Rugged?

[PDG]

Works for me!

 

August 23, 2010: The U.S. Department of Defense has ordered 1,462 Garmin GPS vehicle navigation units, for about $4,500 each. This seems a little pricey for a GPS nav unit, even by government standards. But this particular model (Garmin GPSMAP 696) is meant for aircraft. The commercial version costs $3,600, and the military version has several additions (maps of combat zones and some extra electronic and security features). The army is getting 789 of these Garmins, and the navy 673. The 696 has a seven inch color display and very well thought out controls.

Garmin GPS nav units are popular with the ground troops as well, and the army has provided Garmin with maps of combat zones for GPS nav gear sold to military users. This greatly reduces the number of military drivers getting lost, a situation that can quickly turn fatal if you wander into an enemy infested town. The military has been issuing troops GPS units for two decades now, but as Garmin, and other manufacturers of vehicle navigation devices have demonstrated, GPS works much better if integrated with an electronic map.

 

paul

[CT4ME]

'Can't wait to see one in a surplus store for $100... a guy can hope, huh?...

tim

[airhound]

In 06 had to pay european software company for personal Garmin GPS upload of Iraq maps with metro/roadway detailed data. Perhaps Garmin has covered both AORs in detail now.

[Magnet]

The more I look at the ipad for GPS + in the cockpit the more impressed I am. The price is certainly good compared to dedicated aviation GPS's and it offers much more. Would be interested in any comments from anyone using one. I currently have Wingx on my iphone and Foreflight looks very appealing.

[Magnet]

OK, never mind, I should have looked further at the remarks already posted under a different heading. Next question, are you using it as a knee pad or is there a way of mounting it somewhere in the cockpit.