PocketFMS 0.9.64 (Freeware*)
This program provides flight planning and a moving map on your Pocket PC or Windows PC.
Features Include: This program has two parts a Windows (desktop interface) and a Pocket PC interface. Both programs provide advanced flight planning, with "Direct To", unlimited number of airplane definitions (with W&B and graphical envelope), highly customizable moving map, automatic wind vectors and more. The moving map has many features such as a compass rose, ARC mode, and other display options. The data displayed on the map includes: obstacles, terrain, MSA, airports, NAVAIDs, runway layouts, airspace, communications, and much more. The moving map also has manual and automatic declutter, as well as auto-zooming. The downloaded METARs can be used to automatically assist in calculating wind vectors.
Reviewed by
Matthew Justice on 08-10-06, Updated on 10-10-06
Review
Pros: Program will download maps, terrain data and airport information from internet. You can customize moving map to display only the information you wish to see.
Cons: No E6-B, initial map and data download process is slow, no Pocket PC un-install process, no terrain legend, no simulation mode, no hardware button assignment.
Platform: None - Windows and Pocket PC versions have the same features, except on the Pocket PC version can't download updated maps and data.
Notes: ** Reviewed on a Toshiba e335 **, re-reviewed 6 June 2005 (version 0.9.59), you can use the desktop software to view and create flight plans.
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Jun 24, 2007 (Sun) - Anonymous using Pocket PC |
| "No review given by user {version 0.9.64}" |
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Jun 19, 2007 (Tue) - Anonymous using Java - blackberry 8700 |
| "No review given by user" |
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Jun 4, 2007 (Mon) - Kalman Toth using Windows Smartphone - mio a701 |
| "No review given by user" |
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Apr 24, 2007 (Tue) - S_e_r_g using Windows |
| "No review given by user {version pocetFMS}" |
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Apr 3, 2007 (Tue) - Anonymous using Pocket PC - Garmin Pocket PC |
| "No review given by user" |
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Dec 14, 2006 (Thu) - Anonymous using Pocket PC |
| "Great! I have totalled about 20h flight, mostly in the 150 nm range and found fantastic {version 0.9.64}" |
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Jul 14, 2006 (Fri) - D. Lowey using Pocket PC |
| "I have been using PocketFMS for several years now. It does more than any GPS I've seen out there. Flying shows across North America, I won't fly cross country without it {version 0.9.62}" |
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Feb 7, 2006 (Tue) - Paul using Pocket PC |
| "Great software, reliable and extremely handy before and during a flight! Take your time to read the manual and be sure to have a PPC which performes... {version 0.9.59}" |
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Oct 30, 2005 (Sun) - Turbo Mooney Pilot using Pocket PC |
| "I found Pocket FMS to be adequate for general recreational use.
As for FMS being free, I would only note that some features are disabled to users who have not "donated" $60.00 or more.
Since this software includes both a desktop and a PDA application which are similar in features some may find this a real asset in flight planning.
The ability to download Metar and TAF's and directly on the pda is a nice feature.
Also the fight planning page offers some very unusual additions including automatic route altitude calculations.
For my personal use I found the PDA application to be poorly integrated.
Airspace alerts were so intrusive as to render this feature more annoying than useful.
Although the user is able to configure the displayed items for each zoom level, this proved more of an exercise than an asset.
At many zoom levels displaying obstacles, comms or waypoints cluttered the display to the extent of being unreadible.
Flight planning and object information via the MM was tedious at best as you have to go back and forth selecting between no less than seven different modes. Selecting add and then tapping on a Airport or Navaid inserts a user waypoint instead of the actual object ID.
This software requires selectively downloading data for every US region and the caveat came when I loaded four ARTCC regions to cover a flight.
