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NavGPS for the Pocket PC
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This is our first review in the PDA GPS based category.
Over all this is a great product. This review was based on the original version of Navgps. As of June 20, 2002 there are now two versions. Navgps Basic $99 & Navgps Pro $174. Consult the Navgps
web site for complete details. NavGps is extremely easy to use. The software was tested using a connection to the Airmap 100 handheld GPS and the Pharos GPS iPaq bundle (see photos below).
The two primary displays are an HSI mode and EFIS. Both work well but on longer cross-country flights the EFIS modes takes out some of the clutter. Once you arrive
at your destination you can select your landing runway on the screen. Once selected a basic flight director appears showing you a simulated glide slope and localizer.
The bottom tool bar allows you to turn airports, navaids, zoom in & out, etc. on and office. To create a route you can use the plan function or enter the route in manually. If you have a current
paid for database the system will check for valid fixes along airways. In the plan mode you can click on airports, VORs, etc and they will be added to
you route. In the Enter Route mode you merely enter in fixes with a space between each one, example PHX LAX SFO. Routes can be saved. Once your
route has been completed when you return to the map screen you will see your route displayed.
Navgps can also use the standard Pocket PC hardware buttons. The default setttings are:
Button 1: Goto Navaid/Airport
Button 2: Resume Na
Button 3: Toggle Screen On/Off - This is a great way to save battery power!
Button 4: Go to nearest airport
Each airport has basic AFD information. Runways, Comm Freq, etc.
Best of all Navgps has a demo mode. You can select this to start from your home airport if you like. This is a great way to learn the application
and show it off to friends on the ground.
Summary:
You will be hard pressed to find an application which has more bang for the buck. The authors of Navgps have done a great job. Navgps doesn't have
as many bells and whistles as an application like AnywheremapTM by Controlvision but it also costs hundreds of dollars less.
If you are considering using a Pocket PC device in the cockpit we recommend trying Navgps. The demo application is more than sufficient to see if
this type of software is right for you.
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Screenshots | 
Pharos GPS |
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| Pros | Affordable! Easy to useGood SupportAccurate |
| Cons | For the price of this software compared to its competitors I would not list any cons. There are a few wishlist items below. |
| Wishlist | It would be nice if there was a nearest airport feature which would display the airports in a list with distance. This functionality would
be simliar to what is available on the Lowrance Airmap 100 GPS. |
| Where to Buy | Buy it at Handango
or flynavgps.com. |
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