AV8OR Multi-Function Display works well on highways, friendly skies

Okay, so the vast majority of you won't be needing a navigation unit that also provides pertinent information while cruising several thousand feet above your nearest freeway, but for the amateur pilots out there looking for the best of both worlds, take notice. Bendix/King's AV8OR is a self-proclaimed handheld Multi-Function Display, which gives pilots "enhanced situational awareness" by providing "real-time satellite weather information, topographic terrain and aeronautical navigation information." You'll also find more traditional GPS capabilities suitable for ground transportation routes, and the 4.3-inch display ought to be large enough for most. 'Course, the $749 price tag will likely keep most non-pilots at bay, but those thinking of picking up an ultralight aircraft probably won't flinch at such a comparatively minute figure.

[Kurt @ Aug 4th 2008 7:18PM]

Maybe this is the precursor to flying cars. . .

I want my flying car!

[rv @ Aug 4th 2008 7:18PM]

av80r
aviator
how clever

[Skyride @ Aug 4th 2008 7:20PM]

Hmm.... Good idea.

Although I cant help feeling theres probably already better/more useful units out there. And engadget only picked up on this one because it looks good.

P.S. Haha, no dumb twat gets to say first on this one.

[Kurt @ Aug 4th 2008 7:42PM]

I suspect someone will still say it.

[ntlam @ Aug 4th 2008 7:57PM]

how good if this thing also feature a radar/missile detector ;-)

[Bill @ Aug 4th 2008 8:05PM]

$749 may sound expensive, but its competition is the Garmin GPSMAP 496 which sells for $2,400...

--Bill

[Paul @ Aug 4th 2008 9:14PM]

Yes, I have been a long time user of the similar thing from these guys:

http://anywheremap.com/anywheremap-atc.aspx

Way cheaper and, better still, upgradeable than what Garmin produces.

[Spooner ! @ Aug 5th 2008 1:48AM]

satelitte weather in your car, GR8 ! agree with ntlam, needs missile protection ! not sure what clever name goes with that though !
found their website here: www.bendixking.com/av8or looks like the car nav functions are pretty good
L8OR

[neofolklore @ Aug 5th 2008 8:54AM]

9 comments.

[Gazzzzza @ Aug 6th 2008 4:17AM]

wow, thats cheap compared to a gpsmap 496..

but i use a wm6 ppc with navgps pro.. inordinately cheaper than either option

[mjg1185 @ Aug 8th 2008 4:16PM]

but will it blend?

[jack @ Aug 14th 2008 12:27PM]

Garmin 496 has 200ms update rate. Honeywell never states the update rate on this one, so it's probably 1 sec. A pilot could use the 496 to keep the airplane right side up in an emergency. They both would help you know where you are in an emergency but with the av8or you'd have to find some other way to stay right side up.

[PPASEL @ Aug 27th 2008 1:59AM]

Just what are you flying that the difference between 200ms and 1sec refresh is going to mean the difference between your flying the aircraft right side up in an emergency or having to find another way to do so? In 200+ hours of flying I've not encountered anything that sensitive yet.

[ed @ Oct 7th 2008 10:20AM]

Emergency would be spin or spiral dive where any lag makes it harder to decide how to recover and he wrong recovery makes the situation worse. That said any light aircraft owner thinking of getting one of these as an addition to current equipment would already have simple reliable instruments to rely on in an emergency. Also touch screen in light aircraft on a bumpy day...

[dave @ Oct 11th 2008 3:44PM]

This is an incredible advancement in handheld gps technology. Try to get your hands on a demo... you won't want to let go. It's great on the road too. Here is an easy link for more product details. http://www.av8or.com