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PDA/GPS and PNA Systems
PDA: Personal Digital Assistant (Pocket PCs and Palm devices)
PNA: Personal Navigation Assistant

This page includes an overview of soaring PDA/GPS systems, and example systems.

Introduction
PDA/GPS systems (PDA stands for Personal Digital Assistant)  and PNA systems (PNA stands for Personal Navigation Assistant) are a great first step to a complete soaring flight computer system.  They offer excellent moving maps and final glide information.  They even automatically calculate wind speed and direction while you thermal.  It is awesome to be able to glance at the moving map display and see reachable airports highlighted on the screen.  That is powerful information at your fingertips.  I often say that the systems below offer 90% of the functions of the high cost systems.  A PDA/GPS System consists of a Pocket PC or Palm computer and a "Generic GPS".  The term "Generic GPS" means a GPS that is designed for general purpose use - not necessarily aviation.  Generic GPS units include devices such as Garmin GPS units, CF Card GPS units, etc.  There are hundreds of GPS brands and types.  The good news is that most GPS units follow the NMEA 0183 data standard which means that they send position and GPS altitude data out their serial port for use by other devices. 

Related Pages

Improved Safety
Pilots that have never flown with a PDA/GPS system think that they will decrease safety because the pilot will be staring at the PDA rather than keeping their eyes out of the cockpit.  It is my opinion that PDA/GPS systems greatly improve safety because the pilot can glance at the display and know instantly whether he/she is within gliding distance of nearby airports.  All soaring flight software available can highlight reachable airports on the moving map.

What PDA/GPS Systems Can Do What PDA/GPS Systems Can't Do
  • Use GPS position and altitude
  • Moving map with waypoints and SUA
  • Final glide calculations
  • Reachable airports highlighted on map
  • Record unofficial IGC flight logs (can't be used for badges or records)
  • Tasks
  • Portable (suction cup mount)
  • No cables (depending on GPS)
  • Flight Statistics
  • GPS altitude used for final glide (not best)
  • Improved safety through quick access to final glide data
  • Wind speed and direction calculated using drift while circling
  • Upgradeable - They can be used with a "Generic GPS" for a low cost
    solution and then used with an IGC approved logger or high end flight
    computer when you can afford one.
  • 90% of what the high cost systems can do
  • Low cost (when compared with $4000 flight computer systems)
  • No Pressure Altitude Data (Pressure altitude is generally preferred for final glide calculations.)
  • Can't record IGC approved flight logs for badges and records
  • No Vario or averager (Actually, SeeYou Mobile can use GPS altitude to display a slow variometer value and vario average.)
  • No Speed-to-fly director
  • Can’t calculate wind speed and direction using airspeed and GPS data while cruising
  • When used with a speed-to-fly vario you must enter MacCready into both devices
  • The color displays on all Pocket PCs are not as readable in sunlight as you would hope.

Example Systems
Below are a few example systems.  I've tried to pull together all the components you need for a complete system.

How to Acquire These Example Systems
Not all the parts listed on this page are available from Cumulus Soaring, Inc.  I don't sell Pocket PCs because they change too rapidly so Pocket PCs and accessories are available through alliances with PC Connection.  In order to purchase all the parts in some of the systems below, you would need to place two orders - one with Cumulus Soaring, Inc., and one with PC Connection.  I can buy them for international customers if you are also buying other parts from me.

Cool Product
The Socket Mobile Power Pack is an awesome accessory for any soaring pilot PDA user.  It is a 5V Lithium Ion battery pack that measures only 102 x 76 x 25 mm (4" x 3" x 1") and yet it is rated at 7.2 Ah.  It fits nicely in to the side pocket of most any glider and provides 24 hours of power for your PDA.  You can keep it connected throughout the flight or just plug it in if the PDAs battery gets low.  I used to recommend only PDAs that have optional large batteries but this product makes it possible to use any Pocket PC.  It sells for $109.  You can see details on the Socket page.

HP iPAQ hx2110 Pocket PC with Transplant CF Card GPS and Socket Mobile Power Pack
The iPAQ hx2110 is the lowest cost iPAQ available.  It has a somewhat small screen but is a great low cost option.

Example System with HP iPAQ hx2110 Pocket PC and Transplant CF Card GPS
Soaring Flight Software iPAQ hx2190 Holux GR-271
CF GPS		 RAM-HOL-PD2 with RAM-B-SCMK-RAP-B-201-RAP-B-238 Socket Mobile Power Pack

Total: $769.80

iPAQ hx4705 with Transplant CFGPS

Portable System with large screen and large battery - For Soaring Club Members
This system is designed for quick installation in any glider.  Just attach the suction cup mount to the canopy of the glider and go soaring. It's perfect for club members who want a GPS, graphical moving map with airports and SUAs, differential final glide, reachable airports highlighted, and "unofficial" IGC flight logger that can be used in any glider.  The large 4" screen is the largest available on a Pocket PC - most are 3.5" or 3.8".   In my informal test this large battery powered the 4705 with the backlight on full power and a Transplant Primum CFGPS GPS for just over 6 hours. This Pocket PC also offers a high resolution screen.  Most Pocket PCs have a screen resolution of 240 x 320 pixels.  This one has a resolution of 480 x 640 pixels.  That doesn't make a major difference in the amount of data that can be displayed because the text has to be large enough to read in the cockpit.  However, it does make the text more sharp and the maps more detailed.  pocket*StrePla and SeeYou Mobile look very nice on the high resolution display.  There are no cables or electrical connections to make to the Pocket PC or GPS.  The iPAQ hx4705 has a serial data port so it can be connected to an external GPS or flight logger using the I38C-x cable.  If you need more battery power you can use the Socket Mobile Power Pack shown below. 

