Garmin Aera series
Garmin introduced a new series of GPS devices today aimed at recreational pilots who want a single GPS to keep them aligned to the airways and highways. The Garmin Aera series devices include both aviation charts as well as road maps.
“Customers who use Garmin products in their plane and car often ask us to create an all-in-one GPS that combines our aviation expertise with the operational simplicity and clean exterior design of our automotive devices,” said Gary Kelley, Garmin’s vice president of marketing.
Until now, most people wanting a single, portable, aviation and road GPS have relied on various hacks available to place aviation maps on their Nuvi. With the Nuvi form factor, widescreen, touchscreen, obstacle data for flying, POI data for driving– this GPS will be a dream for many private pilots. Perhaps the best feature is these devices are IPX-7 waterproof.
About the only thing not to like is the steep price; you are going to pay up to $2,000 for the top end model. Due to the steep price I think we will still see many Nuvi owners continuing to perform their own modifications to get aviation charts on their GPS.
| aera 500 – $800 | aera 510 – $1,300 | aera 550 – $1,500 | aera 560 – $2,000 | |
| 5 HZ GPS update rate for near-real-time updates of panel page |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Patented aviation panel page |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Terrain and obstacle data |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Private Airport data |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| XM WX capable and GXM™ 40 antenna included (XM WX subscription required) |
No
|
Yes
|
No
|
Yes
|
| Standard 30 arc second terrain/obstacle data |
Yes
|
Yes
|
No
|
No
|
| High resolution 9 arc second terrain/obstacle data for a more vivid depiction of proximity hazards (over 11 times more onscreen resolution than the standard 30 arc-second) |
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| SafeTaxi® with over 950 US airports |
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| AOPA Airport Directory |
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| One year complimentary aviation database updates (obstacles, terrain, SafeTaxi, NavData and AOPA Airport Directory) |
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Preloaded auto maps with voice prompted directions that speak street names, “turn right on main street” |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Bluetooth capability in automotive mode |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Ruggedized and waterproof (IEC 529 IPX-7 standards) |
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Enhanced auto features (lane assist, junction view, and speed limit notification) |
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
| NAVTEQ automotive traffic compatible (requires purchase of accessory cigarette lighter adapter with integrated FM traffic receiver) |
No
|
No
|
Yes
|
Yes
|
Just bought an Aera 560 to replace my GPS 496. A capable unit with many nice features, however after a side by side comparison, Im returning the 560 and keeping the 496. I fly an open cockpit aircraft and in direct sunlight the 496 is very legible while the detail on the 560 is very difficult to see. Also the compass rose on the 496 is much more responsive than the 560 which has a noticeable lag time. Its not much better than a whisky compass which makes it difficult to roll out precisely on a heading from a standard rate turn. The touch screen is nice but not very useful if you cant see the detail. I like it as a automobile unit but at $2000 one would be better served to buy a NUVI and a used 496 and pocket the change.