jeffcb52

JR Mobile: Thanks for the reply. I can unzip the .AEL file OK. It was the other one I was wondering about. I can't quite understand why it would work in one gps and not in the other. Regards Jeff

JRMobile, Is ASN73070.ACE an archive file which has to be extracted before being transferred into the CF card charts folder. According to its properties it says it is an archive file, but my RAR extraction program can't seem to recognise the file type? Regards Jeff

Dear JRMobile, I followed your advice but now I have no aviation info at all. Can't understand why it does not work, as replacing the old files restores gps to former status. Those files you received and downloaded weren't specific to your gps were they? Did you pay a fee to unlock that info, or maybe I am just missing something. Thanks for the help though, maybe I'll sort it out. Regards Jeff

I have asked Avmap why there is missing data and received this reply: Dear Jeff, "AvMap are going to increase the data available from Jeppesen from the next update – so you would be wise to wait a couple of months for it to filter through to us. As for the price of the updates, it depends on how you would like to do it: If you do not have Terrain Awareness: OPTION 1: A full upgrade of your card is available which includes Terrain Awareness PLUS the latest Jeppesen Database. BUT once the upgrade has been done, the card is near capacity and does not leave any room to store any more information. AUS$165.00 OPTION 2:A new card can be purchased which also includes Terrain Awareness PLUS the latest Jeppesen Database. BUT, there is plenty of space left on the card to store flight plans etc. PLUS there is enough space to upgrade it in the future should AvMap release new features. AUS$214.50 (I can help you with the options above – let me know if you would like me to upgrade your card or if you would like to purchase a new one.) OR You can complete the download yourself of just the Jeppesen database via the AvMap Website: http://www.avmap.us/index.php?swt=0203 Please keep in mind that prices on the web-site are quoted in US dollars and you will need a CF-CARD reader. We use a generic card reader that we purchased from Dick Smith Electronics for about AUS$40.00. How old is your card? If it does not have Terrain Awareness, your best option is to purchase a new card. If you are not interested in having Terrain Awareness OR you already have it, then the cheapest option is to complete the download yourself. From, what I can tell from the web-site, it is US$22.00 for the Australia/Asia Database (Plus the cost of the CF-Card reader)." I attempted to purchase updated aviation data from the Avmap website, but it still does not work. Emailing the link on the site eventually ends up with EDMO, who then referred me back to the original Avmap page. Very useful. However the lady from EDMO said she will look into it when informed of the problem. Avmap might have a great screen but they have a fair few of the basics still to sort out in my opinion. Regards Jeff

The Avmap website lists Australian region Aviation data for sale but it is not yet available when you try to purchase. There is an email link which must be the way to obtain updated aviation data. I don't think things move too fast at Avmap, because they have had those databases listed on their website for quite a long time. I still have made no progress getting route information from computer into Avmap, because there seems to be no RTE NMEA message to select. Selecting the Route upload option in the menu does not work. However, the screen is good. Regards Jeff

The Avmap comes with a kneepad as part of the deal. Also included is a cigarette lighter power supply. You can buy a lead from Ian to connect it to your computer. A similar lead can be modified by connecting it to a 12volt wall plug to run it in your office so you can practice at home. Batteries last about 10 minutes I'd say. Knee pad connects to the GPS with double lock velcro, and with the strap removed, the plastic connector pad from the knee pad can form the base for a mounting system. Alternatively, two pieces of aluminium channel fit nicely into the back of the GPS and can be held there with double lock velcro. A piece of plate pop rivetted to the channel then gives a very good base to mount the unit.

Thanks for everyones' replies. Tried MCT brand USB/serial converter but it would not work. I use a Prolific USB/serial converter to overcome the lack of serial ports. You can use more than one if you want to run more than one GPS based program simultaneously, or you can use a program called GPS gate which allows you to create multiple virtual serial ports so long as you have one serial port or USB/Serial converter bringing the signal into the machine. It actually works. I am selecting Communications/flight plan upload in the Avmap. The manual refers to RTE NMEA instructions for uploading/downloadiing routes, but it seems to be the only NMEA instruction not available for selection in the menu. I want to continue using Oziexplorer at home and in the plane because you can use digitised airservices maps, whereas PC-Planner uses Jeppesen maps, which are already in the GPS. Using Airservices maps is much better for following VFR lanes and reporting points into Archerfield, for example, which are not shown in the Jeppesen map in the GPS. The Avmap has one other apparent disadvantage. If you upload all your waypoints and then want to use some of them to create a flightplan via the screen/cursor (very handy), it creates a numbered user waypoint which it overwrites on top of your existing (and selected) already named user waypoint. Very messy and confusing and hard to understand the reasoning, since the machine has already acknowledged the waypoint you have selected. Waypoints can be added from the database, but it is more cumbersome, and you can't refer to the screen at the same time. It also has a menu item in the database menu called file manager. However the manual never mentions it and I can't see how to use it at all. Any ideas?? The USB port has some strange shaped plug. Probably just as well, because according to their support person in US it is for flashing the main board, not for normal connection to a computer. The manual forgot to mention that info as well. The problem about uploading routes/flightplans from the computer to the GPS may only be able to be solved by the makers of Oziexplorer including the Avmap parameters in their program so that it becomes a GPS which is recognised by the program. At present it is not a listed type/model. Might be a job for Ian. The only contact I could find was info@oziexplorer.com.au, and I am not sure if that is current or not. I have other friends who use Oziexplorer, and it is a real pity Avmap can't interface properly with it at this stage. Regards Jeff

Dear Ian, Thanks for the reply. You obviously realised I was referring to the Avmap I purchased at Narromine, not the Navman GPS I have in my car. Sorry about the temporary senility. I bought a cable from you at Narromine. Have attached a DB9 plug and it connects to the computer perfectly with regards to downloading waypoints. It seems to me that any of these moving map programs should transfer data from the program to any gps provided we put the correct settings into both program and gps. I am trying to understand what different settings Amap uses compared to Garmin. I don't want to give up on Oziexplorer yet because I also use it as a moving map on a tablet computer on my plane. This allows me to flight plan at home, transfer waypoints and routes via a USB stick to the tablet, then run them into the gps. Very convenient, if only I could achieve the same with the Avmap. I also tried G7toWin program and got a similar error message to Oziexplorer. How much does PC planner cost and what can it do? Regards Jeff

Hello everyone, My first attempt at posting. I purchased a Navman EKP 1V at Narromine to use in my Jabiru. However I find that does not interface with my computer with the same ease as a Garmin 196 or Garmin 12. I am using Oziexplorer moving map program for route planning, and this program does not specifically list the Avmap as a type of GPS it recognises. I have found it can be tricked by selecting MLR/other MLR as a type of GPS, and this allows transfer of waypoints. However it seems unable to transfer route info from the computer to the Avmap, although it goes through all the motions. It seems to need 4800N81 as settings. Does anyone have any suggestions? Ian-from whom I bought the Avmap- can you give me your phone number, as I seem to have lost it. Regards Jeff