Note: The iPAQ hx4705 is no longer available as new.  Used units are available on ebay and Amazon.com.

Example System with iPAQ hx4705 Pocket PC and Transplant CF GPS
Soaring Flight
Software		 hp iPAQ hx4705 Holux GR-271
CF GPS		 Nimbus Cradle
with USB "B" connector option
for plugging directly into the
Socket Mobile Power Pack		 RAM-B-SCMK-RAP-B-201-RAM-B-238 Socket Mobile Power Pack 

Total: $797.85

iPAQ 210, 211 or 214 with CF GPS

Portable System with large screen - For Soaring Club Members
This system is designed for quick installation in any glider.  Just attach the suction cup mount to the canopy of the glider and go soaring. It's perfect for club members who want a GPS, graphical moving map with airports and airspace, differential final glide, reachable airports highlighted, and "unofficial" IGC flight logger that can be used in any glider.  The large 4" screen is the largest available on a Pocket PC (but smaller than the screen on the iPAQ 310 PNA - see below).   This Pocket PC also offers a high resolution screen.  Most Pocket PCs have a screen resolution of 240 x 320 pixels.  This one has a resolution of 480 x 640 pixels.  That doesn't make a major difference in the amount of data that can be displayed because the text has to be large enough to read in the cockpit.  However, it does make the text more sharp and the maps more detailed.  pocket*StrePla and SeeYou Mobile look very nice on the high resolution display.  The built-in battery will power the PDA and CF GPS for only a few hours, so you'll want to include the Socket Mobile Power Pack to power the system. 

Note: The iPAQ 210 does not have a built-in RS-232 serial port, so you will need a Socket Ruggedized Serial I/O CF Card to connect it to a soaring GPS.  A special version of the Nimbus cradle is available to allow an iPAQ 210 to be connected to a Cambridge 302, Goddard PS-5a power converter, etc.

Example System with iPAQ 210, 211 or 214 Pocket PC and Transplant CF GPS
 
Soaring Flight
Software		 hp iPAQ 210, 211 or 214 Holux GR-271
CF GPS		 Nimbus Cradle
with USB "B" connector option
for plugging directly into the
Socket Mobile Power Pack		 RAM-B-SCMK-RAP-B-201-RAM-B-238
suction cup mount		 Socket Mobile Power Pack

Total: $927.80

iPAQ 310 (USA), 312, 314, 316 or 318 PNA (Personal Navigation Assistant) - The Ultimate Portable System

Portable System with built-in GPS and large screen
This system is designed for quick installation in any glider.  Just attach the suction cup mount to the canopy of the glider and go soaring. It's perfect for soaring club members or those who rent gliders who want a GPS, graphical moving map with airports and airspace, differential final glide, reachable airports highlighted, and "unofficial" IGC flight logger that can be used in any glider.  The large 4.3" screen is the largest available in a portable PDA or PNA.   This PNA also offers a high resolution screen.  Most Pocket PCs have a screen resolution of 240 x 320 pixels.  This one has a resolution of 800 x 480 pixels.  So far SeeYou Mobile is the only soaring software that supports this device.  The built-in battery will power the 310 for a few hours.  You may want to include the Socket Mobile Power Pack to power the system.  I recommend trying it without the Socket Mobile Power Pack first - you can always add it later.  However, if you are planning soaring flights of over 4 or 5 hours, I highly recommend the Socket Mobile Power Pack.

Note: The iPAQ 300 series units do not have a built-in RS-232 serial port, so they can't be connected directly to a soaring instrument.  However, the K6 Bt BlueTooth Adapter makes it possible to talk to soaring instruments over BlueTooth.

Example System with iPAQ 310
 
SeeYou Mobile
Soaring Flight
Software		 hp iPAQ 310, 312, 314, 316 or 318
Travel Companion
Personal Navigation Assistant 		RAM-HOL-PD2 with RAM-B-SCMK-RAP-B-201-RAP-B-238 Socket Mobile Power Pack

Total: $786.80

Optional
If you want to mount this PNA more permanently, I recommend the RAM-HOL-PD2 cradle with a GNeck2-Assy-Panel or GNeck2-Assy-Side gooseneck system, or a RAM B-size mounting arm.
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Paul E. Remde

8661 Connelly Place
Savage, Minnesota 55378
USA


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