin 89 without the moving map or color, with only a database of airports and VOR's it seems like I'm getting flush toilets for the first time.

Right now it has a 2006 database, but I'm pretty sure I could update it for less than I would pay for a new unit.
Thanks

The Anywhere software is quite good and a bargain on the market. Simple and works. I have it as a back up but rarely use it other than for fuel prices. As for the PDA, I don't know them, a small tablet is a good option with a larger screen. And, you can add weather, and you'll have a lot of cumbersome wires connecting things....

 

[Aztec Driver]

I have the PDA system, and I find it works adequately. It is nothing to write home about, but it does give me lot more information than I would have without.

As has been mentioned before, the screen size is a little small for using it as a good moving map. Adequate, though, if you have no other. The portable antenna for the XM needs to be positioned to have a reasonably clear access to the southwest at all times, or you can lose your weather.

The internal antenna on the PDA can sometimes lose your position if you hold it too low in the cockpit. It takes a while to find you.

You absolutely must "soft-boot" the PDA before you turn it on for weather mapping. Otherwise it will not have enough memory to download the weather. You won't know this until several minutes down the line. If you are running it for a long time, it will run out of memory and you will need to reboot it again to restart.

Reliable, it is not. But it does give me an indication of storms and weather better than I would have without it. I just make sure I have rebooted it and have it functioning properly before I get near weather. You can zoom it in and have a pretty good idea of the storm cells if it is working properly.