Aviation Handhelds

In the last couple of years, we've seen a radical change that blurs the lines between those categories. Today, many portable GPS navigators offer EFB functions, while smaller (and cheaper) tablet PC hardware is making full-function EFBs possible at much lower prices. And the feature set has expanded to include in-flight weather from XM and WSI satellite radio sources, and traffic avoidance using either a Mode S transponder with Traffic Information Service (TIS) or a portable collision-avoidance sensor like Zaon's amazing XRX portable collision-avoidance system (PCAS). Even the VHF radios are getting new features, with some receivers offering National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Agency (NOAA) weather, FM broadcast channels and even full ILS localizer and glide slope!

Advanced Data Research FG-7150
www.adrsoft.com
This EFB offers an 8.9-inch daylight-visible, high-brightness, touch-screen display with unique night-flight dimming control. Options include a data transmitter that provides GPS and WSI weather data over a wireless link. A one-year warranty is standard. It can be used with most Microsoft Windows-compatible EFB software. Pricing starts at $6,995.

Adventure Pilot iFly 700
www.ifly.adventurepilot.com
The iFly 700 is a low-cost, portable GPS moving-map designed for in-cockpit use. It features a seven-inch touch screen that displays the aircraft position on georeferenced sectional, terminal and IFR en route charts. It also displays approach charts and airport diagrams, but without the aircraft position. An articulated suction-cup mount is included. The iFly 700 sells for $499, and requires a cigarette lighter or other connection (12 or 24 volts) for power. A battery pack that powers the unit for up to four hours is available for $72. VFR updates cost $69 per year; IFR coverage adds another $20 per year.

AirGator NAVPad
www.airgator.com
AirGator offers four different models in their NAVPad series of EFBs---customized tablet PCs with sunlight-readable, nonglare, touch-sensitive displays in sizes from 4.8 to 10.4 inches. All are available with AirGator's NAVAir EFB software, which provides moving map, aviation weather (with an optional XM satellite weather receiver) and georeferenced instrument approach plates. Pricing for complete bundles ranges from $1,950 to $5,995, depending on the model. The company also offers software for pilots who already own a tablet PC.

AvMap EKP V

www.avmap.us
AvMap's new EKP V blurs not only the distinction between GPS and EFB but also between handheld and panel-mount devices. On its own, the EKP V is a handheld GPS with a seven-inch split-screen display that provides moving-map, electronic HSI, Jeppesen charts (including IFR en route and approach plates) and GPS-based backup instrument panel functions. Plug it into the optional docking station, and it can connect not only to the airplane's electrical system but also to XM satellite weather, traffic, audio, video and even to a panel-mount GPS and autopilot. Price wasn't announced at press time. AvMap also offers the $899 Geopilot II Plus, with a 5.6-inch color display, which can be used both in the air and for turn-by-turn navigation on the ground. A Jeppesen North America database is included with navaids, airports, low-altitude airways and terrain. Other features include flight planning, E6B functions, a built-in speaker, optional traffic display when used with a Zaon PCAS XRX, and optional aviation weather when used with a compatible XM satellite radio receiver (neither the PCAS or XM receiver is included).

Control Vision Anywhere Map Quadra
www.anywheremap.com
Control Vision's $595 Anywhere Map Quadra is small enough to be held in the palm of your hand, but offers full EFB features including GPS moving map, optional XM weather, and even sectional charts and approach plates on its 4.3-inch touch-screen display. The $1,795 Anywhere Map Duo adds a seven-inch diagonal touch-screen display, 32 GB solid-state disk drive and compatibility with Zaon's PCAS XRX for traffic awareness. Both the Quadra and Duo require subscriptions to keep their charts and databases up to date---pricing depends on specific features selected by the user.

Garmin GPSMAP 696
www.garmin.com
Garmin's GPSMAP 696 adds a seven-inch portrait-format display and electronic charting to the already rich feature set offered by the previous top-of-the-line GPSMAP 496. Both units provide a complete aviation database with terrain, navaids, obstacles, airports, instrument procedures, taxiway diagrams and AOPA's airport directory. The GPSMAP 696 adds an IFR map mode offering a display similar to standard en route charts, and includes approach plates. Like its smaller sibling, the GPSMAP 696 also includes a built-in XM satellite radio receiver for aviation weather, support for TIS traffic if you have a compatible Mode S transponder (not supplied with the unit), turn-by-turn ground navigation with a wide range of predefined points of interest, and GPS-based simulated instrument panel for emergency use that updates five times per second. The smaller Aera 500 series of touch-screen GPS units offer many of the same features in a 4.3-inch touch-screen form factor. Pricing ranges from $875 to $3,595.

Bendix/King AV8OR series
www.bendixking.com/AV8OR
This shirt-pocket-sized GPS navigator features a 4.3-inch LCD touch-screen display and includes an aviation database with terrain, navaids, obstacles, airspace, georeferenced airport diagrams and a GPS-based "portable glass panel" for emergency use. On the ground, an automotive database provides street-level maps, turn-by-turn navigation and a wide range of points of interest. It typically sells for $599 with North and South American database coverage. The larger AV80R Ace with a seven-inch display is aimed at instrument pilots, adding FAA IFR en route charts, approach plates and airport diagrams (with your current position). It sells for about $1,200 more than the smaller unit. Both models can display aviation weather data from an XM satellite radio receiver (not included with the unit), display images and video, and function as a hands-free kit for Bluetooth-compatible cellular telephones.

Spidertracks Aviator S3
www.spidertracks.com
This portable flight-tracking device automatically sends position reports every minute or so, using the Iridium satellite communications network. In an emergency, the system can automatically send a web-based SOS message that doesn't depend on whether the unit survives a crash---unlike portable beacons that must be activated manually. It sells for $995 and requires a subscription (plans start at $10 per month).

SPOT Satellite GPS Messenger
www.findmespot.com
SPOT is a five-ounce, palm-sized, battery-operated device that sends position reports to a network of satellites in low Earth orbit. The latest model allows you to send a range of messages, including SOS/emergency and nonemergency requests for help, check-in/OK and custom messages to friends and coworkers, along with standard position reports. It costs $169 plus a $99-per-year data service subscription.

Stenbock & Everson ChartBook-S
www.flightprep.com
This Tablet PC has a 10-inch touch-screen display and EFB functions that include in-cockpit weather (when used with a compatible XM satellite radio receiver), GPS moving map, digital charting including all U.S. sectional, terminal area, WAC, low/high en route charts, approach plates and taxi diagrams, traffic (with an optional Zaon XRX receiver) and even GPS-based synthetic vision with Highway in the Sky (HITS). Pricing starts at $1,195. A subscription is required for chart revisions.

Zaon PCAS XRX
www.zaon.aero
Zaon's $1,495 portable collision-avoidance product has an integrated display that gives relative position for up to three transponder-identified targets, prioritized by risk of collision, and shows you which way to look. When used with a compatible EFB or GPS navigator such as the Garmin Aera or FlightPrep Chartbook, the XRX can provide MFD-like traffic displays at much lower expense than panel-mount products.