From: greg@saltydog.dpsi.com (Gregory R. Travis)
Subject: Product review:  Peacock Data Systems LapMap
Organization: Data Parallel Systems, Inc
Date: 21 Jul 92 19:36:04 GMT

(Warning:  Rave review follows)

I've been flying with an HP95LX (1MB version) and Peacock Data Systems'
LapMap software for two months now and I have been VERY impressed.  The
software is really top-notch and easy to use.

Physical Description:

The hardware consists of an HP95LX and a serial cable.  Both 1MB versions
and 512KB versions of the 95LX are available (although the 512KB version
is out of production, I believe).  Memory size of the 95LX does not
matter, unless you are planning on using the 95LX for things other
than the LapMap.

The software and database comes on a FlashCard that is inserted into the
side of the HP95LX and contained completely within the unit.  Only a few
configuration files are actually written to the HP95's internal "C" drive.

The HP95's dimensions are approximately 5"x2"x0.75".  It has a full QWERTY
keyboard and a 40x16 line display.

Software:

The flash card contains all the operating software as well as full database
of Canadian, Mexican, and U.S. airports and airspace.  The database contains:

All VORs, including frequency and Lat/Long information
All NDBs, same information
All Intersections
All MOAs/Restricted/Prohibited areas
All ATAs/ARSAs/TCAs
For individual airports:
	Length, numbers, and types (paved/unpaved) of all available runways
	All relevant frequencies (CTAF/Approach/Ground/Tower/ATIS)
	Fuel available (100/80/Jet)

For example:  Asking for information on the airport identifier "BOS"
	      produces the following on-screen:

		BOS   APT - BOSTON MA
		Elevation 20    *** TCA ***
		-------------------------------
		ATIS 135.00   | 04L/22R   7000P
		APCH 118.25   | 04R/22L  10000P
		TWR  119.10   | 09/27     7000P
		GND  121.90   | 15L/33R   2500P
		UCM  122.95   | 15R/33L  10000P
			      | LIGHTED
		-------------------------------
		Fuel: 100 JET
		LAT:  N  42 21.9
		LON:  W 071 00.3

Moving Map:

The moving map takes advantage of all the information in the database.
If you are near/under/within a TCA, for example, it shows the wedding
cake along with the TCA floors/ceilings in the different sectors.  One
glance at the display and you instantly know where you are and what
altitudes to observe.  Same thing for ARSAs.  ATAs are always depicted
around controlled airports as a standard 5SM ring.  Prohibited/Restricted/MOA
areas are depicted in their true geometry along with identifying information.

Unfortunately, for restricted and prohibited areas, there is no way to
determine either the vertical extent or hours of operation.  The database
does not contain the information.

The moving map has selectable ranges from 1 mile to 75 miles.  In my
experience, anything above about 45-55 miles results in pathological
clutter on the screen.  I typically cruise cross-country at about 30-40
miles and reduce that to 10-15 miles in a terminal environment.  On ranges
of 20 miles and less the generic "airport" symbol is replaced with a
real runway diagram.  On the 1-mile range you can watch yourself taxi
up and down the runway if your navigation equipment is good enough*

On the right side of the display is a little "information box" that contains
information about the last airport/navaid/intersection/user point that you
queried.  The information is:

		ID (i.e BOS)	TYPE  (i.e. APT)
		Time	<The current time>
		ETE:	<Estimated time enroute>
		ETA:	<Estimated wallclock time of arrival>
		Brg	<Bearing to the identifier>
		Dst	<Distance, in NM, to the identifier>
		-------------------
		N	<Your current position north>
		W	<Your current position west>
		Spd	<Your current speed, in knots>
		Trk	<Your current track, in degrees>

On the display your airplane is represented in one of two ways.  The standard
display is centered around your airplane and the "top" of the display
represents not north, but forward.  In this mode your airplane is shown as
the intersection of two perpendicular lines centered about 2/3rds of the way
down the screen.  The airplane remains fixed while the map moves underneath.

The other display mode is called "north up" and requires that you provide
a fix about which the display is centered.  On this display, a little
airplane symbol moves around the map, but the map itself is fixed.  I have
never really used this mode - the manual says its nice for terminal
approach.

