The moving map display of the GPS-92 is small but crisp and readable, particularly ifyou configure the map to omit unnecessary items from the display, and if you don’t run therange out too far. The new unitis basically identical to its predecessor with three differences: it has a 12-channel GPSengine, a worldwide Jeppesen NavData database, and a even lower price ($499). In April 1998, Garmin introduced the GPS 92 and discontinued the GPS 90. Garmin introduced its GPS-90 in 1995, and it quickly became the hands-downbest selling handheld on the market, combining excellent performance, small size,unmatched battery life, and a low price (originally $649, dropped to $549 in May, 1997).Pilots grabed up GPS-90s as fast as Garmin could make them. No provision for rechargable batteries.No ground mapping (not even coastlines or state boundaries).No fancy aviation features (HSI, runway diagrams, centerline extensions, approaches, VNAV, etc.).The combined DC power/RS232 data cable is messy in the cockpit.No provision for connecting a remote-mounted antenna.The most serious shortcomings of the GPS 315A are: Next, you open a dialog box that lists the various categories of aviation andnon-aviation waypoints in the database and check the ones you want to load into the GPS.(The GPS 315 has room for about 20,000 waypoints, so you need to make sure your region andwaypoint category selections result in a database that will fit.) Finally, you click abutton that uploads your custom-designed database into the unit via the data cable. You drag a rectangle overthe part of the world that you want the GPS to know about (e.g., the western U.S.). First, a world map appears on the screen.
Using the software is a very easythree-step process.
The CD-ROM contains aworldwide Jeppesen aviation database, as well as a North American recreational database.It also contains the DataSend software that runs under Windows 95, 98 or NT 4.0 and allowsyou to upload a customized set of fixes into the unit.
When you buy a Magellan GPS 315A (for “aviation”), what you get is a regularGPS 315 terrestrial unit plus a DataSend CD-ROM and a data cable. It acquires aninitial position fix very quickly under unbelievably adverse reception conditions, andthen hangs on for dear life. The tinyMagellan has without doubt the most sensitive GPS engine I’ve ever tested.
But the mostimpressive aspect of the hardware is its 12-parallel-channel GPS receiver. Power comesfrom a pair of AA alkaline batteries, which provide up to 15 hours of use. The keyboard issmall but very user-friendly, closely resembling that of the Garmin GPS 92. Although still small,it’s razor-sharp with excellent resolution and good grayscale capability. The display is huge compared to the overall size of the unit. and selling for a “streetprice” of $299, this is the smallest and least expensive GPS on the market with aJeppesen aviation database. Magellan introduced it’s ultra-low-cost GPS 315A at Sun ‘n Fun 1999, and begandeliveries shortly thereafter. GPS Without Ground Mapping Magellan GPS 315A
Lowrance AirMap free software update v1.9 adds SUA look-ahead, VNAV, reduced keystrokes.Bendix-King KLX-100 software update adds SUA, runway diagrams, NDBs, intersections.IIMorrow Precedus software update v6.1 adds new HSI screen, enhanced pan/zoom capabilities, and coastlines and political/territorial boundaries to the map display.Lowrance AirMap software update v2.1 adds obstruction mapping, and introduces the “SE” model with a rechargable NiMH battery pack for $100 more than the standard alkaline-powered AirMap.Garmin drops prices of GPS-90 and GPS-89 sharply.Lowrance drops the price of the AirMap and AirMap SE by $200.Garmin drops the price of the GPSCOM-190 by $300.Magellan introduces a new model, the SkyStar, superseding the SkyBlazer line.