Bob Zajko on The Anywhere Map GPS & XM Weather

During Episode 5 of the Stuck Mic AvCast, co-host Victoria Neuville talked about flying with the Anywhere Map GPS and XM Weather handheld device. Listener Bob Zajko wrote in to add some additional details about this neat and handy device. Below are Bob’s comments…

Hi Guys. I heard Victoria mention AnywhereMap, I have been using these systems for several years and wanted to fill in some details.

The AnywhereMap systems fall in two categories. The “ATC” runs on a Palm OS or other small PDA type devices and are limited in functionality but are low price.

The “Pro” systems (which also includes a Corporate EFB system) are based on Windows XP tablet PCs. You can buy just the software or get it on pre-configured tablets that they test and guarantee to work right out of the box and have aviation-friendly features like sunlight-readable screens and solid state drives. The pre-configured tablets are the most popular option.

The “Pro” software has two components, PocketPlates, which is a geo-referenced instrument approach procedure program, scanned directly from the FAA charts. The GPS is a WAAS-enabled unit and has the same resolution as my Garmin 430W. I find the geo-reference position ultra accurate and it lines up with the computer-drawn procedure on my 430W every single time. You can enable XM weather overlay on the plate as well as terrain overlay on the plate (changes color with a high resolution yellow and red gradient as you descend, like what the G1000 does). Pocket Plates costs $195 for the program.

Lifetime updates are included in a $345 subscription (which also includes map data). It also includes STARs, SIDs, etc and every other reference page in a approach book. It integrates into the mapping program (called AnywhereMap Pro) so you can bring up the plate from AnywhereMap Pro. These plates are legal for Part 91 IFR (not the position data, you have to use your VOR/IFR GPS/etc for the fixes, but the plate itself) since its an exact scan of the FAA copy. But seeing yourself on the plate is extremely helpful, you don’t get confused which way the procedure turn is!

The mapping program is called AnywhereMap Pro and has several overlays including actual scanned VFR sectionals, real IFR low and high en route charts, and a 90-meter high resolution terrain data (called UltraTAWS) software-generated map. Overlays can be stacked, such as putting bright computer-drawn airspace overtop of the VFR sectional, so its easier to see, or overlay terrain data on the IFR chart, and set it to only show “red above” or many other options, including opacity or highlighting airspace that is a factor at your altitude.

Many other overlays are available – navaids, airways, airports (including private fields and Canadian, something missing on my 430W), and waypoints. I find it useful because it translates Victor airway clearances to a waypoint-to-waypoint format which I can enter into my 430W, which does not take airways.

The program also has data on fuel prices at the FBO (great for unplanned stops) and phone numbers for hotels and restaurants. All the information is presented in a logical manner. You can also integrate a portable TCAS receiver into the system and get traffic warnings. If a detailed FAA taxi diagram is available it will show that (with geo-referencing) or if there is no taxi diagram they actually pull the little airport airport diagram from the IFR plate and show that!!)

The program integrates to a WxWorx XM receiver which will overlay satellite weather on the charts. The WxWorx is either USB or Bluetooth. It has radar, echo tops, lightning strikes, satellite IR imagery, surface analysis, METAR/TAFs (displayed in the same format as the colored dots on AviationWeather.gov) etc. It also delivers TFR overlays. The weather subscription costs $35 or $55 paid to XM (which is a rip off considering they get this data free from NOAA, unlike their music content, which is much cheaper) but its the only game out there (until ADS-In)

The best part is for $345 you get a LIFETIME subscription for everything – IFR database, plates, terrain/obstacles, etc. Compare that to what the Garmin 696 costs to keep updated!

I looked at all the options when I got this system and I think its the best thing out there and the best upgrade I’ve done to my plane.

You can see some of their screens (on the 10″ tablet”)
http://www.anywheremap.com/pages/awm-pro.htm
http://www.anywheremap.com/anywheremap-dex.aspx

IFR plate screen shots with overlays
http://www.anywheremap.com/pages/pp3-001.htm

About the Author: Bob Zajko is a general aviation pilot with a Private Pilot, Single-Engine Land, Instrument Airplane rating. He owns a Glasair 1 RG that he flies with his lovely girlfriend every spare moment he gets.

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Part 1 of the Anywhere Map video review – Video Review: Part 1 Anywhere Map XM Weather & GPS with Bob Zajko

View Part 2 Anywhere Map XM Weather & GPS video review

View Part 3 Anywhere Map XM Weather & GPS video review