Need info on purchasing a handheld GPS which is applicable for aviation and finding way out of the woods.I have checked out Garmin, Lowrance, and Magellan. Lowrance has the Airmap 600c which is the closest for aviation purposes, and price range, but I couldn’t get any good info for the terrestrial use, if it even has any, for that particular model. I also checked out the Garmin 96c. The Lowrance seems to have more for less. Could never get through the Lowrance phone line to talk to an actual person. As a student GA pilot, I am interested in a handheld model that would serve me in the air, as well as if I had to ditch in an unknown area such as a forest, etc, and lived to walk my way out! Just trying to find a model that has the best of both applications. Want to stay within the 300-500. dollar range. Can be flexible within 100 dollars more if necessary.
I went looking for an Aviation GPS just this lunchtime, I have decided on the Airmap 600c but have to order it from the US as there is no local distributor in Hong Kong.

My fellow pilot friend recently purchased the Garmin eTrex Legend Cx which he is very d with.

http://www.garmin.com/products/etrexLege .
Check out the Garmin Rino. If someone else has a Rino you can transmit your GPS location. I have the Rino 120, (2) 130′s, and a 530. All still work great.
The aviation version costs $$$ more. It has different stuff in it’s memory. Try to get something that can be upgraded with your computer, then you can download current charts etc. Be sure to get the map version. old Garmin and it even knew where I was in Hawaii. You can even download river and ocean charts.
I won’t suggest a specific model, but I have always found Garmin staff to be especially helpful, particularly in the UK.

When choosing, make sure that what you buy will be able to handle the aviation AND ground map function – some of the earlier models would NOT accept the aviation data.

So far as recovery from a forced landing is concerned, you should know EXACTLY where you are throughout any flight, and the need for a forced or precautionary landing should bring this to the forefront of your mind!

You may have heard the saying “Never let your aircraft take you somewhere your brain didn’t arrive at 10 minutes earlier”

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