Quadra

Very easy to use updater after it was upgraded recently. The sectional charts work very well and the software has been updated several times to make the unit work even better. The copilot feature is great to help you remember to switch fuel tanks or put the gear down. You can program it for weight and balance on each plane you fly.

Had some problems with the original unit and Sportys was great about helping get it resolved. In the prosess of this I decided to upgrade to the Max (sectional charts). I could not be more pleased. Several major operational ungrades has been made to the unit for free. The Wi-fi update process is a little unhandy but this has been resolved with the newer update process.

Other than the first unit that Sporty traded out for me I would highly recommend this product. As with any electronic device you will need to spend some time getting to know its operation and the changes that any updates bring to get the best use of it.

Startup is relatively fast and aquires satellites in 15-30 seconds. No problems tracking satellites even with unit on yoke of Cessna 172. Easy to update unit with wireless home network. No need to attach to computer. Simply go to update page on unit, turn on wifi and it will take you through several screens and update with latest database including fuel costs at airport. Can do in about 2 minutes. Can also get most recent METARS on weather page and they will be displayed with how old they are. Of course, you won't get updates in plane without a weather subscription but this information is included with the basic updates which are free for the first year, then I think $85/yr thereafter. Everything included in kit: Yoke mount, car mount, DC charger, AC charger and carrying case. Can fit unit in your shirt pocket. GPS in auto mode works well. Battery lasts about 90 minutes with full bright screen in auto mode using battery alone.

I am 55 and have bifocals. The screen can be hard to read in direct sunlight if not on full bright. If not moving or plugged in to power source, the unit will want to turn off after a few minutes. It warns you before it happens. The owners manual does not describe all of the features of the unit. I had to go through the pages and 'trial and error' figure out how to use them. This is not a unit to try and figure out while flying.

Overall, I am very happy with the purchase. I fly in the SFRA around Washington and felt a need for a reliable GPS to help me navigate the airspace. Once set and plugged in, this unit gives me piece of mind and I can see where I am at a glance. It is light weight and does not alter the control wheel feel. I have had it for 10 weeks now and have flown with it about 6 hours. So far, so good. The case is thin so keep it in the carrying case. I don't know how it would fare if you dropped it.

touchscreen, emergency cone, price

user unfriendly, unconsistant customer service, long update time and loss of data

Should have just sticked to Garmin products absolutly user unfriendly. updates take forever either trough u;ink or Wifi. You actually lose some familiar features sometimes after an update without warning.

( No Pros Listed From Reviewer )

( No Cons Listed From Reviewer )

Haven't had it long enough to really rate it

Super price, easy to use after initial learning, compact yet large enough to see and read. For the beginner xc Flyer I wouldn't recommend flying without it.

Battery life pretty short for today's technology. But new add-on battery extenders solves problem if external power supply not available

Overall won't fly xc again without it.

Easy to use after reading the instructions and a little experimentation. Used on 1,000+ miles of cross country and unit performs well. Inclusion of fuel prices is nice included feature. Easy updates via WiFi connection. Shipped with corrupted terrain data at 50 mile zoom level but Control Vision promptly had upgrade available. One year database updates subscription included and updates are $115 annually.

A little difficult to read in direct sunlight. Airport information and runway fonts are very small even with reading glasses. Lost all satellites a couple of times near MOAs but reacquired relatively quickly. The Flight Plan option requires moving added waypoints up or down to the appropriate sequence in the flight plan which is an added step or two rather than just adding between two existing plan waypoints.

Except for the sometime marginal readability in sunlight the unit performs well with quick map updates while in flight. Considered updating to the version with Sectionals on board but decided against it due to doubtful readability due to size.

I am very undatified with anywhere maps support. My gps will not find it's location. This could be a setup issue but I am unsure. I sent 2 emails asking for assistance over one week ago and have not heard from anyshere map.

( No Cons Listed From Reviewer )

( No General Comments Listed From Reviewer )

The Quadra is easy to use for all basic functions. Direct to works great and it is easy to access all Airport Frequencies while en route so you don't have to fumble for the paper airport directories.

I do like the ability to download weather prior to leaving on a flight. It's static in flight but gives you a quick glance of where everything was when you departed.

The Quadra is still not functioning as advertised. The company that produces the product (Control Vision) is still writing the software and not all functions work properly. You can only update via a Wi-Fi network as the unit will not update by USB and internet download. There are also problems with WPA protected Wi-Fi networks that are still being worked out by Control Vision. At this time the logbook function will still not connect with the online logbook, and is supposed to be fixed in a later upgrade.

The Brightness is not what I expected. Very hard to read in the daytime. Make sure to get a Sun-shield if you will use this in a low wing aircraft.

Processor speed is rather slow.

I did finally get on the discussion board of the companies web site but they would not allow access before I bought the product. After seeing the problems listed in the discussion board I understand why.

Had I had a chance to look at the companies discussion board before I purchased this product I would have probably either waited a year while the software was written for the Quadra or just paid the extra money for a Garmin 496.

If you are looking a getting a Quadra just be aware that the software is not yet complete, although the company is putting out updates every month. It should be as advertised in a year or so, but right now not everything works as advertised.

Bottom line, the Quadra is still a work in progress and was rushed to market before the software engineers completed their work.

Long-term, I think I am going to like this unit a lot. The basic aviation and roadway GPS modules appear to work well. As with most units of this nature, functionality for the pilot can vary from basic GPS tracking to advanced assistance with IFR procedures. The utility of the unit depends on the pilot's willingness to master its features. The ability to obtain updates wirelessly is a nice plus. Satellite sensitivity is excellent. I can often get a 3D lock indoors, which my other GPS units cannot do. Battery life consistently falls short of the claimed endurance (but I find that to be true for nearly all battery-powered devices). Screen brightness has been the subject of much discussion in the Anywhere Map discussion forum. True, it's not very readable in direct sunlight, but I don't know of any handhelds that are. Be aware that the "screen protector" that ships with the unit is just there for protection in transit. You'll want to consider purchasing a set of "true" screen protectors from Control Vision's web site (cost = $20). The automotive suction mount works very well, and I'll probably also use it in my aircraft. The yoke mount is sturdy, but as installed, the unit blocks my view of the DG and stall warning light. A dedicated "aircraft" suction mount is available from CV for $69 (ouch). No opinion yet on reliability or durability.

This unit was rushed to market and was not ready for prime time. Control Vision is working through numerous bugs as reported by early adopters such as me. Essentially, we are being used a beta testers. Most glaringly, the units are not yet WPA WiFi capable - an inexcusable oversight by CV. The units do connect reliably with unsecured and WEP networks. I strongly urge you to go to the Anywhere Map discussion forum to get a sense of the many bugs that shipped with this unit. To their credit, CV seems to be working overtime to develop fixes, but they are clearly overwhelmed at this point. I needed a GPS unit right away and, contrary to my normal practice, purchased an unproven unit. If you can wait a while, I think you'll be very pleased with the Quadra once the major kinks have been worked out.

( No General Comments Listed From Reviewer )