New (March 1, 2016) Garmin aera 660 Portable GPS

[Steve Job]

To Garmin Expert Steve:

Can you compare the features and functionality of this product vs the iOS version of Garmin Pilot? I understand it has much better daylight visibility, and should be less susceptible to overheating. For instance, does it offer lateral guidance for instument approaches?

Thanks!

[g3xpert]

Originally Posted by Steve Job

To Garmin Expert Steve:

Can you compare the features and functionality of this product vs the iOS version of Garmin Pilot? I understand it has much better daylight visibility, and should be less susceptible to overheating. For instance, does it offer lateral guidance for instument approaches?

Thanks!

Hello Steve,

Our team develops and uses G3X systems and portable GPS units, and we aren't very knowledgeable about Garmin Pilot, but we can tell you that unlike phones and tablets, the aera 660 is specifically developed and tested to operate well in the bright and sometimes hot conditions found in aircraft. Just as important is the built-in ability to integrate with aircraft systems like audio panels, autopilots, and radios which tablets and phones also do not.

The U.S. VFR navigation database that was previously offered in the most affordable database bundles did not include instrument approaches, so it was not possible to load an approach when using that navigation database.

The new Garmin Navigation Database offered in U.S. and North American database bundles for the aera 660 DOES include instrument approaches, so you may load and activate an approach (FAF to runway end) and follow the lateral guidance. This is, of course, not an IFR navigator.

As shown in the images in the first posting, VNAV vertical guidance is also provided by the aera 660 and both lateral and vertical guidance is output on the serial port if your aircraft has an autopilot that follows this guidance.

Thanks,
Steve

[Steve Job]

Thank you so much for your quick response, but I have one more question regarding the VNAV guidance. On my Aera 510, the VNAV feature only worked between crusing altitude and the pattern altitude. Just so I'm clear, or you saying that VNAV is now available during the approach, similar to a certified unit on an LPV approach? I understand this unit is not IFR certified, but vertical guidance is a wonderful enhancement to situational awareness.

[g3xpert]

Originally Posted by Steve Job

Thank you so much for your quick response, but I have one more question regarding the VNAV guidance. On my Aera 510, the VNAV feature only worked between crusing altitude and the pattern altitude. Just so I'm clear, or you saying that VNAV is now available during the approach, similar to a certified unit on an LPV approach? I understand this unit is not IFR certified, but vertical guidance is a wonderful enhancement to situational awareness.

Hello Steve,

No, none of our non-certified navigation products provide vertical guidance or vertical mode autopilot coupling for instrument approaches.

Thanks,
Steve

[Steve Job]

Thanks again, Steve!

[olyolson]

Steve,

I realize the Garmin Pilot App is separate from the Aera 660 data. If I did plunk down the bucks for the 660 with the $149 yearly data update package and a GDL 39 3D then why wouldn't I be entitled to the data updates for the Garmin Pilot App. It would be easy enough to have to use an access code only available if the 660 is purchased.

That way I have a compatible format for preflight planning on my IPAD when not at the airplane and a backup in the airplane. Would the Garmin Pilot App be able to send the flight plan data to the 660? If not, can the 660 be removed from the airplane and do the flight planning somewhere else on battery power?

Another poster asked a question that was not answered about using WIFI to enable the GDL 39 3D attitude into the 660.

Oly

[g3xpert]

Originally Posted by olyolson

Steve,

I realize the Garmin Pilot App is separate from the Aera 660 data. If I did plunk down the bucks for the 660 with the $149 yearly data update package and a GDL 39 3D then why wouldn't I be entitled to the data updates for the Garmin Pilot App. It would be easy enough to have to use an access code only available if the 660 is purchased.

That way I have a compatible format for preflight planning on my IPAD when not at the airplane and a backup in the airplane. Would the Garmin Pilot App be able to send the flight plan data to the 660? If not, can the 660 be removed from the airplane and do the flight planning somewhere else on battery power?

Another poster asked a question that was not answered about using WIFI to enable the GDL 39 3D attitude into the 660.

Oly

Hello Oly,

We appreciate your comments and input on shared databases.

Yes, as described above and on the other thread we are discussing with you, the aera 660 is expected to be snapped in/out of the powered mount so you can take it home, plug it in using the provided AC adapter (mini USB), update databases over WiFi and generally use for flight planning and maintaining a catalog of flight plans both in and out of the plane. No need for any interface with an iPad.

The aera 660 supports an interface to a GDL 39 3D using either a highly reliable RS-232 connection, or Bluetooth.

Thanks,
Steve

[n5ff]

Hello,

Can you use the Zaon XRX for traffic on one serial port and the GDL 39 3D for traffic and weather on the second serial port, simultaneously?

Alternatively, can you use the XRX on one serial port, the GDL on Bluetooth while using the second serial port to interface to the Insight G-2 Engine monitor ?

If so, in the above example, can the GDL pair and communicate with both the 660 and an i pad running Garmin pilot?

Will the "possibly to come" XM option be hard wired to a serial port or wireless via wifi, Bluetooth, etc? Will it support weather only or music too?

Is the physical packaging identical to the 560, and will it fit the 560 air gizmo dock?

Thanks

[g3xpert]

Hello n5ff,

Thank you for your interest.

Can you use the Zaon XRX for traffic on one serial port and the GDL 39 3D for traffic and weather on the second serial port, simultaneously?

Yes, the aera 660 will support simultaneous connection of both TIS-A and ADS-B traffic sources and will automatically prioritize and display the best traffic source and identify which source is being used. One caveat. The XRX mimics a real TIS-A traffic source, but unlike a real TIS-A receiver, it constantly reports it is receiving traffic, so will be prioritized above the ADS-B traffic except when TIS-B services are being received. You may always turn off the XRX if you wish the excellent ADS-B traffic from the dual frequency GDL39 to be displayed full time.

Alternatively, can you use the XRX on one serial port, the GDL on Bluetooth while using the second serial port to interface to the Insight G-2 Engine monitor?

Yes, the GDL39 may also be connected via the Bluetooth interface, but we always recommend a wired interface for something as important as traffic and weather when possible. Not sure what the Insight is needing, but if something like NMEA data, this should also work. You may configure a single serial port for "TIS-A In/NMEA & VHF Out", so you might be able to connect both the XRX and Insight to one of the two serial ports leaving the remaining serial port for the high value GDL39 traffic and weather.

If so, in the above example, can the GDL pair and communicate with both the 660 and an ipad running Garmin pilot?

Yes

Will the "possibly to come" XM option be hard wired to a serial port or wireless via wifi, Bluetooth, etc? Will it support weather only or music too?

We are not sharing details yet, but both wired and wireless interfaces supporting both music and weather are possible features.

Is the physical packaging identical to the 560, and will it fit the 560 air gizmo dock?

Please see posting 11 above.

Thanks,
Steve

[c177tx]

Will the 660 be able to connect with the Stratux ADS-B receiver?