70
Just when we’re starting to get
used to tablets operating as
navigation instruments, Garmin
has gone one better and packed an
instrument panel full of utility in
to a smart watch.
Garmin claims the D2 is the
first pilot watch to help pilots in
f light, boasting a high-sensitivity
Wide Area Augmentation System
(WAAS) GPS receiver, altimeter
with adjustable baro setting, and
three-axis compass. And that’s
just the start.
The new premium end D2
Charlie retails for around $1200,
or up to $1500 for the Charlie
featuring a titanium bezel with
“diamond-like” carbon finish.
It features a worldwide airportdatabase that enables direct-to and
“nearest” routing, so you can f ly
straight to the airport/waypoint
of your choice or find the nearest
airport if you need to land quickly.
The D2 also allows pilots to view
their route on a moving map
display, or follow the HSI to
the destination. By setting user-
defined waypoints, users can also
easily navigate to any location not
included in the database, or even
create Mark on Target waypoints
to easily reference locations they
fly over.
With wireless connectivity to
smartphones, the D2 Charlie
series can make quick work of
f light logging and other record
keeping tasks. During take-AUSTRALIAN FLYING November – December 2017innovation
Products &
70 A LOOK AT SOME EXCITING PILOT EQUIPMENT & RELATED PRODUCTS
Garmin’s D2 – nav on your wrist
Compact KTI beacon
off, the watch will detect the
aircraft’s change in altitude
and automatically initiate
the logbook function,
recording date, duration,
total f light time and
route. Then after the
f light is complete, it
will sync this logbook
data via smartphone to
f lyGarmin.com and the
Garmin Pilot app.
Between f lights pilots can
even use the Garmin’s sport watch
features, including wrist heart
rate monitoring and daily activity
tracking and training metrics to
ensure they’re shaving kilograms
to maximise payload. And yes, it
also tells the time.Long time Personal Locator Beacon (PLB) manufacturer KTI
has released a new compact unit that it says has a class leading
10-year battery life.
The new SafetyAlert PLB harnesses the more accurate
406MHz COSPAS-SARSAT satellite frequency to deliver
a location accuracy of down to 3.0 metres and faster rescue
response times. Ultra-low current circuitry and low-loss
antenna system deliver performance that exceeds the COSPAS-
SARSAT requirements of 24 hours continuous transmission
at -20°C.
The GPS receiver is coupled to a chip style antenna which
provides high sensitivity together with superior resistance
against detuning by nearby objects. The unit f loats, offers five-
minute position updates and can typically start from cold and
acquire a position in less than 35 seconds.
When emergency services arrive, the SafetyAlert’s high-
intensity photo f lash strobe will guide them straight to your
position.
With simple one-hand activation and a weight of just 140
grams, the SafetyAlert comes with a camera-style carry pouch
with belt loop, and a lanyard that carries pictorial instructions
and a whistle.
The SafetyAlert retails for around $300.