Navigation Panels
I have been flying with TeleType's
Windows-CE Navigation Software (on my Casio
M500 PocketPC) for the past two years, and I have generally been impressed
with
the performance.
First, this is NOT a 3D Terrain-mapping system, and the maps are not
directly-
scanned aviation maps (but they are pretty good once you get used to the
layout).
The color schemes are the same for the airspaces, it just that the airport
legends
are different. You can also get Street Maps added to help maintain some
situational
awareness (rather than just have an arrow that tells you you are near some
city).
Plus, you can't beat the price!
This software can run on Windows 9x/ME/2000/XP, Pocket-PCs, and Generic
Windows-CE machines with either the ARM9 (read StrongARM), MIPS, or SH3/4
processors. There are some limitations; it can't run on x86 Windows-EC
machines
(such as CE-PC or some x86 Tablet PCs that run Windows-CE). This just
means
that you will need to make sure that if you get a Windows-CE Panel or Tablet,
that
it has an ARM9 (aka StrongARM), MIPS, or SH3/4 processor. If you have a
Windows 9x/ME/2000/XP Machine, then the software will run.
So as you can see, I am strongly considering a Windows-CE Panel as a
Navigation Panel, but I haven't as yet decided whether it should be a built-in
Panel
or whether I should have a Tablet-PC with a docking station.
There are several Built-in Panel-PCs available from a number of suppliers:
 | RLC (http://www.rlc.com/product_home.html) |
| Pro-Face (http://www.pro-face.com/product/ps.htm) |
| QSI Corporation (http://www.qsicorp.com/type-w.html) |
But I'm also looking at various Windows-CE Tablet-PC's and Tablet-PDA's:
The nice thing about the Tablet-PCs is that if you build a
"docking-station" (really
just a flat part of your Instrument-Panel with the proper power and sync cable
connections), you can remove the tablet from the airplane when needed.
Imagine this scenario:
You've just landed for fuel and you go into the FBO to check weather
(taking your
Tablet-PC with you). While checking weather, you notice that your intended
flight path takes you near some nasty thunder-bumpers. You decide, just to
be safe you'll steer well clear of those, so you take your tablet and alter the
flight-path, comparing it with the weather depiction you've got laid out
in-front
of you via NEXRAD. You then take your Tablet-PC (new flight-plan and all)
back to your plane, pre-flight and you are away.