ANYWHEREMAP DUO

[drpep]

In case anyone is considering getting an Anywhere Map Duo GPS I would like to inform you of my experience so far with this quite troublesome piece of avionics. For those with you unfamiliar with the duo it is advertised as the competition to the Garmin 696. It is a 7 " tablet format with a 32 gb WINDOWS 7 program that included pocket plates, road navigation and US sectionals. It retails for $1800.

I purchased one in December 2009 and to date have had nothing but trouble with it. Initially the built in GPS receiver was only workable  about 10% of the time and definitely not reliable as a VFR navigator let alone useful for IFR. After repeated discussions with their tech department they suggested I send it back or try their external remote GPS. I opted for purchasing the latter as an add on and as a result was able to finally get reliable reception of satellites. Nonetheless, the duo was now not a duo. Next I had considerable trouble downloading updates from the computer's drop down menu. Eventually I had to download revisons from their website as opposed to getting them as intended through a wifi connection.

As I started using this navigator it became difficult to read it as it is definitely not sunlight readable. I contacted anywhere map again and they suggested I get a transparent layover screen designed to reduce glare. I therefore ordered one from them  as another expense and when I installed it I discovered that it obscured my screen even more. The problem with the scree is that it is not backlit sufficiently and this is not fixable. As well, the course line when established by programming a direct to course is the same color as the background geography again making it difficult to read. Garmin on the other hand is very readable with a crimson colored course line.. The long and short of it is that my 296 Garmin GPS is way more user friendly than the Anywhere Map Duo!

I approached Anywhere Map abut my concerns and discovered they have a response email program with the CEO that offers to respond to any concerns. I decided to send a complaint to the CEO twice and he did not respond either time.

In summary this is a sub standard navigator that I would not recommend to anyone. I am even of the view mine is worth next to nothing given my experience of it.

I would be very interested if anyone else out there has purchased the Duo and find it acceptable 

[Jeff_S]

I don't have any experience with the Anywhere Map Duo. In my Cherokee I had a TrueFlight Flight Cheetah FL190 which was a similar set-up, a Samsung tablet with their software on it. It worked great for me, and I would highly recommend one of these to someone looking for something similar.

I was considering an Anywhere Map Quadra earlier this year as a backup to panel mounted avionics, so I tried to visit with them at Sun n' Fun. I was down there on Saturday, and was dismayed to find their booth effectively closed. I fully respect religious tolerance and freedom and know that Saturday is the holy day for the Jewish faith, but one would think that during an only four-day event that is the second largest of its kind in the country, they would make arrangements for someone to cover the booth. Because I couldn't get my questions answered then, I lost interest, and then the iPad came out and that got my vote ($$s!).

[Barry]

I bought the duo in March of this year. I have not had issues with the GPS receiver in the plane, but I note that it frequently does not receive satellites inside my home, where my auto GPS does just fine. The glare off of the screen during flight IS a real problem. I no longer mount it on the controls, but leave it loose on the seat next to me or held by the passenger. I can then move it around to an angle where it is visible.

I actually like the functionality quite a bit. Easy to use, etc. Software wise, it has been very reliable for me. I am hoping that they port it to another device or begin to use another device. I will independantly purchase the device and will happly move the software to a better device.

[HopePilot]

I use a Duo, and find the software to be amazing.  I loved using the geo-referenced charts, long before Garmin made them accessible (at a fraction of the price).  That said, the monitor for the Duo stinks and I can't wait to upgrade to an HP Slate, but I'm keeping my Anywhere Map software.  I use a blutooth gps, not the one that it comes with.

[FoxMike]

drpep,

I have been an Anywhere user for many years.  At the present time I use a Samsung tablet similar to the tablet you are using.  I use an external GPS that sits on the glareshield.  I have had no reception problems and would recommend that you try an external antenna for the GPS.  Many years ago I had a GPS 90 mounted on the yoke with the antenna attached to the GPS.  I had lots of reception problems.  To make the screen readable I sometimes use the stick on sun shades to block the worst of the sun.  I also made a cardboard hood to shade the screen.  I have not found a solution that always works but the aforementioned help.  Good luck.

Walt

[drpep]

Thanks for that Walt Like you  now have a dash mounted external GPS and it works well. Sun glare remains a serious problem  though  I will try making up a cover for it like you. My point is though It is really not a built in duo by any stretch. I am now considering purchasing a Garmin 695 and panel mounting it

Regards

DRPEP

[trjymr]

I have the ATC from anywhere maps and have had problems updating it.  I contacted their customer service but they were no help at all.  I saw the DUO and really want to get one and use my ATC as a backup but with all the problems I have had and the problems I see others have I just dont know.  I also dont like having anything mounted on the yoke.  Does anyone know where or if you can panel mount the DUO and if so would that help with the glare?

 

Any advice would be welcomed and ill repost if I decide to get one.

[HopePilot]

As a DUO owner (well, the Viliv which is the same exact thing) I strongly recommend you wait for one of the new Windows tablets and put Anywhere Pro software on it.  If you must get the Duo, I'll be selling mine in the next couple of months...cheap.

[drpep]

Thanks folks for your feedback on the Duo.  I have decided to write a review of the Anywhere Map Duo and send it to Aviation Consumer as they have requested that I do so. Given the lack of response from their CEO on two separate submissions and my continuing difficulties the review will obviously not be favorable

Regards

drpep 

[PTK]

For what it's worth a couple of months ago I was kicking around the decision to purchase one of these pc based gps's. I was performing my due diligence and called the Anywhere Map folks as well as others.  I was completely turned off by the unprofessional and inappropriate way they handled the phone call!  I simply asked if there was any info they could email me or if they had an online demo.  Their answer was to go to Oshkosh if I want to see it!  I did also call True flight who has a similar setup and in contrast they were VERY VERY helpful and eager to answer all my questions.  I decided not to pursue these systems because they are windows based and this makes me nervous.  Also their screen because they are PC devices is not very bright and thus the poor readability.  I currently use my GPSMAP 195.  It is older but has approaches an HSI page which I use as backup to my HSI page and works very well.  I'm reluctant to give it up and go to one of these pc based portables as I don't see how they can be an improvement over my 195 as far as portables go. 

All the best,

PK

[Cruiser]

I use Flitesoft from rmsTEK. http://www.rmstek.com/  I have had it for over ten years. It works. NO issues. Upgraded every month. Runs on windows, but does not need to be "installed"

I keep the entire program and all the approach plates, Low alt charts and some VFR sectionals on a 2Gb flash drive. It can be run from any computer you can plug the flash drive into. Live weather if you have an internet connection. Uses WxWorx in the cockpit if you have the necessary hardware.

Just a satisfied customer.

Everyone that I know that has used it is HAPPY

[carusoam]

PK,

My thoughts.  Portable Garmin is designed to be as reliable as possible for the aviation environment.

Apple or windows based portable is great for graphical situational awareness.

I am leaning towards keeping both alive in the cockpit.  One has much greater reliability than the other.  The other provides greater data updates and graphics.

They both provide situational awareness / back-up to my installed equipment.

I have two yokes, I envision two portable devices.  The one mounted furthest away, will probably be used less and less....

Best regards,

-a-

[gofast]

I too took the early jump and bought the Viliv (same as the duo) and Anywhere Map package.  It worked fine in the airplane, but was klugy on the ground.  It's a fine touchscreen tablet for web browsing etc.  But, it pales next to my 3G iPad...  Mine Duo set-up is for sale cheap too...  Name me a price via PM, if you'd like it!  Just collecting dust on my study shelf.