FMS was not a happy camper when confronted with more than a few US regions loaded. The thought of fa ull us dataset loaded into FMS v9.59 seems impractical at this time as certain FMS features are highly degraded by this. {version 0.9.59}" |
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Sep 20, 2005 (Tue) - E. Miranda using Pocket PC |
| "I have been using this product for some time now and I strongly recommend it as a backup for your airplane. My experience has been close to perfect, and whatever bugs I have had (compatibility) were rapidly answered. I donated and I will again. {version 0.9.59}" |
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May 15, 2005 (Sun) - David using Pocket PC |
| "Very nice program, unlike others on the market, this one allows you to use it in windows or the pocket pc. This setup alone is very nice as you can plan routes and then copy over to the PPC when completed. The PPC install is very clean, all the data goes to the SD or CF card on your PPC. You also like other programs don't have to fire up the GPS in PPC mode, you can go standalone and create routes and then turn on the GPS. I have loaded 6 ARTCC area's with full terrain into about 150 megs of SD space. this does slow the PPC down just bit, loading 1 or 2 centers seems to be the magic touch. Lots of options to change, very nice program {version 0.9.56}" |
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Jan 5, 2005 (Wed) - Anonymous using Pocket PC |
| "I use PocketFMS as a backup system to the Garmin 430. The moving map and the data accuracy is perfect. The display of obsticals is a feature even the Garmin 430 does not offer. I personally like the flight planning feature which can be upgraded with downloaded weather information. All in a nutshell a perfect tool for the pilots who fly in planes which not always have the fines GPS avionics installed. Two thumbs up! " |
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Dec 27, 2004 (Mon) - Anonymous using Pocket PC |
| "This program is amazing, and it would still be amazing even if it were not free. I highly recommend donating money to these hard working developers. Once you donate you receive much more detailed maps as well as keeping this method of software distribution (donationware) alive. It also works flawlessly with MS Flight Simulator when you use a file called GPSout." |
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Aug 5, 2004 (Thu) - Peter using Pocket PC |
| "Great software for the price: it's free! I had an issue so at first I couldn't use it with my iPaq-GPS combination, but the developpers were very responsive to sort that out! This promises a lot for future functionality. Great flight-planning, nice in-flight moving map. Absolutely must use this before looking at commercial software...!" |
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Jul 14, 2004 (Wed) - Anonymous using Pocket PC |
| "What can you expect from a free program in Beta? Usually, the answer would be: "Bugs and outdated information". Not with PocketFMS. The level of functionalilty and detail is outstanding, even though that I'm living far away from the software's country of origin. The author effectively managed to collect data from various free sources and integrate them into the software. While this is of most benefit to the user, the downside is, that the software becomes sensitive on version changes of the information provider's interfaces. But a new release of PocketFMS to address these issues is made available quite rapidly (at least up now). It is further noticable that the author has picked up the critics and will provide enhanced map download features soon." |
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Jul 6, 2004 (Tue) - Anonymous using Pocket PC |
| "Its free, at least for now, and so was worth trying.
I have been quite blown away by the depth of this program. Its Still in beta at the moment but shows huge potential. It comes with a desktop flight planner that interfaces with the Pocket version. Quite a sophisticated flight planning option, with a very good moving map, with a pretty complete database. There are down sides, the maps can take a long time to down load, some display features need tweaking, such as frequencies which can over lap. However if development continues, this will be the one to watch.
" |
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May 31, 2004 (Mon) - Anonymous using Pocket PC |
| "This software is very impressing. It does all the flight planning and has an excellent moving map. I made a donation and the enhanced maps are great! I reccomend it to every pliot out there." |
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Mar 21, 2004 (Sun) - Anonymous using Pocket PC |
| "It's simply incredible what this (free!) software has to offer. I've flown across Europe, mainly naviagting on this wonderful package, can't wait until it gets out of Beta!!" |
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Jan 8, 2004 (Thu) - Anonymous using Pocket PC |
| "I've been using PocketFMS for a few months now and I'm happy with the software. The initial setup is a little awkward. There needs to be a "download all maps at all zoom levels" option. As it is, you have to download each detailed map at each zoom level which is quite time consuming. I've been using it with a BlueTooth GPS and iPAQ 4150 and it has worked flawlessly. Since it is still in beta testing, I look forward to updates from the author." |
| Total Reviews (19) - Average User Rating (4 stars): | |
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