To fly efficiently with Navgps Pro, you need to know what it can do. It's recommended that the user-manual be
downloaded and read.
The user-interface of Navgps Pro is designed so that there's a minimal need to use the stylus while enroute.
This can be accomplished by defining the four hardware buttons to the most commonly used functions. The default
definition for the buttons, from left to right, are Direct-To (B1), Resume-Nav (B2), Flight-Plan
Page (B3) and Nearest Page (B4).
There's also the arrow-buttons - some of whose functionality is context sensitive (see below). Pressing the
center of the arrow-buttons, invokes the Enter command. You can also press it to close a dialog (e.g. "OK"
on top-right corner).
The following are some more hints on how to perform the more common tasks that one might
come across on a typical flight.
- Creating a Flight-Plan This can be performed most efficiently by entering the waypoints (menu
Plan>>Enter). If you're flying IFR and have a current-database loaded, you can enter the plan as cleared
by ATC (i.e. including airways).
- Direct-To a New Waypoint Press Direct-To button, enter the new identifier and the press
the Enter button.
- Changing Active Flight-plan Waypoint There are two ways:
- Press the up/down arrow buttons while the map is displayed. It'll select a new active waypoint from
the flight-plan.
- Press Flight-Plan Page button, press up/down arrow buttons to select active and then press Direct-To
button. Press Flight-Plan Page button again to cancel.
A subtle difference the two methods is that in the former the desired course-line is the flight-plan segment and
in the latter it's direct-to from the current position.
- Tracking Multiple Navaids (e.g. during instrument approach) During instrument approaches you
may have to track one or more secondary fix (e.g. the FAF). This can be done by pressing the Direct-To button,
entering the identifier and then the DME button. You'll see the DME to that navaid on the right-bottom corner of
the map display. Tapping on the DME will display the radial-from. Tapping again will turn it off. If you need to track both the distance
and the radial from the same navaid...repeat twice.
- OBS Mode Sometimes you have to track a given radial of a navaid. For example, non-precision approaches,
IFR holds, runway headings etc. Press the Direct-To button and enter the inbound course heading. Navgps
will draw a dashed-line on the inbound-radial of the navaid and a solid line on the outbound.
- Nearest Navaid Press the Nearest-Page button. Press the left/right arrow buttons
to select another tab. Press the up/down arrow buttons to select navaid and then Direct-To button.
Press Nearest button again to cancel.
Miscellaneous Hints:
- Install Navgps Pro 3.12+ on external memory (e.g. CF or SD). You'll be able to use it after recharging a dead battery.
- Store as many av-data or topo database files on the pda/mem-card. If you don't think you'll be using some files for a while, change the first letter of the .ng2 or .ng3 file to under-score ('_') and restart navgps. All data-files with under-score as the first letter will not be loaded.
- Turn your pda's infra-red receive function off - in direct sun-light it'll really slow the pda down. Go to Start Menu>>Settings>>Connections>>Beam.