The display also shows the current bearing (track), the range, and something
called "VNAV" which is a readout of the altitude at which you should be
if you wanted a 2.5degree glideslope to the airport/etc. depicted on the
right side of the display.  For example, if I were flying from Chicago to
Bloomington at 11,000 feet I could get information about BMG (Bloomington)
which would then be shown on the right side (all the information above).
At the same time, the VNAV display would show me what altitude I should
seek if I wanted a 2.5 degree glide down to BMG.  For an efficient and
smooth descent, I would simply wait until the VNAV altitude matched or was
less than my cruising altitude and then I would maintain my rate of
descent so that my real altitude matched what the computer wanted.  The
2.5 degree glideslope is only the default - you may select any
value you like.

One other thing on the display:  You can input a "flightplan" including
any identifiers on the way.  You can also save and restore flightplans.
Once a flightplan is activated, the display will have a dotted line on
it representing the straight path between each identifier you've input.
For VFR flight it's then simply a matter of staying on the line!

Modes of operation:

It basically works in two ways.  The simplest is "dead reckoning" mode
where the unit stands alone and you input your speed and track.  The
map then begins to "fly"  This is quite fun for wasting time pretending
you've got an SR-71 and you're flying from SFO to BOS at 3000kts.  You
get to see a "navaid/airport" view of the whole country.

The other way is with the unit hooked into your navigational equipment.
The unit interfaces with a two wire serial (receive and ground) hookup
(it does not pass any data OUT).  I have mine hooked into the serial
out of my FlyBuddy LORAN.  It works great (but my LORAN tends to think
that I'm about 1/2 mile west of where I am on the ground at BMG) and
I've heard that it's even better with a GPS set.  I mounted a DB9 connector
from the LORAN behind the panel with some pull-ties.  To use the unit, I
just reach under the panel and plug in the HP serial cable.  This way
I didn't have to cut any holes in '57E or get a 337 for a hard mounted
DB9.

PROBLEMS

1.  The unit DESTROYS batteries.  Expect 2 AA alkaline batteries to last
    for about 5 hours before you need to replace them.
2.  The unit is not backlit.  Very hard to read in a dark cabin.
3.  Distances displayed to selected identifiers is always shortest route
    (direct distance).  It does not use your flightplan so there is no
    way to determine flightplan distance.  For instance, I could put in
    a flightplan from BMG to IND (~35 miles) via SFO (~4000 miles RT) and
    it would initially display the distance to IND as 35 miles, increasing as
    I followed my flightplan out to SFO!
4.  A little slow.  The little 8088 in the 95LX can get behind you if you're
    asking for information.  Left alone, the moving map seems to be able to
    keep up easily up to 500knots though.  And full typeahead is supported
    so, if you know what you're typing and what the unit wants, it is possible
    to perform a quite complex task without any feedback from the unit.  Fly
    for a while and look down to see its answer.
5.  It has a mechanism for computing winds aloft.  I have not found this to
    be at ALL accurate.

OTHER

The 95 is a GREAT little machine.  I also use it as a telephone book and a
portable DUAT terminal.  I can't imagine flying X-C without it!  I have a
version of NAV that runs on it also, although it's a little redundant with
the LapMap (but it is faster and more sophisticated for trip PLANNING).

Advantages:

No need to buy FlyBuddy PLUS (Flybuddy w/Database) as the LapMap has all
that information and more.

Effectively doubles your LORAN/GPS since you can still use the box's
navigation features (i.e how far is it to ABC?) while using the LapMap's
stuff.

Small - fits between the yoke horns on my 172 or in Sophia's lap.

Versatile - the 95 comes with LOTUS 1-2-3 and many other built-in applications
            and is a real DOS machine.  Great on-the-road DUAT terminal that
            allows you to capture your DUAT session;  you can review your
            briefing in the air without having to carry extra paper.

Makes VFR navigation MUCH easier in complex airspace.  You'll never buy a
sectional again (well, almost).

Very helpful visualization tool in IFR conditions

COST

HP95LX, 1MB, Service merchandise:	$609.00
Serial Cable:				$ 15.00
LapMap Software, total:			$800.00
	(Software proper:		$550.00)
	(Flash card:			$250.00)
Stuff to plug into LORAN:		$ 10.00
				===============
Total:				       $1434.00

The database is reissued every 56 days, just like sectionals.  I don't remember
the cost for getting a new FlashCard every 56 days, but it was something
like $300.00  A new FlashCard every six months is $80.00.  One free FlashCard/
Database update is included in the purchase price.  FlashCards also contain
the software so a database update also gets you the latest version of the
software.

I LOVE IT!

greg
		

--
Gregory Reed Travis				D  P  S  I
Data Parallel Systems Incorporated   greg@dpsi.com (For MX mailers only!)
Bloomington, IN			     greg@indiana.edu (For the others)