avmap EKP IV impressions

henriquerv9 · #1 08-10-2006, 08:54 AM

Hi all

Just would like to hear who owns this gps his impressions about it, Display, easy of operation, etc...

Regards

Henrique

Wicked Stick · #2 08-10-2006, 09:56 AM

I have one, that I bought last year at Sun-N-Fun. I got bought it at the time for two reasons. The big beautiful display which could be view in portrait and landscape, and the fact that it came with an attachment to strap it to your thigh. (flying in an RV-4 limits where you mount a portable.)

Nothing is perfect however, and I've had issues with it's wanting to reboot itself and it used to crash a few times with the old software. The latest revision seems to have solved them. Ive also had the small knob break off because another person I let borrow it, man-handled it. To AvMap's defense however, they repaired it free of charge, and even updated the database with all the latest terrain and map software.

For me, the perfect match would be the AvMap EKP IV sized display with the Garmin's 496 features and reliability, not to mention I miss the Garmin logbook feature as well.

I was thinking of trading or selling it and giving up the nice big display to buy a 496. It's too bad they didn't up the screen size from the 396. Alas, I'm hoping AvMap comes out and provides an upgrade to add weather and music, then I'd probably keep it for sure.

John_RV4 · #3 08-10-2006, 11:23 AM

Hi Dave,
I didn't realize you had one of those. I would love to see it sometime. I feel exactly the same way. I am tired of looking at these dinky little displays. An Avmap IV with wx would be THE hot setup for me. I would build a new panel for that setup......

John

Mike S · #4 08-10-2006, 11:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wicked Stick

For me, the perfect match would be the AvMap EKP IV sized display with the Garmin's 496 features and reliability, not to mention I miss the Garmin logbook feature as well.

.

Amen. Ditto. With 'ya man. Count me in. Me too. ETC.

I have been wanting the same for a long time. At this time however, I would really like to see something like a dual screen "Advanced Flight Systems" installation that would accept the nav info from a Garmen or some other source-----Mountainscope being my personal favorite.

How 'bout it Rob??

Mike

mikegraycmg · #5 08-10-2006, 01:06 PM

I have had one for about a year and a half. The new software has cured the problems I originally experienced with it, and, as I use it, I like it more and more. I talked to C-Map the other day, and they said they are looking at adding weather. I have not used the 296/396/496, so I don't know how it compares. For the price, though ($1500) I think it would be hard to beat. The only real complaint I have is that the back battery cover is flimsy and comes off easily.

svanarts · #6 08-10-2006, 03:11 PM

I had an AvMap EKP-IV for about 6 months. The display was beautiful and the size was just right. However, the only place it could go was on my knee as Dave has pointed out. It seemed to work out well enough except that I got tired of "wearing" most of my cockpit accessories (mp3 player, gps, charts), I didn't like having to look down to see the GPS, and plus I could not get used to their interface. I think it is a great unit though. If I could have found a way to mount it at panel height, I would have kept it.

Part of why I'm going to build an RV-7.

henriquerv9 · #7 08-10-2006, 04:10 PM

thanks for the reply folks. Is the interface not easy to use inflight? changing flight planning, nearest airports, is it easy as to use garmin 296?

henrique

svanarts · #8 08-10-2006, 08:26 PM

I don't think it's any more difficult than the garmin, just different. I'd say they were comparable as far as operating in bumpy air with maybe a slight edge going to the EKP-IV. Only because you are hanging onto the side of it and the buttons are on the edge so they are fairly easy to operate with your thumb. Garmin's cursor keys feel more stout than the EKP to me though. Garmin may have better customer support too. There is a EKP forum and there were some issues raised about customer service from Italy where the EKP is made.

rv6ejguy · #9 08-11-2006, 09:29 AM

There was a previous thread on this a few months back if you do a search with a few more replys.

Wicked Stick · #10 08-11-2006, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svanarts

I don't think it's any more difficult than the garmin, just different. I'd say they were comparable as far as operating in bumpy air with maybe a slight edge going to the EKP-IV. Only because you are hanging onto the side of it and the buttons are on the edge so they are fairly easy to operate with your thumb. Garmin's cursor keys feel more stout than the EKP to me though. Garmin may have better customer support too. There is a EKP forum and there were some issues raised about customer service from Italy where the EKP is made.

I guess one advantage I have over others, is that I live here on the Cape, so AvMap is only a 35 to 40 minute drive from Marion to Mashpee

So any customer service for me is up close and personal, and like I said before, their service has been great for me.

The menu is different like others said, it just takes getting used to it. The one thing I wish they'd fix is to assign a different color to the mode c veil line so you can more easily distinquish it from the Bravo lines.