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

[MikeS]

I know the various database options and prices - that's easy enough to find. What I'm wondering is just what comes with the bare-bones unit out of the box, exactly, regarding basemap terrain, geographic and nav info, and other software inclusions. In the U.S. Is the basemap a worldwide database regarding airports and nav info? Does U.S. coverage have Mexico (vasic airport and freequency) coverage?

Is it just a blank unit which requires one choosing one of the database choices? I've seen reference to "one free update" mentioned regarding what "comes in the box." But just what IS that, exactly?

Believe me I've looked and the exact answeres to these questions do not seem to be available in any of the ad or literature I've so far come across.

Thanks,

Mike

[g3xpert]

Originally Posted by MikeS

I know the various database options and prices - that's easy enough to find. What I'm wondering is just what comes with the bare-bones unit out of the box, exactly, regarding basemap terrain, geographic and nav info, and other software inclusions. In the U.S. Is the basemap a worldwide database regarding airports and nav info? Does U.S. coverage have Mexico (vasic airport and freequency) coverage?

Is it just a blank unit which requires one choosing one of the database choices? I've seen reference to "one free update" mentioned regarding what "comes in the box." But just what IS that, exactly?

Believe me I've looked and the exact answeres to these questions do not seem to be available in any of the ad or literature I've so far come across.

Thanks,

Mike

Hello Mike,

We sell several different versions of the aera 660 for different parts of the world, and each has a different factory load of most of the databases, but every unit is supplied with Worldwide terrain and basemap databases.

The basemap is the core map which is drawn under everything else and contains rivers, lakes, cities, highways, railroads, state boundaries, etc, but it does not include airports since those are in the Navigation database.

The unit comes with a complete set of databases, so it is quite functional out-of-the-box, but some of the databases may be out-of-date depending on how long it has been since it was loaded in the factory. This isn't a concern, however, because every unit ships with a free database update coupon, which when the code is entered in FlyGarmin (after creating an account and entering the serial number for the aera 660) allows one free purchase of every database type so you can get the unit up-to-date at no additional charge.

The Americas North Garmin Navigation Database is one of your choices and it includes coverage for Mexico.

Thank you for your interest and let us know if we can help further.

Thanks,
Steve

[MikeS]

Very nice comprehensive answers to my questions. I've been playing with and wasting money on some navigators (various combinations of erratic and undependable software combined with inadequate - not to mention practically invisible hardware) over the last several months and realize I should have just saved my money and bought the 660 . . . but then who knew or expected Garmin to come out with something sunlight readable and the perfect size for my cockpit, and so full of excellent features - all at a very reasonable (for Garmin) price.

My single-place aircraft has a small cockpit and a canopy, complications most others don't have to consider in their choices.

Mucho gracias,

Mike

[olyolson]

Been flying with the Aera 660 in my RV-4 for a couple months now and would not trade it for anything. It is so bright in direct sunlight that I actually had to turn DOWN the brightness. A vast improvement over the IPAD Mini I used to use. I do still carry the IPAD for cross country flights so I can also bring a computer along.

The IPAD Mini is still quite capable and needed for the approach charts and has a bigger screen for other stuff but the 660 is hands down easier to see in a bubble canopy.

[Chkaharyer99]

Two good reasons to buy one. It will be my fathers day present!

Originally Posted by g3xpert

Hello Mike,

We sell several different versions of the aera 660 for different parts of the world, and each has a different factory load of most of the databases, but every unit is supplied with Worldwide terrain and basemap databases.

The basemap is the core map which is drawn under everything else and contains rivers, lakes, cities, highways, railroads, state boundaries, etc, but it does not include airports since those are in the Navigation database.

The unit comes with a complete set of databases, so it is quite functional out-of-the-box, but some of the databases may be out-of-date depending on how long it has been since it was loaded in the factory. This isn't a concern, however, because every unit ships with a free database update coupon, which when the code is entered in FlyGarmin (after creating an account and entering the serial number for the aera 660) allows one free purchase of every database type so you can get the unit up-to-date at no additional charge.

The Americas North Garmin Navigation Database is one of your choices and it includes coverage for Mexico.

Thank you for your interest and let us know if we can help further.

Thanks,
Steve

Originally Posted by olyolson

Been flying with the Aera 660 in my RV-4 for a couple months now and would not trade it for anything. It is so bright in direct sunlight that I actually had to turn DOWN the brightness. A vast improvement over the IPAD Mini I used to use. I do still carry the IPAD for cross country flights so I can also bring a computer along.

The IPAD Mini is still quite capable and needed for the approach charts and has a bigger screen for other stuff but the 660 is hands down easier to see in a bubble canopy.

[mooniac]

Originally Posted by mooniac

Steve,

I appreciate the response. I am on v2.50. I don't want to turn off BT since I still would like traffic and weather. I have had the setting on the Connext page set as you suggested all along and it still is sending the flight plan to the GTN in the case you've identified as BT reconnect. That is what I found troubling about it.

Thanks! I really appreciate your help.

Steve,

Some more debugging going on...

I found there is an on-screen notification when BT disconnects from the flight stream 210. I also verified (my wife was good enough to cooperate) that even though the Outgoing Flightplan setting is on Require Action and the bluetooth disconnect message does not occur, I still see the flight plan pushed from the 660 to my GTN at least once per flight.

Thanks for your continued help.

[g3xpert]

Originally Posted by mooniac

Steve,

Some more debugging going on...

http://www.vansairforce.com/communit...&postcount=149

[nippaero]

I heard from AirGizmos that they have a 660 mount in the works and should have it ready in a few weeks in time for AirVenture!

[Rigganp]

Steve,

I received my 660 yesterday and learned tonight it does not support multiple Bluetooth connections t(I.e. GDL 39 and iPhone simultaneously). So, will I be able to hardwire to GDL 39 and connect to iPhone via Bluetooth simultaneously?

Thanks,

Phillip

[g3xpert]

Originally Posted by Rigganp

Steve,

I received my 660 yesterday and learned tonight it does not support multiple Bluetooth connections t(I.e. GDL 39 and iPhone simultaneously). So, will I be able to hardwire to GDL 39 and connect to iPhone via Bluetooth simultaneously?

Thanks,

Phillip

Hello Phillip,

Yes, you can use the BT interface and both RS-232 interfaces at the same time.

Thanks,
Steve