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Holiday Gift Guide
by Sean Fulton
NAVGUARD AIRCRAFT ALARM
 Here’s something different: A portable, wireless alarm system that not only notifies you by cell phone if someone breaks into your hangar, but you can also take it with you to stand guard over your airplane when you are away from home. The Navguard EEE777AB requires no wires or telephone hookup, and has a 40-hour stand-by battery that can be used in the event of a power failure or in your airplane while you are traveling. What makes this model truly remarkable is that you can unplug it from the hangar and take it with you. Once at your destination, simply place the unit in the front or rear seat of the airplane and arm it. If someone climbs in your airplane, an audible alarm will go off and you’ll be alerted by cell phone. Talk about being able to take it with you! The unit costs $999, and can be purchased directly from E & E Aviation Products at eeelectronic.com.
 GARMIN GPSMAP 196
The Garmin GPSMAP 196 is a versatile, hand-held backup navigational system that can easily fit in any cockpit. This WAAS-capable model features detailed moving map graphics, a simulated instrument-panel six-pack, and a Jeppesen database. Attractively priced at around $800 from garmin.com.
LOWRANCE AIRMAP 2000C
 The latest in hand-held situational awareness comes from Lowrance in the AirMap family of GPS+WAAS portables. The unit features a large, 5-inch diagonal color display with exclusive “glass cockpit” navigational screens. It can also be upgraded for terrain awareness and look-ahead features. Priced at just $999 from lowrance.com. 
 GARMIN GPSMAP 296
Get panel-mounted avionics in a portable kit. The ideal backup device, the GPSMAP 296 provides a clear picture of the ground below, with full-terrain mapping, programmable “buffer zones” and pop-up alerts. Its big, 4-inch (diagonal) 256-color TFT display makes it easy to distinguish SUAs from highways, or VORs from nearby towns. Move the cursor to one of those SUAs and the name, controlling agency, and vertical boundaries pop-up on the map. Meanwhile a “vector to final” feature offers the finest situational awareness on approach. Available for $1,795 from your favorite online retailer, or visit garmin.com.
CIRRUS SR22-G2
 The newly-redesigned SR22 is one of the finest single-engine airplanes on the market today, and certainly one of the safest. With luxury appointments, an all-glass instrument panel and a built-in full-airplane parachute, the SR22 is a coveted ride for any successful pilot who wants to use his or her airplane to travel and enjoy life. And with prices starting at $334,700, you won’t go wrong. For more information, visit cirrusdesign.com.
 DIAMOND DA42 TWIN STAR
While not a choice for the faint-hearted gift giver, we can state with 100-percent confidence that the multi-engine pilot in your life would love to find a Twin Star in his or her hangar this holiday season. The DA42 Twin Star is the first truly new multi-engine, general aviation airplane to come along in years, and it boasts innovations in design that are revolutionary. The Twin Star can burn either diesel or jet fuel, and it burns less fuel per hour than many modern single-engine airplanes. It also features a fully-glass cockpit and a sleek composite airframe that combine to make this bird a pleasure to fly. Prices start at $398,000 if delivered in 2004. Any new orders in 2005 will have a new price tag of $439,000. For more information, visit diamondair.com.
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